The Mearsmaine Chronicles 1 - The Return of the Queen

Chapter 15 - The Plot is Uncovered

Margaret looked out of the window of their luxurious carriaged and sighed in worry. As soon as the couple had received the news about what was going on in Mearsmaine's castle, she had started preparing their stuff for the way back, while Lawrence proceeded with their diplomatic meetings, although telling the nobles and responsibles for the city that something had happened and that he would have to withdraw from the city as soon as it was possible. Luckily, they had grown fond of the Royal couple and the only response they got was to go as fast as they could, for the Queen might be in some sort of danger. As a matter of fact, the Queen really was in danger, but they must not know that.

The blond could see through the window that they were finally reaching Mearsmaine. Margaret looked at her husband, who had fell asleep by her side, his head against her shoulder. She smiled, thinking that the elf hadn't been able to sleep for the past four nights that their non-stop journey had taken: it was a pitty having to wake him up now. However, she did it, shaking him lightly by his shoulder and pecking his cheek. 

'What is it?' The regent asked his wife, still a tad asleep.

'We're here.' Margaret said simply, a grin on her pretty face.

Lawrence stretched himself, trying to wake all of his senses, and then sat up straight at his wife's side. A few minutes later, the couple was already driving through the castle's main gates. Their carriage stoped in front of their house's main doors and a servant opened the carriage's small door on Margaret's side so that the woman could step out. As soon as she did put her feet on the ground, she felt two arms embracing her and heard her daughter's voice speaking without being able to catch the breath to actually say anything understandable. 

'Calm down, my darling.' The blond woman told her daughter, trying to free herself from her hug. 'Now, what is it?' Margaret asked after Anyïa had calmed herself and was finally able to speak clearly.

'There's another body! My maid! My maid is dead!' The red haired girl screamed. 'I never liked the woman but it could have been me! Maybe they're trying to kill me and not the stupid Queen!'

Lawrence stepped between the two of them, facing his daughter. 'Nobody is trying to kill you Anyïa.' He told her. 'Now, I am truly happy to see that you're alright, but can you take us to Nightock?'

The girl ceaded to her father's wish with resignation, guiding both her parents to a big hall in the inside part of the castle, near the entrance for the feminin training camp. There they found a tired Nightock, a very frustrated Lilith, a worried Edmîntor and a sleepless Nigel. 

'What has happened?' Lawrence asked, only then noticing Anyïa's maid's dead body on the ground. 'Oh no... Another victim?' He asked, knowing exactly what the answer would be. The regent diverted his eyes from the corpse to look at his friends. 'Where is my son? And the Queen? Where is Nate?' 

They all looked at each other, but it was Nigel the one to take up the word. 'Lewis and Lizz have gone on a small journey. I think they have gone visit Patel's widow. Elizabeth had this some sort of idea in her mind and wanted to go, she said it was important and Lewis went with her. We haven't have any word from them yet, but I dare to believe that they are alright.' The brown haired boy cleared up.

Margaret sighed, feeling a bit relieved that her son was fine, or at least so it was thought. 'What about Nathaniel?' The regent's wife asked, thinking it was strange that he hadn't been mentioned in that story, as it was obvious that he would not let the Queen go anywhere without his protection.

This time, it was Nightock the one to answer. 'Nathaniel has been arrested, charged with the murders by one of the council's plot to drive the Queen away from them, of course.' The Royal Guard paused. 'However, now that this woman has been killed by the same murderer, I do think we can demand them to release Nathaniel.'