Arabella’s point of view.
I simply smiled at them, then turned to my mate, I waved at him and signaled him to sit down; fortunately, he listened to me.
My eyes moved around as I studied the elders, then cleared my throat lightly and clapped my hands very lightly.
“It’s my first time attending meeting with everyone and it’s nice, but sorry that our first meeting is about disaster” I sighed and shook my head. “But let’s get down to business”
I walked towards an empty chair by Wymond’s left hand, it’s very obvious the chair is made for me -the queen. I sat down gracefully, letting my heavy @ss occupied every space and cleared my throat again.
“About the incident that happened today, let’s review it together, what do you say, darling?”
I turned to Wymond as I asked this question and flashed him a very bright smile, I emphasized on darling to let him know there’s a reason I made this suggestion.
But my mate doesn’t seemed to understand, he narrowed his eyes and he stared right in mine, as if he’s trying to figure out something.
Just play along with me -I said in my mind, knowing fully well he’s gonna read my thoughts. He sighed and nodded.
“Yes, let’s review it” he said.
I nodded, then turned to face the elders and began.
“The mist came unexpectedly, a guard’s uniform also caught fire unexpectedly and a prisoner went missing just when the fire was put out” I paused.
My eyes wandered around the elders, not as if I’m trying to find the suspect because I already have one, well, let’s say he presented himself to me.
“Don’t any of you find it suspicious?” I asked them.
Some of the elders nodded thoughtfully at my words and started whispering among themselves, but as I had anticipated, elder Marshall was busy looking around with a frown.
“There is a spy among us” I said.
Their whispers died down at my comment and they stayed quiet to listen to me.
“Whoever broke the prisoner out couldn’t have done it alone, he had help from the inside and that’s what we should be looking into -not I and my mate’s intimate time together” I explained.
I locked gaze with elder Marshall when saying those words, because I’m obviously aiming at him now.
“What do you mean by that, your highness? Are you trying to say one of us, the elders have a hand in this?” Elder Marshall asked.
I laughed at his question.
“Well, I didn’t say any of you are suspects”
“But you said…”
“I know what I said” I cut him off. “I said there’s a spy among us and that involves everyone in Wymond’s region” I paused and looked him in the eyes. “How did you know I was aiming at one of the elders when I didn’t even mention anything about them?”
He looked around speechlessly like a lost puppy and clenched his fists, I scoffed loudly and shook my head.
“Edward and I just tried Wymond’s protection spell and it’s still intact” I lied smoothly.
I took a sneak peek at Edward, who’s already giving me a surprise look because we never talked about checking the spell or even thought of checking.
But telling a white lie to catch an ugly snitch isn’t wrong, I passed him a knowing smile and he understood what I was trying to do immediately.
“The protection spell wasn’t undone” I proceeded. “And according to Edward it’s a very complicated spell which nobody, not even the greatest wizard can undo”
Edward cleared his throat and stepped forward with the file, he dropped it on Wymond’s table and turned to face the elders.
“Yes, her highness is right, we didn’t attend this meeting earlier because we were investigating what happened” he paused. “And according to the clue we’ve gathered, someone from inside set the fire on the guard and broke the prisoner out -no one from outside the region came in” he explained.
“It’s very clear from Edward’s explanation that this is a conspiracy between the spy and whoever he or she is working for” I said.
From the corner of my eyes I could see Wymond looking at me in shock, but he didn’t interrupt me and let me continue.
“I have a suggestion” I said.
“What is your suggestion, your highness?” A very old man asked, he must be the oldest elder who queried Marshall while I was outside.
“Let me take over the case, give me five days to investigate and I’ll catch the snitch” I suggested.
Wymond gave me a confused look, well, darling I’m surprised at myself too -I don’t know why I’d make such suggestion.
The elders thought about my suggestion and nodded in agreement.
“Alright, your highness, until five days time” the oldest elder said.
He and the others stood up, they bowed before Wymond and I.
“We beg to take our leave” they chorused and headed out.
Elder Marshall reluctantly followed them, but not before glaring maliciously at me.
Wymond turned to me when he’s sure they are gone and reached for my hand.
“Baby, what are you doing?” he asked.
I snatched my hands from his and turned away from him.
“I’m not your baby” I said and huffed.
He sighed deeply.
“Are you mad at me?” he asked.
“What do you think?” I asked him back.
“Don’t tell me you made that suggestion because you’re mad at me and wanna get back at me, do you know five days is too short for investigating this?” he asked.
I scoffed.
“It’s too short but not impossible, the earliest we start investigating the earlier we are gonna close this case”
Edward cleared his throat quietly to politely remind us of his presence, I turned to him and raised my brows at him.
“Where should we begin in the investigation?” he asked.
“Edward, you’re gonna go check Wymond’s protection spell right now, find out if anyone truly made any attempts to undo it and make sure you don’t miss even the slightest details”
“Yes, your highness”
I turned back to Wymond.
“And you are coming with me” I told him.
“Where are we going?” he asked.
“We’re going to visit the guard who was consumed by fire, he’s our strongest clue so far…”
I trailed off and twisted my lips as I thought further.
“… then we’ll revisit the dungeon, I need to see those broken chains and confirm something” I said.
Wymond smiled, but I frowned in return because I’m feeling confused as to why he’s smiling.
“Why are you smiling?” I asked.
He pulled me closer to himself and hugged me from behind.
“My queen is very smart and wise” he said.
I wriggled out of his arms and threw him a glare.
“Don’t think we’re on good terms because I’m helping you solve this case” I got up and readjust my blouse. “I’m just putting my subjects’ interest first because I’m the queen, we’ll settle our personal grudge after all this is over” I said.
★★★★★
(Infirmary)
“You really don’t have to take these guards everywhere you go” I said to Wymond as we approached the guard’s ward.
“Baby, it’s their job and I can’t stop them from doing their jobs” he replied.
“Stop calling me your baby!” I snapped at him and scoffed.
The guards are drawing a lot of attention towards us, it’s making every single person we pass by bow at us and I really don’t like it.
“We’re here, your Majesty” one of the guards said and stopped in front of a ward.
Wymond nodded at him to open the door, he quickly grabbed the handle and pushed it open.
Wymond and I entered the ward, a boy in his late twenties sat on a bed and a nurse was having his wounds treated.
“Oh, your Majesty” he said when he noticed our presence.
He stopped the nurse who quickly bowed her head at us, he made to get up but I rushed forward and stopped him.
“It’s fine, just sit and treat your wounds” I told him.
He nodded and sat back on the bed.
“Thank you, your highness” he thanked me.
My eyes moved to his injured arm and I almost gag at the sight, from his right shoulder down his fingers were badly burnt -it looked like a grilled pork.
Ew, I’m never gonna eat pork anymore.
“Is there something I can help you with, your Majesty?” he asked us.
“Yes, yes” I answered quickly.
Wymond raised his left eyebrow at me questioningly, but I scoffed and turned back to the guard.
“I wanna ask you a few questions about the incident that took place in the dungeon”
“Ok” he nodded.
“Good, before the mist covered everywhere, did you notice anything weird?” I asked.
He tilted his head and thought for a few seconds, then shook his head.
“I didn’t” he said.
“Think deeper, something weird must have happened, like; did any of the guards on duty acted suspiciously?” I asked him again.
He folded his lower lip in his mouth and held it with his teeth as he thought for a moment, then he smacked his head as if he suddenly recalled something.
“I don’t know if this is useful but I recalled someone poured something on me and fire suddenly consumed me after a few seconds”
“Someone poured something on you?” I asked.
He nodded. I turned to Wymond, he stared back at me with his eyebrows furrowed.
Wymond moved closer to the guard, he flinched back slightly as if he’s scared of Wymond hitting him but Wymond studied his uniform instead.
He reached forward and touched some yellowish brown powder on the guard’s uniform, he frowned as he perceived it.
“Sulphur” Wymond said.
“Sulphur?” I asked.
“The person poured sulphur on him” he explained briefly but clearly.
I nodded and clapped my hands.
“That’s a clue, let’s head to the dungeon, we’ll get more clues there” I said.
Wymond nodded and turned to another guard.
“Help him take off his uniform and bring it with us” he commanded.
“Yes, your Majesty” the guard answered.
Wymond grabbed my hand.
“Let’s go” he said.
I gently withdraw my hand from him and glared at him.
“We’re solving a case together, but it doesn’t mean we’re on good terms” I scoffed and stormed out.
“Baby, baby, baby wait” he called as he rushed after me, but I ignored him.