Chapter 12

I watch Prince Kaine as he addresses another attendant. “Bring out the items I have prepared.”

The attendant looks at me for a moment, shocked but quickly catches himself and smiles at me. “Yes, of course.”

He’s gone for a moment before striding back to the front of the shop an array of items in hand. As he brings the items out, he also starts to gush, “These really look stunning on someone as beautiful as you. I think a few of these pieces in particular will complement your refined aura.”

I blink at him, confused and he continues, “You two make such a lovely couple. I am so thrilled to see the Crown Prince happy! We have prepared only the finest gifts in the entire kingdom for you to enjoy.”

It takes me a moment, but I finally understand, the attendant thinks that I am Prince Kaine’s fiancée. I glance at Prince Kaine to see if he is going to say anything, but he just stands there, his expression unreadable.

I look back to the attendant, feeling awkward, to clarify, “Oh um... I’m just his subordinate.”

Prince Kaine seeing me struggle finally speaks up. “I am engaged, but not to her. I am not very familiar with my fiancée’s likes and dislikes, so I brought in her sister to help me select.”

I can’t help the pang I feel in my chest at his words. “You really do care about her, huh?” I let slip. I clear my throat before turning to the selection of gifts.

I browse carefully, noting things I know Bianca would like, the more glittery and most expensive looking the better. As I peruse, I can’t help but pause as I look at one brooch in particular. It isn’t something Bianca would like but can’t help but take a moment admiring its beauty.

I tell Prince Kaine my selections as I choose and he doesn’t even ask how much they cost, he simply looks at the attendant and says, “Wrap them all.”

I try not to react at the amount of money he just spent. It is one thing to be aware of someone’s wealth in theory, but a completely different thing to see that wealth in action. This excursion was just another reminder of why Prince Kaine and I could never work out.

We finish up, and as we exit the store Prince Kaine hands me a small box. “A thank you gift,” he says, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “For your help today.”

I open the box and gasp as I see the brooch I had been admiring earlier. I glance at Prince Kaine confused. The brooch was nothing like the gifts I had selected for Bianca, how had he known?

I can’t help but marvel at the brooch in my hand, wondering when he had the time to buy it with me noticing. I really do like it, even going as far to check the price in the store. As I clutch the small box, I realize that if I sold it, I could afford several vials of the higher quality potion that I need.

The brooch is beautiful, something I never could have dreamed of owning before. I hold the box tightly feeling conflicted about making that choice. I look at Prince Kaine, feeling the weight of the impossible distance between us. “Thank you.”

The next afternoon, I finish my training, feeling exhausted from the extra effort it has been taking and rush to return to my post as Prince Kaine’s personal guard.

As I walk, I can’t help but overhear a few guards whispering about the prince as I pass.

“He’s gone completely feral, there is no other explanation,” one of the guards whispers.

“I believe it,” the second guard whispers back. “Did you hear about him murdering that guy for no reason? He’s completely out of control.”

I hurry past trying not to draw attention to myself. I can’t help but wonder if there is any truth to their words or if the traitor has begun spreading another rumor. I continue to head toward my post keeping an ear out for any other rumors about Prince Kaine, when I see Jake walking toward me, glaring.

I take in the dark expression on his face, “Did you hear about the new rumors? I heard some guards talking a few minutes ago about one that I hadn’t heard yet.”

Jake doesn’t answer as he regards me with a cold look. He turns and begins walking quickly, leading the way and I rush to keep up. He strides down the hallways of the palace with purpose, looking back at me often, to make sure that I am still following.

He continues his breakneck pace, until we arrive at Prince Kaine’s office. Jake walks in without knocking and I follow, noting that there is a group of people waiting inside. He slams the door before rounding on me.

“Sit.” he orders, pointing to one of the green chairs in front of Prince Kaine’s desk. I do as he asks and look up at Prince Kaine nervously, had he found out that I am his Mate?

“You’re the mole,” he states. Prince Kaine’s voice is calm, but there is a fire behind his eyes that sends a chill through my body.

“I- I’m not” I manage to squeak out. This explains Jake’s behavior and the hard look in his eyes as he led me to Prince Kaine’s office. I look into Kaine’s eyes silently pleading for him to believe me.

“Don’t lie,” he growls.

My panic swells as I make an attempt to clear my name. “I only became your personal guard a few days ago! How would I have enough information about you to be the mole?”

“Exactly,” Prince Kaine spits, “A few days ago. The same day that the rumors began to spread.”

I close my eyes fighting back tears as he continues, “We have evidence.” He passes me a stack of letters, all in my handwriting, that corroborate his story.

I go silent stunned, as panic surges through my body. How had the mole gotten access to my handwriting in order to forge it? It didn’t make any sense.

He sighs, “Maybe I could believe that these were forgery if they were the only evidence,” he gestures to the guards standing in the office, “but these people are witnesses. They saw you spreading rumors.”

I hear the other people in the room all begin to speak at once, condemning me. They all say that they witnessed my treachery in action. I haven’t even met many of the faces in the room, but it is their word against mine.

Prince Kaine and Jake remain silent, the looks on their faces telling. They don’t believe me.

The Captain of the Guard steps forwards and begins to speak. “A disloyal guard like you has no place in the palace. I say we throw her out,” he says smugly. The rest of the guards in the room murmur in agreement as the captain reaches out to grab my arm.

Prince Kaine’s voice sounds above the whispers as he yells. “Everyone. Out.”