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Quin gestured to Yaghn, and Var don, indicating they should enter the royal residence.

Both stepped inside and Quin closed the door.

“I have questions,” Quin snapped.

“We do as well, Sire,” Var don answered.

“Why was anyone, other than Au'revele, allowed to enter her quarters? At night, no less! Are you not aware that her quarters give direct access to ours?” Quin demanded.

Both males’ gazes flickered quickly to Bart’s, then back to the wall behind Quin’s head.

“Can you not see the entrance to Au’revele’s quarters from your place outside our door?”

“Yes, Sire, we can.”

“Then why was anyone other than Au'revele allowed to enter without any kind of confirmation?” Quin bellowed.

Bart opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Var don.

“We have often feigned ignorance of a particular staff member having access to Au’revele’s quarters, Sire. It was not out of the ordinary to do so.”

Quin’s head tilted just enough to let them know he was doing his best to consider their answer before he took their heads off.

“Allow us to explain,” Yaghn said.

“Please do, while you still can!” Quin shouted.

“Mirilla was added to the list of names that we allow to access the royal residence, Sire. As she was allowed in the royal residence, we didn’t intercept her entry into Au’revele’s quarters either as they are considered a part of the royal residence.”

“Are you telling me Mirilla is the one who attacked my child and his nanny tonight?” Quin asked.

“No, Sire! However, we thought when the individual approached Au'revele’s quarters tonight, that she was Mirilla. It is the only reason we didn’t intercept her.”

“That’s preposterous! Mirilla wouldn’t do a thing to harm anyone in the royal family, least of all a child!” Bart exclaimed.

Quin lifted his hand and brushed his fingertips across his communicator. “Look for a woman with injury, Rel. It was a woman who entered Au'revele’s quarters, not a man.” Quin thought about it briefly and activated his communicator again. “Unless the male was so small as to be similar to Mirilla instature. And find Mirilla. I want to question her.” After having delivered his update to Rel, Quin turned and looked at Bart. “How do you know that she’s not associated with those who’ve attacked my family, and used you as a means to gain trust and entrance?!” Quin demanded.

“Quin, she’s been coming in at night to spend time with me.”

“Why didn’t she enter through the proper doorway? She was on the approved guest list. They’ve just said as much,” Quin said angrily, throwing out a hand to point at Var don and Yahgn.

“Because she’s protecting her reputation. She works here. I’m a guest!” Bart answered just as angrily. “We’re engaged to be married, Quin.”

“It’s not something I’m aware of,” Quin snapped. “And what does any of it have to do with sneaking in through our nanny’s quarters rather than entering through the door you have permission to enter through?!”

“We haven’t made it common knowledge to anyone. She asked that we keep it secret for a while until she had time to formally announce it to your parents, and to arrange for people to move their job descriptions and take over her duties.”

“And to give her time to plan her attack while you still trusted her implicitly,” Quin added.

“No, that’s not…”

“Are you sure, Bart? Are you willing to leave Vivian and Alexandrus alone with her, and any others she might give access to Au'revele’s quarters? If it wasn’t her, how else would anyone know to enter through Au'revele’s quarters so that they’d not be questioned if not given that information by Mirilla?!” Quin demanded.

“I, I don’t know. Maybe her comings and goings were watched,” Bart said.

“We have not seen any other in the corridors, Sire,” Yaghn said.

“But in full disclosure, we have not personally investigated as she came and went since Chairman Bartholomew arrived.Some might have been Mirilla, some could have been someone else, but they were all female, or appeared to be.”

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