Chapter 18

Chapter

Eighteen

JOHA

A imlessly wandering around the palace, I attempt to make it look like I have a purpose. In fact, I do have a reason to walk the palace halls and grounds. I’m on a rumour hunt.

Despite how it looked to Orion, I was more upset by the talk of rumours than I let on. It did not help that he wouldn’t tell me anything about them, causing my mind to spiral with all sorts of questions, which is what led me to this ridiculous mission I am now on.

From what I’ve learned, everyone essentially believes that the princess was banished from her empire because of various addictions and unsavoury vices. Of course, I know who she really is, but it has me wondering about these vices. Is what they say true? There have been several variations of the rumour now, and I was hoping that the more I heard, the easier it would be to piece together what the original story was. Currently, each version seems to be getting more and more vulgar.

No one will say anything around me, so I’ve taken to hiding around corners and listening into conversations. This isn’t easy with my four newly appointed guards hovering around me. If one of my advisors or council members sees me, they would think I’ve lost my mind. Because of this, I ordered the guards to warn me if anyone is approaching so I can listen in confidence.

What has my life become?

Thankfully, Orion is currently off duty, probably scaring some children somewhere or scowling at anyone who gets near him. My secret rumour mission would be impossible if he were here.

As I wander through one of the large hallways looking for my next target, my eyes light up as a figure steps through an open doorway and into my line of sight.

Alyx. My betrothed.

Of course she notices me immediately, a smile gracing her lips as she turns towards me. My steps suddenly feel like they have more power behind them, and I find myself in front of her within seconds.

“Your Majesty,” she greets demurely, dipping in a curtsy. She is all poise and grace, but I can see the ironic smile on her lips as she dips her head.

“Princess, it is lovely to see you.” I do not have to lie because she is gorgeous and a sight to behold. My mood is already lighter. When she glances over her shoulder, I realise she is alone—something a future queen should not be. “I am surprised to see you here alone. Have you not been assigned ladies-in-waiting or guards?”

Her eyes flick to my entourage behind me, then she glances over her shoulder and does a slow spin. When she returns her gaze to me, I see amusement in her eyes.

“Oh! I seem to have lost them.”

Her performance is impressive. Most would believe she is just an airhead princess who lost her way and is stumbling around. Of course, I can see the mischief she tries to hide in her expression and know this is not the case. She probably managed to escape them within minutes.

I have to hold back my laughter.

I cannot say any of this though, not with my guards listening in, so I simply smile and nod my head. “Do not worry, my future queen. Will you walk with me? I can return you to your palace.”

“I would love that, my king.” Looking up at me with adoration, she flutters her eyelashes, and I have to hold back my snort. Alyx does not strike me as the type who has ever preened for a man, not unless it was for a job that is.

With a gesture to my guards, I order them to step back, giving Alyx and me as much privacy as a king in his own palace can receive. Offering her my arm, I stifle the thrill in my chest as she takes it, her side brushing up against mine.

We resume walking and step through the doors she just came through, exiting the building and moving out into the palace courtyard.

“I have heard some interesting things about you today, Princess,” I say conversationally.

“Oh? I have been here for less than a day. What could they possibly be saying?” Her voice is light, but there is an edge to it. She does not like this new development.

“Rumours,” I begin, flashing her a quick look before staring ahead once more. Unable to stop my curiosity, I veer to the right as we come up to another building, using the wall to shield us. I know we can still be seen, but I find that I suddenly have this burning need to know if the rumours are true.

“Is it true that you frequent brothels to earn coin? Or that you are addicted to ale?” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I know I have made a mistake, but it is too late.

Her look of confusion at my abrupt detour quickly shifts into one of outrage and anger.

“How dare you!” she says loud enough for the guards to overhear, and then she steps closer, lowering her voice so only I can hear. “ That is what you want to ask me?” I see the real Alyx under the illusion of the princess, and it is a shock to see the sudden difference. “You think I became the finest assassin in the realm by sleeping around?”

Ah, shit. I have offended her pride, a dangerous thing to do to a woman like her who could easily kill me in seconds. I have made a colossal mistake, and I believe I am about to pay for it.

“I cannot believe that is the first thing you ask me. Not if I have any information on who is trying to kill you, but about my nocturnal habits,” she hisses low enough for only me to hear. Fury ripples across her face. “Do you remember why you hired me? I am not Princess Alyx of the Jade Empire. That person doesn’t exist, meaning neither do the rumours.” She looks at me with disgust, making me feel about one foot tall. “Get yourself together, or maybe you really are a puppet king after all.”

I was going to apologise until she said that.

Maybe you really are a puppet king after all .

Anger and mortification surges through me, and I know if I do not get away from her soon, I am going to lash out and say something I should not. Gritting my teeth, I turn to my guards and gesture for one of them to approach me.

“Take Princess Alyx back to her palace, and make sure that she is reunited with her guards.”

Seeing the understanding in the guard’s eyes, I turn and begin walking away without another look at Alyx, my remaining guards hurrying to catch up. The second I step out of the shelter of the building, I feel eyes on me. There are too many people around for me to feel this way. I need to retreat and find somewhere to calm down.

Stalking towards my palace, I leave Alyx behind.

It’s been hours since I saw Alyx, the sun long since having set, yet I am still furious. I should be sleeping, or at least preparing for bed, but that is impossible while I feel this way. Pacing the length of my bed chamber, I attempt to think of anything but her, yet it is impossible. Her words continue to ring through my mind.

Yes, it was stupid of me to get stuck on whether those rumours were true or not. She created the persona, and therefore the rumours were never going to be real. I was foolish, and upsetting her was the last thing I wanted to do, but her reaction was also unexpected.

How dare she speak to me like that? I am her king. Even if she were a princess, she would not be allowed to get away with speaking to me like that. My ego has been bruised, and I want to lash out. Hiring her and concocting this plan was my idea. This is my attempt to take back control, to make a stand with as little bloodshed as possible, yet somehow, I am still being manipulated by a woman.

Is it fair of me to think of her that way? Probably not, and I do not want her punished in any way for speaking to me like that. She was right. My head was not in the game. I got caught up in the ruse and being around a beautiful woman such as her.

I must remember we are different.

The king and the assassin.

My insides are churning, and my mind is a mess. I barely ate anything at supper, something Orion noticed with a frown, but he didn’t comment on it.

Alyx did not attend the meal, claiming a headache.

For some reason, this only made me angrier. At this point, I do not know if I’m angry at her or myself. Probably a bit of both, yet her final parting line haunts me.

Maybe you are a puppet king after all .

Of all the things she could have said, she went straight for the jugular, choosing the one thing that was bound to cripple me.

The thing is, this is not the first time I have heard those words—maybe never to my face, but they have not ever affected me in this way. When she said them, it made me question everything and want to tear the world apart in the same breath.

Taking a deep breath, I walk into my bathing chamber and turn on the cold tap, filling the sink basin. I splash my face with the frigid water, gasping as it touches my skin. I stand to my full height, my reflection catching my attention. Usually, I use the mirror to admire myself, yet tonight, I do not recognise the person staring back at me. My fingers brush the mirror as if to check it is real. The cool glass confirms that it is, and I’m forced to admit that the wide-eyed, angry-looking male is me.

Am I a puppet? Am I ridiculous for believing that I could ever stop being controlled by others? I thought Alyx could help me with this, but perhaps I am just a fool.

A call from outside alerts me to the changing of the guard, meaning that it is much later than I thought. Sighing, I rub my hands across my face before reaching for a towel to dry it.

I should go to bed, yet I know I will just be tossing and turning for hours, my mind too active to shut off right now. Glancing over to my closet where I keep my sword, I stride towards it.

I am too angry to rest, and I need to get some of this out of my system before I see Alyx again. Now is the perfect time for me to slip from my rooms: while the guard is changing over and they are distracted. Orion will be cross with me for leaving in the middle of the night on my own, but I need to do this for my sanity and to prove to myself I am not a useless puppet king.