Lauren laughed. Her head was tilted. With how the Queen was trembling in anger, she already expected a slap from her.
"Do you find that funny? You dared speak ill of His Majesty, you foolish girl! Do you want to die?"
Lauren touched her cheek. She stopped laughing now but a smile was plastered on her face. The anger on the Queen's face entertained her.
"What will you do? Will you tell the King about it? Go ahead. Let's see if he can afford to lose me now that I'm Lord Everston's betrothed."
"You are ambitious and shameless," the Queen said through gritted teeth. If only she could give Lauren more than a slap, she could have done it.
"You are no different from your worthless mother. Let me tell you this, I know what your plan is. And I will do everything in my power to stop you. I will never let you drag the royal family in your scheme."
Lauren clenched her fist at the mention of her mother, but she remained composed. "Plan? I don't know what you are talking about, Your Majesty. It is you who have plans to get rid of me. I am just merely trying to live."
"Are you accusing me of trying to kill you?" the Queen asked in a low voice.
At the corner near the main doors, a male servant who had a message to relay was thinking twice if he should interrupt the two's heated discussion. In the palace of Evardin, everyone knew that females in the royal family were no normal ladies. They were untamed. Going near them was like walking on thin ice. One wrong move and they would dig their sharp claws into the necks of those who irked them.
"Scared to interrupt them, aren't we?"
The servant jumped a bit, startled at Ethan's sudden presence beside him. He immediately bowed his head to apologize.
"I-I was about to inform the princess of your arrival, sir. But she is speaking to the Queen at the moment. I dare not-"
"I understand."
Ethan walked towards the two. As someone whose family was a friend of the royal family for years, he had witnessed worse scenarios. Only those people who hadn't seen how life in the palace worked would think that the royal family was always noble. But in truth, they were as chaotic as other families.
"Your Majesty."
If Ethan didn't stand beside them and spoken, the Queen wouldn't notice the gentleman because of too much anger.
"Mr. Sullivan," Queen Thalia breathed, trying to calm herself. She eyed Lauren sharply before dropping her gaze to Ethan. She forced a smile. "I'm sure you are not here for me, so I shall excuse myself."
Lauren watched the Queen walk away while she thought of throwing a dagger at the Queen's back. It would be satisfying for sure, but she didn't want that kind of revenge. It was too shallow for her liking.
"Why are you here?" Her lazy eyes darted to Ethan.
"We have to talk," Ethan said seriously and Lauren knew what he came for.
Meanwhile, in the Everston manor, the lord of the estate stood near the glass window of his study room, holding a glass filled with red liquid. The other man in the room was sitting on a sofa, legs crossed.
"You didn't really think I would believe that did you?" Vincent's lips curved up as he traced the rim of the wine glass with his index finger.
"The thing is…" Alec spoke without looking at Vincent. "I don't care what you think."
"I know you don't need the throne nor do you covet it. Even without the crown, you have the power to turn Evardin upside down. You are also not someone who would do something just for fun. This action of yours provokes suspicion."
"Don't your girls entertain you enough that's why you are sticking your nose in someone else's business?"
Vincent smirked. "They do keep me entertained, but your business intrigues me. There is no way you proposed marriage, so it must be the other way around. What did Princess Lauren offer you?"
Alec didn't respond.
"That girl really surprises me," Vincent chuckled. "I once thought she was just a spoiled rebellious princess who only seeks fun, but I guess I was wrong. She's the kind who knows what she does and what she wants."
"Don't you have more important things to do other than fishing information from me?" Alec asked coldly.
"I'm just curious, Alec. I never thought you would even think about marriage. And the engagement soiree is tomorrow night. I haven't received an invitation, though."
A knock from the door interrupted the gentlemen's talk. The butler, Oswin, entered the room shortly after his master granted him permission.
"Lord Vincent," Oswin paid respect before heading to Alec.
"My lord."
Alec glanced at the butler. "Speak."
"I just received information from the inspection house. Lord Merriweather's body has been fully inspected. There was a mark left in his chest, the same mark that was found in Lord Dauncey's body two months ago."
"Are they sure it was the same mark?"
"Yes, my lord. The mark of a butterfly from a branding iron."
"What a unique way of branding a victim," Vincent commented. "If it is the same mark, for sure the two deaths are connected. But shouldn't you be focusing on your upcoming wedding, Alec? Let your subordinates solve that case."
Alec glared at Vincent darkly. "I think it is better if you leave my place and mind your own business."
"You haven't answered me. Why did you suddenly decide to get married?"
Alec put the wine glass on the table and walked past Vincent. Without a word, he left the room leaving Vincent's curiosity unsatisfied. He had no time to spare to entertain the man.
"I also want to inform you, my lord. The tailor has delivered your suit for tomorrow night's soiree," Oswin said as he followed Alec.