Crown Of Hearts

Chapter 30

Frederick moved his body to block her but it was too late. She saw me and I saw her.

" My eyes are up here." He chuckled but it was strained.

Oria, Theo's longest maid is working with the King and Frederick? "The footprint couldn't have been a man."

I swallowed thickly.

Oria shot Theo.

" Let's get the tea," I said.

Soto frowned, " No, Frederick you demanded coffee and wouldn't stop talking about. So now I have it."

" It's fine, I'll get tea," I said quickly.

" Wait." Frederick reached forward to grab my wrist and I pulled back. He seemed shocked at how fearful I was at him.

" You shouldn't grab people like that." Soto scolded.

I've never seen Frederick's face twisted in such anger and disdain. I bolted before he could stop me again. Despite the painkiller, my ribs ached.

I need to call Zak.

It's odd how something can happen and you're so aware of it but nothing happens for a long time and so eventually you convince yourself nothing will ever happen.

I had been aware that Theo was going to die but I didn't do enough because he was getting better and maybe it was myself wanting to believe Frederick won't do this again. He failed once, why would he try again? Then face the actual truth.

" Clara, I think we should talk."

Chills ran down my body, I never knew a comforting voice could be so terrifying.

The earring was still in my pocket, along with the flash drive and the pills. I needed to hide them in case something happens.

Oria's eyes never looked so piercing. I could only nod and follow in front of her. I struggled to open the cap as quietly as possible, then I slipped in the items.

She opened the door for me and I walked in, I didn't recognize the room. It was small and compact, seemed more like a storage room more than anything else.

My eyes focused on her pockets. Did she come here to eliminate me?

Is this how I die? In a small room by the hands of a person I thought I could trust.

" Don't be scared, I'm not going to hurt you." She held her hands up as a sign of good faith.

I stepped back until my back hit the wall and I anxiously glanced at the window. A jump from this height shouldn't kill me.

She followed my line of sight.

" You know me, I've never done anything to hurt you, have I?"

Oria stepped forward.

" No, please stay where you are."

She looked almost sad, " Okay." She sat down on a box.

" Why are you trying to kill Theo? He loves you so much."

Oria sighed and glanced down at her hands in her lap. They were so alike, she raised him. It was no surprise.

" I didn't mean to, it was an accident and by the time I heard his voice. I already was too late. In the dark, it was hard to tell."

Hard to tell? If Theo never was their target then Soto was.

"Ever since he met her. He's been spending more time in the garden." Soto loved gardening, he lied when he said he was taking over for his wife. He was too experienced with the care of plants for someone who just took over. He was too embarrassed to admit the crown prince loved something so trivial.

Of course, it had to be the crown prince. Why would they want Theo dead? He holds no power and is not a threat to the crown. Soto is to Frederick. Frederick is second in line and the only thing standing between him and the throne is Soto. He wants to change every day that Frederick knows and holds dear.

I've been trying to protect the wrong prince.

Captain Darius has his eye on the wrong prince.

" Why are you telling me this?"

She didn't answer, instead scouted in front of the door.

" I'm sorry Clara. I really am." She sounded so motherly. " I can't let you leave, you've always been so perceptive and quick and I loved that about you but you're ruining our plans."

Oria was a few inches shorter than me, probably weighed fifteen pounds less than me. I could push her aside and find Darius.

But she would be faster, I was still injured.

" Don't do it." She pulled out a gun from her apron and used it to pointed to a crate next to me. " Sit."

My heart stopped.

I followed her command and she placed the weapon to the ground. Even if I was fast enough to grab the weapon. I didn't know how to use it, how to hold it, how to shoot.

" We have a few hours, why don't we have a nice chat."

**

Darius was tired, more than tired. He was exhausted. After taking care of Clara and chasing her down. He needed rest but he couldn't.

Alongside being a babysitter for the prince's girlfriend, he had been given the task of firing everyone who was, directly and indirectly, involved in Clara's attack. He also needed to scramble to find replacements. On top of that, he had forgotten to ask for a raise.

He sighed and glanced at his clipboard, there were over two hundred names on it. Two hundred maids, he needed to interview and decide if they were involved.

Damn Prince Theo and Clara for falling in love.

**

" Why are you doing this? Prince Soto said he's going to help people like us."

Oria looked angry, " He's going to help? At what cost? By ruining the economy? By people revolting? He's going to risk his life along with his wife and child."

I stared at her, this was not the same woman I had met a month earlier.

" Think about yourself. The castle treats us well, we're given a home, food, a family. This is life as people know it, how do you think people will react to change? People don't like change, they like familiarity." She touched her necklace.

" Theo won't forgive you for this," I said quietly.

" I said I'm not going to hurt you."

" What difference does it make? You either are going to kill me or someone else will." My hands were shaking.

I was going to die but at least Zak was hearing every single thing I did. He could release the footage and take down the King and Frederick.

Oria didn't answer me.