Chapter 30 The culprit
Mira couldn't explain what caught her attention, but she felt something suspicious.
This was the third time in a row that she was seeing Lord Blackburn’s special attendant visiting the palace hospital.
Only very few elders had access to the palace hospital and Lord Blackburn was one of them, but three times? And not just Lord Blackburn but his attendant.
If the elder had had an emergency, she was sure she would have heard of it. Gossip flew in this palace really fast.
Mira couldn't shake the suspicion, especially as he tiptoed to the clinic, wary of his environment.
She watched as he walked, before going after him, careful to put some distance between them.
Mira's suspicions are more than confirmed when she sees the attendant making a detour and walking to the lab instead.
He stopped in front of the lab assistant, who was clearly shaken to see him and looked around to ensure that he was alone.
“What are you doing here? I thought the agreement was over?” Her voice is shaken.
“Lord Blackburn requests another vial.” The attendant said, unfazed by the fear emanating from the Lab assistant.
“The deal is over. We had an agreement.”
“Well, no one refuses Lord Blackburn.” His smile was set in place. “Isn't your mother still hospitalised?”
The Assistant shivered. “What do you want?”
A triumphant smile appeared on the attendant's face, making Mira shudder.
He was evil. As evil as his boss.
“Just another vial. And we'll leave you alone.”
“what…what if I…I'm caught?” She stuttered. “His Majesty will have my head on a platter.”
The attendant laughed. His laugh was as devious as he looked.
“Why will His Majesty know what's going on between us? Besides, Lord Blackburn wields so much power. Much more than you can imagine.”
“Still, not as powerful as His Majesty.” The attendant grumbled as she made her way to the cabinets where vials of blood are stored.
Mira could feel her chest tightening. She had an inkling of what exactly was happening, but she needed proof.
“There you have it.”
The attendant grabbed the vial of blood and hurriedly hid it, but not before Mira saw it.
“Lord Blackburn will not forget the favour.” He said and rushed out.
“Oh my God…” Mira watched as the lab assistant scrambled back to her chair, crying. “What have I done?”
Slowly, Mira walked back to where she'd come from. She had not been mistaken. The vial of blood she'd seen was distinct.
Only one person could have it stored in the Royal lab.
Isabella’s.
She staggered as she held the wall for support, the magnitude of the information suddenly dawning on her.
All the attacks framing Isabella had been staged. The only thing tying her to those attacks had been the moonlit blood found on the stage.
And she'd just found the source.
Mira stood, momentarily confused about what to do.
She could walk up to Lucien and tell him about her findings but she was just a low servant who'd been fortunate to be selected to serve Isabella.
And even that, had been a punishment by Mrs Louvre, earlier in the day.
And what if she was wrong?
The punishment for lying against a member of the Council was death by hanging. And that was after she had been flogged.
Mira shuddered at the thought of being killed simply because she could not prove the facts of her findings.
“Thank you, Marcus,”
Isabella whispered as she made her way inside the room.
She'd spent the night with Lucien and had woken up to his fingers rubbing her throbbing clit gently.
They'd made love twice in the night after the first, with both being gentle.
She walked to the mirror as she stepped out of her dress, rubbing her hands gently on her neck, where the hickeys lay.
Lucien had once again marked her possessively.
The door opened in a hurry and Mira stepped in.
“Oh, thank God you're here,” Mira said with a frightened expression.
“Are you okay?” Isabella asked gently, picking up a robe and wrapping herself with it.
Mira nodded. “I have something for you.” She said breathlessly.
“Okay?” Isabelka urged, clearly intrigued.
“I…I think you need to sit down.”
“Mira?” Isabella's curiosity had been piqued. “What is going on?”
“I'm going to tell you Ms Thorne, but you have to sit down.”
Isabella paused. Mira looked determined enough and wasn't going to let it out unless she sat down.
She walked to the bed. “What is it?”
“I've found the person behind the attacks.” The words tumbled out.
“What att…?” Isabella stopped midway.
She stood up. “Who?” Her voice held fear.
“My lady?” Mira's eyes signalled to the bed and Isabella sighed before returning to the bed.
“You have to promise me that you'll trust me.” Mira clasped her hands together, pleading.
“Who is it, Mira?” Isabella’s voice was hard.
“Lord Blackburn.”
Isabella whipped her head. “Lord Blackburn?” She repeated for confirmation.
Mira nodded gravely.
“And you know this, how?”
Mira sighed. “Saw his attendant in the Royal lab with the vial of your blood.”
“The Moonlit blood?” Isabella asked foolishly. She knew the question was unnecessary. She was the only one in the palace who had the moonlit blood.
Isabella groaned, her hands massaging her temple.
Her head was suddenly aching from the information she'd just been given.
“How sure are we?” She asked after some time.
“A hundred per cent sure.”
Isabella recoiled as though she'd been poured a cold bucket of water, all the fight leaving her.
The room fell into silence.
“I have plans of informing His Majesty,” Mira whispered.
“No, no. You can't do that.” Isabella objected vehemently.
“It's for you, Ms Thorne. He needs to know you're being framed so that all these transactions of being sold…”
Mira caught herself in time, an apologetic expression on her face.
“I'm sorry, my lady. That was out of line.”
Isabella raised her hand. “No, you're right.” She said, silencing Mira.
“Lucien needs to know, but you're not thinking, Mira. What if Blackburn turns it back on you?”
She shook her head. “I'm sure you know the penalty of lying against an elder in the Council.”
“I do, My Lady.” Mira said gravely “…but I've also thought about these things. The most important matter on the ground is the attack and your alibi.”
Isabella raised her brows in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“I've traced the patterns, my lady.” She swallowed. “The next attack will be tomorrow.”
“And we need a solid alibi,” Isabella added.
“Yes, my lady. And not just an alibi. One where a lot of people will testify to seeing you.”
Isabella hummed in agreement.
“Which one?” She wondered. “Lucien or Elias?”
Mira shrugged. “I would suggest the young prince, My Lady.”
Isabella sighed.
“Besides, per your agreement with His Majesty, he has provided unrestricted access to the young prince.”
Isabella’s face reddened with Mira’s reference to her agreement with Lucien.
“Who else knows?” She asked suddenly.
“Sorry?” Mira was confused.
“Who else knows, about the agreement with his Majesty, aside from you, Marcus and Betty?”
Mira looked away. “My lady, gossip flies in the palace.” She said simply, not wanting to move further.
Isabella nodded. “So, about Lord Blackburn?” She trailed.
“I have plans to see His Majesty.”
“How?” Isabella was in doubt.
Mira shrugged."I don't know, but I have to see him. He doesn't have to believe me. He just needs to be aware.”
Isabella’s nod was grave. “Be careful, Mira.”
Mira's eyes clouded with unshed tears. “I will, Ms Thorne.”
She was genuinely touched by Isabella’s concern, as she closed the door behind her, her expression grim, her determination set in stone.
She walked towards Marcus.
“I need your help, Marcus.” She whispered, careful of the other servants around.
“It's about Ms Thorne. She's in danger and I need to see the king.”
Marcus's ears perked as he moved her away gently. “She’s being framed and I think I know who?”
She said gently, her voice barely heard above the volume.
He looked hard at her. “Are you sure?”
Mira grunted.
“Come with me.” He said as he grabbed her arms and led her away.
“Where are we going?”
“To see His Majesty.”
“Now…?” Mira asked, terrified.
“You said it yourself. Time is of the essence.”
Mira gulped fearfully. She hadn't even prepared her speech and thought about her approach to His Majesty.
“Wait here,” Marcus said as they arrived in front of Lucien's study.
He knocked softly and entered.
Mira looked around, alone save for the guards stationed in front of the study.
The doors opened and Marcus stepped out. “You can go in.” He motioned to the door.
“Aren't you coming?” She was on the verge of tears.
He shook his head. “I'll be here.”
“What….what do I say?” She stammered, as he pushed her inside.
Mira came face-to-face with Lucien.
“Your Majesty.” She curtseyed, her face down.