Page 117 of The Forgotten Queen
“Thank you, Doctor Moore. You’ve been extremely helpful.”
He left the medic hall and made his way to his father’s office. His secretary, Lance, sat outside working on funeral arrangements.
“Lance, can you tell me my father’s schedule yesterday?”
“Certainly, Your Majesty.” Lance opened his top drawer, pulling out a notebook. He flipped back a page, scanning the paper. “Your father only had one appointment at the end of the day.” Lance looked up. “A Mr. Otis Sutton came to the castle at King McKane’s request.”
Otis Sutton.
Or, more precisely,Commander Stoddard.
34
Doctor Von
Doctor Von shifted in his chair, rubbing his hands down his pant leg. He wasn’t sure if he’d made the right decision coming here, but he was too far down the path now. He’d spent a lot of his money securing a transporter and had traveled for more than a week. His visit wasn’t part of Commander Stoddard’s plan, but Von had worked with Stoddard for almost two years now to know that there was always a fall guy. He wasn’t there out of guilt. This visit was Von’s way of making sure the fall guy wouldn’t be him.
A woman around Von’s same age popped her head out from the office. “King Bryant will see you now,” she said, opening the door wide for him to enter.
Von closed his eyes, taking in a calming breath. He stood and walked to the door, clearing his throat on the way. King Bryant’s office was decorated simply compared to what Von had seen from the other kings. There was a single desk, two leather chairs, and a black sofa pushed against the wall.
“Doctor Von,” Bryant said, walking around his desk to shake his hand. They were about the same height but Bryant was rounder and Von was bald. “It’s so good to see you.”
Von’s palms were slippery with sweat, but he shook Bryant’s hand anyway.
“King Ezra said that you no longer work at the Albion Ruler’s Palace.”
“No, I don’t.”
Bryant gestured for him to sit down. “I was surprised to hear that,” he said, walking around his desk and sitting in his own chair. “What made you leave Albion?”
“Actually, it the loss of Princess Seran that made me leave.”
Bryant’s brown eyes turned kind. “I’m sorry. Please know that none of us hold you accountable for Seran’s death. You did the best you could to save her. There was nothing that could have been done.”
Von nodded as he swallowed back the bile rising in his throat.
“So, what brings you to the kingdom of New Hope?” Bryant asked.
“I have some information about your daughter.” He crossed his arms then uncrossed them, unable to get comfortable.
Bryant seemed confused. “What kind of information?”
He bounced his knee as he spoke. “What I’m about to tell you might come as a shock. Princess Seran isn’t dead.”
The king puffed out a small laugh. “I’m sorry, I don’t quite follow what you’re saying.”
Von had anticipated this kind of reaction and the probability that King Bryant would not believe him.
The story was unbelievable. He could hardly believe it himself.
“Your daughter is alive. I saved her.”
“That’s impossible. I saw her dead days after the wedding. I buried her body next to her mother’s.”
Von shook his head. “You thought you saw your daughter dead, but I had administered a drug that slowed her organs and vitals down so that she wouldappeardead.”
“You did what?” Bryant’s expression contorted. “Why would you—”
