"Come on, we need to be quick."
Exactly as before, I snuck in through a servants door into the laundry room. I debated whether disguises would be needed like last time but I glanced back at Vorn and thought against it.
We quietly walked up the stairs and through the door. I knew exactly which way the kitchen was and opted to go the other direction. I would not make the same mistake twice.
"-n't you assigned to the Queen's quarters? There is talk that she collapsed today, is it true?" I heard whispering as a few servants approached.
Shit we couldn't afford to be seen, which way do we go? What do we do? There is no where to hide!
I started to panic. I turned to Vorn but he was no where in sight.
What?! He was just here seconds ago!
I nearly yelped out loud when a hand grabbed my arm and pulled me backwards through a door that was not there before. As soon as I passed through, it was quietly closed after me.
It was a hidden passage, Vorn pulled me through it. I was about to question him when he motioned for me to be quiet and listen.
"Shhh... Don't say that so loud, someone might hear you." The other servant warned.
"So it's true then?" They spoke softer this time.
The other did not reply and slowly the foot steps faded.
Vorn turned down the dark passage without a word leaving me to follow after him.
"Don't believe palace gossip." He muttered before I could say a word on what we just heard.
"Mhmm."
We were quiet for a bit, he was leading the way for I had no idea where we were. Sure I had studied a map of the castle when I had to steal the Jewels but the map I had was only the main rooms a few of the many hidden passages and rooms.
"How did you know about this passage?" I stupidly asked not thinking.
Vorn peered over his shoulder looking slightly amused.
"I am royalty you know. Not part of the main family of course but I still just about grew up here with how often I visited.
So of course when I was little, I made it my mission to explore the whole castle and find every hidden room and passage. So far I have discovered most of them, like this one for instance. This leads to the ballroom but from there we can follow another one."
I wish I knew about this one before when I had to make a getaway after handing the jewels back. Life would have been a lot easier and a lot of stuff could have been avoided.
When we reached the ballroom, Vorn and I were very careful not to draw attention to any of the guards patrolling the area.
It was strange to see the ballroom like this, so quiet and dark. I finally realised what big is a room it actually was now that it was void of guests.
We shot across the floor. When we reached the other side, Vorn ran his fingers along the wall about 15 cm up from the floor until we heard a soft click.
It door was so well hidden that I was surprised to see it when it revealed itself. Vorn reached it on two big strides. It was quite a small one so we had to crawl to get through it.
I closed it behind me and we were on our way. It was very dark and I felt cob webs and dust everywhere. This was obviously a passage that has not been used for a number of years.
I held onto Vorns heels as we continued to crawl in completed darkness. It was times like these that I was graetful that I was not claustrophobic or else I would have freaked as the passage became started to become narrower the further we went.
Soon it was a very tight squeeze, both my shoulders and hips which squashed together and I had to turn my body slightly to the side just to fit through.
To say that I was relieved when the passage started widening and heightening to the point where we could stand and move freely would be an understatement.
There was a point were four passages joined together. Without a second of hesitation, Vorn took the one closest to our left.
"We are nearing the Queen's quarters but this passage will not take us the whole way. There are only two ways into that section of the castle, the main doors or a hidden passage that can only be accessed from the inside that leads to the outside the city walls. I myself haven't found it yet, but I've heard about it." Vorn informed while pulling a lever on the side of the wall.
Again another click was heard and the wall in front of us swung open making a slight creaking noise. It was a book case. When we stepped out, I noticed there were book cases all around us. We were in a massive library.
"Who is there?!" A loud voice spoke out.
I froze. Vorn's posture turned rigid.
"I asked who is there?!" I heard footsteps slowly coming towards us. The voice was vaguely familiar for some reason.
The bookshelf behind us had unfortunately resumed it's rightful place so we could not retreat. I did not know how to reopen it and Vorn seemed distracted.
"Relax cousin, it's just me." Vorn finally spoke holding his hands up showing he meant no harm once a shadowed figure came into view.
It was Prince Henry. He was holding up a sword in one hand pointing it towards us and had a book in the other. He was obviously in the library reading.
"Vorn?" he asked lowering his weapon as he approached us.
"Yes it is me."
"What are you doing here and who is with you?" Prince Henry questioned.
"Well it is a long story, we do not have much time to explain and this is-" Vorn started before I cut him off.
"Good evening Prince Henry." I stepped forward making myself know.
Prince Henry's eyes widened.
"Y-you!" recognition flashed across his features. He turned his head to face Vorn.
"What is she doing here?!" he whipped his head back to face me.
I was rather amused with his reaction.
"I thought you were dead?! How are you still alive, why are you here, what are you planning to steal this time Thief?!" he bombarded me with questions and raised his sword to my throat.
The metal was cool against my skin but I knew the blade was razer sharp and could slit my throat with the slightest of movements.
"Calm down, it was all a misunderstanding. I truly never did intend to steal from the palace to begin with. It is another long story as to why I am here but again, we do not have the time. Just know I mean no trouble. Vorn over here can vouch for me."
Henry slowly moved his eyes off me and onto his cousin. They shared a looked and hesitantly he moved the blade away.
"Cousin, we need to see the Queen, it's urgent."
"Is that why you snuck in through the walls?" Prince Henry rhetorically asked rolling his eyes.
"If you were normal Vorn, you would have entered the palace through the main entrance and requested to see mother. Why did you have to sneak in and how? I thought we tightened security around here after that incident with this thief over here."
"She helped, but we need to see the Queen, the city has been infiltrated, an enemy army is marching towards the capital this moment led by...my father," he spat out the father part like it was something bitter, "He has to many eyes and ears watching and listening. We couldn't risk it. Your brother sent us."
Prince Henry looked even more alarmed than he had with me.
"What?! Uncle? I don't understand?"
"We will explain everything when we speak to the Queen, please Prince Henry you have to let us see her immediately." I spoke.
"You can't. Mother is resting... She collapsed earlier today. She is unwell." Prince Henry looked away, I could tell he was really worried about her health. It turns out the palace gossip we heard earlier was correct.
"We have no choice cousin. This is a serious matter. We need her orders and to relay the message from Edward." Vorn's voice expressed pure urgency.
Prince Henry looked conflicted but eventually gave in. He knew how important this matter was. I could also tell he had a number questions.
"Follow me, but be careful and speak of mother's condition to no one."
We parted from the library and down a corridor before Vorn and I were stopped by two palace guards at the main doors into the Queen's quarters.
"Let them pass, they are with me." Henry ordered. The guards parted and let us through closing the doors behind us.
Once we were out of earshot Vorn caught up in stride with Prince Henry making sure to be beside him and no longer a step behind. I remained a few paces back in respect.
Vorn reached pulled out something from his pocket. It took me a second to realise what it was when I saw it glint in slightly when it caught the light.
A knife.
I was a second to late when he swiftly plunged it into Prince Henry's side in one quick move.