Crown Of Hearts

Chapter 21

Theo explained that his father never mentioned anything of a party until minutes before I arrived. A chill ran up my spine at the knowledge that the King was in this very room and could have easily disposed of Theo if he wanted to.

The king had said he didn't tell Theo because he knew Theo would make up an excuse not to meet the eligible daughters of the elites if he had time to.

My heart clenched at the thought of another girl with her arms wrapped around his. 

The barrier would open quickly at precisely five PM and close after the last guest arrive. My only choice to slip out is during the end of the party when the guards are too tired to check Identification and just take whoever to the barrier.

Theo never mentioned anything about the possibilities of me leaving and I didn't tell him my plans.

He sent me away to get ready for the party. I would be hopefully be by his side but I didn't know if I could be the calm and collected maid while the elites were to able to touch him and talk to him and dance with him.

I had smiled and promised that I would be nearby. He brought my hand to his mouth and again kissed the insides of my wrist.

I don't think I will ever not get flustered by him doing this.

**

It seemed that the fates hated me as I ran into Prince Frederick.

" It seems we are always destined to meet in the hallways." He flashed a pearly white smile and I resisted the urge to run right there and then.

" It seems the fates love toying with us." My voice felt shaky and I held my hands behind me as I squeezed one hand over the other to stop the shaking.

" Indeed they do." His eyes seem to twinkle,
" Would you mind making some coffee? My father and I are having another meeting."

My heart can't take much more of this. Surely they were having another meeting to follow through with their murderous plan.

I smiled, " Of course. Now please excuse me." I curtsied quickly and practically flew to the kitchen.

Breakfast had been over for an hour and most of the staff was sitting outside enjoying their breakfast .

" The barrier is opening tonight." I whispered quickly. I smiled when a young servant eyed me oddly and she sent a glare in my direction before promptly jumping off the stool and leaving the room with a huff. Rude

" Tonight?!" Peter sounded off guard. " What about the plan about leaving the palace when the two month was up?"

I poured the hot water in two cups. My fingers were singed from when I grabbed the kettle carelessly moment earlier.

" I just thought it would be best to leave as quick as possible and I have all the necessary information right now."

Leave before I fall in too deep for anyone to save me. Leave before I don't want to.

" Okay, I'll figure something out."

He logged off with a click just in time for me to knock on Frederick's door.

" Clara, please come in." Frederick smiled.

I placed a small smile on my lips and braced myself for the minutes to come.

The room was chilly this time, so cold that if I wasn't holding the warm tray, I would be shivering.

The king nodded his head towards me in acknowledgement and I lowered my eyes.

The table was left bare this time, no papers, no magazines, nothing. Either they had grown suspicious of me or they truly were just having a meeting. I found it strange that the king was having meetings with the second prince and not with his successor.

I placed the tray down carefully, this time I didn't drop an earring. It was too convenient and suspicious if Frederick found it again.

Frederick thanked me with a wide grin and I forced myself to smile back and curtsied.

He ushered me out and quickly closed the door quickly behind me.

I hesitated, leave or not to leave was the question. Finally, I pressed my ear against the door.

Their words were muffled but audible.

" Captain Darius has agreed to complete the task."

A shiver went down my spine, of course it would be him.

I inhaled sharply. How could I have been so stupid? Darius was the easy choice. He loved Libby and Libby loved Theo. It would have been easy to convinced him the prince needed to dealt with.

I backed away from the door, stumbling back before breaking into a run.

Tonight. Why else would the King and Frederick be talking about it right now? Why else would the King not tell Theo about the party.

A gasp escaped me as my foot slipped under me, sending me falling forward.

A pair of shiny boots stepped forward. Captain Darius.

" Clumsy now are we?" He smirked, he lowered himself to one knee.

I pushed myself up to sitting position, breathing heavily, I decided that my only choice was the beg Darius for Theo's life. I shudder at how he drew his sword, how he could have killed me if he wanted to.

" Captain Darius. I'm asking you for help." I said.

He raised an eyebrow, amusement laced his words, " Now this is an interesting turn of events. Please, go on."

" I know what the King and Frederick ordered you to do. I'm begging you to reconsider, please." My hands were clutched tightly besides me.

Darius tilted his head, " And what have they ordered me to do?" He sounded almost confused.

" Eliminate the prince." I whispered.

His eyes grew dark. He grabbed me by the collar and pulled me to my feet. The breath left my lungs.

" Eliminate a prince." He repeated coldly.
" No one ordered me to eliminate a prince, I've been tasked with the elites tonight and making sure they return safely."

I was wrong, I took a large gamble and I lost. Fear seeped into my bones as Darius's grip tightened.

" What do you know about an assassination attempt?" His fingers reached for my chin, jerking me to look up at him.

I'm going to die.

" The King and Prince Frederick want to kill Theo because of me." I choked, tears threatened to fall.

Darius growled, " I knew something was wrong when you showed up. You're a spy aren't you? What? Have you been tasked with seducing Prince Theo?"

I couldn't stop shaking. I had been stupid and exposed myself in an effort to save him. To save a boy I barely knew, whose whole perception of me was based on lies.

" Are you going to kill me?"

Darius released his hold on me, " No, you're going to be my date tonight. And we're going to watch the Prince."