The Sword and Heir of Shadows

Chapter 26: Amulet .

Inside the king's room echoed sound of pounding was very clear. It was 5 in the morning and yet the two people were engaged in each other. One of them was whining in pain, that was Neena. She was all on her fours facing the headboard of king sized bed. Tears were trickling down her face, her mind was not accepting this humiliation she had been facing at the moment. Many women would have cherished being the king's mistress but not Neena, she liked Hector only she might love becoming his mistress but not others not even the king. "You like that don't you" King panted and asked her, Neena's body responded with her juices flowing out of her channel but her lips were sealed. The king came into her. And pulled out of her,

"you may leave by afternoon, I don't want you to be here again" he ordered her arrogantly, as soon as he was satisfied he left Neena crying on his bed. he was generous not to throw her out of his chamber he least kept that much of her dignity after destroying much of it.

Neena's body was sore, and she couldn't help but feel relief when King Louis finally let her go, as he had promised. With a mixture of shame and anxiety, she returned to her humble chamber in the royal palace. Her steps were unsteady, and her mind was a whirlwind of emotions.

Once in her small room, Neena sank into her simple bed, her body aching from the night's unwanted attention. She longed for a respite from the palace's opulence and its dark secrets, yearning for the simplicity of her village.

Her eyelids grew heavy, and exhaustion took over. Neena drifted into a deep slumber, seeking solace in the world of dreams. Little did she know that her adventures and nightmares within the palace were far from over.

Meanwhile, in the vast halls of the palace, King Louis had kept his word and let Neena go, despite his insatiable appetite. She bid farewell to her fellow workers, grateful to be leaving the palace following the king's words, albeit with the weight of what had transpired on her shoulders.

As Neena walked away from the luxurious chambers and the secrets they held, she couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. Relief, confusion, and a lingering sense of dread.

...,..........

On the other side of the palace, Marlow, the king's loyal confidant, was deep in thought. He pondered the theft at his villa and the mysterious lady he had seen in the palace chambers that night on the king's bed. Marlow couldn't shake the feeling that these two incidents might be connected.

His suspicions grew as he wondered about the timing and the potential involvement of individuals who had access to both places. Determined to find answers, Marlow decided that he needed to speak to the king. With furrowed brows and an air of intrigue, he made his way to King Louis's private office, where important decisions and secrets were kept.

Marlow entered King Louis's imposing office, the grandeur of the room only slightly eclipsed by the weight of the mysteries that plagued his thoughts. The opulent chamber was bathed in the soft light of the evening sun, streaming through the enormous glass windows.

As he waited for the king, Marlow couldn't help but take a few moments to glance around the room, his eyes drifting over the extravagant items that adorned the office. Paintings of past monarchs hung on the walls, and rare artifacts from distant lands were displayed in glass cabinets. The room exuded an air of authority and power, befitting the ruler of a grand kingdom.

Marlow's curiosity got the better of him, and his gaze wandered over to a polished wooden desk, behind which King Louis conducted his affairs. Papers and documents were neatly arranged, a testament to the bureaucracy that underpinned the kingdom.

However, something on the desk caught Marlow's attention. A glimmer of gold and intricate design. He approached the desk, his eyes fixed on the object. It was an amulet, one he was unmistakably familiar with. His heartbeat quickened as he picked up the amulet. Marlow's mind raced with a mix of wonder and suspicion. This amulet was from the treasure that had been stolen from his mansion, and he was certain of it.

Questions swirled in Marlow's mind. Why did King Louis have his amulet? Could it be that the king was connected to the theft in some way? The doubts that had lingered in Marlow's thoughts intensified. His detectives had been unable to provide him with satisfactory answers, and named of the king's office, the pieces of the puzzle seemed to be falling into place.

As Marlow continued to wait for the king, his heart raced, and he clutched the amulet tightly in his hand. In the depths of his thoughts, he weighed his next actions carefully. The mysteries surrounding the palace, the lady in the chamber, and the stolen treasure from his mansion all converged at this moment.

With determination and a hint of anger, Marlow knew he had to confront the king, demand answers, and unveil the truth or else his plan plotted would mess up .

Marlow continued to examine the amulet, turning it over in his hands as he pondered its significance. Each intricate detail, each symbol etched into the gold surface, told a story. He wondered why King Louis possessed this amulet, a part of the stolen treasure from his mansion.

As Marlow was lost in thought, the imposing doors of the office swung open, and in walked King Louis. Marlow swiftly concealed the amulet in his hand, though his eyes met the king's with a hint of curiosity and apprehension.

"Your Majesty," Marlow greeted with a respectful nod.

The king acknowledged him with a regal nod of his own and took his seat behind the grand desk. The room's air was imbued with the scent of aged wood and the weight of authority.

"Marlow," King Louis began, his tone friendly and measured, "I trust your investigations have been progressing well. We need to discuss new laws and reforms for our kingdom."

Marlow cleared his throat, the amulet still hidden from view. "Indeed, Your Majesty. The journey across our land has been enlightening. We've gained invaluable insight into the challenges and concerns of our people."

The king's features softened, and he leaned forward with genuine interest. "Although I don't care but okay, Tell me, Marlow, what did you discover? What have our subjects been saying? And how do you propose we address these issues?"

Marlow was mindful of his words and knew that he had to tread carefully. "Your Majesty, we found that our subjects are yearning for a stronger sense of security, both in their homes and their livelihoods. They long for just laws, faster resolution of disputes, and more equitable distribution of resources. As for the village visit, it was an eye-opener. The people were keen to have your presence among them. They admire you greatly."

King Louis nodded thoughtfully. " I have faith in your ability to work with the council to draft these new laws.Handle it"

Marlow glanced down at the amulet concealed in his hand, a potent symbol of the mysteries that surrounded the king's palace. He knew that there were deeper questions to be answered.

"As for the concerns I've unearthed," Marlow continued, "it's commitment to the welfare of the kingdom. However, Your Majesty, there's something else of great importance that requires our attention."

The king's brow furrowed slightly as he inquired, "What is it, Marlow?"

Marlow paused, carefully choosing his words. "It appears there may be elements of our court that are not in alignment with our goals for the kingdom. Certain incidents have arisen that warrant investigation."

The king's expression remained neutral, and he nodded for Marlow to continue.

Marlow decided not to reveal the amulet just yet, opting for a more cautious approach. "I suggest we engage our trusted advisors and envoys to discreetly look into these matters. The palace should remain a bastion of integrity and honor."

King Louis's eyes flickered with a mixture of curiosity and a hint of suspicion. "Very well, Marlow. I trust your judgment. Ensure that these matters are handled with utmost discretion."

Marlow acknowledged the king's response, still clutching the amulet tightly in his hand, its cool gold surface serving as a stark reminder of the mysteries that needed to be unraveled.