UNEVEN

CHAPTER 8

The sun had barely risen over Alagascar when Grace received the letter from Juliet. The neatly folded parchment sat on her desk, tied with a silk ribbon. She hesitated for a moment before untying it, her fingers slightly tense.

Her eyes scanned the first few lines, and almost immediately, her heart clenched.

"My name is Juliet Morphine. I was raised outside Alagascar, but my family has deep ties with the nobility. My mother was once a trusted confidante of the royal family. My cousin, Queen Jonah, has always been like a sister to me".

Grace's grip on the paper tightened. Queen Jonah

She reread the line, her breath catching in her throat. So she was right, Juliet wasn't just another noblewoman; she was connected to the very person responsible for her death.

Memories of that fateful night flooded back. The pain. The betrayal. The cold realization that her life had been stolen from her.

She forced herself to keep reading, steadying her breath.

"Though I have spent much time away, I have always admired Alagascar's strength and traditions. I seek a union that is built on respect, duty and shared purpose".

Grace lowered the letter, her thoughts spiraling. Was this coincidence? Or was there something more sinister at play? Did Queen Jonah know that her cousin had been chosen as a bride? If so, was Juliet aware of who Grace really was?

A knock at the door startled her.

"Enter," she said, quickly folding the letter and tucking it beneath a book.

Her personal guard stepped in, bowing. "Your Highness, the King has requested your presence in the war chamber. There are matters of national security to discuss."

Grace exhaled, forcing her focus back to the present. "Very well," she said, adjusting her royal robes. "Lead the way."

The war chamber was dimly lit, a massive map of the kingdom spread across the central table. The King, Queen, and several high-ranking officials stood in deep discussion. Grace or rather, Prince Quicke strode in with an air of authority, masking the turmoil inside.

"Ah, Quicke," the King said, his voice firm. "You've arrived."

Grace nodded, stepping forward. "What's the situation?"

The Minister of Defense cleared his throat. "There have been reports of growing unrest along our borders. A group of mercenaries has been attacking trade routes. If this continues, it could threaten our kingdom's economy and security."

The King turned to Grace. "We need to act swiftly. What would you advise?"

Grace's mind worked quickly. If she were still Grace Johnson, she wouldn't have had to deal with military strategies. But as Prince Quicke, she had no choice.

"We need to send scouts immediately to gather intelligence," she said firmly. "And we must increase security on the roads. If we act too aggressively, we may provoke a larger conflict. Precision is key."

A murmur of approval rippled through the room. The King nodded in satisfaction. "Spoken like a true heir."

Grace felt a flicker of relief. She was getting better at this.

As the meeting ended and the officials began to disperse, Queen Judith approached her, a knowing look in her eyes.

"You seem different lately," she said softly. "More thoughtful. More measured."

Grace forced a small smile. "Perhaps I'm just growing into my role."

The Queen studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Perhaps."

But Grace could tell that she wasn't convinced.

She's a mother afterall and probably knows her Prince Quicke more than anyone else.

Later that day, Grace sat in her chamber, staring at Juliet's letter once more.

She had thought of dismissing Juliet Morphine immediately, but if she did, how would she get back at them? Grace was completely lost on what to do, so she resolved to test her instead.

The next day, she summoned her royal guard and instructed him to bring Juliet to the palace immediately, with a note of urgency.

As she prepared for the meeting, a sudden, indistinct voice broke through, nearly deafening her. She clutched both hands over her ears, trying to block out the overwhelming sound.

"Handle every situation with caution. You need everyone around you, Grace Johnson."

Then, as suddenly as it had come, the voice disappeared, leaving only an eerie silence. Grace's eyes flew open as she scanned the room, searching for any sign of who or what had spoken. But there was nothing. Not a single clue.

She sat down on the bed, dumbfounded, replaying the words over and over in her mind.

"Handle every situation with caution. You need everyone around you, Grace Johnson".

"What does that even mean?" she murmured under her breath.

There was no time to dwell on it, she had a meeting to attend.

Juliet Morphine arrived shortly after, as elegant as ever. She stepped into the palace wearing a striking red dress, a cute Coach bag hanging effortlessly from her arm, and her beautiful hair wrapped neatly in a ponytail.

By the time she entered the grand meeting hall, Grace or rather Prince Quicke was already seated at the grand table. When Juliet walked in, Grace stood up and approached her with a distant yet polite embrace.

"You look stunning, Your Highness," Juliet said with a graceful smile, taking her seat.

"Oh, do I?" Grace replied, clicking the pen in her hand absentmindedly. "At least I look stunning with innocence. Unlike some people who look stunning and still murder others then try to cover it up."

Juliet blinked, her face flickering with confusion and embarrassment. "Sorry? I don't quite understand you, Your Highness."

Grace smirked. "Oh, I apologize if I startled you. That's just how I get sometimes. I hope you can bear with me."

Juliet, still trying to make sense of Grace's words, hesitated before replying, "Yes, Prince Quicke. I can bear."

"Very well then," Grace said, her tone calm yet dismissive. "I went through your background review, and I must say, you truly come from a decent family."

Juliet brightened. "Oh, thank you, Your Highness! I'm delighted."

Grace leaned forward slightly, her gaze sharp. "You mentioned your cousin."

"Yes… what about her?"

"Oh, nothing much. You spoke about her so fondly; she must be the closest person to you in your family," Grace mused. Then, feigning casual interest, she added, "Remind me of her name again?"

Juliet hesitated briefly before answering, "Queen… Queen Jonah, Your Highness."

The moment the name left Juliet's lips, Grace felt a sharp pang of pain. Memories of that fateful night came rushing back, hitting her like a storm. Her breath hitched, and before she could stop herself, she slammed her fist onto the table.

Juliet jumped, startled. "Your Highness! What's the matter? Should I call the guards? Did I say something wrong?"

"No!" Grace snapped, then quickly composed herself. "I'm fine. Just stay where you are."

She needed to regain control. If she lost herself now, she might not get the answers she needed. Taking a slow breath, she steadied her voice. "Tell me about your life. But first, let's talk about your cousin. I'm just interested in knowing the people closest to you."

Juliet, overwhelmed by the unexpected tension in the room, stuttered, "Oh…kay. Queen Jonah is a sweet person. I could go on and on talking about her. She's got a kind soul, she's married now, and she's expecting her first child."

Grace's eyes darkened. "She's married?" she interrupted. "To whom?"