Chương 76: Epilogue 3: Hesta

Hesta had decided it was best to keep a low profile for a while. Prince Kavard had not been pleased with the last maid she had sent him. Maren had somehow managed to become more trouble than she was worth, and Hesta had no desire to attract further attention until the prince's temper had cooled. She stood in the laundry courtyard watching a group of maids wash linens while trying to think where she had gone wrong. Maren seemed like an excellent choice. The girl spent hours making herself pretty.

She constantly adjusted her hair and added kohl to her eyes. If that wasn't a girl seeking attention, Hesta didn't know what was. And who better to provide that attention than a prince? The whole thing should have worked perfectly. Yet it didn't... Her gaze drifted toward one of the younger laundry maids. Perhaps she should have sent Tessa instead... A moment later, she dismissed the thought. No. The girl had practically no feminine assets whatsoever. Prince Kavard would never have looked at her twice.

Her eyes moved to a pair of maids carrying a basket of fresh linens. Juliet. Now there was a better option. Pretty face, pleasant figure, and, more importantly, obedient. Perhaps she could still send her. If she played her cards right, she might even regain the prince's trust. The thought improved her mood considerably, and she nodded to herself. Yes, that could work. Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of several royal guards. Hesta immediately straightened her posture as they approached her.

"The king summons you." For a moment, surprise gave way to pride. Perhaps word of her work had finally reached the king. Perhaps he had finally realized how incompetent Celene truly was, and maybe this was the opportunity she had been waiting for all these years. Then one of the guards turned to the others.

"You two search her room."

"What?" The smile vanished from Hesta's face. She tried to ask questions, but no one answered her. A knot formed in her stomach as the guards escorted her through the palace corridors before stationing her outside the throne room. Then they made her wait. By the time nearly an hour had passed, her confidence had completely evaporated. Something was wrong... terribly wrong. Finally, the doors opened, and she was led inside. The first thing she noticed was Prince Kavard.

He sat stiffly in a chair with Sir Estophon standing directly behind him like a shadow. Then she noticed Sir Salvek. The knight was kneeling before the throne. Finally, she noticed Celene standing beside the queens. The headmaid looked at her with absolute contempt. The sight sent a chill through Hesta's body. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"As a noble and a knight," King Argon was saying, "you are free to go." Salvek lowered his head.

"As you wish, my king."

"You, however, because you have been requisitioning my men, no longer have a place within this palace."

"I understand, my king." The king leaned forward.

"If even a whisper of this matter reaches the public, I will personally have your head." For the first time, genuine fear crossed Salvek's face.

"Understood, Your Majesty."

"You are dismissed." The knight rose, bowed, and left. As soon as the doors closed behind him, Hesta was escorted forward. She dropped to her knees.

"My King," King Argon looked down at her. His expression was unreadable.

"What was your involvement in the disappearance of Maids Mara, Amelia, Carry, and Maren?" Hesta's heart nearly stopped. For a brief moment, panic threatened to overwhelm her. Then her instinct took over. She had been working with nobles all her life, and she knew how those things worked. She knew how this worked; the powerful always protected themselves first.

"I only did what was asked of me by my prince," she said quickly.

"I have always served the royal family faithfully." From somewhere behind her, she heard Prince Kavard scoff, but he said nothing. A guard approached the throne carrying a cloth-wrapped object.

"We found this in her room, Your Majesty." The king accepted the item. Hesta raised her head slightly. The moment she saw what the guard had handed him, every drop of blood drained from her face. It was the golden dagger. The king stared at it, and his expression darkened visibly.

"Where did you obtain this?" His voice had become dangerously calm.

"I found it in the old library." Hesta's mouth went dry. The answer came out almost as a squeak.

"I was going to bring it to you, my lord. I swear it. I am no thief, my lord." The king continued staring at her.

"Are you aware of what this is?"

"No, my lord."

"Truly?"

"It is gold." The king's eyes narrowed.

"It is also a Royal Seal." The room became silent as Hesta felt her stomach drop.

"What?" The king slowly turned the dagger in his hand.

"Only a handful of these exist." His gaze hardened.

"Who are you working for?" he asked in a menacing voice.

"I don't understand."

"Have you been forging royal decrees?"

"What? No!" The accusation struck her like a physical blow, and she stared at the dagger in horror.

"My lord, I can barely read." The king did not look convinced.

"I am no spy." The king looked toward one of his guards.

"Take her to the dungeon." Hesta froze.

"My lord?" The king ignored her.

"Have Harwin investigate possible forgery within his tower."

"At once, Your Majesty." The guard seized her arms. Panic finally overwhelmed her.

"No!" She struggled as they dragged her toward the doors.

"I am not a spy!"

"Kavard!" The prince deliberately looked away.

"Please!" Her eyes found Celene.

"Celene! Tell them!" The headmaid's expression remained cold.

"Please!" The doors opened as the guards dragged her through them. Her cries echoed down the corridor long after she disappeared from sight.

"I am not a spy!"

"I didn't do anything!"

"Please!" The throne room doors closed behind her, sealing her fate.