Saving Her Kingdom

♡ Chapter 40

Chapter 40

3rd person P.O.V. (Fabian)

The next day, Fabian was going to carry out the second part of Lord Rutherford's orders, which was to search through Thomas' chamber. Lord Rutherford had been satisfied when he had delivered the copy of the letter. Now, he only awaited the results of Fabian's task, and had promised him to leave him alone afterwards.

Fabian could feel himself sweating bullets. He would be going inside Thomas's chamber, damnit! That shouldn't make me nervous, he kept repeating to himself. But he couldn't help it. Ever since he had discovered his love for his best friend, he had made sure to keep it safely hidden inside his heart. The only way to be close to him was to be what he already was: his best friend. And now, he would have to break his trust? He didn't want to know what would happen if Thomas found out.

Today, there was a Council meeting that the King, Thomas, Gabriel and the King's advisers were going to. It was when Fabian would make his next move.

Fabian's anxiety was growing rapidly, and he felt sick in his stomach. Oh, why had he accepted? You were forced to, a nagging voice spoke in his head, or do you want him and his family to be hurt or poisoned? Fabian had always kept himself informed about the politics, so he was very aware of Lord Rutherford's power. He knew that he would not stop for anything in the path to his goal, even if that meant hurting people in the process.

Fabian resigned himself, taking a deep breath. He would do it. He must.

It was in the middle of the afternoon, so he had to be careful not to behave suspiciously.

Some time ago, Fabian had involuntarily found out where Thomas kept the double of the key of his room. He had seen him hide it inside the compartment where the saddle of his horse, Apollo, was stored. It had an easy lock to pick. He hadn't commented on it to Thomas and had mentally sworn to keep it secret and safe. Now, it made him incredibly uncomfortable to break his own word to himself.

He had retrieved it from its hidden place this morning, and now was reluctantly heading towards Thomas' chamber. His heart kept thundering in his chest as he forced himself to walk forward, instead of backwards.

He glanced around regularly to check for possible witnesses. There were just some people casually walking away. He was walking in the corridor just before the hallway with the royal children's quarters. Nobody, except the royal children and their maids or servants, ever came here, unless for some special matter. So, there was a good chance that the hallway would be empty.

When passing the corner of the hallway, Fabian discovered that he had been right. There was effectively no one in the hallway. The conditions were perfect. He approached Thomas' room, which was on the right of the hallway near Gabriel's one.

When he reached the door, he paused rethinking his actions over and over again. He sighed in defeat, knowing that he had no choice.

He took the key from his pocket with trembling fingers, and closed them around it tightly to keep them from shaking.

He inched the key closer and closer. This is it. He entered the key into the lock. He would do it. He turned the key inside the lock...

A shocked gasp echoed behind him, making him freeze. "Fabian?! What are you doing?"

He spun around, taking the key with him and plastered himself against the door, his eyes wide with horror. He had been caught!

He was surprised to see Anna, looking every bit as shocked as him. How on earth was it possible she was just standing at this very place, he thought desperately. Her expression morphed itself into one of suspicion.