The grand hall of the palace was silent except for the tapping of King Letuka's fingers against his golden throne. His sharp gaze fixed on Kaira.
"Lady Kaira, I want to ask you something," the king said, his voice calm but firm. "And I expect an honest answer."
Kaira swallowed hard. Her heart pounded as she waited for his question.
"Since you are Lord Garius's daughter," the king continued, "you must know where his best friends' families are. Tell me where they are, and I will reward you handsomely."
A lump formed in Kaira's throat. Memories of her father flooded her mind—the way he used to laugh heartily, his unwavering principles, and the tragic day he was taken from her. The king's sudden interest in her family sent alarm bells ringing in her mind. "Was he planning to eliminate them as he had her father?" She thought inwardly.
"I… I don't…" she stammered, trying to find the right words.
The king's eyes darkened, his patience thinning. "I want the truth. Only the truth," he snapped, his voice echoing off the walls.
The sudden shift in his demeanor made Kaira take an involuntary step back. She felt her knees tremble but clenched her fists, forcing herself to remain composed.
King Letuka leaned forward slightly, studying her face with piercing intensity. Her hesitation, the flicker of fear in her eyes—it all pointed to something more beneath the surface.
"My... My King, I..." Kaira struggled to find the words, her mind racing for a plausible response.
"It's fine," the king interrupted, his voice now cold and dismissive. "You may go."
Kaira bowed quickly, her movements stiff, and turned on her heel, making her way out of the hall as swiftly as decorum allowed. The moment she was out of sight, she leaned against a pillar, exhaling a shaky breath. Her palms were clammy, and she could feel the rapid beat of her heart against her ribcage. She had narrowly escaped that interrogation.
As she composed herself, the king rose from his throne, his robes flowing behind him as he strode toward the queen's chamber.
Queen Mayana's Chamber
Queen Mayana sat by her window, staring blankly outside. It had been days since she lost her pregnancy but the pain still haunted her. She had lost her child. No matter how many times she thought about it, she couldn't understand how it had happened.
A knock on the door broke her thoughts.
"Your Highness, Lady Kaira is here," the queen's attendant announced from the other side of the ornate door.
The queen's hands clenched into fists.
"Who had authorized Kaira's release? And why hadn't she been informed?"she fumed.
Her eyes narrowed as Kaira stepped inside.
"My Queen," Kaira greeted, bowing respectfully. "How are you feeling? The moment I was released from the cell, I came straight to see you."
Before she could say another word, a sharp slap landed on her cheek.
The force of it sent her stumbling. The sting spread across her face, her skin burning red.
Kaira gasped loudly. "My Queen!" she cried, holding her cheek. Her eyes flared with disbelief and anger.
Queen Mayana stepped forward, her eyes filled with fury. "You murderer!" she spat.
Kaira's heart pounded. Murderer?
"And who are you to call me that?" she snapped back, her voice rising in anger.
Queen Mayana's eyes widened in shock. Did she just raise her voice at me?
Kaira wasn't done. "I've had enough of these false accusations! Why would I harm your child? I can easily get pregnant without struggling like you all! I have no interest in palace affairs. I'm here for a purpose. Don't provoke me—I am not here for you!"
The queen's breath hitched. Kaira had never spoken to her this way before.
"Leave my hand this instant!" the queen ordered, her voice shaking slightly.
Kaira glared at her, then suddenly released her grip. "Find someone else to blame for your loss, Your Highness," she said coldly. Then, without another word, she turned and stormed out of the chamber.
But just outside, she stopped.
The king and his personal guard stood frozen in the hallway, staring at her.
She had not realized they had heard everything.
For a moment, Kaira and the king locked eyes.
She turned her head away and walked past him without bowing.
King Letuka's mind swirled with questions. What did she mean by "I'm here for a purpose"? He couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was happening.
Gilas, the king's personal guard, watched Kaira leave with concern. "Would she be okay?" he wondered.
Lady Larisa's Chamber
Lady Larisa sat comfortably in her chamber, sipping her tea. She tapped her fingers on the table, deep in thought.
"All you have to do is find them," she ordered her personal watchman.
The man before her was dressed completely in black, his face hidden behind a dark tiger-patterned mask.
"I will discuss their reinstatement with the king," she continued. "It has been two years already. I owe Lord Zenya my life. If not for him, I wouldn't be in this palace now."
The watchman bowed and swiftly left, disappearing into the shadows.
As he hurried down the corridor, he bumped into Kaira.
She stepped back in alarm, fear gripping her chest. Who was that?
Shaking off the uneasy feeling, she continued on her way to Lady Larisa's chamber.
"My Lady, Lady Kaira is here," the announcer said.
Lady Larisa smirked. So soon? She had expected Kaira to come crawling to thank her for getting her released.
"Enter," she said, hiding her amusement.
Kaira stepped inside, her expression unreadable. "My Lady," she greeted, bowing slightly.
"Here to thank me?" Lady Larisa asked smugly.
Kaira gave her a small smile. "I just came to pay my respects."
Lady Larisa scoffed. "And you expect me to believe that?"
Kaira turned to leave. She had gotten what she needed.
But Lady Larisa wasn't done. "Wait," she said. "I need a favor from you."
Kaira paused.
"You can repay me by telling me where the Minister of Finance's family is. That's all I want."
Kaira's stomach tightened. Again?
First the king, and now Lady Larisa? Why was everyone suddenly interested in her family?
"My Lady, I have no idea where they are," she said firmly.
Lady Larisa's expression darkened. "You're your father's daughter indeed," she said mockingly. "I should have expected this. Clearly, there's something suspicious about your family, Lady Kaira."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Kaira said sharply. "If you'll excuse me."
Lady Larisa smirked. "Don't worry. I will find them myself and bring them to the palace."
Kaira clenched her fists but said nothing. She turned and left, her mind spinning.
LORD GARIUS'S RESIDENCY
It is the official residence of the Minister of justice,stood a giant red rose tree,so many servants working in their various assigned post.
A middle aged woman sat down playing a chess with a young man looking so cute.
"Madam Camina, do you think kaira is fine in the palace, I'm worried about her,, I can't even get to sleep at night" Jerome asked Kaira's mother.
Jerome was feeling impatient to go the Palace, he really can't figure out why Kaira would wanted to go into the palace without even discussing anything with him, with the fact that they have been friends since childhood, their friendship was as deep as their parents friendship, more reason why he was so scared of loosing her the way she lost her father to the king according to what his father, Lord Garius told him, about the unexpected incident that happened two years ago, even though he still never understand the reason why his father would marry his best friend's wife after his demise, nevertheless, as long as he keep on seeing Kaira in their house, any other things doesn't matter to him anymore.
"She should be fine,she's not a kid,my son" she smile.
"But madam,you feel too relax that I'm getting to think you don't care about Kaira at all,I'm sorry to say"he bowed apologetically.
"Why should I worry when your father will handle everything,put your mind at rest,okay? nothing will happen to her!" She assured him.
Lord Garius appeared,clearing his throat as he approach them.
"Welcome father!" Jerome greeted his father and he excused himsel, leaving them alone.
"Welcome,my Lord" she bowed slightly looking forward to what Lord Garius was going to say.
"My Lady,follow me!" He commanded.
They both entered lord Garius chamber,lord Garius sat down while madam Camina asked the question she has been keeping inside all day without sitting down ...
"My Lord,what are you going to do about this!the king must not find out,,we needs to act fast because that lady Larisa must be up to something,and if that should get to the king,I'm very sure the king would do anything to find us out!" She whispered scarily.
"Don't worry yourself,lady Larisa does not have anything under her sleeve,I'm very sure of that,just relax"
" If you say so, anyway,how is my daughter "she asked.
"Like you care,your daughter is really tempting my patients,have given her the last warning, if not,you know what I can do!"
"Just make sure our secret is safe, that's all I know....