CHAPTER 43
Grace didn't know what to do from here.
She couldn't stand the thought that Parkston couldn't love her in a different body. The idea gnawed at her. She paced the chamber restlessly until her reflection caught her attention again. This time, it didn't remind her of past struggles or neglect. It reminded her of how far she had come, how well she had adapted, how flawlessly she had played the role of King Quicke. If he were here to see her now, she knew he would be proud. But no matter how well she acted, more challenges kept arising.
She studied her sharp jawline, the broadness of her shoulders, the powerful presence she now commanded. And suddenly, she saw Parkston's reasons more clearly. To him, she wasn't the woman he once loved. She was a man. A king.
But couldn't he look beyond that? Couldn't he see she was still the same person beneath it all?
The thought left her really unsettled.
A few hours later, She stepped out, carrying herself effortlessly, as though nothing had happened. She called for Commander Robert, who soon joined her, falling into step beside her as they walked through the palace corridors.
"You've seen too much of me to think of betraying me, Commander," she said, her tone even.
Robert faltered for half a second before regaining his composure. "Betray you? I'm sorry King, I don't quite understand."
Grace's gaze lingered on the towering palace structures before she spoke again, her voice lower this time. "What don't you understand, Commander? The fact that you lied to me about Matthew Sterrn? Or the fact that you fed me false information about him?"
Robert stopped walking. His expression, which had moments ago been lit with ease, darkened with tension. "King," he said quickly. "I won't deny it. I take full responsibility for breaking your trust."
"Why, Commander?" Grace asked, her voice quieter now.
"I only wanted to protect you. You already have too much to deal with, and if I had looked deeper into Sterrn, I might have uncovered something that would have burdened you further," Robert admitted.
Grace scoffed, her frustration flaring. "Oh, Robert. And who gave you the right to make that decision for me?"
She took a step closer, her voice rising. "I let you in on my business, not because I am weak, but because I trusted you! My life is at stake, and all you cared about was my workload?"
Her boot hit the ground hard, echoing through the hall.
Robert immediately dropped to one knee, his hands clasped behind his back. "Pardon me, King," he said, his voice low with regret.
Grace held her gaze on him. "Tell me everything you know. Where was Matthew Sterrn the night I was nearly murdered?"
Robert hesitated before answering. "I don't know, King. I never saw him that night."
Grace's jaw tightened. "Then why did you tell me you were with him?"
Robert swallowed hard. "I was scared," he admitted.
Grace turned her back to him, facing the outskirts of the kingdom. "You will go back to the tea house," she commanded. "Find out everything you can. The moment you lie to me again, you will be stripped of your duty. Now, leave."
Robert didn't waste time. He quickly dusted off his uniform and hurried away.
For a moment, Grace was left alone, lost in her thoughts, until she heard approaching footsteps. The person strolled toward her with slow, deliberate steps.
It was Queen Jonah.
"Why do you seem so angry, King?" she asked, standing beside Grace now.
Grace didn't answer immediately. She took a moment to compose herself before speaking. "It's none of your concern. Why are you here?"
Jonah let out a soft chuckle. "I saw you agitated and thought to check on you. That's not a crime, is it?"
"I see," Grace responded flatly.
Jonah tilted her head slightly. "How did your meeting with my husband go yesterday? He returned looking tense."
Grace shifted slightly. The question brought back the memory of what had happened between her and Parkston last night. She took her time before speaking. "It went well," she replied. "Your husband is ambitious."
"Ambitious," Jonah repeated, tapping her dark-painted nails against her arm. "That's quite a word."
Grace remained silent.
Jonah glanced at her thoughtfully. "I do hope you treat him well, King."
Grace finally turned to face her. "How do you mean?"
Jonah's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Oh, it's nothing you can't handle. You know exactly what I mean."
Grace narrowed her eyes. "No, I don't. Enlighten me."
Jonah took a step forward, allowing Grace to stand behind her, watching.
"You seem nervous," Jonah observed. "But there's no need for that, King. You're already quite smart, aren't you?"
Grace cleared her throat. She hated how much Jonah toyed with words, how easily she twisted the air around her, making her feel like Jonah was aware of everything going on.
"Queen Jonah," she called out in her deep voice.
Jonah turned back to her, smiling warmly. "Yes?"
Grace didn't say anything for a long moment. She just stared at her.
Jonah broke the silence first. "How are my men doing? How's their training?"
Grace exhaled, regaining her composure. "They're coping. The training is overwhelming, but they're pushing through."
Jonah clapped her hands together lightly. "Oh, they'll get used to it."
Grace's jaw tightened. "Exactly what do you need my men for, Jonah? I'll ask again."
Jonah took her time answering, as though carefully selecting her words. Then, finally, she spoke. "A deal is a deal, King. You, of all people, should understand that."
"I do," Grace replied. Then her voice dropped lower. "But hear me now, one scratch on my men, and you're done. You hear me?"
Jonah let out a soft laugh, unfazed. "You don't threaten me, King. I will do whatever I want with them." With that, she turned and walked away, as though ending the conversation on her terms.
But Grace saw that for the first time, Queen Jonah was scared. She couldn't stand her.