RECAP OF THE STORYLINE SO FAR

After discovering her identity as the late Duke's daughter, she was kidnapped by Reik who she later discovers is working to uncover the evil plans of her father everyone considers dead.

An encounter with Lady Burke reveals a key which is the key to so many secrets (pun intended)

Despite their constant bickering and inability to stand each other, Reik and our MC kissed...

And now, presently...

.
.
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Judy.

I avoid her eyes because I know they'll be accusatory, hiding something devious.

"We still need to plan though." Those words are all Reik needs to revert back to his usual countenance. Stiff.

Few seconds, and I'm left alone with Judy.

"I thought you hated him. "

I do not. I never did.

"Drop it."

Wordlessly, she walks behind me back into the cave to plan our next moves.

♞♞♞

"Halt! Who are you?" The guards ask. Reya, Judy and I pause in our steps. Reik advances to converse with the guards, showing them a forged document.

How he was able to get all that baffles me, but it worked.

The gates are drawn up and we freely walk in. It's like a sense of de ja vu fill my insides as I think back to the first day I entered the palace walls, mind bent on causing chaos so that I'd be sent back home. Until I met him.

"Are you alright?" Judy asks, falling in step with me behind the siblings.

I flash her a small smile, nodding. Sentiments can come later. Mission first.

The Prince's Introductory Ball is tonight where he'll be dancing with his bride.

Thinking about another lady in Finnigan's arms leaves a sour taste on my lips.

"You know what to do?" Reik speaks as we approach the side entrance for commoners.

Pretend to be maids, retrieve the last evidence connecting the King with my father's evil plans and expose him.

It should be that simple.

We had a plan B in case our first plan fails but until then.

"Yes. We do." Reya answers for all of us. She appears to be the most relaxed person besides Reik.

As Reik knocks on the large door, my nerves tense, and further more when the door slowly opens with a slight creak.

An unsmiling muscular face bears upon us.

"These are the maids you asked for, Rufus."

No matter my efforts to hold it back, I still snorted, earning an undesirable amount of attention mostly from Rufus.

Reya stomps on my feet. I feign a cough.

"Sorry, I've got cold."

Rufus frowns, then looks at Reik who like a volcano, struggles to remain calm. "She can't work here if she's sick-" He eyes Reya and Judy. "-these two will do."

What an unpredictable twist. We helplessly watch as Reya and Judy are led in and the door closes upon them.

"Do you realise what you've done, you witch?"

I smile, instead of letting his ferocious expression scare me. "Things are going exactly according to the plan-"

He starts dragging me away from the palace and I shrug off his grip.

When we're outside the gate, he answers some questions asked by the guards, then we're free to leave.

He corners me into the closest alley dark and occupied by some old crates.

"Start talking." He pins me against the wall.

Smart thinking.

"Well, we had a change of plan."

In the shadows, I notice the tightening of his jaws and his rising temper.

"I'm in charge of the plans." He states.

"Not anymore, husband." I purr, more surprised of my words than Reik is.
I must have contacted a disease.

He releases me and starts walking away.

That didn't go the way I expected.

"Where are you going?"

He chooses not to answer and when I see that he's really abandoning me here, I run up to him, seizing his hand.

He continues walking, pulling me along.

It's like that now?

"Reik, please. I'm sorry."

He snakes his hand out of mine and fortunately turns, facing me.

"I didn't really alter your plans, just a tiny modification."

I would actually attend the ball, cause a serious distraction, Judy and Reya would search for the last evidence in the Royal Vault.

How we would achieve all that, it was left to see.

Quite a short chapter, I know. I intended on something longer, but this is how far I can go.

Dealing with work and real life situations hasn't been easy here, but, duh! I'll win.

How are you guys?

What do you think about this chapter and the book so far?

Don't forget to drop a comment and vote, I'll really appreciate it if you do 😇

For now, this is bye, until the next update.