Crown Of Hearts

Chapter 16

My breath hitched. I was the prince's weakness. That couldn't be right. I've only known him for two weeks.

But I couldn't ignore the fact that Theo had turned a bit pink.

I turned away, " I apologize, it's late. You need your rest." I left the room before he could say anything.

I pulled off the earrings, a little too roughly. But I didn't care. Zak's words seemed to echo in my mind.

I was Theo's weakness because he was curious.

**

The last thing I expected was to once again run into Prince Frederick.

" Frederick." I curtsied.

" Clara." He mocked bow, waving his hand extravagantly as he did so.

" What are you doing out here so late? You should be resting."

He smiled, " It's cute you worry so much about me. But if you must know, I have an important meeting with my father. We're discussing politics." He made a face, his nose scrunching up as he did so.

Frederick pointed to a door and I let my gaze wander over. My suspicions were correct. It was the same door from weeks earlier.

What are you really hiding?

" Would you like some coffee?" I asked, silently willing him to say yes. At least then I would have an excuse to enter.

" I would love some." He flashed a dazzling smile.

Would Theo look even more brilliant smiling?

I nodded and quickly hurried down to the kitchen. When I was sure no one was around, I contacted Zak.

Ian picked up, he was yawning. " Yesshshs?"

" Where Zak?" I pulled the pot over the fire, the flames licked at my arms.

" I don't know, what's wrong?" There were sounds of shuffling and what sounded like a blanket being kicked off. I imagined it was because I woke him up.

" Did they find out?" His voice lowered to a serious whisper.

" No, they didn't." I grabbed the tin of roasted beans and the grinder. " Frederick and the King have been having secret meetings."

Frederick was a kind person. I couldn't imagine that he would be lying, but I needed to be sure.

" And you think this could help you?"

" Yes. If I have information on the royal family, the nine will have no choice but to swoop in and rescue me."

I poured the coffee into two porcelain cups. I tried not to think about how one cup could provide a week's worth of groceries for an entire neighborhood. 

" I'm going to drop one of my earrings under a table and I need you to please just listen," I said.

He chuckles, " I can do way more than that Clara. I can loop the audio into the other earring."

**
The tray felt heavy in my hands, even though it held only two cups and a small pitcher of milk.

I had balled the left earring in my hand and hid it under the tray.

I could hear Ian's heavy breathing in my ear, and I wished nothing more than in that moment to have Zak with me instead.

His rhythmic breathing kept me grounded where Ian's uneasiness about the whole thing, made me even more paranoid.

I made my way through the carpeted hallway and paused in front of the wooden door. I gave a quick prayer to whatever the creator was up there and knocked softly.

The door swung open and I took a step in. I was pleasantly surprised at the warmth that followed. The source of heat and light came from a large fireplace located near the windows. Walls of books made up the room and a small study desk was situated in the center of the room.

The king was seated facing me and I lowered my eyes.

" Clara, that was fast." Frederick closed the door behind me, I ignored the shivers that ran up my body as the lock clicked.

" I'm efficient, my prince. Your majesty." I curtsied as low as possible with a tray in my arms.

He waved his hand as a dismissal, and I took this chance to walk to the desk. The king was careful to subtly cover the documents with his arms.

My eyes scanned the papers quickly, they were nothing but magazines of the royal family. I masked my disappointment and set the tray down.

" Ouch." I scrunched my face up in mock pain and reached towards my leg.

" Are you okay?" Frederick put a hand on my shoulder.

I smiled, " I'm fine." I carefully tossed the earring, it rolled to a stop under the table.

The king eyed me suspiciously, a tight smile on his lips. Very different from the man nights before with shining eyes.

" Thank you." The king's voice came out hoarse.

I wondered what happened to his voice. There were stories about the rich and how they were able to purchase expensive rolls filled with a mixed substance of herbs. The downside to these drugs was loss of voice and lung disease.

I nodded and took my leave. I could still feel the King's eyes burn holes into my back, long after I closed the door and headed for the kitchen.

Ian was talented, I heard everything in that room.

There were the sounds of harsh scraping of a chair and I assumed Frederick had decided to take a seat.

" That girl seems a little too young to be working no?" The King's scratchy voice said.

Frederick laughed, " She's not too young."

I spent the next twenty minutes listening to the King and Frederick discuss the price of vegetables in the city and citations.

My fingers were carefully braiding my hair over and over again, as I tried to occupy myself.

" He's growing wilder." The king's voice sounded sharp.

This piqued my interest, I found myself even sitting up straighter as if it would help me hear better.

" I agree." Frederick sounded cold.

" Ever since he met her. He's been spending more time in the garden. The guards have informed me that he has been skipping his lessons since last week. He's a prince and yet shows more sympathy to them than his own family." The king's anger had somehow strengthened his voice, and it was a scary thing.

A chill ran down my spine. They were talking about Theo.

Is the girl me?

" You know what must be done." The king said.

" Yes, the prince must die."