Page 29 of Once Upon a Crown
“There are a few in the palace but not many. Most of them just lead to the catacombs or the servants use it for... other activities.”
He cleared his throat, and I felt myself grow a little red. Being alone with him now, having this conversation, had my head running wild with ideas that were not going to help either of us in the moment.
“Well, let me know if you find something.” I walked to the other side of the room, when suddenly the wood underneath my feet made an odd sound. Almost like the panel was loose.
I stopped walking, taking a step back to see if it made the sound again, and it definitely did.
Cai looked at my little back-and-forth dance questioningly.
“What is it?”
“I think this piece of wood can be removed.”
I quickly bent down, and Cai hurried over, dropping onto his knees next to me. It took some effort but eventually we wiggled the wooden panel out of place and lifted it away from the floor.
Sure enough, hidden beneath the floor of the king’s room were many envelopes and folded letters.
“It’s not a diary,” Cai admitted with some defeat.
“But if he’s hidden it, it has to be valuable.”
We each picked up a piece of paper and I started scanning through.
To His Majesty, the King of Everness
I will not forget what happened last night. I can still feel your—
I quickly folded the letter, wishing I could unread what I just saw.
“This is not—”
“Political correspondence, no,” Cai said, going through one of the other papers. “These are letters between your father and his apparent mistress. Quite explicit letters, if I may say so.”
“Well, stop reading it.” I was so embarrassed I could bury myself under one of the floorboards.
“It’s not bad actually. Some of it is even quite poetic.”
“Put it away!” I hit him over the head with one of the envelopes I had in my hand and felt a chill crawl over me. This was something I’d really not like to think about. Much less read about in so much detail.
Cai let out a chuckle and it practically made me freeze. It had been months since I’d heard him laugh. I’d almost forgotten what it sounded like. I managed to forget my morbid embarrassment. After what we’d been through, I’d have given anything to keep seeing him smile.
Cai helped me put the letters back before returning the floorboard to its rightful position.
“I could have lived without knowing that. And we’re not at all closer to finding the diary.”
He looked around the room. “It has to be here somewhere in the palace.”
“Do you really think so?” I asked earnestly.
“I want to believe it but I’m afraid to...” He trailed off.
“Hope?” I asked and Cai nodded.
“I know. I’m afraid of getting disappointed again. But I know I have to try and do something. Even if it’s looking for some old diary that may or may not still exist.” While Everness was preparing its defences, I couldn’t sit and wait.
“Beating Aries on a battlefield won’t be enough. Not if he finds what he’s looking for.”
“He’s not going to stop until he finds the Myrgonite objects — just the thought of what he’ll do with them absolutely terrifies me. Aries doesn’t have a morsel of sympathy or mercy in hisheart. He thrives on greed and power.” And there had been nothing but warnings regarding the magic used on the objects. I feared what Aries might do with it.
