Chapter 162 - Obvious

Samuel Grif and Princess Juliet are standing one next to the other as if they've been close for long. It's not too clear, or someone would have noticed before me. Yet, they're close.

Samuel Grif should be turned to Ignis right now. He should be following the person he knows the most in this emergency. The situation is unclear, and people tend to look for the person they are closest with, to seek comfort or a guide. The same stands for the Princess.

They both are supposed to look at the King.

Just like Fernard Falco is doing. Or like I did since the moment he entered the garden. I've run in his arms and never moved away.

Yet, both the Count and the Princess gaze at each other from time to time. At first, it might seem casual. Yet, one can tell it's a pattern. They exchange glances in order to calm down.

Even without touching, they're comforting each other, standing as a united front.

Who could have guessed it? So, the lover she's been hiding for so long is none other than one of Ignis's closest friends. Since Aida has taken a look at his aura, she can tell he's Aestas's father. Maybe, she can't be sure since the child is not here. But she has examined her so many times that there's no surprise she remembers her aura.

As for Marius... What was it that he noticed?

I take a look at the wrists of both and find nothing wrong. The Princess's sleeves are long and elegant, just like always, while the Count is wearing a white shirt. The wristbands are kept together by two sapphires... Oh, quite elegant for a Count. But it's still the Princess's lover. It's no surprise he can wear expensive pieces of jewellery...

Oh, I see. The buttons Marius talked about were similar to these, if not identical. The man who sent the assassins to the orphanage, so much time ago, was him: Samuel Grif.

I raise my eyes and take a look at his expression. When our eyes meet, he understands that I know. It's odd because neither of our faces changed one bit. Not a single muscle moves, but we realise the situation, almost at the same moment.

And there it goes, Aida's and Marius's attempts to hide it. I've revealed everything without doing anything odd...

«Husband, I'd like to rest,» I say.

Ignis surrounds my shoulders with an arm, and we turn towards the entrance. The assassins should have been moved by now.

«Your Majesty, the guard is awake,» someone warns us. «The one the assassins knocked out.»

Oh, right. Why did part of the Royal Guards follow that woman? Why do they prefer Grif over Ignis?

The man is helped to walk. His face is pale, and he's sweating a lot. Very, very much, considering that the situation is now solved.

«Your Majesty!» he says. «I failed my duty.»

Oh, well, and he'll lose his position. But there are worse destinies, I bet. For example, those who joined the attempts aren't going to survive.

«We can talk about it later. Now I shall help the Queen,» Ignis replies. «You can take a rest for the moment.»

«Oh, no! Let me atone! I've sinned, but I don't want to be left apart because of a single incident. Please, your Majesty, I beg you!»

«I said: we will talk about it later. I have a lot of questions for you. Your use hasn't ended yet. You're one of the witnesses,» Ignis explains, a little annoyed. Yet, he's doing his best to comfort the guard a little.

«I can accompany the Queen in her lodgings,» he offers. «Even if I'm not worth such an honour anymore. I can do anything, I beg you!»

My head hurts.

«Ignis... I think there's something odd. I don't want to be left alone with anyone different than you.»

I lean even closer to him, my instincts never failing me. My body is always, always driven to him. No matter how desperate the situation, I'll want to touch and hug him like this. Oh, goodness... What kind of woman am I? I would worry so much if Ignis didn't clearly state that he likes me even when I'm naughty.

«You really think it can work?» Flavius murmurs.

Oh, right. He's here as well. I've forgotten about him for a moment.

«It's such a stupid plan. Why do you think the King would leave the Queen to a guard just like this? Don't you have eyes?»

Oddly enough, he's not talking with the kneeling guard. He's turned towards the exit, where the three people still stand.

I don't need to turn. I already know their expressions. Yet, since Ignis does, I follow.

Fernard Falco is confused, surprised, and he's a little worried about his fate. He's not sure what is happening, and he's standing next to a friend.

As for the other couple... Just like usual, their expressions are neutral. The Princess has an elegant frown, meant to signal that she's surprised and offended by the Mage's accusations. Samuel Grif doesn't waste time faking expressions.

His eyes are on Flavius, his mouth crooked in a grimace. He's wondering what the brat is doing here and when he came out from seclusion. He's also coming to terms with the fact that they failed. And that they were discovered.

«Flavius, don't mess around,» Ignis comments. «Do you know who you're talking to?»

«Who? The King's friends? I don't care! They don't want you good. They both were involved back then, but you didn't believe me! Now, they're at it again. What will you say this time? That I'm crazy? That I can't use my powers anymore?»

«It's different now,» Ignis points out. «I don't need reasons to save you, Flavius. You weren't involved this time.»

«No, but they are! Both of them!»

Oh, good. If only I knew about Flavius before, I could solve this way, way earlier.

But... Do weapons have wishes? Why is he helping me?

«Flavius... Who are you talking about?» Ignis asks. His hug becomes hard and cold, so much that I wonder if there's something more other than just betrayal.

He's feeling so bad right now. But it's not because of pain. It's something else...

«Samuel?» he says before Flavius can explain. «Has it always been you?»

Fernard wakes up from his confusion, turning his eyes on his friend. He looks back at Ignis and then at Samuel again.

«You?» he murmurs, incredulous. «It can't be!»

In all of this, the Princess stays silent and waits for her turn. I can tell she's ready. As for Samuel, he's still playing the part of a fool and pretending to be the only one involved.

He hasn't admitted it, but he will soon. And he'll do all in his power to protect his woman and child. He'll take all the guilt to keep them living.

I can't allow it. Aestas is innocent, but her mother is not. They planned it together, and I can't be sure she won't do it again if she lives here with all of us.

After all, the attempts started before Samuel came back to the Palace.

He was there when Ignis and I got married. He knew we were headed to Narith and could send the assassins.

But then, when I came here, there were a few schemes ready. Someone wanted first to prevent me from being crowned; then from developing a happy marriage with the King, or simply to lose my reputation.

At some point, things started getting more violent. Samuel Grif was there when I was attacked at the orphanage. But he hadn't reached the Palace yet. He arrived later.

The poisoning attempt was set by Juliet or someone close to her. I wasn't suspecting her in the beginning, so she was free to come and go to my places as she willed.

Moreover, she's so good at hiding her real thoughts that no one could tell she was faking them. Her mask was perfect, so perfect that not even Aida noticed.

But not as powerful as to stop Flavius, evidently.

«The reason why the coup was moved a month in advance...» I say out loud.

Flavius turns to me, his eyes desperate because he doesn't know the answer. He fears that Ignis won't believe him, that he can't prove his value anymore. Poor thing.

Oh, we are all a collection of poor things here.

Me, Ignis. Flavius with his immense powers. Juliet with her unfated love and the wish to save her child.

Even Lola, who was hurt by mistake.

Is there an unhappier place than here and now, anywhere in the world?

«I know it, though,» I say. «It's because Aestas was born earlier than planned. Isn't that right, Princess?»

The Princess's reaction is enough of a confirmation for me.. The time was oddly perfect, wasn't it? She was planning to get rid of her husband before her child was born, but the delivery happened sooner, and she didn't want to risk him meeting her beloved daughter.