Crowns of Heritage

Chapter 94-Planning (2)

(ROSEMARY'S P.O.V)

When Sage told me what she was planning, I whispered to her and told her we should consult mother and grandfather about her plan. Since Yeshiva's father was currently trying to track a woman that might be Macy Livens, maybe Sage plan will work, I thought. I just hope it doesn't cause a huge commotion during the debutante. Since Prince Marshall and King Lincoln are both unpredictable.

Sage and I turned our heads when I heard Duchess Mary call out to us.

“My dears, it is time for your history lesson, Lady Victoria will also be joining.” Duchess Mary said.

Sage and I nodded.

After we left the room, Sage and I started walking through the hallway. The library where our classes were going to be held was on the third floor but was located in the left wing of the castle.

“Haley,” Sage said as she turned towards Haley, who was walking behind her.

“Yes, my lady”, Haley replied.

Sage handed Haley the same note that the seamstress handed her.

“Bring this to Yeshiva for me”, she said.

Haley bowed and took the note from Sage. A second later, she started walking in the opposite direction towards the stairs.

“What if Christian doesn't return to the castle in time, what are you going to do?” I asked Sage, curiously.

Sage lifted her head up a little as she looked to be deep in thought.

“If he doesn't return in time, we can still use the rumor to lure Macy Livens out. On the other hand, I'll go with my first choice and have father as my escort”, she replied as we continued to walk towards the library.

A few minutes later, we entered the library and noticed Hannah and Butler Jackson standing a few meters away.

Sage and I walked towards the table near the bookshelves where Hannah and Butler Jackson were standing. When we made it near the table, I noticed Lady Victoria was sitting in one of the seats. Sage sat next to Lady Victoria and I sat next to Sage. Seeing Lady Victoria and Sage next to each other, you would think they were twins instead of Sage and I.

When she noticed Sage and I, she got up and greeted us before sitting back in her seat.

“Let's begin today's lesson”, Hannah said.

Butler Jackson walked around and placed a white cover book in front of each of us.

“Today, we will talk about the Vanuatu kingdom and its lineage. Duke Winter gave me strict instructions to teach you about the King's side of the family, since they will be attending the debutante and Sage's succession ceremony.” Hannah said.

(SAGE'S P.O.V)

Thirty minutes passed, as we listened to Hannah as she was reading a certain section of the book. While reading the book, I noticed it was the same book that Baron Berrian had given me. We were currently on the same chapter that I didn't finish earlier.

The chapter had a picture with six people, the previous King of Vanuatu, and his two Queens. I instantly noticed King Lincoln but he was much younger in the picture. He was standing beside another young man, they both favored each other. I noticed a young woman standing behind one of the queens, King Lincoln and his brother was also standing behind the other Queen, whom they favored.

“Any questions?” Hannah suddenly asked.

“I have one,” I said, while looking directly at Hannah.

“What's your question, your highness?”, Hannah asked.

“The young woman in the picture was also like my father, Prince Morgan and Prince Marshall, born from two different mothers? Is she also a part of the aristocratic faction? I asked, curiously.

Hannah sat the book down on the table.

“Her name is Marchioness Bethani Radisson, she was the first born from the first Queen. She is 20 years older than King Lincoln and 10 years older than Prince Lance but since the Vanuatu kingdom doesn't allow women to ascend the throne. She was married off to Marquess Carl Radisson, who was a Knight that received a title after fighting in one of the wars and yes she is a part of the aristocratic faction. Her son, Marquess Timothy Radisson, he's one of the palace Chancellors.” Hannah explained.”

For some reason, the woman caught my attention, something tells me she's going to be a problem, I thought to myself.

Hannah continued on the lesson for another hour until she finally dismissed us.

“We will head to the ballroom and focus on your debutante lessons in two hours. Princess Sage, you need to find someone to practice with in the meantime” Hannah said.

I nodded my head, who should I ask, I wondered.

(NATALIE'S P.O.V)

I was walking down the hall on my way to the Queen's room, when I noticed Josie and Yeshiva standing in the distance talking amongst themselves.

“Josie, Yeshiva”, I called out to them as I walked towards them.

They turned towards my direction and started walking towards me.

“Natalie”, Josie said and held up a folded paper in her hand.

“What is this?”, I asked as we approached each other.

“The seamstress handwriting”, Yeshiva said, “It's not a match but I think we should still investigate the shop, just in case”, he said.

“Any word from Saul?”, I asked Josie.

She shook her head, “Chief plans to contact him later on today, if he doesn't hear from him before tonight.”, she replied.

“We need to find a way to lure her out, if the woman who followed Chief happens to be Macy Livens or someone close to her, maybe we should use Christian as bait.”, Yeshiva said.

I became quiet for a moment while I thought to myself.

“Prince Morgan mentioned that when he talked to Hannah, she told him Macy left with one of the maids who served her.” I said.

Suddenly, our conversation was interrupted when I heard Na'mah's voice in the distance. When I looked in her direction, she was talking to one of the maids and looked over in our direction.

“Natalie, her Majesty is awake”, Na'mah said as she gestured towards me.

A second later, I started walking towards the Queen's room, leaving behind Josie and Yeshiva.

When I entered the room, Queen Malaysia was sitting upwards and Doctor William was standing beside her. She looked over at me and turned back towards Doctor William.

“Doctor William, give Natalie and I a moment for a second”, Queen Malaysia said.

I watched as Doctor William bowed and started walking towards the door. He and Na'mah left the room and I walked closer to the bed.

“This is the second time, I've seen you laid up in the bed”, I said, informally.

Queen Malaysia chuckled, “I guess what I heard was true, The Henrico Clan doesn't care about one's status or title and is very sharp-tongued.” She said, with a slight smile on her face. “You'll make a great Queen”, she added.

A queen, I mumbled, I've really never put much thought into it.

“Natalie”, Queen Malaysia said, as the expression on her face went from smiling to serious in a split second. “Hannah told me that you are able to get into the palace without being detected.” She said as she looked at me.

I nodded, “I have my ways”, I replied.

“Doctor William and your sister are certain that Lincoln isn't the one poisoning me. As much as I loved that arrogant man, I'm not too sure if I should trust that. After all, our marriage hasn't been great after he took in another Queen and it became even worse after Macy Livens became his concubine. I haven't told my father, Moises or Morgan this information. I'm positive you heard a little of our story. We met on the battlefield, I saved Lincoln's life instead of taking it, after I realized he was my destined partner. You see our kingdoms were hostile towards each other as neighboring kingdoms usually are, but unlike my father's side of the family who came from an ancient warrior lineage. The Vanuatu kingdom comes from an ordinary royalty lineage but in the beginning of our relationship, Lincoln wasn't the cruel man that he is now. When I was the general of the army, he supported me until one day he became very angry almost like he became envious of me, because I was considered stronger than him. Over the years, he became worse and we barely were able to communicate.” Queen Malaysia suddenly paused for a second and reached out her hand towards me.

I walked closer and placed my hand onto her hand.

“I know just how powerful the Henrico clan is when it comes to finding any worthy information, but something tells me you will be able to get the answers I've been searching for,” she said and gripped my hand a bit. “Natalie, please find out what Lincoln is hiding”, she added.

“I was going to do that anyways, after all he did send the royal knights after me. I still have a grudge against him.” I replied.

Queen Malaysia chuckled.

“As for finding Macy Livens, we're planning to use her son as bait”, I said.

“I've heard her son's name was Christian from Morgan. From the timing of her pregnancy from then and until now, her son should be having a birthday soon” Queen Malaysia said.

(CHRISTIAN'S P.O.V)

Nathan and I left the rebels cabin, and started walking through the forest. As we were walking the wind was blowing a little stronger than the previous days.

“How long until we make it to the next town?” Nathan asked as he walked a few meters ahead of me.

“Going through the forest it'll take at least three hours without a horse”, I answered.

“Fuck”, I heard Nathan mumbled as I walked closer to him.

We traveled through the forest for another hour until we reached a large bridge that sat over a river.

“Let's take a break after crossing the river”, Nathan said.

Without saying anything else, Nathan started walking ahead of me again and I followed behind him until we made it to the other side of the river.

When we got to the other side of the river, Nathan suggested that we take a twenty minute break before walking again. I sat beside Nathan, as sat next to the river. I stared at the flowing water for a while until Nathan called my name.

“Christian, are you planning to return to the castle after meeting Count Livens?”Nathan asked.

I looked over at Nathan.

“I was planning to return to the castle, but I'm not sure if my uncle will try to make me stay. I'm afraid that he might stop me from leaving until he wants me to be useful to him again.”, I said and looked back at the river.

Nathan placed his hand on the top of my head.

“if It comes to that, I'll tell him I need you to help with something.” He said.

I smiled a bit, I'm sure my uncle wouldn't want to get on Nathan's bad side since he is trying to recruit him.

“Christian, I've been meaning to ask you this for a while now” Nathan said and I turned my head towards him again.

“What is it, master?” I asked.

Nathan suddenly slapped the side of my head, “ Don't call me that shit anymore” he said, “I prefer teacher then the term master” he added.

I chuckled seeing the annoyed expression on his face.

“What did you want to ask me? I asked.

“When is your birthday?” he asked.

My birthday, I thought.

Now that I think about it, my birthday is approaching soon.

“It's in four days,” I replied.

Nathan's eyes widened, “Wait, your birthday is the same day as the debutante?” he asked, with an serious expression.

The debutante, I thought for a moment.

Before I could speak, I suddenly remembered something. I stood up quickly as I remembered.

“What's wrong”, Nathan said as he got up from the ground and placed his hands onto my shoulders. "Christian", he shouted.

I felt my heart racing as I remembered overhearing one of my uncle's conversations.

I started to shiver, “ I had forgotten for a moment.”I said while stuttering, “I'll be 18 in four days, my uncle was planning to announce my existence to the king when I turn 18.”