212 I AM THE CROWN PRINCESS

"I apologized for being late, milady. I was apprehensive at first. But I don't want an innocent man to bear the punishment of an act that he did not do."

The man bowed down to the two ladies in front of her. 

Zoe and Erin glanced at each other and nodded, both agreeing in the decision to hold off going to the Royal Investigation Area for the meantime.

Erin directed them to a room where he could speak freely with no one listening. She grew wary among the people around her since the incident with Era took place.

She was certain that it was only her and Azra around when Lord Hou mentioned the key to the vault. Not unless there is someone else who knows that it is behind the picture frame. And it's likely impossible.

As soon as she sat down, he started narrating what happened during his journey.

"I was on my way to deliver the cupcakes as requested by Lord Azra. I chose the shortcut route in the forest so I can make more errands afterward. But along the way, a group of men attacked me and ransacked the carriage."

Erin's hold on the arm rest tightened its grip as she growled. "Who dared sabotage my cupcakes?"

The man glanced up as his head was bowed down. His eyes widened in fear as his ears caught the fire from Erin's fury. As he did so, Zoe noticed that his right eye appeared different from the left. But she didn't say anything.

"They were the royal guards and gave me a paper stating if they can look inside as they were searching for an intruder in the land."

Zoe and Erin gulped as they gave a side glance. Erin prodded him to continue on. 

"What did they do to your goods?"

The man continued on. "They must have learned that I only have a delivery with me, they let me go immediately."

Zoe brushed her hair to her side. "I think everything's normal. They were just probably doing their job."

The man nodded, his eye twitched as he pressed on with the story. 

"That's what I thought at first. Until after I delivered the cupcakes, together with the other foods that I delivered. When I was about to clean my carriage for my next pick up, I smelled that my carpet smells like arsenic."

Erin gasped in shock while Zoe's muscles went rigid in response to the man's revelation. 

"T-the royal guards put the arsenic to the cupcakes? But why?!"

Zoe's eyes narrowed as an appearance of a smirking man appeared in her mind. 

'Lord Vigo.'

Zoe crossed her arm, her eyebrows furrowed as she contemplated hard. "Why would he assassinate the Queen? And why does he want the Hou's to be responsible for it?"

Her thoughts were disturbed when the man continued on.

"I kept it to myself thinking that it could probably just be garlic or perhaps one of my deliveries before had some arsenic in it and I just noticed it when I cleaned. But when I heard about the rumors that the Queen experienced arsenic poisoning during Lady Wiktoria's birthday, I have to do something about it."

The man wiped his palms on his knees as they trembled in nervousness.

Erin nodded and smiled at him. "It must have been hard for you. Thank you for letting us know about this."

The man bowed to them. "I am willing to testify if needed be."

Zoe and Erin's eyes glittered in joy, his words seemed like music in their ears. 

"But wait, we are dealing with the royal guards here. And they were not to be belittled. I tell you."

Zoe said as she was reminded of the viciousness of the royal guards as she just came from that place.

"Why don't we look for His Highness first and tell this to him firsthand?" Erin suggested, which made Zoe nod in agreement. 

"You're right. But where could the Crown Prince be?" Zoe thought aloud. 

Amidst the confusion, she was getting worried about him too. He was not the type who would stop unless he gets what he wants even if it harms him in the process. 

'I just have to follow my heart.'

Zoe stood up. "We will go to the Castle."

Erin stood up as well. "Are you sure he's going to be there?" 

"Yes." Zoe dashed outside followed by Erin and the man.

"Let me come with you, miladies. It might be dangerous for only the two of you." 

Zoe nodded. Erin was walking on ahead to get another horse for the man when Zoe whispered to the man's ear.

"Whatever happens, please save Erin first."

The man gave her an incredulous look, but tilted his head in consent of her request.

As they reached the Castle, the royal guards pointed their spears at them and stopped them from entering it.

"Tags please."

The man immediately went for his purse and brought out his tag. Meanwhile, Zoe and Erin froze as they don't have a tag yet until now.

Zoe immediately thought of an idea.

"Please inform the Crowned Prince that the Crowned Princess is here." She bowed to them.

The royal guards on duty stared at each other in astonishment. One of them ran to their head for that day to inform him of the Castle's unexpected guest. 

The head ran back to them to verify the guards's claim. As he saw Zoe, he recalled seeing the Crowned Prince taking her to the carriage and kissing her cheeks.

He immediately bowed down to her and commanded the other royal guards to do the same. 

"Greetings, your Highness."

Zoe tilted her chin and straightened her shoulders as she stepped forward. Even though her heart was banging like a hammer against her chest.

"They are with me. You don't need to check on them." She declared in an authoritative voice.

"Apologies, your Highness."

Erin's eyes widened in glee but she clamped her lips to contain her excitement as they passed through the scrutiny of the Castle's strict security.

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When you know yourself, you are empowered. When you know your purpose, you are invincible.