Page 97 of The Queen's Crown
“The silence demands nothing but silence in return.”
Though it might be quiet at night, that was when most dark deeds were done. That was when Sabine planned on breaking into the Avoni’s rooms and snooping around. Night provided cover for things that shouldn’t happen. The daylight exposed them.
The corners of his lips rose. “Of course, there are plenty of other things I enjoy doing in the night.”
And there was the Axel she’d come to know. “I’m sure your nights are rarely spent silently.”
He laughed. “I do love your candor.”
“Prince Axel,” a woman said from behind them.
“Duty calls,” he whispered. With a wink, he turned and strode away, joining the woman and heading back into the throne room.
Since Sabine was alone, she went inside but remained along the perimeter, making her way to one of the side exits. Being careful not to make eye contact or garner anyone’s attention, she stepped out into the hallway.
“Princess?” a guard said. He wasn’t one of her personal guards but rather, one of the many stationed throughout the surrounding corridors for security this evening.
She stepped closer to him and said in a soft voice, “I’m feeling dizzy. Can you please escort me to a nearby guest room? I want to lie down for a few minutes to catch my breath.”
He shifted his weight from foot to foot.
“I know this is terribly untoward, but I am embarrassed and don’t want the king to see me like this. Your assistance won’t be forgotten once I’m queen.”
He nodded. “Of course, Your Highness. This way.”
Relief filled her as he led her down the hallway, away from the throne room.
The Avonis were staying in the east wing. From what she understood, they had a joined sitting room with individual bedchambers off it. She should be able to scour the sitting room and maybe one or two bedchambers if time permitted.
Her hands began to sweat. The problem with her outfit was that if anyone saw a glimpse of it, they would know it was hers. She should have worn something inconspicuous.
They turned down another corridor. Something sounded behind her, so she glanced back. The same man that she’d seen earlier, the one dressed all in black with a cape, passed by the intersection, heading the other way.
“Princess?” the guard in front of her said.
She realized she’d stopped.
“Is everything all right?” he asked.
“Did you see that man?”
“I did not. Shall we go and get additional guards?”
“That won’t be necessary. I was simply going to ask his name.” She forced a smile on her face. “Let’s be on our way.”
They entered the west wing. The guard stopped at the third door on the right. “Wait here,” he said as he opened the door and stepped inside. He returned a moment later. “The room is empty.”
“Excellent. I am going to take a short nap. Do not disturb me. When I awake, I will let you know, and you can escort me back to the throne room at that time.” Without waiting for his reply, she closed the door, leaving him out in the hallway.
The only light came from the moon shining in through the window. Sabine went over to the bed and shoved two of the pillows under the blankets, making it look like a body was lying there sleeping. Satisfied that if the guard peaked in, he’d believe her to be asleep, she went over to the corner of the room where she thought the servants’ entrance would be. When she’d asked Gunther about the servants’ passageways, he’d told her they didn’t connect to the royal wing for security reasons. However, each guest room or suite had a door leading to the network of passageways known only by the most trusted servants.
Sabine squatted and put her hand beneath the door, pulling it toward her. It opened. She stood and stepped inside the passageway, gently closing the door behind her. Oil lamps lit the space in a soft glow every fifty feet or so. They seemed to be positioned away from the doors so as not to shine beneath them. It was just enough light for her to see along the corridor. She’d been told there were five single rooms on either side and then the suites began. The Avoni delegation was staying in the first set of suites. Since she’d been in the third room on the right, she needed to go three more doors until she reached the correct location.
Not having a lot of time, she needed to get moving. She hurried to the third door and slowly pushed it open, peering inside. The room was dark. She didn’t hear anything or see any movement, so she pushed the door open farther and stepped inside. She found herself in a large sitting room with two short hallways jutting off either side of it. On the low table between the four sofas, a handful of papers had been scattered about. She went over and looked at them, not recognizing a single word. They had to be written in another language. Moving a few, she checked the papers below the ones on top, not finding anything she could read.
Frustrated, she went to the hallway on the right. It had six doors off it, three on either side, leading to bedchambers. Pressing her ear against the first door, she listened, not hearing anything. She opened the door an inch and peered inside. It was empty, so she pushed the door open and went in. The bed had been neatly made and a bag sat on top of it. She went over and opened the bag. It was filled with clothes. As if the person had packed and was ready to leave. She closed it and left the room, going to the one across from it. Inside, she also found the room tidy, and a bag packed.
As far as she knew, the delegation wasn’t supposed to leave any time soon. She was just about to exit the room when she heard a doorknob jiggle. Pressing her body against the wall, she kept the door cracked open and listened. If someone had returned early from the masquerade, she’d have to sneak out of here once that person went to his or her room since the guest suite only had an entrance to the servants’ passageways in the sitting room. Her heart thudded and panic set it. What if the person stayed in the sitting room and more of the delegation returned? She’d need to come up with another way out of the suite. Maybe she could hide under the bed and then once everyone went to sleep, she could sneak out. However, by then someone would realize she was missing, and a search would be carried out for her. Everything seemed to be going wrong tonight.
