Chapter 27 ( The big boss )

Standing in front of Amelia's room, I have to ask her, she was the only one that could help me. I took a deep breath and adjusted my jacket " okay " I knocked on the door and a familiar voice replied

" who is it "

" It's Rowan" I replied

" Rowan!!" I heard the excitement in her tone. Not long the door opened revealing my beautiful little sister " hi " she carried that usual warm smile

" happy birthday," I said pulling her for a hug, she rested her head on my chest

" thank you," she said calmly, we stayed like that for a while before we let go " come" making way for me to walk in and I did, she close the door behind her and walked to her table " Apple?"

" I'll pass " she nodded " you must be excited for the tonight

" not really," she said sadly

" why is so, " I asked curiosity

" it's the same every year, drinking, talking and laughing that I don't even take part in, just watch. Then I have to dance with every single noble male to find a suitor and the rest of the night goes by " she explained

" well it will be different this year," I said trying to brighten the mood " Natalia will be with you " she smiled

" yes she will, at least she will keep me company"

" about Natalia" I began, how was I going to tell her

" what about her," she asked with full interest

" I want you to help me find out if Natalia has feelings for me," I said quickly and she looked at me excitedly

" I knew you liked her," she said making raised an eyebrow

" you knew?" She nodded " how?"

" you are my brother Rowan, I know you well "

" soo?"

" I will help you " the moment those words came out I was overwhelmed with joy

" you are a walking angel sister " she shrugged

I was talking to a servant when I heard a familiar voice, a voice that put a smile on my face.

" Rowan!!" It was Natalia running towards me wearing a simple blue dress and a hooded cloak. I used my hand to wave the servant away " hey " she stopped in front of me panting " I've been looking for you "

"Why?"

" you see, I paid someone to make something for Amelia's present. The person to deliver is running late so I have to go fetch it " she explained" I want you to come with me "

" what about your maid," I asked curiosity

" she doesn't know, she won't approve of the present"

" Why won't she " I got more curious

" you will find out," she said

Natalia's POV

We rode to town and this time I was riding the horse myself and I enjoyed every second of it

" so what kind of present is this " Rowan asked curiously

" you will see "I replied

We got off the horse as we got to town, it was a busy place and we walked, Rowan and I talked about random things as we walked and he laughed severally. The sound of his laugh created butterflies in my stomach and I liked the feeling. I lead Rowan into a store, it was a bit dark and had a lot of junk in it, we ignored it all and walked up to the counter where an old man stood with a smile to see me

" We meet again, my lady " he spoke" am this young man?" He asked

" not important" I replied and went straight to the point " where is it "

" right here " we both watch him reach for something on his shelf, it was a clean, well decorated wooden box " here you go " he gently placed it on the counter and I smiled

" what is it, " Rowan asked. I reached for the box and opened it and there it was a beautiful masterpiece" a dagger?" Rowan was shocked

" Not just any dagger" the old man replied " this was specially made by the finest blacksmith in Bengland " he took the dagger and draw it out of its case " here try it " he handed it over to Rowan " full balance and easy to handle " I watch Rowan use his finger turning it to a scale

" wow," I whispered impressed " it is indeed a fine dagger " I smiled, glad that he liked it. He handed it back to the old man, who returned it to its case and back to the box

" indeed, and powerful in the hands of a beautiful young lady " he smiled at me and I smiled back

" thank you " I took the box and put it in the pocket of my cloak

" the rest of my pay? He asked. I looked at Rowan and smiled

" he will pay " Rowan was shocked by my replies but I walked out leaving him and the store owner.

Waiting outside for Rowan while he attended to the old man. My attention was suddenly drawn by something interesting, I saw one of the palace servants looking suspicious, she was heading somewhere and I suddenly had the urge to follow her, I followed behind her slowly making sure she didn't notice, she took several turns, so did I and I only hoped that I will be able to find my way back. She stopped at the front of an inn and I stopped in front of the shop next to it to see what was happening

" How may I help you, young lady " it was a young woman selling roasted pork on sticks

"am I " not knowing what to do, I didn't have any money " I am..." I was suddenly interrupted by Rowan who I had no idea was following me

" two sticks, please" the lady smiled

" How did you....?" He cut my sentence short

" shhh, listen," he said pointing to the lady I was following earlier

A man came out of the inn " is it done " he asked the servant and she nodded

" The poison was very effective," she said and the man smiled "the Big boss?" She asked and the name sounded familiar

" he is waiting" with that they walked into the inn. I looked at Rowan, confused at what just happened

" here you go " the young woman interrupted. Rowan collected the pork and handed them over to me while he paid the woman

" Madam, do you know who owns that inn, " I asked as she collected the money from Rowan

" oh that" pointing to the inn, " no one knows, no one has ever seen his face, some people say he's a ghost "

" a ghost?" Rowan was shocked

" yes " nodding her head " he pays someone to run the inn, they say he does very dirty work "

" like what " I was curious

" I have no idea" she shrugged " I know they call him one thing "

" and what is that, " I asked even more curious

" The big boss," she said and again it sounded familiar

Walking back to our horse while eating my pork, I was lost in thought, why those this big boss sound familiar and who did the girl poison

" what are you think " Rowan suddenly call me back to reality

" oh, this big boss they talked about, sounds familiar," I said

" Have you seen him before?" he asked

" No, I heard it somewhere I just can..." It then hit me " yes!!, yes I remember" I stopped walking, so did he

" where "

" Remember when we were captured by French men " he nodded " while I was there the boss was told that the big boss was around so he left to meet him, somehow I walked past the tent and hear the both of them's conversation, they said something about how stealing the gold will get rid of you and now that they already captured you it will be best to kill you then "

" And you never told me this " Rowan sounded upset

" well I wanted to put it together and it seems like the big boss from that night and the one who owns that inn is one person and he is from Bengland," I said

" and he wants war "Rowan's words took me by surprise

" how do you know that, " I asked

"Whoever he was, he knew that if France stole from Bengland it will anger my father and bring war and he has succeeded "

" wait, what war "

" yesterday the French men we arrested were found dead they were poisoned and my father suspects that the French did it to cover up their crimes and he..." Rowan stopped

" declared war, " I asked

" I am to travel to France with soldiers and information the king about this matter and if he doesn't take required action then it's war " my eyes fall wide open, remembering very well that after the war which Bengland won the king died and Rowan was missing

" They can't be war Rowan," I said

" I know and I will do my best to stop it. But first, let's get to the castle, you don't want to be late for tonight" he said, taking my hand and we walked back to our horse. I have to stop the war