RYKER'S POV

It was a wonder how Camilla could keep a secret of this magnitude. It had only been a few days and yet I badly needed someone to talk to about it but I couldn't. I had promised to keep her secret until we could find proof that put her fears to rest. I still didn't completely understand it but with Camilla, I barely understood. I had learned over the years to just go with it and hope that it made sense by the time we came out on the other side.

“You called for me.” Christine announced as she walked into my office. I gestured for her to lock the door and her brows furrowed in confusion but she did as I asked. “Is everything alright with Camilla? Does she need something?” “It isn’t about Camilla,” although it was but I couldn't tell her that. “I need you to do a deep dive on Peggy and Marie. Find out whatever you can without them knowing. Send spies back to their village and get as much information on them as possible.”

Her brows rose. “Is there a certain reason for this or is this an order that I cannot question.”

In the months where Camilla was gone, I had grown closer to Christine than I would have imagined and in that moment, I wanted to damn everything to hell and tell her what was going on but I noticed something under my door it was a shadow, as if someone had situated themselves outside. It was barely noticeable and if I wasn’t on edge, I probably would not have noticed. I held my hand to my lips and quietly walked over to the door.

Once I was there, I pulled it open quickly and I noticed Marie walking past my office. She turned to me and gave me: warm smile as if she hadn't just been snooping. I could feel Christine behind me as she came over to investigate. “Hello, Ryker,” Marie curtsied slightly, her smile never dropping.

“Were you just passing by?” I asked and she nodded.

“Il wanted to go out for some fresh air, the palace tends to be a bit overwhelming sometimes,” she chuckled softly. “I wouldn't want to keep you, I should be going.”

“Perhaps I should get a guard to go with you, so you don’t get lost.”

She shook her head almost too quickly. “I will be fine. I wouldn't want to bother anyone or have them babysitting me when there are more important things that they could do with their time.”

“It would be an honor for any of the guards to watch over the Queen's own visitors,” Christine cut in and Marie went silent when she realized we were not going to drop this. She nodded simply but I could tell that she wasn't pleased. “A guard will meet you at the front gate and they will make sure to watch over you safely.”

final curtsy, she turned on her heels and walked

Christine finally spoke. “I take it that it has something to do with that” I didn’t bother denying, I just nodded. “Does Camilla know about this?

curse and I could tell that this entire situation was taking a toll on Christine. She deserved to know and it wasn't my place to tell her but I was going to do

happening. Also,” I dropped my voice to a whisper. “be careful about what you say and where you say it. I may have

she nodded. “I will get that information as quickly as possible. The spies will

at me over the shoulder! but

said instead and she gave me a sad smile

don't have to thank me, we are

her office but that was not the place I wanted to have the conversation. She looked shocked to see me but I grabbed her arm and pulled her out of her chair. She made a yelp of surprise but otherwise didn't

looks of amusement and curiosity but I couldn't care less about any of them as I led her up the stairs. Once we were at the door of the room, I pulled her inside and locked it behind us. Still, I didn’t want to risk someone hearing us so

a rag doll?” she asked once I let go of her

you around,” she waved me off and I

took a step

“Camilla-"

telling you, I cannot tell her too. I don’t want to,

you don’t remember her. You know how she

have realized how loud she was because she expelled a heavy breath of air. “I want to tell her, I swear, I do but I can’t. Do I

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