Kingdom of Betrayal

"Have you seen Kelly?" I ask my sister as I entire the library and see her sitting by the fireplace even though it's not that cold out.

Keshia frowns "The maid? No, I have not seen her"

"Ah, okay then" I glance between her and the fireplace before asking "No disrespect at all you know I love you and love having you around but when exactly do you plan to leave?"

"Oh. Probably in a few days, I hope you don't mind?"

I shake my head "No, that's fine" She nods and goes back to reading but I frown when I see the book upside down "What are you reading?"

She shrugs "Just some love story, you know the usual" when I continue staring at her, she finally seems to notice the upside down book and she lets out a soft giggle and turns it around "Oops"

I glance around the library and cringe when I see male bleachers on the floor, I turn back to her and she's staring at me with wide eyes "Really, Keshia? In the library?"

She stands up "I apologize"

"Stop apologizing! Just do better dammit, my children are in this castle." She stares down at the floor and I immediately feel bad for yelling, I sigh "I did not mean to scold you"

She shakes her head "No, you're right. I should start doing better and I will. I promise, Sophia"

"Good" I glance back at the bleachers before looking around the library again but I don't see anyone. "Who is the male?"

She blushes "A commoner"

Of course.

We both glance at the door when it opens and my heart involuntarily starts racing when I see Hayden. Handsome as always.

He glances between us "My queen, there's something you might want to see"

I gasp when I see Kelly's lifeless body hanging from the stables roof with a rope around her neck. I press a hand to my chest "No"

Hayden says "The stable boy found her like this, he reckon she may have snuck in here last night after his shift."

I glance at him "Where's he now?"

"In his bedchamber, I told him to go wait there in case you wanted to ask him questions, Your Grace"

I nod "Take me to him"