Chapter 75
Lila walks quietly through the north wing of the palace, her steps light against the polished floor. She’s not looking for anything in particular, just passing time before her next appointment, when a familiar voice reaches her ears. She pauses just outside one of the Queen’s private sitting rooms.
“I’m only saying that the Captain’s escape was unfortunate,” the Queen says, her voice low but audible through the door. “Of course, sometimes these things can’t be helped.”
Another voice replies, too muffled to make out. The Queen responds again, this time with more malice in her tone.
“I said it was taken care of. There’s no need for further questions.”
Lila frowns. Something about her mother’s voice doesn’t sound like someone worried about a security breach. She sounds almost pleased.
Lila moves on before anyone can notice, her eavesdropping but her mind is uneasy.
Her mother had spoken of the captain’s escape like it had been inevitable, maybe even planned. That alone is troubling, but it’s the tone that stays with Lila. There was something about the quiet confidence and the lack of alarm in the queens voice that was concerning.
She thinks about it all through lunch. What reason could her mother possibly have for letting the former captain escape? Sure, his was offense against Ember who she disapproved of, but that wouldn’t be enough to have him released.
Lila thinks about Ember now. The first woman to wear the palace crest on her shoulder. Ember was strong and a good guard and Lila believed that she’d really earned her place.
Kaine had trusted her once. Lila remembers how proud he’d sounded after Ember’s first field mission. Now, Ember was being treated as just another guard who couldn’t be fully trusted.
She stirs her soup, appetite fading. The table feels too quiet around her. In the background, servants speak in hushed tones about engagement events and wedding plans. They are excited about the upcoming festisvities.
Lila excuses herself from the table. She starts asking questions.
She doesn’t go to Kaine. Instead, she speaks with the kitchen staff, a few of the outer guards, and a servant who works near the record hall. Most shake their heads, unaware of anything suspicious. But one guard pauses when she asks about the captain’s escape.
“That night?” he says. “I remember something strange.”
She tilts her head, encouraging him gently.
“The back door near the older west corridor was left open, not wide, but I noticed and reported it. Nothing came of it there were no follow up questions. Lila thanks him and files the detail away.
The Captain had fled the palace somehow. A guard witnessed a door ajar but there was no further investigation and the Queen’s seemed dismissive of the security breach. Lila feels that something isn’t right.
She pieces it together slowly. The poisoning, Ember’s demotion, the Queen’s calm demeanor all lead her to only one conclusion.
She finds Kaine in his office that evening. He looks up, surprised by her unannounced visit, but he waves her in.
“What is it?”
“I overheard something today,” Lila says. “Mother said something strange. The captain escaped the night you were poisoned, but she didn’t sound worried. She sounded… pleased.”
Kaine sets his pen down, his jaw clenching.
Lila continues. “I asked around. A guard said a hallway door was found open that night. No one followed up. You’ve been blaming Ember for the poisoning, but what if it was never her?”
Kaine doesn’t speak right away. He leans back in his chair, processing.
“I remember how much the captain had it out for Ember,” Lila adds softly. “And how fast everything changed after Ember was promoted. I don’t know what’s going on, but I think she’s being set up.”
Kaine’s face shifts and a flicker flicker of doubt, of realization flashes across his features. He doesn’t argue.
Lila leaves without another word.
She closes the door quietly behind her, her heart hammering louder than her footsteps. She doesn’t know what Kaine will do next, she hopes he’ll see the truth before it’s too late.
Kaine
I summon Ember first thing in the morning. I don’t explain why because I don’t know what I’ll say until she’s standing in front of me.
She enters the room calmly, but when she finally meets my gaze I don’t miss the flash of anger she’s working hard to contain. Her posture is tense, guarded. I can’t blame her.
For a moment, I hesitate. Then I stand.
“New information has come to light,” I say.
She doesn’t move just watches me closely, curiosity winning out over the anger on her face for just a moment..
“The poison,” I continue, “was traced back to the former Captain. It didn’t come from anyone inside the current guard. Including you.”
I wait, but she doesn’t speak. She just holds still, her body rigid.
“I was wrong,” I say. “I let my fear override my judgment. I should never have questioned your loyalty.”
Something in her expression softens. Not much, just a small shift around her eyes, but it’s there. She exhales quietly.
“I’m reinstating you as acting Captain,” I say. “Your clearance will be fully restored. The internal review will reflect your exoneration in writing.”
She nods. “Thank you.”
Silence stretches.
“I hope this means we can move forward,” I say. “The Chantarelle case needs your lead. No one else knows it like you do.”
“I want to see it through,” she says. “Before I go.”
The last words catch me off guard. “Go?”
She doesn’t elaborate. She gathers the file I’ve left on the desk and turns to leave.
The door clicks softly behind her.
For several moments, I remain still. The sound of her boots in the hall fades fast. I sit down slowly, her words repeating in my mind.
Before I go.
I stare at the closed door and realize I still don’t understand her at all.
Lila passes walks through the courtyard and runs into Bianca near the fountain. Bianca looks radiant, her pale dress catching the morning light, her expression glowing with satisfaction.
“There you are,” Bianca says. “I was wondering when I’d see you again.”
Lila offers a smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “I’ve been busy.”
Bianca tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “I suppose everyone has. Especially Ember. She’s been looking tired lately. Poor thing must be overwhelmed.”
Lila continues to smile but something about Bianca’s words don’t sit right.
“I wanted to thank you for helping me the other night. I’m glad things are finally back on track,” Bianca adds. “Now that Kaine sees things clearly.”
Lila doesn’t answer feeling awkward about helping Bianca drug, Kaine, especially in light of the recent poisoning. She also can’t help but remember the way Bianca smiled when Ember was demoted, or the friendship with the former Captain that Bianca pretended to forget.
“I suppose I should go,” Bianca says. “Planning a wedding is exhausting.”
Lila inclines her head. “Of course.”
Bianca walks away with her usual confidence, her dress swishing behind her. Lila watches her go, then turns in the opposite direction.
She’s made her decision. She’s done playing along.
