Kingdom of Betrayal

"Do you believe her?"

"Of course I do." I glance at Raya and Junior as they sleep in my bed before turning back to Hayden "She's ten years old, she cannot possibly make something like this up"

"I know" he nods "But she just lost her father who happened to be her best friend, everyone grieves differently and this could be her way of doing it"

I frown "By making things up?"

He shakes his head "By imagining things, there's a difference"

I glance back to the bed with a heavy heart before saying softly "Please don't make me doubt my daughter, Hayden"

"Okay" my eyes snap to him "I won't"

He's staring at me with eyes filled with pain and I know without a doubt that he's feeling the same heartache that I feel.

When I hurt, he hurts.

We both glance at the door when it opens after a knock and the same guard enters. He glances between Hayden and I when he says "No sign of forced entry into the castle"

My shoulders slump "So it could not be real?"

The guard nod but Hayden pipes up "Or perhaps the person was already in the castle"

"What do you mean?" I ask but he doesn't say anything, instead glancing at the guard. I clear my throat before telling the guard "Thank you for your services, you may leave now" he bows before leaving, closing the door behind him and I turn back to Hayden with a raised eyebrow

"I hope to be wrong but perhaps the person could be someone who's already inside the castle?" His eyes narrow "Have the men left already?"

"Simon and Lincoln left to their own castles but Noah and Elliot are still staying in the guest wing. Their respective carriages leave at sunlight"

He nods "Who else is in the castle besides the workers?"

I frown as I think "My sister Keshia and her chaperone"

"Which is who exactly?"

"Sir Ivan Lancaster"

He hums "I'll have a look into the whereabouts of everyone for tonight, but for now you get some rest, I'll stand guard outside your door"

I blink about a thousand times "What? No. You've been on guard the entire day, I already feel bad for disturbing your nights rest"

"Nonsense, my queen. My duty is to make you feel safe and you obviously need to feel safe right now. Goodnight, your grace" he bows and leaves before I can say anything else.

I let a huff, trying to ignore the weird feeling in my stomach at his thoughtfulness before getting in bed with my children knowing I won't be closing my eyes for a second.