Chapter 36,
Chapter 36,
Lucy
“...careful with that lace...” I ordered the maids, my voice sharper than intended. “The fabric is delicate and will rip apart at the slightest carelessness.”
They bobbed a curtsy, their heads lowered, and obediently strode out of my dressing room with the dresses in their arms. I exhaled slowly, smoothing my own gown as though it might help settle the tightening coil in my chest. The dressing room smelled faintly of rose oil and pressed linens, the lingering fragrance mixing with the metallic tang of nervous anticipation.
I dusted the folds of my dress, adjusted the pearl buttons of my gloves, and, satisfied enough with my appearance, swept out of the room as well.
By now I should have been hearing only faint echoes from the courtyard below. Rosa had already gone to walk Jasmine out, and though the chatter of their laughter had drifted up through the tall windows earlier, I had not expected to see my daughter again until much later.
As I turned the corner of the corridor, I caught sight of Rosa moving hurriedly toward the doorway. Her posture gave her away at once. She was not simply walking; she was fleeing from something, or perhaps toward someone, though her mind seemed entirely elsewhere. Her eyes darted behind her, watchful, uncertain. It was not the stride of a girl returning to her chambers with ease.
"Rosa.." I called out, my voice soft but firm enough to echo through the quiet hallway.
She jerked to a halt, spinning around. Her breath caught and her lips parted as though I had startled her from a dream.
“What is the matter?” I asked, my tone gentler now, though my gaze probed hers.
She swallowed hard, her delicate throat moving visibly, and when she spoke her voice wavered between hesitation and urgency.
“Mother, I don’t know if my eyes were messing with me, but I’m certain I saw Sir Jax doing something sneaky by the maze. I saw him while returning from seeing Jasmine off...”
The words stiffened me instantly, though I kept my expression composed
"Did you see what he was doing?" I probed further and she shook her head.
She shook her head quickly, her hair bouncing with the motion.
“I tried getting close to at least hear what they were saying but—”
“They?” I cut in sharply, leaning forward. “He had company?”
Her lips parted again, and she nodded.
“Yes, Mother. Although the other person wore a hood that covered most of their face, so I couldn’t get a glimpse of what they looked like...” Her voice trailed into uncertainty as she glanced over her shoulder, checking to see if anyone else was listening.
"I'm sure whatever it is they were scheming, it's of no good to the throne and to father especially. Because the moment they heard ruffles in the vines, the other person fled and Sir Jax returned to the palace like nothing had happened..."
I drew in a deep breath, holding it until my chest ached. The silence afterward pressed against me like a weight. Something in me made me feel as though Jax wasn't being straightforward. Especially with the letter incidents– but the only issue now is that my husband trusts him blindly.
"Mother shouldn't we tell father about this so he won't be taken by surprise... just incase there's a rebel or a coup approaching." She blurted and immediately made to move past me, urgency written across her face, but I caught her arm swiftly, pulling her back with a firmness I rarely used on her.
“Let it be, Rosa,” I urged, though my voice was heavy with the strain of doubt.
“Sir Jax has been by your father’s side for decades and—”
“And what, Mother?” she interrupted, the frustration in her tone sharper than a blade. “Being Father’s right-hand man for decades does not change the fact that he has a mind of his own! For goodness’ sake, Mother, he has probably been planning something horrible for all those decades, right under your noses for that matter!”
Her words struck deep, dangerous in their bluntness. I lunged forward, pressing my finger against her lips before she could spill another word into the open air.
“Put your voice down, young lady!” I hissed, my eyes darting instinctively down the hall.
Without another thought, I dragged her into my chambers. The door slammed shut with a loud crack that echoed through the room before I pulled her toward the balcony, away from curious ears that might linger outside.
"Listen Rosa, I understand your fears completely, so I assure you that whatever you might have seen Sir Jax doing, it most definitely was your father's orders..." I tried to convince her but her expression remained indifferent.
Rosa stared at me blankly, her lips slightly parted like she wanted to speak but her words never came.
"Are you scared of Sir Jax?" She spat and folded her arms over her chest.
I scoffed.. "Please Rosa... just get this off of your mind. I'm sure he'll have a reasonable explanation for what he was doing in the maze with a stranger in a robe. Just understand that he'll never do anything that'll bring harm to your father..." I explained and bit my lower lip.
"I hope you're right mother..." Rosa muttered and my chest tightened.
I do hope I'm right...
Finally, she shrugged, her small shoulders lifting as if to throw off my words. She turned her gaze away, rolling her eyes in exasperation.
“Well... say what you want, Mother,” she muttered, her voice trailing off with quiet defiance. She moved toward the door, her steps heavy. “But henceforth, I’ll be more careful around that man—and even his two-faced daughter. You should do the same as well.”
Her hand gripped the door handle. The wood groaned as it opened, and before I could call her back, it shut again with a muffled thud.
"I really hope I'm right..."