( Astheria, Australia. )
The Empress walked into the ancestral office used by each ruling King or Queen. She sat on the soft leather swiveling chair and faced Elva while the guards stood outside the door.
She could faintly smell her Grandmother’s scent and it intensified her desire to fulfil her promise! Elva sat on one of the two sofas before her with her legendary tablet. Wearing a Navy blue straight cut gown and black heels, she dressed the look.
“If you’re ready, a royal secretary has been appointed to you by the late Queen.” She informed. Natalia raised her eyes and nodded.
“Send her in.”
A moment later, a pretty female walked in. She couldn’t have been more than twenty one. She had a pure face but her confident aura shone through her well tailored suit. Her hair was in a ponytail.
“Good morning, Empress Alexis. I’m Naomi Grindle. Reporting to be your official secretary from now on.” She bowed a little.
Natalia gave a curt nod and looked at her profile in paper.
A brainiac with potential from a poor background, had scholarships repeatedly till she got admitted to study at a two year special academy for geniuses, a number of awards and medals here and there…
“Good.” She stated. “With the recommendations I’ve gotten so far, if your IQ keeps up with me I’m sure we’ll get along pretty well.” Naomi flushed and bowed again.
A sharp knock on the door interrupted the meeting. Natalia glanced at Elva for an explanation. She quickly grabbed her tablet.
“It’s the new head of security and also your personal bodyguard. The late Queen also instated him in your absence.” She explained as the door opened and Jake walked in.
Natalia maintained an indifferent look while Elva’s eyes literally dropped to her legs! He was dressed in uniform which was a black suit with the symbol of Astheria on the shoulder region of the jacket.
His temperament had changed from the lively chauffeur they once knew to a charismatic soldier. His cold, dominating aura radiated like sparks.
Obviously, Queen Fiona wasn’t kidding when she said she had eyes on them.
“Good day, Empress. Jake Buniz reporting for duty.” He said with a quick salute.
Military.
Natalia picked up his file which was next to Naomi’s. Enlisted into the military at the age of eighteen, had a one year undercover mission as part of his graduation examination from basic training, then a three year rough training in Afghanistan, two year intense senior training in Korea and graduated about a week ago. Acknowledged by Queen Fiona.
“Mhn.” She hummed silently. Even his posture, spoke miles.
“Okay, Jake. I’m putting my existence in your care.”
“Be rest assured, Empress. I’m bound by oath to protect you with my life.” He reported with all solemnity. Natalia forced a bitter smile.
That was the problem.
She didn’t want anyone else risking their lives to protect hers anymore.
“There’s something confidential I have to share. And it must remain top secret among the four of us no matter what.” They looked on in silence as she explained everything.
“I want to get whoever the mastermind is. And I need your co-operations.” She stood behind her chair.
They all kept quiet for a while, lost in their own thoughts. Natalia didn’t blame them. The gravity of the mission was both tough and dangerous. She wasn’t going to pressurize them into…
“Top notch security adjustments has to be made. It’s going to be hard detecting the spies since they eat, talk, walk and live with us and we don’t know how many they are. But it’s not impossible. Any suspicious movement from our side and they’ll be a step ahead.
“We need to make some kind of trap. More like a peek-a-boo. Something they’ll never see coming. I know a few tricks though.” Jake relaxed a bit and pocketed.
“They might’ve overlooked some minor mistakes too considering the ease of the crime.” Naomi took over with a thoughtful scowl.
“I can look at the records from some years ago and search for anything shady. If my bet is right, some cabinet members might also be involved.” She hinted.
“Reviewing the employees movement in and out of the palace might help. All the royal staff’s appointments can be cross examined. Who knows, there might be a few odds.” Elva noted.
“Great! I can help with that. I already have a hang of the records room.” Naomi offered and Elva nodded.
Looking at them, a fuzzy feeling passed through Natalia’s cold heart which she felt had been totally shattered.
“Hold on.” Everyone paused and looked at Jake.
“If they’re so close, they must have bugged most of the palace. Like the Queen’s room, the Princess’s chambers and…” He stopped and looked at Natalia.
“…. This office.”
Her heart skipped a beat. She took a cautious look around the historic office like it was the first time. Grandma had spent a lot of time in there. It was her favourite place because she felt deeply connected to the past rulers in there.
And Natalia was starting to also. She never even thought of it!
“Though it’s a wild possibility depending on who comes in or not, I’ll still check for it.” He shrugged.
“Okay.” Natalia said with renewed determination. “Let’s get cracking…”
***
Elva stifled a yawn and massaged her sore neck. She was exhausted but didn’t say it. It was against all professional ethics.
“There’s a couple of royal invitations that needs your appearance. One is the launch of a newly established museum in Germany. You’re invited as the guest of honor. Another is a historic park in Canada, a classical music college in Britain, an international airport in Ethiopia, a ballerina Academy in Switzerland, a national stadium in Argentina and so on.” She was holding a box filled with expensive cards in all colors.
“I’m in no mood to make celebrity appearances. Send a delegation to each of them on my behalf.”
Half an hour later, Elva was done.
“Do you want another cup of coffee?” She asked. Natalia briefly glanced at her half full cup and declined before picking another file and comparing it with those in her laptop.
“It’s a few minutes past midnight. You should get some sleep.” She said and stood up, hugging her tablet. “Goodnight.”
As expected, when Natalia didn’t respond, she breathed out deeply and turned to leave.
“Elva.” Natalia called. Elva looked back expectantly but she handed her a couple of files without looking up.
“See to it that Naomi has help classifying these.” She collected them and hugged them also.
A moment later, Natalia looked up to still see her standing there. And she almost rolled her eyes.
“Goodnight!”
“Don’t stay up too late.” Elva grinned and triumphantly walked away while she returned her eyes to her work.
An hour later, Natalia shut her laptop and emptied the rest of the cold coffee into her mouth. She slipped her feet into her high heels and stood up. Putting away some files, she stalked to the door.
“What are you still doing here?” She asked the guards still on duty. She remembered dismissing them about an hour ago.
“Chief of security, ordered us not to leave you alone for a moment.”
“Where is he?”
“He’s regrouping the guards on night duty at the palace grounds.” Natalia sighed and nearly rubbed her temple.
“You’re both dismissed.” She ordered. They skeptically looked at her before speaking into the transmitter in their ears and wrists.
“Chief Jake said he’ll be up in a moment and till then, we shouldn’t let you out of our sights.” They reported and returned to their cold looks.
Knowing the spies would find it suspicious, Natalia demanded they leave. After a moment of uncertainty, they moved away but she knew they still shadowed her.
She went wherever her legs took her. She was stiff and needed the exercise. Soon, she found herself staring at her grandmother’s chambers. She hadn’t been there in months since the night she died.
With shaky hands, Natalia pushed the door open. It made some kind of creaking noise as it revealed the pitch black, graveyard silent room.
Strange.
The decorative Chinese lamps which her grandmother loved were also turned off?
Natalia groped around in the darkness to find the light switch. The rays from the hallway helped. A bit. She flipped a switch and immediately, bright lights flooded the room.
Everything looked the same. The homely touch and her familiar soothing fragrance. The new Queen slowly walked to the bed and sat on the neatly arranged bed spread.
Natalia fought the urge to cry as memories flooded in. Each memory was still very strong. She picked up a pillow which still had her scent and hugged it fondly.
As she was returning it, something slipped from the bedside and rolled away. Natalia frowned in confusion and crouched to pick it up.
She froze when she saw it was a watery liquid in a tiny glass bottle. It was so little that her pinky finger was twice its height. Natalia didn’t remember her grandmother owning anything like that. She tried to uncover it but it was sealed too tightly.
It must’ve been so important to the owner because the intruder stealthily sneaked up behind the Empress and knocked the her out…