"Should I contact Motaz" Pierre asked after a few moments?
"Yes, he needs to be informed…" Clarisse agreed.
"He is due to come in the morning but, should I have him come now" He asked as he worried about what could happen from now until morning?
"It is best we wait" Joseph added. "We should reach out to my contact in the military for assistance before we have the PM come into the Palace. It is not safe right now."
"Yes, of-course" Pierre realized as he swallowed nervously.
"Pierre, please listen to Shades. Do not leave the wing, please" Clarisse begged him. She did not want her son to be hurt.
"I will follow Shades lead mother. I promise" He reassured her.
"Shades, I will contact you right after we speak with my contact" Joseph informed him wanting him to be kept up to date on all information.
"I will await your call" Shades stated. The call ended.
"How is Hans" Pierre asked worried?
"Not good. He has a head injury and has lost consciousness. I'm not sure how long he was down there" Shades replied honestly.
"It is unnerving to think that happened with all of us here…" Pierre shook his head in disbelief.
"Yes, it is" Shades agreed.
"Thank you for telling me about my father. It means a great deal" Pierre said sincerely.
Shades nodded his head before he could speak his comm device chattered.
"Excuse me Your Highness" Shades replied as he stepped out of the room.
"Shades…" Charlotte questioned?
"I'm here. Is everything alright" Shades asked?
"Yes. I was about to ask you the same thing" Charlotte replied relieved that he answered.
"I'm sorry. Everything is fine. I am waiting for a call back from Joe" Shades informed her.
"I heard they found someone…." Charlotte said nervously.
"It was Hans. He was unconscious" Shades admitted.
Charlotte gasped.
"I locked the wing down no one is coming in or out. I'm sorry" Shades stated since he felt guilty that she was out for the moment.
"I understand, really. I am here in the security hub with the rest of the team. You do what you must, and we will keep an eye on things from here" Charlotte replied knowing they all had to work together.
"I will. I promise you with my life I will protect the royal family" Shades said wanting to reassure her that he would protect Pierre as well not just the King no matter what happens.
"Shades…." Charlotte voice wavered.
"It will be alright" Shades tried to reassure her, but he honestly was not sure if that was true.
"Keep yourself safe as well" Charlotte said the worry evident in her voice.
"You too" Shades replied as he gripped his phone tightly. He hated that they were apart. He would feel better if she were with them in the wing.
Lake House….
Joseph contacted his long- time friend and colleague on his personal cell phone. After a few rings he answered.
"Joe…" A tired, irritated voice asked?
"Boss…" Joe smirked even under all the stress he felt. He knew it would get under his friend skin. He could not resist.
"Isn't your boss Her Majesty" The man teased now laughing.
Clarisse looked at Joseph with a raised eyebrow and a smile.
Joe laughed.
"We need your help" Joseph said honestly.
"Isn't this something I should be hearing from chain of command" He asked curiously?
"Normally, yes but this is far from normal. The Palace has been compromised and I assured Her Majesty that you and your men, are our most efficient solution" Joseph admitted.
"Compromised? What do you need me to do" He asked wanting to be of assistance?
"I'm going to have Her Majesty explain that to you" Joseph replied.
Being on the verge of retirement after twenty years of service did not stop the Commander from stating, "Your Majesty, I serve at your pleasure."
"Thank you, Commander. I believe we have a lot to discuss" Clarisse stated as she looked at Joseph and for the first time in a-while they both had hope.
Outside of Pyrus…
Not knowing what else to do or who to turn to, Helena headed toward Pyrus hoping she would be able to get a location on where Antoinette was taking Leo. She wanted desperately to find out where Alex was. She felt a strong headache coming on as she arrived in front of a store. She went in and bought some aspirin and a water. While in the store she saw and heard the Elsie Kentworthy show.
"It seems the Palace has had a bit of a scare today, but it is unclear what has occurred. What we are aware of is that an ambulance was seen entering and exiting the Palace, my sources tell me that someone was severely injured while on duty, a security member. We are awaiting a response from the Palace" Elsie reported before going on about gossip.
Helena stared at the television, her heart pounding somehow, she knew it was Hans. She left the store quickly and went straight to her car and drove off heading to the Palace. She had to find out if it was Hans and if it was where they sent him, the drive to the Palace felt longer than it really was. Her nerves were on high alert and she could feel her eyes tearing. She did not know what to do anymore. She needed to find Alex, but she also needed to make sure Hans was okay.
Relief flooded her body as she pulled up to the Palace gates.
"Ma'am" The guard approached her car.
"I'm here because I heard someone was hurt. Is it Hans" She asked as she looked at the guard imploringly?
"I'm sorry ma'am. I am not able to disclose that information to you" He replied honestly.
"May I speak with Joseph or Shades" She asked?
"One moment" He replied as he stepped back and used his comm device to request to speak with Shades.
King Wing…
"This is Shades" He replied as he went around making sure the wing was locked down.
"Antoinette mother is here requesting information about Hans" The guard informed him.
"Let her in. I will meet her in the foyer" He stated determined. Hanging up, he informed the other guards he was going to the foyer and would be back shortly. Strict orders only the Crown Prince and the Doctor/nurse are allowed into the King suite. Once that was complete, he left the wing with only thought in mind, he wanted to know everything she knew.
Front Gate…
"Ma'am, you can drive in. Shades will meet you in the foyer" He informed her professionally.
"Thank you so much" She replied as she waited until the gate opened and then drove in. Once in the front, she got out as one of the staff moved her car for her as she walked in. It seemed strange to be there after everything that has happened.
The butler greeted her, took her coat and led her to a comfortable chair. He offered her a drink which she gladly accepted. She fidgeted with her hands as she waited. The drink was handed to her and she took several long sips. Finally, she saw Shades come into her line of vision. She placed her drink down and stood up.
"Ma'am" Shades stated as he faced her.
"Please tell me is Hans okay" She asked her eyes full of tears?
Shades found it interesting. There was clearly more going on than anyone knew.
"You should sit" He replied as he sat across from her.
She sat looking at him full of concern.
"Hans was injured and was taken to the Trauma Center" He said honestly.
"The trauma center" She questioned as tears fell?
"He has a head injury" He admitted.
"Oh my god. Is it bad" She asked full of fear?
"Yes, it is" He shared.
Helena covered her face with her hands as a sob escaped.
"Ma'am. I need to ask; do you know where Hans has been all of this time" He asked hoping she would cooperate?
She looked up and stated, "protecting me and helping to look for my grandson."
"I thought your grandson was with your husband" He replied confused by Antoinette version of the story.
"He was but not by choice. My husband was using my grandson to force me to use Hans" She admitted.
"Use Hans in what way" Shades asked?
"To enter the Palace" She admitted.
Shades looked at her as he realized her husband had been part of what happened to the security system and Hans.
"Is Her Majesty or Joseph available for me to speak with? I have spoken with Her Majesty before about this" She said honestly.
"I can call them if you like" He replied since he believed she was not a threat.
"I would very much" She replied grateful.
Shades led Helena to a room that was more comfortable. They sat together and he contacted Joseph.
Lake House…
"I was just about to call you to give you an update" Joe answered.
"Helena is here at the Palace. I have informed her of Hans. She is requesting to speak with you or Her Majesty" He replied more formal than he usually was Joe thought.
"Alright" Joe replied still confused by Shades tone.
"Joseph, hello. Something has happened that I think you should be aware of. Leo does not have Alex, but he knows where he is. The problem is Antoinette found out we were meeting, and some men took Leo. I need to go see Hans but…can someone try to find Leo" She asked hoping they would help?
"Of-course. Did you get a license plate number" He asked?
"I did yes" She recited the plate number back to him.
Shades also wrote it down.
"Thank you for coming to share this information" Joseph replied.
"I just want to make things right" She said honestly.
"Go and see Hans. We will be in touch" Joseph promised.
"Thank you" She replied relieved.
Shades disconnected the call.
Joseph sat surprised as he put the phone down.
Shades walked Helena out.
"And thank you so much for giving me time to speak with you" Helena said grateful.
"Thank you for your assistance. We will follow up on the plate number" He assured her.
Lake House….
"Is everything alright" Clarisse asked Joseph when she noticed he seemed lost in thought?
"No. I think Shades is angry with me" He replied honestly.
"Why" She asked concerned?
"Helena went to the Palace. He informed her of what was discussed. I think he feels left out" He said honestly.
"Oh…yes…I can imagine. It was not on purpose. We've been trying to handle everything and…" Her voice trailed off.
"I know but I should have told him. He is my right hand. I was wrong" He sighed frustrated.
Clarisse looked at him sympathetically. After a moment she stated, "the Commander will be here shortly so maybe you can have that talk with Shades in person."
"Yes, I think that is best" He replied as he took her hand in his and held it tight.
"And I. I need to talk to Rupert about us…even if he can't hear me" She said her voice cracking slightly.
"He can hear you. He is awake. Clarisse…when everything is calm, and this is over then…. then you can be with him when he awakes and if you feel then that this is what is best…. talk to him" He reassured her.
"You are right" She whispered with tears in her eyes.
"We have a lot going on right now but…what is most important is that everyone is safe" He whispered as he pulled her in for a hug.
"With James and Mabrey…who knows who else is out there…how can we really be safe" She asked?
Joseph sighed deeply since he had been thinking the same exact thing but did not share it with her because he did not want her to worry.
Pyrus…
"What do you mean you don't have the boy" Mabrey asked angrily?
"He was taken by Leopold Wolff and Antoinette says he won't talk" James replied frustrated.
"Well, we will see about that" Mabrey threatened.
James looked at him but did not respond. He knew how evil the man could be. He suddenly found himself feeling sorry for Leo.
"And where is Antoinette" Mabrey asked changing the subject?
"With Leo" James replied honestly.
"It is time she goes to back to where she belongs, to the Palace beside the Crown Prince" Mabrey stated clearly unhappy.
"Really Arthur? I think we can all agree that Pierre will never marry her" James spat.
"That is where we differ. Pierre will marry Antoinette. It is only a matter of when" Mabrey replied.