Chapter four (7)

It was morning the next day and Walter already had something to make his day better. He had just dressed and eaten when a servant appeared to announce Lord Morge's arrival. The servant had but finished when Lord Morge walked in. Looking at his figure that seemed to have hurried over, Walter knew he had found something.

"Let us go in," Walter invited him into the study.

"You were right," Lord Morge said as the door of the study closed.

"What did you find?" Walter asked.

"The minister works for the queen. He has helped her embezzle a lot of money in the past. It's full evidence of corrupt practices. But that is not what bothers me. Everybody knows Lady Steinhouse is the king's only niece. Because of the king's favour, she has never hidden her dislike for the queen. Does she intend to use this? How does this relate to the extra Gold?" Lord Morge asked thoughtfully.

"Probably this is what she intends to present to the king, so as to have him dispose of the queen. But this could all go away by royal order. This is only possible if the king intends to have the queen disposed," Walter speculated and Lord Morge's pupil shrunk.

"This means much more. If the king himself wants the queen disposed, that means he intends to make sure the crimes unquestionably stick. If it's just these, then it's not worth mentioning. It must be big. If the side she supports is the king, then there must be a reason she wants the money to disappear," Walter continued.

"Unless the way to make the crime stick and the crime big enough to unquestionably dispose of the queen is one and the same; the missing money," Lord Morge said.

"It matters not. I will bring this to Her Ladyship tonight. If she intends we do nothing, then this document will disappear. If she says otherwise, then I will ask straight out, who the extra gold belongs to when I go to meet Lady Steinhouse," Walter said taking the document from Lord Morge.

***

Like always, Lady Steinhouse walked into the palace unhindered. She was soon led towards the king's study by a servant. Entering, she saw the king grandly dressed, looking sickly as he sat on a grand chair. She observed etiquette before approaching him. The king stared at his niece's make-up-free face and raised a brow.

"You are much different today, Helen," he said. She understood his manner; as she had been stared at all day and almost confused for someone else, as she was led into the palace. She, more than any, understood why she had not worn any makeup. For some reason, since she had last seen Walter, her mood has been bad and the smell of powder disgusted her.

"I have been able to send a message to Lady Wickshire. It might not have been in your said words, but I believe it was understood," she sidestepped the topic and went straight to the point.

"Really?" the king asked, one could see his eyes shine.

"I had someone on her side decide the investigation of the minister. If I get back the results, it would not be wrong to assume that she will not be interfering or is okay with our plans. I'm still not sure why you remain wary of her, but I remembered to not let the opportunity pass me by when it presented itself," she said. This was something she could have informed the king in a letter, but she had learned a long time ago; that things of importance should be handled face to face.

"If there is no reply, you must be sure to find out what we are allowed to do," the king said and she frowned.

"I did not inform you, but I suspect she is in possession of the money missing from the treasury. When she took all of the Mclears' fortunes, the royal gold was amongst them," she informed him and he grimaced.

"Well...that's gone. How the kingdom will make up for it..." he sighed in resignation.

"We could request it returned. Would she dare ignore you?" Lady Steinhouse said in anger. She was disappointed by his attitude.

"Even if I had ten thousand lives worth of courage, I would not dare... there are some people you can't offend, Helen," he chuckled in self-mockery.

"But..." Lady Steinhouse started to protest.

"Let it go, Helen," the king stopped her. She frowned as she curtsied and left without a word. The king could tell she was beyond angry with him, but how could he explain his first encounter with Lady Wickshire?

"Am I doing the wrong thing?" he asked out loud.

"No. You must never offend her," An alluring voice answered as Lady Raine stepped out from behind the bookshelves.