Chapter 14
Riley got up and out of the bed much to Liam's displeasure. She headed to the closet to get dressed for company. While she was in the closet she went to where the loose floorboards were and took out the box she had placed inside. Everything there was to know about her was in this box. She hoped and prayed that Liam could handle what he was about to find out. Riley herself was still trying to put all the pieces together. She left the closet holding her covered box. Bastien was there so she asked, "Is it time for the inquiry. I have everything I need" she placed the box on the dresser.
Liam and Drake both turned there heads towards her. Liam smiled at the simple yet elegant dress she chose. "Is it time for the inquiry," Riley asked? Bastien nodded saying, "They are waiting for you downstairs in the ballroom. "Drake would you carry my box down for me. Liam would be mad at me if I carried it. Liam if you'd escort me down the stairs," Riley says. Liam walks over and Kisses her forehead saying, "I can do that but afterward we will have to be on opposite sides of the table."
"I know Liam and I will be fine. I just wish I had gotten to share this with you first privately, "Riley said with a sigh. Liam wrapped his arm around her waist as they both went to the ballroom downstairs. He hated that she had to prove herself to the council. However, he knew she'd be alright he had total faith in her. He just hoped that she and the council would both see how good of a queen she would be. Liam gave Riley a quick chaste kiss at the door of the ballroom before taking his seat at the table. He had been surprised to find his Father and Regina at the head of the table. He sat on the opposite side of his father at the head.
Riley had Drake sit next to her when Constantine's voice boomed across the room, "Mr. Walker you can't stay. These proceedings are private!" With a practiced fake smile, Riley replied, "Section four subsection B clearly states I am allowed a native Cordonian representative of my choosing. I choose Drake! Your Majesty." Constantine frowned as he wondered how she knew of the clause. He shook his head as he responded, "You don't need an assistant if you know the laws and rules of an inquiry. I insist he leaves the proceedings at once."
"Paragraph four subsection C clearly stats that knowledge of the rules of inquiry doesn't replace Cordonian knowledge. I am still allowed a representative unless you are claiming you lied in front of your son and Regina. When you said that my inexperience was the reason I shouldn't be considered to be a queen of your country." Constantine glared at Riley. He thought to himself if she wanted a battle of wits he'd give her one. "Walker may stay," he grumbled. He hated even giving her that small victory but they'd be arguing Paragraph four all day if he didn't accept it.
"Lady Riley you have told us your name is Riley Brooks is this correct," Constantine asked. "No," Riley responded. "NO," Constantine shouted before saying, "So you lied to us then?" Riley Replied, "No, I told my name to the servant at the door. He announced it incorrectly. I have only ever told anyone I was Riley so I didn't lie." Constantine glared at her asking, "Then why didn't you correct him?" Riley replied, "I didn't want him to be fired. You really should have someone from security doing that job anyway. I could have said anything I wanted without having to prove what I said was true. Lucky for you I chose not to declare myself a princess."
Constantine grew angry she was throwing his weaknesses in his face he didn't like it. However, he often used the strategy himself. That combined with blackmail usually got him anything he wanted. Constantine asked, "What did you tell the servant at the door?" "To announce me as Lady Riley Brook," she replied. Drake was in shock at the news that Riley's last name wasn't Brooks at all. He wondered why she hadn't said anything to him. "Why would you keep silent on the mistake," Constantine asked. Riley smiled saying, "A good friend told me I'd be swimming with the sharks. That I had to watch my back to prevent myself from being scandalized. What better way to protect myself then for no one to know who I was."
Constantine hadn't expected that answer at all. He had seriously underestimated Riley from the beginning. Constantine was growing tired he looked to Regina saying, "Would you please continue dear." Regina nodded turning to Riley asking, "What is your full name then." "I don't know," Riley replied. Regina narrowed her eyes asking, "How could you not know Lady Riley." Riley grabbed the envelope that sat on top of the box. She pulled out a document and passed it across the table. Drake looked at the original sitting in front of him. He was confused by what he was seeing. "What's this," Regina asks. "It's exactly what it says Regina," Riley replies.
She passes the document to Constantine once he's looked at it. She gives it to Liam who looks at it before looking over at Riley. He reads it over several times trying to understand what he is looking at. Bastine looks at the document from over Liam's shoulder. He understood the document but it wasn't his place to speak. Regina spoke up saying, "I need you to explain this to me." Riley smiled asking, "What's there to explain? It's clear what it is. On the very top, it clearly says the record of a found child. Approximately three years old. In the Atlantic ocean near international waters. The lifeboat was untraceable with no boats in the area. The United States sent a copy of this to every country to the East of New York. In an effort to find my family."
Regina gasped covering her mouth and dabbing at her eyes. "You were so young," she exclaimed. Constantine squeezed her hand to provide her with support. The look of surprise on her face turned to one of horror as she saw the photographs on the second page. On the top of the page, two were images from when she was found and on the bottom were a healthy version. Constantine stood up yelling, "How do we know you're not related to us or to one of the groups trying to end our reign." "Part of your own suiter examination was genetic testing. Hana and I were listed at the top as both being not related and a virgin. Don't you read your own documents King Father," Riley replied in a huff.
Liam looked to his Father with anger in his eyes. He stood up saying, "You mean to tell me I am related to Madeleine! Is Leo related too because I am sure they consummated their relationship! How could you allow that to happen? Heck, how could you think it was alright to even have Madeleine as a suiter?" "Well, how could you choose her this nameless commoner. Seriously, Liam, this isn't personal it's about what's best for the country. She can't even prove who she is," Constantine yelled.
"Excuse me," Riley yelled before adding quieter, "I never said I couldn't prove who I was. I have located my birth mother. However, since all reports indicate her as being dead I can't ask her who my father is. However, I believe you may know who he is King-Father." Gasps and muttering broke out at the table.