Page 35 of The Queen's Crown
It dawned on her that Axel didn’t seem at all surprised to see his brother. She’d been in enough dalliances to know a set up when she saw one. If she had to guess, she’d say Axel was next in line for the throne. Either he wanted to make his brother jealous by forming a relationship with her, or he wanted to prevent the wedding altogether so he could take the throne. If that were the case, it put him on the top of her list of suspects for her sister’s murder. Not that she thought he’d dirty his hands by doing it himself. More likely, he’d hired someone to kill Alina for him.
“Axel,” Rainer said, “it’s late, and I am tired. We will talk tomorrow.” His attention turned to Sabine.
She hadn’t been prepared for the weight of his piercing gaze. As if he could see right inside of her with his mahogany-colored eyes. While he looked like his siblings, he had an older, more mature face adorned with dark hair that had a slight curl to it.
Axel winked as he walked by, leaving her alone with Rainer, Markis hovering behind her somewhere out of sight. The king towered over her by at least a foot, putting her eyes level with his muscular chest…which she did not need to be looking at or thinking about right now. She needed to stay focused.
“You’re a little young,” Rainer mused, his voice deep and appealing.
While there was a six-year age gap, she was old enough to marry and be queen of Lynk. Instead of responding to his jab, she forced herself to meet his intense eyes. “I’m tired and am going to bed. We can try this again tomorrow.” She went to step around him.
He reached out, grabbing her arm and stopping her in place.
Markis made an odd sound, sort of like a hiss. Sabine tried not to laugh knowing Markis’s hands were tied. While he may have wanted to protect her, he couldn’t intervene with the king.
“Who are you?” Rainer demanded.
“Lieutenant Markis Belle, Your Majesty.”
“You’re not one of my guards.” It was a statement, not a question.
The fact that Rainer knew Markis wasn’t one of the guards since they all wore the same thing, including masks over their faces, said a lot. Sabine would have to remember that.
“No, Your Majesty. I am Princess Sabine’s personal guard. I escorted her here and King Franz tasked me with her safety.”
“The princess won’t be requiring your services any longer. You’re dismissed.”
Sabine stiffened. If Markis left, she’d be all alone. She needed someone she trusted watching her back.
“With all due respect,” Markis said, “given what happened with Princess Alina, I think it best I remain here.”
Rainer’s fingers tightened on her arm.
“You may release me,” she said. “We can discuss this matter tomorrow when we aren’t so tired.”
“No one is allowed to cross the bridge and enter my palace unless I’ve vetted them.” Rainer released Sabine and peered down at her. “I can’t have another incident in my home.”
“Incident?” She wanted to wrap her hands around his thick neck and squeeze. How dare he call her sister’s murder an incident.
“However, if you can vouch for Lieutenant Markis, he can remain here until tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow, when we discuss this matter.” He articulated each word slowly, as if speaking to a child.
She needed to collect herself and get her emotions under control. “Of course, I personally vouch for Lieutenant Markis.” She tried to make her voice sound as calm and haughty as possible so he wouldn’t know how intimidated she was by his presence. Someone like Axel she could handle since she knew what to expect. But Rainer made her feel off kilter.
The king pinched the bridge of his nose, mumbling something under his breath. Sabine used the distraction to step around him. This time, he didn’t try to stop her.
The next morning, Sabine awoke to a knock on her door. She went over and opened it and found Claire standing there. “Is something the matter?”
Claire folded her hands together. “The king wishes to have his breakfast with you this morning.”
Sabine yawned and stretched. “Very well.” She needed to speak with Rainer about her sister’s murder and keeping Markis as her personal guard. “Please let him know I’ll get dressed and be along shortly.” She started to close the door.
Claire stuck her hand out, stopping it. “His Majesty sent me to help you get ready.” She stepped into the room.
“Let me grab one of my sister’s dresses.” Sabine headed over to where she had the trunks organized.
