Chapter 123

Chapter 123
Liam’s pov;

The unopened letter from Belgravia stared back at me. I clenched my fist tightly, if this was indeed lady Joanna’s doing, then I wouldn’t let it slide. There was no way she could get out of this.

I was just reaching for the letter when I heard a knock.

“Enter,” I called, taking my hand back.
The door opened and I let out a relief upon seeing Dorian, his cloak streaked with dust, his expression giving away nothing. He closed the door behind him gently.
“I take it that you found something useful,” I said, narrowing my eyes at his dirt stained feet.
“She’s been meeting with someone,your highness,” he said without preamble, his voice low.
I straightened in my chair. “The princess?” I furrowed my brows. “Where is she?”
“Not the Belgravian princess, your highness. Lady Annalise. I’m afraid that she has been lying to lady Raven.”
I pounded my fist on the table. “I knew it!” 
Annalise had been so certain that she would become Queen, of course she wouldn’t take this very well.
“Who has she been meeting?” I demanded.
“I was lucky to see her slip out of a building, one of lady Joanna’s unmarked property. I followed her and she led me through the old markets and into the lower quarters. She met with several people, all in some kind of disguise,” he let out a deep breath. “I don’t think she's acting on lady Joanna’s order. I think she’s working alone. she’s working with someone who knows how to move unseen in this city. And whoever it is… they’re powerful.”
My jaw tightened. Who in this kingdom was more powerful than lady Joanna? “Do you have a name?”
“No,” Dorian admitted, irritation flashing across his face. “Whoever they are, they’ve covered their tracks well. But I did hear about some kind of a list.’”
I scrunched my face. “A list? What list?”
“I believe it’s a hit-list of some sort. The man she spoke to talked about neutralizing an obstacle. I caught a glimpse of the said list. It’s in a book. It contains names of high council members, lesser nobles and military officers loyal to the crown, I didn’t see much, but from what I gather, I believe they intend to annihilate those on our side.
“They can’t do that!” I growled. “We need to get our hands on this list.”

Dorian sat opposite me and grabbed a quill and a paper. “I think we have another problem,” he began to draw something, it looked like some kind of sigil.
 I furrowed my brows. A sigil? But it did look oddly familiar. I had seen this before. “What is this?”
“This symbol was etched on the ring the assassin was wearing and it was also on the door to the room she entered,” he glanced at me. “Your highness, I think we’re dealing with more than just a lost princess or a vengeful woman, this is something more!!”
He was right. This symbol, it looked ominous and I was sure that it wasn’t good.
“Also,” Dorian continued. “Someone was following me. A woman, when I confronted her, she gave me a name. Sanctum.”
“You let her go?” I clenched my fist, wondering why he would do such a thing.
“She overpowered me!”
“A woman?”
“What we need to do right now is to find out what this sanctum is or who? And that symbol! It’s the same!”
I let out a deep breath and was just about to speak when there was another knock, this one, sharper.
I glanced at the door sharply, then turned back to Dorian. “Keep watching her. No interference. Not yet. If we move too soon, we won't get what we want.”
He inclined his head. “What will you do to her, your highness?”
I smiled. “When we get what we want,” I said softly, “They’ll all pay for what they’ve done.”
“Enter,” I called out as Dorian began to walk to the door. 
The door swung open just before Dorian could open it. It was the person I least expected to see, Lady Joanna. Regal as ever in her deep emerald dress, her hair pinned to her back, the faintest smile playing on her lips. She glided forward like she owned the room, narrowing her eyes at Dorian, her eyes lingering a while longer than necessary on his dirty feet.
“Your Majesty,” she greeted finally, inclining her head just enough to feign respect. Respect that she never truly gave. “I do hope I’m not interrupting?”
“Not at all,” I lied smoothly, moving behind my desk once more. “What brings you here?”
I took a long glance at the table, ensuring that there was nothing about the investigation there.
She perched elegantly on the chair opposite me, folding her hands on her thigh. “I’ll go straight to the point, your highness. I’ve thought about it and I think it’s best I have a chat with the Belgravian princess. Such a charming young woman and since these are turbulent times for us, I’m proposing that I have a private brunch with her tomorrow. I’m afterall, a better diplomat that you are.”
My lips curled to the side. I knew that this was merely to get a reaction from me, if indeed she knew about the princess’ disappearance or had something to do with it.
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible, my lady,” I said lightly. “The princess has come down with a touch of flu. Nothing serious, but she’s resting under strict orders from the royal physician.”
“Oh,”Something flickered in her eyes, it was so brief that I might have missed it. It looked like she was amused. 
“How unfortunate,” she murmured. “I do hope it isn’t contagious.”
“I’m isn’t,” I replied evenly. “She’ll be better in a few days.”
“Of course.” She rose, smoothing her dress with a graceful motion. “Well, do give her my regards and your wife as well. Should she need anything… anything at all… I do hope you’ll let me know.”
“Naturally.”
She paused at the door, turning just enough to catch my gaze. Her smile deepened. “It’s such a dangerous world these days, Your Highness,” she said softly. “Guard the princess well, you never know what might happen if she suddenly goes missing.”