Kyle lay down on the flimsy thing of a bed thinking about his day. He couldn't believe it had been just one day. He was glad the prince had given him a few days to rest because he needed a plan on how to live his new found life here. He needed to prepare himself to learn the dark magic or whatever the prince was going to teach him. He wondered what had happened to the real Kyle.
Had he died from the beating? Of course from the injuries he could tell the beating was intense and it was aimed to kill. Definitely under Lucy's orders.
Kyle's mind went back to the conversation he had overheard that day. The Lucian said something about putting the evidence on a maid. That's where his plan came in. He replayed the conversation he had with Lyla after he had told her what he heard
"I have a plan okay?" He had told her.
"And what's your plan? Don't go looking for trouble even if you want to die."
"Relax Lyla, my plan is to do nothing. Nothing at all."
Lyla stared at him like he had lost all his marbles.
Kyle sighed. He didn't know if he could really trust her but he really needed somebody who knew the way things worked here. He really hoped she wouldn't go running her mouth about him. And if she did?
He would find out tomorrow.
With that thought he turned on his side to sleep. Without covers.
********************
Alex walked out of his father's room, the door closing behind him. He walked pass the guards stationed there and Lucas, who had also been waiting outside, fell into step beside him. Silent. Too silent to be normal. Alex waited for him to say whatever was on his mind. If it bothered Lucas, then it was definitely important.
But it never came. Alex was about to ask him if he was planning to commit treason when he finally spoke
"How is His Majesty's condition?"
"Don't asked me a question you already know the answer to. If something's bothering you then say it."
Lucas pressed his lips together, showing human emotions which wasn't right. He sighed and then spoke
"I was going to the kitchen to return your tea cup cause there were no maids around at that time. They were all hiding discussing the head maid's predicament amd Ma'am Housekeeper wasn't there to stop them—"
"Stop beating around the busy Lucas."
"Right. I saw Duke Fernando and his son standing beside a pillar talking in hushed tones. There was no way for me to approach them with them spotting me even with my magic. I still tried tho. I muffled my footsteps to try getting closer. I was able to hear a few words of their conversation before they spotted me."
"And just what did you hear?"
"… to the maid boy of just now." Said duke Fernando keeping his voice low.
"Yes. I thought so too. He looked at you like he's aware of something." Replied his son.
"I want him out just to be safe. Leave the bottle in his belongings."
"Yes father."
When Lucas knew the conversation was about to end he made them hear his footsteps like he had just gotten here now. They turned and spotted Lucas walking towards them.
Lucas bowed respectfully. "Duke Fernando."
"Ah Lucas, my man. I was just heading out to the meeting of the dukes now. You coming?"
"No. The crown prince will be representing himself today."
"I thought he was in Malariee and was supposed to return tomorrow?"
That information was supposed to be confidential and the duke knew it. It wasn't just a casual slip. Lucas replied saying
"I don't know that. But as for his quick return I sent him a letter that his father's health was getting worse as per his request."
"Oh the king. May he recover in strength and grace." The duke said sadly.
"Well we must go now or be late. See you later Lucas." This time it was Lucian that spoke with bright smile and a glint in his eyes.
Lucas stood there and watched them leave. They were definitely planning something and there was only one maid boy in this castle.
Lucas told Alex everything as it had happened.
Alex spoke after a while.
"I need the boy's room watched discreetly. And Lucian followed. This confirms our thoughts on there being a mole in the palace. Someone leaked the information that I'm on his trail and now he knows."
Alex got to the door of his room and gave the last instruction, dismissing Lucas to carry it out immediately.
Alex walked into his room and closed the door. Deep in thought, he stripped off his robes. And stepped into the bath tub already filled with warm water and scented oils.
His thoughts drifted to Kyle. He could already see the boy caused trouble for himself no matter where he went. It's most likely they would try to frame him for something. And Alex would have no other option but than to play along. When the time comes he would know what to do. He had the feeling they would also approach the head maid, in case things go haywire the blame would fall on her.
But blinded by her rage she would allow herself to be deceived.
The dukes were also on his neck. Planning and talking about taking a queen as if his father was already dead. He knew the fact that his father is still breathing is the only reason why they can't force a decision on him yet. The moment his father dies they would either force him to marry one of their daughters or tell the whole kingdom how unfit he is to rule and take the crown for themselves. Today they came up with a way to bring their daughters into the castle under the pretense of a charity ball from the crown. He knew their intentions but he still let them. If it came to worse case he would rather take a princess from their neighboring kingdom than take one of their daughters but he wouldn't let them know now.
He would let them do what they wanted for now.
He got out of the bath dressed and went to bed with the foresight of lots of headaches in his coming days.