I don't want to be loved (Book II)

Chapter 200: Déjà Vu

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Arc Stones were very valuable and extremely difficult to preserve. If left exposed to too much sunlight, they'd explode, destroying anything in its surroundings. Therefore, once mined, people always made sure of storing them someplace dark, with no chance of sun exposure.

"It seems like it. While I was busy with Ms. Viscount Olbach, I..."

Raymond's voice was charged with guilt. Once he heard they'd notice a suspicious woman, Raymond immediately went after her. Once he'd captured her trying to assassinate the Queen, he tried going after the men who'd come with her, but they'd already escaped. A while later, they realized things weren't over yet. Infiltrating Arc Stones into the Palace domains wasn't that difficult, since Arc Stones had many usages.

"How many more stones are left in the Queen Palace?"

"We are still searching, but if we carry out a big-scale hunt, the Queen will surely notice what's happening."

Jungkook discreetly bit his tongue. He didn't want her to worry too much since she was pregnant.

Raymond spoke again, cautiously.

"So, I've been thinking... how about we send the Queen to the Villa for a while, Your Majesty?"

"...the Villa?"

"Yes. I think it would be best to send her to the Villa for a short time while we finish our search and make sure everything is safe. After all, it will be difficult to hide the fact that we are looking for Arc Stones inside the Palace. I also heard Mrs. Cessly say that the Queen might benefit from a change of scenery."

Jungkook frowned. If possible, he wanted the Queen to stay inside the Queen's Palace. How could he send her where the Queen Mother was when she now knew what she'd done?

However, Jungkook didn't have a choice. Maybe Lalisa didn't love the Queen Mother like before, knowing full well of her crimes, but there was no other safer place. And maybe, once the Queen Mother knew that Rihannan was pregnant, she'd be happy and care for her with kindness.

Jungkook let out a long sigh.

"All right. Send a message to the Queen Mother. Tell her lalisa is with child and wishes to rest in the Villa for a while."

***

Even Lalisa knew something strange was happening within the Palace. Yesterday, when she was choosing some articles to buy from the merchants, Mrs. Cessly received a message from one of the maids which made her frown, surprised. When Lalisa asked about it, Mrs. Cessly vaguely avoided her, saying it was nothing important.

Later on, the maids would avoid Lalisa's gaze whenever she passed them by. They looked as though they'd faint if Lalisa were to ask them what was happening, so she didn't dare say anything. And thus, Lalisa intuitively knew the people working in her Palace were hiding something from her. Of course, Mrs. Cessly included.

However, Lalisa didn't press Mrs. Cessly for answers, like last time. She thought perhaps Mrs. Cessly herself didn't grasp the whole situation, and also, maybe she was doing things in such way to avoid worrying her.

Thinking how things had changed so much since the beginning, Lalisa let out a bitter smile. Back then she was angry that she'd hidden information about Princess Rissel, but know Lalisa fully trusted Mrs. Cessly.

As Lalisa stared at autumn's falling leaves from her window, she felt time had indeed passed by. This desolate scenery reminded her of Chrichton...

It should be snowing right now...