Fate of deception

Chapter 14 - Umaizah's POV

I waited for Layna to come back from dinner. I occupied myself by figuring out what I should tell her. I planned it out step by step, meticulously outlining each stage in my head, ensuring every detail was carefully considered. I didn't want to screw this up. All I wanted was to know how Layna got hold of Maribel's journal; how Alma's journal was in Dreamscape Costumes & Creations but also how to get through the Serendrian Village without accidentally getting caught by father and his men or even endangering myself.

Unexpected things can happen at any moment.

I repeated each word I intended to say to her in a whisper. My palms felt clammy as I walked around Layna's room, almost outlining it mentally. The walls seemed to close in, amplifying my anxiety. What would Layna do if I did ask her about Maribel's journal? Either, she would lie and keep it to herself or she would tell the truth. Possibly, something could go awry. I needed her to tell the truth, anyone who got hold of something meaningful from a royal member could use it against the monarchy. The last thing I wanted to happen was to get punished for something so simple but so major.

Minutes ticked by until Layna finally walked in. Upon Layna's return, the atmosphere shifted. Another wave of anticipation swept over me as I awaited her next move. With each passing moment, the tension mounted. The air was thick with curiosity.

"Okay, so mum told me after dinner that she is heading to her floral shop. I found out that she was with my dad looking for more enchantments for her flowers. She was in the same area both you and Amir were." Imagine if they saw us. I can't even think about the consequences.

"How long will she be gone?"

"That's the problem,"  She picked at her fingers. "She never gives specific times. She's always vague with her curfews."

"It should be fine, we can do the same thing we did earlier. Did you still want to speak about Maribel's journal?" I pressed, hoping for answers.

"Sure, it's still bothering me. Amir is washing up and Hassan is asleep. We have some time to spare." Thank God. "Where should we start?" Layna laid her stomach on the bed, her head turned to me. I was still stood up, I didn't want to sit down. I put Alma's book back in the elastic on my thigh when Amir forced Layna out of her own room.

"I've got a few questions I wanted to ask first." Layna gulped. "I'm not here to accuse you but where did you find the journal?"

"I found it in a lost and found bucket." Huh. Layna noted my puzzled expression and carried on. "There's always these types of lost and found boxes, containers or bucket - people normally dump their unwanted belongings there."

Who would dump Maribel's journal in there? If they knew better, they would make a sum amount of money for it.

"In what part of the village did you find it?" If we have any spare time, we could go to the location Layna found it.

"It was in the center of the Serendrian Village. There are many charity boxes there."

Next task: Visit the centre of the village. Noted.

"Next question, does anyone else know that you have kept this book?" It was essential to keep this away from everyone else. If no one knew that she had it then we're good.

"I think my dad saw the book in my collection. He never asked about it though, he saw it and went along with his day." I heard her dad was busy most of the time, so it wasn't abnormal how he didn't want to know what it was. Not like he had the time to question Layna.

"Can I see the book?" Layna hesitated for a second. I can see it in her eyes how she wanted to keep hold of it.

"It's in my desk drawer, let me get it." She crawled to the left side of her bed, opening the pull drawer revealing the journal. It was almost identical to Alma's journal. Same intricate patterns, same brownish colour with the same yellowed pages indicating how long it had been since it was written in.