Page 77 of The Promised Prince
The pacing had to stop. Queen Mariele knew it the moment she looked down and saw the clear path she’d tread across the rug. What would the servants think when they saw it? Feeling embarrassed, she forced herself to sit at her desk and go over the treaty documents her advisors had sent for approval, but even that didn’t seem to help.
She looked at the clock again. It was well past ten a.m. She’d sent Cypress out to fetch Mangum at least a half-hour ago. Where were they?
She wasn’t sure that she wanted to hear what Mangum had to say, but she had to get to the bottom of this. Ever since she’d seen Renna talking with the prince on the night of the festival, Mariele’s suspicions had deepened. She’d noticed a closeness between them, one that she couldn’t easily dismiss, and it frightened her. Then with the children, and yesterday at the Albion market, it all seemed so obvious. Renna had feelings for the prince of Albion. But, did the prince have feelings for her?
Mariele’s stomach churned at the thought. What would Bryant and the rest of New Hope think of their new queen if her daughter usurped the marriage alliance for herself? She needed Mangum to tell her that she had this all wrong. She desperately hoped he would.
A knock sounded at the door, interrupting her thoughts. It was the knock she had been waiting for. She rose from her chair and clasped her hands together to keep them from shaking.
Cypress entered and dipped into a low curtsey. “He’s in the hallway, Your Majesty. Would you like me to send him in?”
“Thank you, Cypress.”
Cypress nodded and disappeared back out the doorway. A moment later, she appeared again with Mangum beside her, his face drawn. He stepped forward and bowed as Cypress closed the door behind them.
“I want to ask you something, Mangum, and I demand your complete honesty,” Mariele said.
“Of course, Your Majesty.” He bowed again.
“The man you found with Renna by Wellenbreck Pond. Have you seen him here at the palace?”
He nodded.
“Who is he?”
The shame in his eyes gave it away before he spoke. “It was Prince Ezra.”
Mariele had expected this, had tried to prepare herself, but hearing her suspicions confirmed sent a shock through her just the same. She gasped, letting go of a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding, and lowered herself back into her chair.
“And you didn’t think to tell me?”
Mangum dipped his face down with guilt. “I didn’t realize he was the prince until we arrived in Albion. I wanted to tell you, but Renna begged me not to. She said that her and the prince were just friends and that she knew her place. She didn’t want to worry you.”
A bright flare of anger shot through her. “You should have told me, Mangum. It’s not your place to decide what I,your queen, should or should not worry about.”
Mangum stood rigidly with his arms at his sides. “I made a serious mistake, Your Majesty. I have failed you.”
“Who else knows about this? King Carver?”
“I don’t believe King Carver suspects anything. But your daughter’s maid...” He paused, looking in Cypress’s direction.
“She’s fine to hear whatever you have to say.”
“Renna’s maid told me that Renna received a note and a gift a few nights ago. I searched Renna’s belongings when she went down to breakfast and found the note.”
Mangum pulled a small, folded piece of paper from the inside of his jacket and handed it to Queen Mariele.
Shooting Cypress a worried look, Mariele unfolded the letter and began to read. With each word, her chest tightened, constricting the airflow to her lungs.
“The letter is signed by Tybolt. Not from the prince.” Mariele looked up at Mangum questioningly.
“Mr. Tybolt wasn’t at the palace that night. When Nora was coming down the hall, she saw Prince Ezra’s personal assistant, Crosby, leave Renna’s room. I believe the letter is from Prince Ezra; he was just smart enough not to sign his name.”
Mariele’s eyes scanned each word of the letter.Normally, I would compliment you on how beautiful you looked tonight at dinner...I wished you were sitting next to me...I think about spending time with you again.She grabbed at her throat as the meaning of the letter sank in. The room started spinning like she might faint.
Cypress rushed to her side. “My queen! Are you okay?”
“I...I...can’t...breathe...” Her words were shallow.
