Queen Erika
"So, are we ready?" asked Anneliese as they all nodded.
"Ready to go," I said as they nodded.
"We will meet back here before dinner," said Dominick as we nodded.
"Alright, let's go," said Julian as we nodded.
The plan was for Dominick and I to walk around the village, ensuring the safety of our people and calm their nerves.
While Anneliese and Julian walked around and investigated Lord Caius, I think this may have been a long run.
"Are you okay, Erika? "Dominick asked as he took hold of my hand, and I shook my head.
"Not really," I said as I sighed and looked down.
"Are we sure this is going to work?" I asked him, upset as he sighed.
"I mean, who do we know? Lord Caius isn't dumb enough to fall for this," I said as he nodded.
"I agree, but it's the only lead we got," said Dominick as I nodded.
"For now, we are just going to talk to the people and reassure them," said Dominick as I nodded.
"What if we tell them the truth?" I asked, raising my eyebrow as Dominick looked at me in confusion.
"What do you mean?" Asked Dominick as I sighed.
"What if we tell them what we discovered?" I told him as he looked at me confused.
"Why would we tell them?" He asked, confused as I smiled.
"Maybe to steer something in the batter; look, if they know that we know it's a fake, they could try coming out," I said as his eyes widened.
"Yeah, to kill you," he said, upset as I sighed.
"Dominick, we knew it was a fake, but if we're caught lying to the people, how will they trust us again?" I said as he sighed.
"I don't like it either, but I don't want to lie to our people and lose their trust either," I said as he sighed.
"Alright, but we always have guards around in case of anything," he said as I nodded.
Once we arrived in the village, I noticed this wasn't our regular entrance. Usually, we exit the carriage with everyone around us.
This time, we are exiting the carriage outside the village, and they will enter us if we return from a long trip.
In other words, instead of entering the village from the castle, we are entering. I said we were going to head to the castle through the town.
"How did you?" I asked, but Dominick cut me off.
"We took another route through the back, and the carriage will be waiting for us at the other end of the village," he said as I nodded.
Once we got out of the carriage, we walked carefully through the village. Many of the villagers easily spotted us.
Many of them greeted us as well, and others just looked at us while we walked along the village. Their stares were not very good.
I knew very well. Those were the stares of people who suspected us. They knew something was up, and we were hiding it, and they did not like it one bit.
Once we reached the middle of the village, we were surrounded by a beautiful water fountain. I looked over at Dominick as he nodded.
I looked up to see many of the villagers coming up to us. It was almost as if they knew I had something I wanted to share with them.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please? The King and I have some to share with you all," I said as we began chatting.
"Is this about what happened last night?" asked a villager.
"Are you lying to us?" Asked another villager.
"Please, let the Queen speak. We know nothing of what happened," said a villager. I looked at her and smiled.
"Last night was supposed to be a magnificent night for us. All, we were to be celebrating the 100th anniversary of our kingdom," I said as many stopped chattering and listened.
"However, last night, we were attacked by the vicious, so-called bandits that have been roaming around our village," I said, as many of the villagers looked at me confused.
"What are you trying to say, your Majesty? Is it all lies?" Said a villager.
"They're not lies!" Exclaimed another villager.
"We have seen the work these men do and how they leave our people hurt and wounded," said a female shook my head.
"My people, the King, and I have discovered that it's all a lie. There were never any bandits in the first place," I said, as many looked confused.
I could see that many of the villagers were confused, and others were angry. I looked over at Dominick before he stood up with me.
"I'm afraid what the Queen has said is true; these so-called bandits were nothing more than a lie to provide fear in you all," said Dominick.
It was then that we heard mini gasps around the villagers, and they started to question each other and us about why this was happening.
"Why?" Asked a villager.
"Who would do such a thing?" Asked a female.
"That's what we're trying to figure out; we do have the majority of the men who attacked last night in custody," said Dominick as I nodded.
"Did they kill anyone?" Asked a man as I shook my head.
"No, thankfully, we had no casualties last night," I said as they nodded.
"But it is odd; why would they try to attack us?" Asked a woman as I thought momentarily.
"Has anyone here been actually robbed by these so-called bandits? Anyone?" I asked as the villagers looked around, but no one raised their hand.
From afar, I could see many villagers standing opposite Dominick and me, but they were not saying a word.
They just looked at us, upset, even so. They looked at me with so much hatred and discussed.
"We are going to interrogate all the men we have collected and are going to imprison those who dare to harm us," I said as the villagers cheered.
"And who is going to save us? You?" Said a villager who was looking at me from afar.
"You've got something to say, Jacob? " Dominick asked as the villager approached with his friends and nodded.
"Yes, it seems odd to me that the Queen claims to protect us when she can't even protect herself," he said, upset.
"What are you talking about?" Asked Dominick as the guy laughed.
"Think about it. Why would they only target the Queen and no one else? Nos, I'm no lord, but I don't think it's a coincidence," he said.
"I think it might be because they are hiding something from us, something they don't want us to learn," said Jacob as the villagers began to chatter.
"What if he's right?" Said a man as another shook his head.
"No, that can't be true. They have never lied to us before; why start now?" Asked another as I shook my head.
"My husband and I have never lied to you," I started, but Jacob cut me off again.
"Then why don't you tell them your story, where you came from? How come the council knows you weren't born a real princess, and we don't?" he exclaimed, upset.
"How do you know what the council knows?" Asked Dominick, upset as Jacob smirked.
"See, they are hiding things from us! They're nothing but liars! Liars! Liars!" said Jacob, upset, as many began to follow.
"Listen to me, please!" I said, and many began to calm down. Others looked at me, upset, as I took a deep breath.
"Never in the time I have been your Queen did I ever say I was a princess before, or did I?" I asked as many began to shake their heads.
"Many of you whom I talked with know where I come from. You know who I was before I became your Queen," I said as Jacob rolled his eyes.
"How come we don't all know?" He asked as I raised my eyebrow.
"I don't like to talk about my life a lot…" I started, but Jacob cut me off.
"Because you're embarrassed! You abandoned your parents and were nothing more than a beggar in the streets who fooled our King!" He yelled as I shook my head, upset.
"No, because it's all full of disappointments and hurt!" I exclaimed, finally fighting back at this monster.
"I was not a beggar! I worked as a seamstress, and I am not ashamed of that; it's a respectable job like any other," I said as many listened.
"I made high-end designer dresses from scratch to pay a debt that I was not responsible for," I said, hesitating the last part.
"Whose was it, your majesty?" Asked a young girl who appeared to be no more than the age of 16.
I quickly looked towards Dominick as he nodded and took hold of my hand, not releasing it for one second.
"My parents didn't abandon me. My parents died when I was very little," I said as many gasped.
"I wish one of them was still alive, to this day, to see that I had paid off their debt and that I was a strong, independent woman," I said while looking at the little girl.
"That is why we have a strict policy on debts; I don't want innocent people to go through what I went through as a child," I said, looking up at the people.
It was then that many began to clap and cheer, and for a moment, I was confused until I realized they were cheering for me.
"We love you, Queen Erika!" Said a voice.
"Hail Queen Erika!" Said another voice as I looked at them, surprised.
I tried to look around and see where this boy Jacob was, but he was nowhere in sight.
"See, they love you," said Dominick. I nodded, and we began chatting with the people again.
We informed them to keep an eye out for certain things that didn't make sense to them and, if they didn't know certain people, to report them.
They agreed, especially since we told them not to confront them because we didn't know what they could do to them.
Dominick and I walked around talking with the people and trying to get some information. Some of it was useful, while others weren't. Still, this was key information.
Princess Anneliese
"Are you sure you are good here?" Asked my Mother as I smiled and nodded.
"Yes, Mother, we are good here. You should return back," I added as she smiled.
"Alright, darling, I will see you back at Genova then," said my Mother as I nodded.
She got into our carriage and left as Julian took hold of my hand, and I turned to him.
"Ready?" He asked as I smiled and nodded.
"Ready," I said as we made our way inside the castle to find Lord Caius, but he seemed to be walking towards us.
As I saw him approaching us, I couldn't help but smile. 'Just who we were looking for.' I thought, smiling.
"Your majesties," said Lord Caius as he bowed to us.
"What a pleasure you have to hear with us at Dulcinea," he said, smiling.
"Lord, Caius, thank you so much," said Julian as I smiled.
"The pleasure is ours," I said as he smiled.
"To what do we owe this visit?" He asked as I smiled.
"We came to see how the King and Queen were doing after the attack," said Julian as I nodded.
"I came to see if there is anything we can do to help," I said, and he nodded.
"I see; it is a shame what happened to the dear Queen," he said as I nodded.
He seemed to be a bit too excited or happy about this, but he is clearly not showing it.
"It is," added Julian as I nodded.
"Lord Caius, you have been in the council for some time, correct?" I asked as he smiled and nodded.
"Going for 20 years," he said proudly as I nodded.
"Why do you ask princess?" He asked as I signed.
"Did you know many of the Kings and Queens at the time?" I asked as he nodded confusedly.
"Yes, I did," he said.
"So, you knew my Father?" I asked him as he smiled.
"I didn't know him well enough, but I did know a little about him," he said, smiling as I frowned, confused.
"Like what?" I asked as he thought.
"I knew he was lost at sea," he said, looking upset.
"Did you know how that happened?" I asked as he sighed.
"I'm not sure, but some say he was betrayed by a new friend he was trying to help," he said as my eyes widened.
"What?! What do you mean?" I asked as he shrugged.
"Apparently, this new friend traded him to the pirates of a piece of his ship," he said as I raised my eyebrow.
"Strange, I was told my Father was lost at sea due to a terrible storm," I said as he shrugged nervously.
"Again, it's what was said, princess. We aren't fully sure about it," he said as I nodded.
"I see, I understand," I said as he nodded.
"Tragedy," said Julian as Lord Caius nodded.
"Indeed, the king was an amazing ruler, just like King Dominick," he said as I smiled slightly.
"What do you think of the Queen? Meaning how she has done so far?" I asked as he smiled.
"I think she has done an okay job for now, but she's your friend, Your Majesty, and I don't think it's wise to speak badly of your friend," he said as I smiled.
"True, but I think as political rulers, we must be fair to ourselves. The council is there to essentially help us with decisions," I said as he nodded.
"That is true," he said, smiling as I nodded.
"You may think I am old-fashioned, but I prefer certain traditions," he said as I raised my eyebrow.
"Meaning you also didn't agree with my marriage?" I asked him as he shook his head.
"I'm not saying I don't agree, but I agree. It is Genova, and it is known for plenty of changes," he started as Julian raised his eyebrow.
"But Dulcinea has always followed traditions, and I think it's better that way at times," he said as I nodded.
"Do you believe any others have the same views as you?" Asked Julian as he nodded.
"The bandits seem to think so; why else would they attack the queen?" Asked Lord Caius.
"To attack her?" I said as he shook his head.
"To make a statement that traditions are better, I see it, and the bandits do as well," he said as I raised my eyebrow.
"How do you know what the bandits think?" Asked Julian as he smiled.
"Why else would they attack? It doesn't make any sense," he said.
"Dulcinea has had traditions for a long time, and nothing has happened. Until now, that tradition has been broken," he said as I thought.
"This hasn't happened in the last twenty years or so," I said, and Lord Caius looked at me shocked.
"Are you suggesting?" He started, but I cut him off with my eyes widening.
"Lord Caius, of course not! That is a serious accusation, and I would never think that it's you," I said as he smiled.
"I do find it odd that as soon as you were brought into the council, many things have happened around the kingdom," I said as he raised his eyebrow.
"I think it's about time you take control of Genova, don't you?" He asked as I smiled.
"Can't. My Mother is still Queen, and I will allow her to be Queen until she retires," I said as he smiled.
"I see. I have nothing to do, so it's a small distraction for your Mother," said Lord Caius as I smiled.
"Not exactly," said Julian as I nodded.
"My Mother is working on a serious investigation, so she has many things to keep herself occupied," I said as he frowned, confused.
"Interesting, like what?" he said as I smiled.
"Investigations that may bring up many people's past," I said, and he smiled nervously as I smiled.
"Sounds like a dangerous hobby," he said as I shook my head.
"There is Nothing dangerous about investigating something that isn't true, is there? I mean, I would worry if it were true, you know," I said as he nodded.
"Quite so," he said as I nodded.
"Well, I must be off your majesties; I have to get back to the Council," he said as we nodded.
"Of course," said Julian and I, smiling.
"I'm sorry to have wasted your time," I said, a bit upset, as he smiled and shook his head.
"Don't be ridiculous, princess, no trouble at all," he said as I smiled and nodded.
"Until next time," he said as I nodded.
"Until next time," said Julian as Lord Caius walked away.
Once he was out of sight, Julian and I made our way to the study room before speaking about Lord Caius.
"He's definitely hiding something," I said as Julian nodded.
"You saw his reaction. How did he know what the bandits think and what their opinion is?" Asked Julian as I nodded.
"How did he know about the pirates within my Father's cause of death?" I asked as he shrugged.
"He obviously knows something about it, but also with the movement of Erika," said Julian as I nodded.
"We need to find out what he knows about my Father and investigate what happened with Erika," I said as he nodded.