The Romantique Times

Chapter 9: The Unexpected Visitor

Chapter 9: The Unexpected Visitor

*Edited* 

Charles' POV

It has been two days since the drowning incident, and apparently I was being led to the palace by rather fierce looking guards who had appeared at my doorstep early in the morning.

I guess the prince kept his word in bringing me to the palace so that I could tell him my point on view, or according to him, claim my innocence.

I was now sitting in a giant room with elaborate walls and ceilings, not to mention the completely comfortable chair I was on.

In my heart, I was criticizing the royal family for such lavish expenses. All the money used to build this place could have been invested in buying new herbs and producing medicine to help people and save lives.

But I mustn't speak my mind, or my head might end up rolling on the floor in the blink of an eye.

My stomach grumbled angrily at me, and I realized that it had been quite a while since I first entered this room. I thought of escaping, but the guards that stood beside the door looked really intimidating.

The tense atmosphere was causing my palms to turn sweaty, and I rubbed them on the leg of my best pants. I almost didn't notice that the door had opened, and I immediately stood up to face the Prince, leading the lady that I'd saved, followed by a little girl and a woman that I suppose would be a personal servant, and a bunch of other servants.

"Good afternoon, your highness," I quickly said, afraid that they might blame me for losing my manners.

"Ah, yes. The bystander, or should I say the one that is I am most suspicious of," the prince said easily, and everyone's attention turned to me.

I must say, everyone doesn't seem pleased a single bit. Faces looked at me accusingly, as if they'd already convicted me as the perpetrator, the culprit.

"Your highness, you shouldn't say that," the lady that I saved, if I recall as Miss Victoria, spoke in a voice.

She shouldn't be here. According to my medical knowledge, she should still be resting in bed after encountering such an incident. She needs to rest.

"Victoria, you must tell everyone in the room later what you remember; leave no detail behind. I must know who did this to you, and I will definitely not allow that person to live an easy life," he said to her in voice so kind that it made my hair rise. And if I was not wrong, that was the same tone he spoke to her the other night.

This girl sure is something, making the prince lower his guard so much around her.

"I will, but I know this man is not the one who caused it. He is a good man," she said, nodding her head ever so slightly. But other than that, I could see the prince nodding, and frowning as well.

"We'll see about that. I have asked Natalie to come to the palace today as well, and she should be here any minute now," he said, glancing at the door.

Just then, the door opened, and Natalie strode into the room with her nose high in the air. Following behind her were two men of around the same age, dressed in expensive cloth and materials, just that one of them had a crown on his head and a huge bunch of servants following them into the room.

A crown?

"Father, why are you here?" the prince said, standing up in shock.

Not just him, everyone in the room was in shock.

"Why, this is my palace. Am I not welcomed in my own home?" the man with a crown chuckled at the prince's remark.

Is that, the King? Everyone started to crouch down. Everyone started to kneel, and I did so as well. The prince placed his hand over his heart and bowed with due respect. This is so unexpected for the King to, well, visit.

"Everyone, please rise. I was going through my documents, and I heard that my old friend Travensky has entered the palace. I was curious, and realized that there was a minor trial that was going to take place the palace. My, I don't even know what's going on in my own palace nowadays!" he said jokingly, and there was a brief moment of laughter in the room.

The King then walked over to the prince and the prince looked up to the King. "Tell me what the trial is about today," the King said with a gentle smile on his lips.

"My partner who attended the Easter Celebration two days ago had encountered some mishap. Apparently, she was intentionally drowned by someone. So today, I have brought some people that I have known to be involved in this incident to see who was responsible for this disgraceful and life threatening act," the prince said.

"I see. And who was your partner on that day?" the King questioned.

The prince went forward and supported Miss Victoria to stand straight, but she kept her head down and curtsied a little as the prince said, "It was Miss Victoria Williams."

The King looked at Miss Victoria, before saying, "Miss Williams, do you mind holding your head up?" Miss Victoria looked up, meeting the King's gaze.

"What a beauty. I sincerely apologize for what happened during the celebration and risking your life. This matter must be investigated thoroughly," the King said as he took Miss Victoria's hand and patted it gently, just like a father would do with his daughter.

He then proceeded to take the empty throne in the room and sat down. Everyone looked toward him for instructions.

"Will, please help to find the culprit for the incident. I would like to see how you handle the situation." the King said to the prince.

"Yes, Father. Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats and positions."

Even the King? How big is this problem going to get?