Perry's Judgement

Mira’s POV

I woke up to loud knocking on my door. I sat up immediately. My heart raced. No one usually came to my room this early. Another knock came.

“Lady Mira!”

I quickly got out of bed. “Coming.” I opened the door. Three palace guards stood outside. The moment I saw their serious expressions, my stomach tightened. “What happened?”

“Come with us.”

I frowned. “Why?”

The guard in front stepped forward. “You are required to answer questions.”

“About what?”

He didn't answer. “Please come with us.”

I looked from one guard to another. “What have I done?”

No one responded. Fear began creeping through me as I stepped out and followed them into the corridor. Several servants stopped what they were doing to watch. Whispers immediately began.

“That's her.”

“She was caught.”

“I knew something was wrong with that girl.”

I looked at the guards. “Caught doing what?”

Still no answer. 

They took me to the main hall. When I looked around, I could see a lot of them. Several nobles were there and at the center stood Princess Bianca. Her face looked worried. Almost too worried. I stopped when I saw her.

“Princess Bianca?”

She looked at me. “Mira.”

“What is happening?”

She shook her head. “I wish I didn't have to be here for this.”

“For what?”

She looked toward the guards. “Search her room.”

My heart dropped. “Why?”

A guard stepped forward. “We received a report of missing royal jewelry.”

I stared at him. “Jewelry?”

“Yes.”

“I don't have any.”

Bianca sighed. “I wanted to believe you.”

I looked at her. “Believe me about what?”

“The jewelry belongs to me.”

I froze. “What?”

She touched her neck. “The necklace I received from my mother is missing, along with several other pieces.”

“I didn't take them.”

“I never said you did.” Her voice was gentle. That somehow made everything worse. 

A noblewoman nearby whispered, “Then why search her room?” The guard answered. “Because her chamber is the last place connected to the missing jewelry.”

My eyes widened. “That doesn't make sense.”

Another guard approached.

“Orders from the palace security council.”

I looked around. “Where is Prince Perry?”

The guard hesitated. “His Highness has been informed.”

My heart sank. “Please, I need to speak to him.”

“You will.”

The guards began walking toward my chamber. I followed. My hands began to tremble. I couldn't understand what was happening. I had never touched Bianca's jewelry. I barely even knew what it looked like. 

When we reached my room, the guards entered. I stood outside. Bianca followed. The search began. Drawers were opened. Clothes were moved. Books were taken from the shelves. My heart pounded harder with every passing second.

Then one of the guards shouted. “Here!”

Everyone turned. He was standing beside my wardrobe. In his hands was a small velvet box.

Bianca immediately covered her mouth. “That is mine.”

I stared at the box. “No.”

The guard opened it. Inside was a necklace. Bianca stepped forward “My mother's necklace.”

I shook my head. “I've never seen that before.”

The guard looked at me. “It was found inside your room.”

“I don't know how it got there.”

Bianca's expression became sad. “Mira…”

“I didn't steal it!” My voice echoed through the room. Several guards exchanged looks.

Bianca stood near the doorway with her arms folded. Her red curls framed her face, and her eyes were fixed on me. “She was the only person who had access to my room,” she said. “What else could it be?”

I looked at her. “I didn't enter your room.”

“You expect us to believe that?” She went on to ask. 

“I don't care what you believe. I know what I did.”

Before Bianca could answer, the doors opened. Everyone immediately fell silent as Prince Perry walked inside. The atmosphere changed instantly. His presence alone was enough to make the guards straighten. His ocean-blue eyes moved across the room before settling on the table.

“Explain.” His voice was low.

One guard stepped forward. “Your Highness, Princess Bianca reported her necklace missing. We searched the palace and found it inside Mira's room.”

Perry looked at him. “When was the necklace last seen?”

“This morning.”

“Who entered Princess Bianca's room afterward?” The guard hesitated. “Several servants.”

“Names.”

The guard quickly listed them and Perry listened without interrupting. Then his gaze moved toward Bianca. “Who discovered the necklace was missing?”

“I did.”

He asked. “When?”

“After breakfast.” She responded, frowning her face. 

“Who was with you?” He requested. 

“No one.”

“Who knew it was missing before the guards were called?”

Bianca frowned. “I don't understand the question.”

“You don't need to understand it.” His tone became colder. “Answer it.”

Bianca swallowed. “No one.”

Perry's eyes narrowed and I watched him carefully. He wasn't angry. That was what frightened me. When Prince Perry was truly angry, he became quieter. He turned toward another guard. “Who searched Mira's room?”

“I did, Your Highness.”

“Did you search it alone?”

The guard nodded. “Yes.”

“Did anyone touch the room before you entered?” He asked. 

“No.”

Perry stared at him. The guard shifted uncomfortably. Then Perry asked, “How did you find the necklace?”

“It was inside a velvet box.”

“Where?”

“Inside her wardrobe.”

Perry's eyes moved toward me. “Did you see that box before today?”

I shook my head. “No, Prince Perry.”

“Did you own a velvet box?”

I shook my head again. “No.”

He looked back at the guard. “Did Mira open the wardrobe while you were searching?”

“No.”

“Did you?”

“Yes.”

Perry's jaw tightened. “Then why did you say you found the box exactly where it was?” The guard froze and it made me frown. Perry stepped closer. “You said you searched the wardrobe.”

He lowered his head. “Yes.”

He went on. “You said the box was inside.”

“Yes.”

“But you never told me whether the box was already visible or hidden beneath the clothes.”

The guard's face paled. “I—I don't remember.”

Perry's eyes hardened. “You should.”

The room became painfully quiet and his wolf seemed to stir beneath his skin. I could feel it. His scent suddenly became stronger, filling the room with the unmistakable presence of a Lycan.

The guards lowered their eyes while Perry turned toward Bianca. “Did Mira have any reason to steal your necklace?”

Bianca shook her head. “No.”

“Did you have an argument with her?”

“No.”

“Did she threaten you?”

“No.”

“Then why did you immediately accuse her?”

Bianca's lips parted. “Because the necklace was in her room.”

“That explains the evidence.” Perry's voice was flat. “It doesn't explain your certainty.”

Bianca said nothing and I looked between them then, I noticed something. Prince Perry wasn't looking at Bianca like someone who believed her. He was looking at her like someone he was trying to understand. He turned toward me. “Did you touch the necklace?”

I shook my head. “No.”

“Did you see it before today?”

I shook my head again. “No.”

“Did anyone ask you to hide it?”

Again, I shook my head. “No.”

“Did anyone enter your room while you were away?”

I sighed this time. “I don't know.”

Perry's expression changed slightly. “Think.”

I closed my eyes as I remembered leaving the palace earlier. When I returned, my door was open. “I remember my door being open when I came back.”

Perry immediately looked at the guards. “Who was assigned to this corridor?”

Two guards stepped forward. “I was.”

“And you?”

“I was stationed near the staircase.”

Perry's voice dropped. “Did anyone enter Mira's room?”

The first guard hesitated. “A maid passed through the corridor.”

“Which maid?” Perry asked, his brows arched. 

“I don't know.”

Perry's eyes flashed. “You were guarding this corridor and you don't know?”

The guard lowered his head. “No, Your Highness.”

Perry looked at the second guard. “Did you see her?”

“Yes.”

“Who was she?” Perry asked with all curiosity in his voice. 

The guard swallowed. “She was carrying a basket.”

“What was inside?”

“I didn't see.”

Perry's expression became unreadable. Then he turned to me. “Come with me.”

I blinked. “Prince Perry?”

“Now.” He snapped, walking away and I followed him out.

The doors closed behind us as we walked down the corridor in silence. His steps were steady. Mine were uncertain. Finally, I gathered enough courage to speak. “Do you believe me?”

He stopped and I nearly walked into him. He turned slowly. His blue eyes met mine. “I believe you didn't steal the necklace.” Relief rushed through me. “But that doesn't mean you're safe.” My relief disappeared instantly. “What do you mean?”

Perry looked down the empty corridor. His wolf seemed restless as I sensed it in the way his shoulders stiffened and his nostrils flared slightly. He stepped closer. His voice dropped to a whisper. “Someone in this palace wants you dead.”

My heart stopped while I stared at him. “Dead?”

Perry's eyes remained fixed on mine. “Yes.”

My eyes widened at the realization. “Who?” He didn't answer. “Prince Perry, if someone wants me dead, I need to know who.”

“You will know when I have proof.” His words were firm. “But until then, you will trust me.”

I swallowed. “Why?”

His eyes softened. Only for a moment before the cold expression returned. “Because if my suspicion is correct…” He paused and gaze moved toward the palace doors behind us. “…the person watching you is much closer than you think.”

My blood ran cold as Perry walked away.

I remained standing in the corridor, unable to move. Because suddenly, every face in the palace looked different. It felt like somewhere behind one of those doors… someone wanted me dead.