Chapter Seven: Kill Them Or Get Killed By Them

Emily's POV

It was late in the night, I can't believe I found myself waiting for Jack. He better keeps his words. I kept tossing all around the bed, hugging the pillow tightly with my eyes closed.

I just can't sleep.

I rose up and glanced at the wall clock, it was past 10 PM in the night. What could be so important that kept him up this late?

I wasn't anxious to see his face, curiosity was eating me up to know what happened in the council chambers this afternoon.

My head kept forming different excuses that could have kept him late that I barely registered the soft knock on the door.

The sound broke through my reverie, pulling me like a jolt, my heart quickening as I turned toward the sound.

“Who's there?” I asked.

That shouldn't be a question because I could perceive his scent already. I didn't get his response before the door opened and I stared at him blankly.

He was smiling radiantly as he approached the bed.

“Hi. I kept my words,” he muttered as he crouched beside the bed. He took my hands, his gaze was gentle and his touch was soft. Why am I not sending him out?

I wriggled my hands from his hold.

“I hope I didn't keep you waiting for long.”

“I wasn't waiting for you.” He nodded, not looking convinced. Then he asked;

“Can you please step outside for a moment?” And as if he could read my mind, he added.

“Please, don't say no. I just want some company…. I had a stressful day today,” he pleaded with sincerity.

“Why aren't you going to Kiara?” I remarked.

“My mate is different from my mistress.” His response got me annoyed.

“Good night.” I said, about to turn to my side but then, I recalled that I wanted to ask him something.

I turned my head back to him, his expression was gentle. Unlike the stoic expression he usually wears around me.

He seems to have changed a lot with how to request for something rather than in a commanding manner.

I asked myself if I would believe anyone if they had told me five days ago that Jack would be this nice to me. Without any doubt, I wouldn't have believed it.

Having nothing to say, I nodded with my lips pressed together.

He grinned, “Thank you,” I tried to hide my smile as I stood up. His politeness was something else.

We stepped out of the palace with guards following behind us at a reasonable distance. The night was cold and chilly, and I loved it. Stars were scattered on the sky, twinkling under the moonlight.

He didn't say anything and we only kept on walking. I didn't allow him to hold my hands, it was hidden under my sleeve while he locked his hands behind his back.

“How was your day?” He finally spoke up. He turned to me with his gentle hazel eyes gazing down at me with admiration.

We hadn't had a proper conversation on where this sudden warmth attitude was coming from.

“Just like every other day,” I responded flatly, recalling the maids' words but I was quick not to ponder deeply.

“Do you wanna share?” His question made me wanna roll my eyes.

Was he trying to play the games of light conversation before getting to the main point?

I didn't respond to him and only kept walking. He chuckled slightly, “That was expected,” he said.

“My day was a bit stressful and…..” I stopped abruptly and turned to him.

“I'm not interested in knowing how your day went. If you have anything to say, it's better if you start spilling now,” I snapped, my voice sharp and cold as I crossed her arms.

His eyebrows arched in amusement, “You're speaking to the King, young lady. Don't you think that tone was a bit rude?” He asked interestingly, as if he was enjoying me sounding this way.

“Jack, it's late already. And I'm not in the mood for all these. I've honored you enough by coming all the way just to have a walk with you,”

“Then are you trying to dishonor me now?” He teased and I gawked. Before I could talk, he chuckled and came closer to me.

“You look really cute when you're pissed off,” it sounded like a compliment as he tried to wrap his arms around my waist. I instantly pulled away.

“Unwanted touch,” I said.

“Oops, yeah,” he moved backward, scratching the back of his head. I wanted to ask him about the war and the raven, but asking now doesn't seem right.

“I think it would be nice if I head back,” I told him, dropping my hands as I looked behind. I turned my head back to him and he nodded.

“Good night, mate,” he whispered. I nodded before walking away.

Just like that?

I walked slowly, thinking that he would stop me but he didn't.

‘Don't he have anything to say to me? Ugh, do I need to ask before he could say something. At the very least, he should have tried to stop me,’ I bit my lower lips angrily.

A question struck my mind and I stopped walking. Turning around, he was still at the same spot I left him with his eyes on me. Seeing me turn back, I could see a smile forming on his lips.

“Have you questioned the maid yet?” I asked him.

The maid that was suspected to get involved with the throne tampering since she was close with the other maid that poisoned Jack's food.

“No,” his response was instant. My mouth formed a 'oh', nodded before turning around.

“But she's in the dungeon,” he added and I turned around again.

He began walking closer to me. I was about to question his relevance as the leader if he hadn't looked into that case yet.

“You wanna go see her?” He asked and I don't know why I nodded. He nodded also in affirmation as he stepped ahead of me back to the palace.

I was confused about something, she was only a suspect not the actual culprit.

The way to the dungeon was dark, but it was lit by oil lamps. Jack held one and I did too. The smell reminded me of when I was locked in here. And this made me a bit uncomfortable.

We arrived at a gate, the guards opened it and the maid came out. Went on her knees with her head bowed.

“Show mercy, your Majesty. I know nothing about what happened. I was just an errand girl,” she cried. I turned to Jack, who still has this small smile playing on his lips.

He gestured to me with his chin to ask her any question I might have, passing the oil lamp to a nearby guard.

I felt pity for her, she wasn't the culprit. I couldn't question his actions here.

“How close are you with your friend?” I finally asked the maid. Her sniffle stopped for a moment before she raised her head.

Our eyes fixed on each other for a moment before she cried and held my legs.

“Save me, your highness!” She cried, I was thunderstruck. The guards pulled her away from me. While she looked up.

“Tell his Majesty, your highness!” She shouted, “Tell him how you sent Floral and I to poison the King’s food but you chose Floral over me. Please, tell him, I can't bear this suffering anymore,” she confessed while crying bitterly.

I was astonished, dumbfounded by her words. We were talking about the throne not the poison. Before I could gather a few words to say, Jack had suddenly snapped her head off her body.

“Ah!” I yelped with my mouth covered. Her blood splashed all over the place and I turned to Jack with widened eyes. His expression looks somewhat hard.

“She had been questioned before but she kept on saying the same thing. Which explains why she was kept in the dungeon. Whoever might be real culprit has trained them not to speak. It's a waste of time to keep her here.” he explained but I wasn't myself.

Someone just got killed before me.

That sudden weight of how harsh this world was, got my heart trembling. It's either you kill them, or get killed by them.

I was about to ask Jack how he was going to find the real culprit when he spoke up.

“The throne room will be built soon, and whatever caused the tampering will be discussed later,” he walked closer and I dropped my hands that were covering my mouth.

As he tucked my hair behind my ear, I left a something cold on my cheeks. The blood stains in his hands.

“Have a good night's rest, my Queen,” he mumbled before walking away. Leaving me alone to grasp everything at my own pace. A guard stood behind me, waiting to escort me back to my room.