Crown Of Hearts

Chapter 13

I excused myself from the table, Libby's gaze followed me and I could almost feel her jealousy weigh on my shoulders like a boulder.

But I needed to have a look around while everyone was occupied. Maybe find out what was hidden behind that door Frederick entered.

It took a lot of convincing on my end that Theo had no interest in me and that the others were welcome to try their luck with him. I ignored the small part of me that was bothered when the girls mentioned how beautiful his eyes were.

Rachel shot me a concerned look but I shook my head and smiled as pleasantly as possible. She seemed suspicious by not enough to ask because she turned back to the other maids.

The hallways were beautiful, gold trimmings and blood-red walls. I took my time, strolling through the halls, peeking through open doors. I didn't dare to step foot inside. What if the castle had some crazy security alarm that measured one's royalty. Something I would surely fail.

After peeking through the sixth open door. I began to realize that the Royal family was too smart to leave things out in the open.

I began to turn back when I heard voices. Two male voices.

" Report." One said. And he sounded so familiar. It's him.

The realization left shivers running down my arm. The man who drew his sword at me, whose men held me down. And the only god knows what would have happened to me if Theo hadn't intervened.

" There have been some odd frequencies that we have detected these last couple of weeks. It has been disturbing our controls for the field."

Frequencies?

" Because of the frequencies, the force field has been in lack of better terms spotty. There were reports that the shield flickers between being solid to being nonexistent and sometimes, it's an odd mix. Only sections that have been affected are the garden and the left-wing."

The man who held my life in his hands was quiet for a few moments, " Does anyone know about this?"

" No, sir."

" Good, keep it that way. Inform me when the issue is resolved."

" The issue has been solved, but we are worried that our security has been compromised."

I swallowed thickly.

They ended the conversation with a goodbye and I scrambled to the end of the hall. I pretended to admire a painting of the royal family.

The artists captured Theo's eyes perfectly, the exact shade of green.

" I see Theo hasn't gotten bored of you."

I was practically shaking from the captain's close proximity. He stood almost shoulder to shoulder, his arms held behind him.

" Oh excuse me, I have been impolite. My name is Darius Wells but you may call me Darius." He held out his hand, the movement caused his coat to flutter and I caught sight of his sword.

I took his hand. He had a firm handshake.

" I'm Clara."

He smiled, revealing rows of pearly whites. Darius sighed almost in content as he turned his attention back to the painting.

" I've been with the princes since birth. In fact, Frederick is only two months older than me. He would call me snail when we were kids because I never could seem to keep up with him." He laughed and a shiver ran down my spine. He spoke as if we were friends and that he was comfortable with me.

" You must be great friends." I squeaked.

" Only in name." He chuckled, if he wasn't so terrifying, one might even say he had a nice laugh.

" See, I was born to do this job and I'll be damned if the royal family so much receives a paper cut on their fingers."

I swallowed, suddenly regretting my decision to wander off. Learning about the barrier was not worth Darius's scorching glares.

" They must be happy with your performance."

He reached over and ran his fingers down a strand of my hair. I flinched.

" I thought Theo preferred blondes. But I guess he likes to keep his options open."

" I'm nothing more than a maid to him. Please don't assume otherwise, rumors always end badly." I said. Grateful that my voice had strengthened.

" Indeed they do. Well, I'll take my leave."

I didn't relax until his footsteps retreated and even then, my shoulders remained tense.

It took a mere minute before I realized, I had been gone too long.

By the time I returned, everyone had finished their supper. The table was cleaned up, not even a speck of crumb remained.

" Oh you were gone for a while, were you lost?" Libby held a stack of dirty dishes in her arms.

" Yeah, I should have asked someone where the washroom was." I giggled softly. " Would you like some help, I'm free and it seems like Rachael doesn't need me."

She smiled, " Okay."

The soapy water was actually comforting, Yasmine always preferred drying over-washing but we made a good team. I wondered how she was doing these days.

" You seem actually happy washing dishes." Libby giggled, she leaned against the drawers, a rag dangling in her hands.

" I find the warm water very comforting." I laughed back.

" So." She dropped her head, strands of her hair had gotten loose throughout the night. She looked good, the messy look worked for her.

" Is it true what you said about Theo? That you don't like him at all?"

Oh.

" I'm just his maid Libby. Honest. I genuinely hope you gather the courage to confess to him and that everything works out in your favor."