Chapter 6
Unknown point of view
I was in my office and couldn't help but think about what happened that day; I wondered if it was time to do the other part.
"What is it?" Said a familiar voice as I turned to see none other than my accomplice.
"Nothing, dear. It's just that I think I might have to make a change," I said as she looked at me, a bit confused.
"Why? What's going on?" She asked as I sighed, looking out my castle window.
"It seems we have nosy people getting involved with Dulcinea, and I may need to distract them a bit," I said as she nodded.
"Then do it," she said as I sighed and turned to face her.
"The only problem with that is that it might take time," I said as she frowned confused.
"Why is that?" She asked, raising her eyebrows as I smiled.
"Because If I do this, the council will have to be involved," I said as she cut me off.
"And?" she asked as I raised my eyebrow.
"And If I move now, it will be easier for my identity to be revealed, and I don't want it to be revealed yet," I said as she nodded.
"I see, but why not place clues to make them move in that direction," she said as I thought for a moment.
"I did try today, but it will be slow progress," I thought as she nodded.
"Who is the problem?" She asked, concerned.
"The Queen and Princess Anneliese, I need them removed to get them away from Dulcinea," I said as she nodded.
"I think that is a good idea because Princess Anneliese will not leave Dulcinea alone if her friend Erika is in trouble," she said as I nodded.
"But if she is queen, she will be involved more," I said as she shook her head.
"True, but barely because all her other royal duties will have to come first; I mean, she will be a new queen," she said as I nodded.
"That is true, but I am a bit worried about the queen; she's getting close to hidden territory," I said as she looked at me, confused.
"Like?" She asked as I shook my head.
"Something that Preminger did years ago, and I barely helped," I said as she looked confused.
"Then place the blame on him; he's locked away anyways," she said as I thought momentarily.
"I can, but the issue is that I don't want them to investigate that either," I said as she thought momentarily.
"What are the thoughts that they'll uncover the truth?" She asked as I thought and smiled.
"Slim, because they won't believe him. He's in the dungeon anyway," I said as she smiled.
"Then it's nothing to worry about, dear," she said, smiling as I nodded.
If I'm being honest, I didn't really like her; I barely tolerated her, in fact. However, she does have the information I need to ensure Queen Erika fails.
She should never have been queen. My attempt to keep her separated from King Dominick failed the first time.
He married her, but the battle wasn't finished yet, and I vowed to remove her as the queen, even if I had to kill her.
I'd actually die to have her removed; she was born a filthy commoner and has no business with royalty.
If the stupid princess of Genova hadn't rejected him for that tutor of hers, it would have been entirely different.
I'm not too fond of the princess, but she is royalty, and that is exactly what Dulcinea represents.
"What are you thinking about dear?" She asked, concerned, as I smiled at her.
"I'm thinking it might be a good idea to send the council that request. However, I will do it anonymously," I said as she raised her eyebrow.
"How exactly?" She asked, confused.
"By putting in a request that a certain queen may need to step down," I said as her eyes widened and she smiled.
"Finally!" She exclaimed happily as I shook my head.
"It's not who you are thinking about, my dear," I said as she looked at me confused.
"It's not….?" She asked as I shook my head, knowing well who she was referring to.
"If it's not Queen Erika, then who is it?" She asked, confused, as I smiled at her.
"Queen Genevieve," I said, smiling as she looked at me confused.
"Queen Genevieve? Why would you want her to retire before making Erika step down?" She asked, raising her eyebrow.
"I think you're getting off-topic here because we want Erika's success to come down and quickly," she said, crossing her arms.
"Yes, I get that, but we also need to make sure no one can help her," I said as she raised her eyebrow.
"All I care about is her downfall, not anyone else you have to bring to get her," she said as I rolled my eyes.
"Yes, dear. Don't worry; I have everything under control," I said as she raised her eyebrow.
"Fine, I'm a go lay down for a bit," she said as I nodded.
I turned around and rolled my eyes, waiting for the day for her to disappear. See, the fault will be on her.
If I plan everything accordingly, I will ensure she takes the fall. If they were to discover me, I could easily say she manipulated me.
I mean, she does have more reason to than me. Erika did destroy her. But in her defense, she was looking for it. She should have treated her seamstresses better.
But she didn't, and that's why Madam Carb is no longer there; she ended up with her attitude.I only needed her because she had enough proof and evidence to help me eliminate her.
For instance, her family. I had no idea she was an abandoned orphan and that her parents left to avoid paying a debt.
This was serious and good information that could be used to destroy a queen, and I wasn't going to let it go loose.
I took a deep breath, looked at my pocket watch, and noticed it was only noon. I decided to head to the council since it was easier than writing letters.
I called my steward, who immediately sent for my coach, and I was on my way to the council's palace.
Once I arrived, I was quickly received by the guard and walked by the meeting room to find many sitting down.
"Caius, what great joy to see you, my friend. Come quick," said my friend King Max.
"How was your visit to Dulcinea?" Asked Duchess Nicole, smiling as I smiled at her.
"Interesting," I said as I took my seat, and they nodded.
"Were the rumors true?" Asked lord Philip as I nodded.
"The queen acknowledged it today at the village," I said as they looked shocked.
"How did they react?" Asked Lady Nicole.
"Were they appealed?" Asked King Max as I shook my head.
"Nope, they embraced her with kindness," I said as Lady Nicole and lord Philip shook their heads.
The three of us shared the same value: that she wasn't what Dulcinea needed, so we encouraged the king to choose someone else.
However, King Max and the ambassador of Dulcinea agreed to give her a chance. Making the king fight and change his mind.
But the three of us agreed otherwise, and we're trying to take the throne away from her.
"So, there was nothing to worry about in the first place, friends," said King Max as I shook my head.
"For now, but I'm not too sure," I said as he looked at me concerned.
"What do you mean?" Asked Lady Nicole.
"Dulcinea is in trouble by other means," I said as lord Philip cut me off.
"The bandits," he said as I quickly nodded my head.
"They are indeed true. However, they did manage to disappear for the moment. Though I'm afraid they might return," I said as they nodded.
"Let's stay alert for now and wait to see if they attack again, "King Max said as I nodded.
"I did see Princess Anneliese and her husband, Prince Julian," I said as they nodded.
"Genova seems to be doing great! Except for the groom's choice, but he knows a lot about the kingdom, so it can easily be disguised," exclaimed Lady Nicole.
"Queen Genevieve is doing amazing; I wouldn't worry about them," said King Max as I nodded.
"True, but I did hear someone from Dulcinea say something that caught my attention," I said as they looked concerned.
"What is it?" Asked King Max.
"They asked why Princess Anneliese hasn't taken over yet. She is married and has a son already. She should have been pronounced queen a while back," I said, as they thought.
"They aren't wrong," said Lady Nicole as lord Philip nodded.
"She should be queen already, but since Queen Genevieve has been doing a good job…" started lord Philip as King Max cut him off.
"There hasn't been a reason to remove her," said King Max, raising his eyebrow, confused.
"If you are suggesting what I think you are…" started King Max as I shook my head.
"It wouldn't be a bad idea; the princess needs to sense her new responsibility," said Lady Nicole.
"It's not firing her, but a retirement wouldn't be a bad change for Genova," said lord Philip as I nodded.
"I don't know. We really don't have a valid reason…" King Max started as Lady Nicole interrupted.
"But we do. She's done a great service, and now it's the princess' turn," said Lady Nicole.
"Besides, she's been a little off task with other businesses, and I think we can give her the chance to do other things if that's what she wants," I added as King Max looked at me confused.
"What other things?" He asked as I sighed.
"She's off doing some investigation about her husband," I said as Lady Nicole and Lord Philip laughed.
"That poor woman really is delusional. I'd say she's going a bit off now," said Lord Philip as Lady Nicole nodded.
"Can you blame her, though? Her husband died years ago, leaving her alone to handle this, and she even lost a son. I'd gone mad if I had her years ago. I'm surprised she hasn't yet," said Lady Nicole.
"This is a bit concerning," said King Max as Lady Nicole and lord Philip nodded.
"I suggest a hearing to ensure we hear what's really going on and have them hear our opinions," I said as they nodded.
"I agree to that," said Lady Nicole.
"I second it," added Lord Philip as we all turned to see King Max. He was the only one left, and his word was final.
"Let's have a hearing, but it's only for discussion; nothing will be done about a removal," said King Max as I nodded.
"Of course, Your Majesty," I said as he sighed.
"I will write to Queen Genevieve and hope to hear a response from her soon," said King Max as I nodded.
'Step one, completed. Now, step two.' I thought, smiling as we continued to discuss specific concerns about other kingdoms.
King Dominick
I was worried about Erika; all this stress didn't seem to be doing her any good.
She didn't have to tell me she was worried; I knew she already was, which is why I decided to do some investigations for her.
I started one for Madam Cab, but ever since she left Genova, no one has heard a thing about her.
It's almost as if she vanished into thin air, and from what Erika told me, this woman was a person we needed to investigate.
She made Erika's life a living hell; how could she not be involved if she blames her for her own mistakes?
I am also starting an investigation into one more thing that I haven't quite told her yet.
The reason for that is that I am worried about her reaction. I don't know how she will react to this.
I was in my office looking at some papers about the taxes and trade from the ships this week when a knock interrupted me.
"Come in," I said as the door opened to reveal Erika smiling with the tea.
She had been so happy since the villagers accepted her for who she was, and deep down, I knew they would. That was one of the reasons I felt for her.
"I brought you some tea, dear," she said, placing the tray down as I put the papers aside.
"Thank you, dear," I said, taking the teacup from her as she grabbed her own and took a seat.
"Tax papers?" She asked as I nodded.
"And shipment trade," I added as she smiled.
"Sounds like fun," She added, smiling as I smiled and nodded.
"Oh, it is. Want to trade?" I asked her as she giggled.
"I don't think you'd be interested in my afternoon, darling. It involved tea and crumpets with Duchess Sansa to discuss the charity ball this year," she said as I shook my head.
"Yeah, no. I will stay here then," I said as she giggled.
"The good thing is that the things in the village have dropped," she said as I nodded.
"For now, but I still don't like it that they have a target on you," I said as she sighed and nodded.
"Erika, how much do you remember of your parents?" I asked her as she raised her eyebrow and thought for a moment.
"My Mother died when I was young, that I do know. But my Father, I never knew what happened to him," she said as I nodded.
"Why do you ask?" She asked, confused.
"Wouldn't you like to know what happened to him?" I asked as she sighed.
"Honestly, I don't know. Part of me does while the other part doesn't; I'm scared to know the results," she said as I nodded.
"But wouldn't you like to know?" I asked as she looked at me, confused.
"Why are you?…. Dominick…. What have you done?" She asked, raising her eyebrow as I sighed.
"Years ago, when I lost my parents, I was still very young at the time and had to accept the fact they were gone," I said as she listened.
"Then, when I grew up, I had the opportunity to investigate and actually learned how my parents died," I said as her eyes widened.
"Wouldn't you like to find out what really happened to your Father? To know if he was still alive?" I asked as she sighed.
"Yes, I do, but what if it was better? I never knew. If I know he's better right now, it will hurt me to know I was nothing but a burden to him," she said, upset.
She looked at the floor slightly as I took hold of her hand and used my other one to bring her face back up. Our eyes were on each other as I smiled at her.
"Then, it will be his loss that he missed the opportunity to meet and see how much his daughter has grown," I said as she smiled.
"Will it be easy to find him?" She asked as I sighed.
"I'm not sure. Based on what we know, I don't think so. It might even take years," I said as she nodded.
"Alright, one day at a time then," She said as I nodded.
"It might seem odd, but I don't think my Dad left me; something must have happened because he loved me and my Mother," she said as I nodded.
"Then we will find out what happened together," I said as she nodded. We continued to drink our tea before departing again for our duties.