Chapter 132 - An Audience With The Queen (2/2)

Blaise tried tugging on her arm to get her to go with him, which resulted in a pitiful attempt at tug-of-war on her part. She pitched forward into a pillar and knocked over a vase that crashed to the ground very loudly.

She and her captor both froze as the royal guards surrounded them. They were totally dead.

Mariela held her child protectively to her chest as her husband stepped in front of them with a furious look on his face. ”How dare you sneak back in here after being dismissed? What is your purpose?” Franz demanded.

Blaise looked between me and the king, torn, before giving the most respectful salute from Shibatsu. ”Please forgive my companion's impertinence; she only wished to speak to the queen regarding her sister. I failed to stop her.”

Abby gave him an incredulous look. Had he seriously thrown her under the bus?!

She got down on her hands and knees and pleaded for forgiveness since she didn't know the salute. ”Forgive me, Your Majesties. What he says is the truth. I did not think things through properly.”

”Rise,” Franz said wearily.

Hastily getting to her feet, she dared to look up at them. Mariela was eyeing her curiously. That seemed encouraging. Would she be able to pull this off after all?

”Your Majesty the queen…I am here in search of my sister and I have been told you are her friend. I only wished to know a little about her life in Annalaias since our separation.” Speaking so formally wasn't Abby's forte but she did her best. She didn't want to lose her head.

Mariela spoke for the first time since they had been caught. ”What is your name?”

”Abby, Your Majesty.”

A thoughtful expression crossed her face before she asked her next question. ”Your full name?”

Last names were a thing in Annalaias; she had forgotten that. After being in Shibatsu so long she had gotten used to only telling people her first name. ”Abby Pullman.”

Shock flitted across Mariela's face before she composed herself. ”…are you here looking for Katie?”

Abby froze. Had her sister actually told someone the truth about where she was from other than her husband?! The book was in Al's perspective so there were probably a lot of scenes that didn't make it in there from Katie's point of view.

”Yes!” she blurted. ”Please forgive my incredible rudeness, Your Majesty. I have been searching for her for a very long time and you are the only one who may be able to tell me about her.”

Franz looked at his wife in confusion. ”What does this woman have to do with Katie? We have met her sister.”

Mariela rested her hand on his arm to placate him. ”Katie told me about her. She is not a threat. I do believe we should have a private conversation. Would you be so kind as to take Roland to the stables without me? I will meet you there in a while.”

He obviously didn't like this but did as his wife requested. ”Sir Marino, have your men release them,” he reluctantly ordered the captain of the royal guard.

With swords no longer pointed at them, Abby felt Blaise relax beside her. He had very obvious questions in his eyes and she mouthed ”I'll tell you later!” before allowing herself to be led into a side room with the queen.