Page 2 of The Royal Throne
She’d pushed him far enough for now. “Very well. I am eager to know what you’ve done to ensure my safety.” She lifted her chin in the air, glad his soldiers had overheard that his sister was guilty of treason. The first seed had been planted.
“Your orders, Your Majesty?” the soldier to the right asked.
Rainer looked at Sabine, his eyes searching hers for something. She forced herself not to flinch or cower.
“Ensure our queen makes it safely to the palace,” Rainer said, releasing her.
“Aren’t you accompanying me?” she asked her husband.
He shook his head. “I’m not done here.” He raised his right arm, and a unit of twenty soldiers moved to surround her.
Glancing at the Bakley ship, she noticed two Lynk vessels had blocked it in. “Brother, do you need to get any of your things?” She feared for the lives of the men on board. If Rainer decided to kill them, as he had the Avoni delegation, she’d feel personally responsible.
“Prince Otto,” Rainer said, “please remain here with me.” Then to Sabine, “I will have his things delivered to the palace. When you arrive, tell Claire to prepare a room for him.” He turned his back to her.
She began walking, knowing Markis would remain with Otto. For now, she was on her own. Or, as on her own as she could be with a unit of soldiers accompanying her. After being aboard the ship for so long, it felt good to walk and stretch her legs, though she could do without the ridiculous humidity. It was worse than she remembered.
By the time they reached the top of the mountain where the palace was located, Sabine was drenched with sweat. It was the perfect excuse to find a seamstress in town.
As they walked through the center of the business district, she spotted a shop with brightly colored fabrics and she headed for its entrance.
“Your Majesty,” the soldier closest to her said, “we have orders to escort you to the palace.”
“And you will,” she replied. “However, I’m hot and wish to put something lighter on.”
The soldier opened his mouth to respond.
Sabine held up her hand. “You are permitted to check the store before we enter and you may remain with me. The rest will stay outside.”
He nodded before barking out orders for the soldiers to spread out. Once he was satisfied the shop was safe, he escorted her inside.
The storekeeper curtseyed. “Your Majesty.” She was a pretty woman in her early thirties with dark skin, black hair, light brown eyes.
“I am in dire need of something to wear,” Sabine said, perusing the fabrics. “I’d also like to commission you to make some new outfits for me.”
“It would be my honor.”
“Do you have anything readily available for me for today?”
“I have nothing suitable for a queen. However, I am more than capable of making you whatever you desire.”
“Can you come to the palace tomorrow so we can discuss my wardrobe?” Her new and improved wardrobe.
“It would be my honor, Your Majesty.”
Sabine turned and exited the shop, pleased another part of her plan was already underway.
Without acknowledging the soldiers, she headed toward the palace. When they reached the cliff at the end of the town, the wood planks lowered to form a bridge. No matter how many times she’d witnessed this, she still found the entire construction fascinating.
The sun remained high overhead, no clouds in sight. Thankfully, only a slight wind blew. Sabine started across the bridge as a group of palace guards headed straight for her. They each wore the traditional black tunic, pants, and mask.
At the half-way point, the soldiers accompanying her stopped. Sabine left their protection, stepping closer to the palace guards. When she was five feet from them, she paused and spoke loud enough to address both groups of men. “Who is responsible for making arrests?” she asked. “Does that jurisdiction fall to Lynk’s soldiers or to the palace guards?”
One of the soldiers spoke. “It depends on the situation. Normally, the soldiers handle such matters. However, if the incident takes place inside the palace walls, the palace guards handle it.”
She tried to hide her smile, knowing she was about to infuriate Rainer. Facing the palace guards, she spoke loud enough for the soldiers behind her to hear as well. “Princess Lottie hired an assassin to kill Princess Alina and myself. Since she committed treason, I want her arrested.”
“The princess is currently in the palace, so we will handle the matter,” one of the palace guards said.
