The Bastard Queen ✔

XXXVII.

"Mom said you need to go back home," Ro said, standing beside Nathaniel

"Did she say why?" Nathaniel asked

"Duke Walden is searching for you," Ro answered

"And why would he be looking for me? He doesn't like it when I meddle with his affairs," Nathaniel scoff

"I don't know, but we can't let him find out about Katherine," Ro said

"Oh, okay. I'll leave. You're going to watch over Katherine, right?" Nathaniel asked

"Yeah, now go before mom or Duke Walden comes,"

"I'm going. I'll see you later, Ro," Nathaniel got out of the chair, patted Ro's head, kissed Katherine's forehead, and left

♧♧♧♧♧♧

Nathaniel ran the towel through his hair, walking to his closet. He looked through, picking a maroon pullover and a white long sleeve shirt. The door slammed open, Nathaniel poked his head out and saw his father walking in.

"What do you want?" Nathaniel asked, throwing his towel on the bed

"Where did you go?" Walden asked

"Out," Nathaniel said, buttoning up the shirt

"Where, Nathaniel?" Walden asked again

"And why do you care?" Nathaniel walked to his dresser

"It seems you took a car without my permission," Walden said, staring at him through the mirror

"Is that it?  Just because I took your car," Nathaniel laughed, "Wow,"

"Nathaniel, this is not a laughing matter. Where did you go?" Walden said, his face turning red

"Out with my friend," Nathaniel said, combing his hair with gel

"With blood on your shirt?" Walden asked, Nathaniel froze, "The boy told me that two women came with you, so who were they?

"That's none of your business," Nathaniel spat out, glaring at his father through the mirror

"It is my business if my son is associated with two women while being covered in blood," Walden stated

"Well, it's nothing. Everything has been settled. You don't need to worry about your reputation being ruined," Nathaniel said, throwing the pullover over his head

"Nathaniel…,"

"If this conversation is over, I have to go," Nathaniel walked over to his closet

"Are you in trouble?" Walden asked

"No, even why would you care?" Nathaniel asked

"You're my son. Your safety is import-"

"Save that bullshit. You only say that because I'm your only heir and you don't want me to tarnish the Rochester name," Nathaniel said

"Nath-"

"Save it, Walden. I need to go before I'm late for my meeting with Kian," Nathaniel said, slipping his black loafers on

Walden stared at Nathaniel as he walked off, bumping into his shoulder. 'He's my son, all right.'

♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧

"Nathaniel, you're late," Kian said, stirring his coffee

"Just by a minute," Nathaniel said, taking a seat

"I'm a busy man, Marquess Nathaniel," Kian stated, a smirk forming

"Yes I know," Nathaniel nodded, "I need to know if you have anything for me?"

"Now, what could I have for the Marquess?" Kian tapped his cheek

"Kian," Nathaniel said, stern

"You could loosen up, Nathaniel. And you don't need to worry, I have what you want," Kian took out a packet out of his bag

"Is that everything?" Nathaniel asked

"Yes," Kian nodded, "Now, once the papers signed, contact me and I'll send someone to pick it up," Kian said, placing his bag on his lap

"Why can't you get it? I don't trust anyone with this paper," Nathaniel asked

"Nathaniel, I'll send my trusty partner, Helen,"

"A woman? I don't have a problem, but how can I trust her?"

"Nathaniel, bubby, you need to relax. Helen knows my deepest secret and hasn't exposed me...yet," Kian said, sighing with the word 'yet'

"It seems to me, you don't trust her,"

"I do, but she threatens me once were in an argument," Kian chuckle

"Well, I can understand that," Nathaniel laughed, "I'll put my trust into Helen since you trust her,"

"Good. It was nice seeing you again, Nathaniel," Kian said, standing

"Thank you, Kian for doing this for me," Nathaniel stood and held out his hand

"We, men and women, sometimes have to dishonor our family name to gain our happiness," Kian said, shaking Nathaniel's hand and walking off

'The family name isn't my worry, it's my father.'

♧♧♧♧♧

Kana's P.O.V.

Kana stroll around the palace, making sure the maids cleaned the palace to the last dust speck. She stopped and looked at the portrait on the wall. The previous ruler. Queen Katherine III. Her cousin. The bastard. A smirk spread across her face. 'My reign will be better and successful than that bastard.' Kana walked off and back to her office, but was stopped by a guard.

"Your Highness," He bowed, "A situation has occurred,"

"Please elaborate,"

"Um…, one of your loyal servants is on their deathbed," He announced

"Who?" Kana asked, fear rising in her body

"Ko Andrews," Was all he needed to say

Kana ran past him, but stopped when she didn't know he was at. She looked back at the soldier

"Show me," She said

The soldier guided Kana to where Ko was laying. He was in the servant hall in his room. A doctor was treating him when Kana entered. She stood there, frozen. Her trusty servant is injured and could possibly die any second. Kana looked around for a familiar face and her eyes landed on Pete. She walked over to him.

"Pete, what happened?" Kana asked

"I d-don't know, my Queen," He stuttered out

"How can you not know! Was he beaten by a gang? Did someone take revenge on him? Did you even check the surrounding of where you found him?" Kana exploded, her mind going insane

"Your Highness, he was stabbed in the stomach and I did check the place, but it seemed that…," He gulps and lean a little forward to Kana, "The evidence presented at the place showed signs that he kidnapped someone, who was also injured," Pete took a few steps back as he watched his majesty

Her face twisted, displaying multiple emotions at once. She looked over at Ko, who was still being taken care of by the doctor. Kana looked back at Pete, walking up to him.

"Pete, my loyal knight, I have a quest for you," Kana announced, stopping in front of him

"Anything for you, my Queen," Pete got on one knee and bow his head

"Go to the hospitals and gain information of patients who were admitted yesterday," Kana commanded

"Yes, your majesty," Pete stood, bowed, and left

'There is only one person, who Ko would go after.'