Chapter 12
Bastien couldn't sleep no one had gotten back to him yet. He wondered the hideout looking for anything useful to pass the time. He knew he wouldn't be falling asleep anytime soon. He needed to wait for the status report which should be coming in soon. Eventually, he found a small portable tv. He plugged in headphones and turned it on hoping to get information from the news. Since the tv worked on an antenna.
He was sure no one could trace it since all it did was pick up the signals in the area. When he saw Riley he rushed to the room Liam had taken for the night. He carefully opened the door whispering, "Sir are you awake?" "I can't sleep, Bastien. My wife is out there and I'm worried about her" Liam whispered.
"I have something you need to see sir," Bastien replied moving to the bed were Liam laid. He placed the portable TV on the bed and gave Liam the headphones. He had turned the closed captions on so he could read what was going on. No one else needed to know what was going on more than the King did. Bastien sat back and read while the king watched the video submitted to the news media with Riley in it at the ball.
He was impressed that she saved Madeleine. Although he worried Madeleine would try to use the very tackle that saved her life against Riley. Bastien now agreed with Riley there needed to be a serious overhaul in security at the palace and applewood. Nothing like this could ever happen again and the cost of manpower to properly secure the buildings both inside and out would be too great. He turned his attention to the TV as they started the recap of tonight's events.
"I'm Mr. Davies lead reporter of Cordonia News. Our breaking news tonight is the attack on the palace. Causing all the nobles and the royal family to flee. We assume the royal family is securely hidden until the threat has been neutralized. We have little insight into what caused the attack on the palace. Also, we have questions on how this group managed to get into the ballroom undetected by the palace guards. We have received an anonymous video shot by someone obviously inside the ball during the events. We warn you that it may be disturbing to watch."
Liam and Bastien both watched the events in the ballroom. As they both had been too busy fighting to keep track of everything. Liam took off the headphones saying, "I want a copy of this recording. I want the person who made this video found and questioned."
Bastien nodded he too wanted to know who had recorded the events. Liam and Bastien both watched the events unfold with a critical eye. Bastien pointed to the screen saying, "Madeleine's guards are too far away. Perhaps they knew it was going to happen. No matter what Madeleine requested or demanded would make being this far from her acceptable."
Liam nodded he knew the protocol and the rules the guards had to work by. He wondered if they had been bought and thought it was ok since it was Madeleine they were trying to kill. Liam sighed, "I will need to talk to all of them. Plus, I have to decide if they are still employed afterward's."
Bastien pointed out a change in their behavior and seconds later Riley was rushing to Madeleine and knocking her down. Madeleine's guards were by Riley in a matter of moments. As soon as they were there Riley shoved Madeleine into them. Bastien said, "Looks like she's demanding they take her to safety."
Liam nodded someone was going to pay for this had the guards been doing there jobs Riley wouldn't have had to risk her own life. "Do you think Riley was hurt" Liam murmured. Bastien watched as she grabbed items from a table before grabbing a shield and sword from one of the display knights. When she disappeared from the recording for a while Bastien solemnly responded, "It looks like it sir."
Once she was back on screen Liam saw her approach one of the guard stopping to talk for a moment before noticing Kiara. "Who is Riley talking to," Liam asked. Bastien replied, "That would be Bradley one of Madeleine's men. It looks like she's giving him instructions for the servants. If I were to guess sir, I'd say she's having Madeleine's remaining team keep them safe."
Liam growled unsure if he wanted to kiss Riley or strangle her. He loved her dearly and right now all he wanted was for her to get herself to safety and not care about anything else. However, Liam knew that was not who Riley was she cared too much about others to think solely of herself. Liam watched as Riley went over to some of his security staff Liam looked to Bastien saying, "I want to know what she said to the security teams. I trust Riely but, we have to know what she said in case Madeleine tries something."
Bastien only nodded as they returned to watching the TV. Both watched as Riley rescued Kiara and Drake before leaving the palace. What surprised the two the most was that the camera followed the car with Riley in it to the hospital and then it was clearly following her around. Liam shouted out, "Riley NO!" When she collapsed on the hospital floor.
Liam's heart raced it was hard to breathe Riley had to be alright he couldn't lose her now. Liam let out a breath he didn't know he was holding when Riley awoke again. Shortly after she regained consciousness the video ended. Liam was relieved that Riley had regained consciousness but now that he knew she was injured it was harder to stay put until the all-clear had been given.
Liam looked at Bastien with pleading eyes only to receive a stern look in return. Bastien said, "I will have your family physician come to the palace to check her out. However, I will not be taking you anywhere until the threat is neutralized. This is why Kings are usually married to there queens. So they can have a security detail too. I believe she now does qualify for a small detail due to her status as a personal assistant. I would recommend Drake and I will find the best female guard around."
Liam nodded his head in agreement it was a start. There was nothing more he could do and he knew Drake would take Riley to his Father's home until the palace was clear. She'd be safe until he could get out of lockdown. He was about to turn off the TV so he could get some sleep before his busy day tomorrow. Liam knew he'd have to meet with the media to assure his people that he was handling everything.
His hand had just reached the knob when a reporter shouted, "Breaking news we have been told that Riley the King's personal assistant will be speaking with us shortly, live from the hospital." Liam growled at the announcement he couldn't imagine why she would go out there other than to get the press to leave. There wasn't much she could tell them yet as he doubted she had received information.
The TV station switched from the station footage to the live camera he could see Riley in a wheelchair. Bastien muttered, "They want her to take it easy with the blood loss and fainting." Liam nodded and then heard Riley via bull horn, "Members of the press if you would please stop acting like a rioting mob and get off the sidewalks. Please make an orderly group on the large section of grass other there. This is so those who need to use the hospital can without issue or being harassed by you. I am not more important than they are. Now I will answer a few questions although I don't have all the information yet."
Liam smiled and shook his head he guessed she was safe surrounded by the press. "This is Mrs. Wilson for the Cordonian Times what do you know about the attack on the palace." "I know very little as the guards are currently investigating and ensuring that there is no longer a threat there. What I can tell you is that I know someone had to have seen these men in Cordonia. There was a large enough group that they likely arrived in multiple vans that again someone likely spotted parked together. I am fairly certain that these men put on their ski masks before entering the palace property and had been likely observing the palace guards patrols for quite some time to have gain entry to the ball undetected. We are asking anyone with any information no matter how small to report it to your local authorities. Any leads that help us capture or discover where these men are hiding will be rewarded" Riley said.
"She can't do that," Liam exclaimed. Bastien chuckled, "She can thankfully she left the reward up to you. You could always just give them a lunch with you and a tour as a reward."Liam glared at Riley on the TV for a moment but, he knew she was only trying to help.
"I'm Miss Longbottom with the tattler I'd like to know what the King plans on doing about this?" Riley looked fiercely at the woman she didn't like the gossip columnist saying, "Well I know he has been trying to push an entire security overhaul for the palace as well as the other noble houses. This was my idea when I first came here during Prince Liam's social season. No one in the palace had verified who I was before allowing me to stay there overnight. This can't happen it's too dangerous to allow unknown strangers inside with those who make the rules. Thankfully, I didn't mean them harm. The only thing known about me was that I was Riley a waitress that was in New York. When I entered the ballroom I told the staff member at the door how to announce me. I could have told him to announce me as Princess Peach of the Mushroom Kingdom and he would have. His job wasn't to verify what I told him was correct only to repeat what I said to him." That caused the press all to murmur and talk amongst themselves.
Bastien chuckled next to Liam. Liam looked at him like he had grown a second head making Bastien laugh even harder. Bastien got out between laughter, "Princess Peach is a video game character, sir." Then Liam started laughing imagining the horrified looks on his parent's faces that they had been rude and neglectful to a Princess. Then the total humiliation once they realized Princess Peach and the Mushroom Kingdom didn't exist but not being able to do anything about it.
"One last question," Riley announced. "I'm Mr. Smithe from Cordonia Weekly how do you expect the king and the nobles to pay for these security changes?" "Good question! I expect them to find out what it will cost as the cost will depend upon the estate and how secure it currently is or isn't. Then to find a way to remove excess from parts of there budget until the cost is covered. I am certainly not suggesting they raise taxes. They can cut some funds from there wardrobe, travel, and the balls or events they hold. If they only remove a little from each no one will notice the cuts. Now I do need to go the doctor said I needed lots of rest."
The newscast ended and Liam turned the TV off. "God, I love that woman" Liam muttered. Bastien smiled saying, "Get what rest you can sir once were cleared to return you will have your work cut out for you." Liam nodded settling into the bed as Bastien took the TV and left the room.