…
June thrashed in Thomas's grip until he finally let her go, and she turned instantly, ready to run back in, but he blocked her path.
"Stand out of my way!" she yelled, her eyes filled with panic.
"What are you going to do inside?" Thomas questioned, irritated.
"I am supposed to be by my master's side at all times," she said, fuming and making another attempt to escape him and run back inside, but Thomas caught her easily and threw her backwards.
"Stand back unless you want to lose your head," Thomas growled.
The cold and murderous look in his eyes stopped June from moving again, and she stood quietly, pursing her lips.
Thomas hissed, greatly annoyed as he folded his arms. If anything, Lucas is the one he is concerned about. Who knows if she and Emilia plotted this coincidence together to harm him again?
June clenched her fists as she waited beside him quietly, having a different scenario run through her mind.
Thomas watched her grumble and scoffed, folding his arms tightly across his chest.
June stared a dagger at him like an angry cat, trying to give off a terrifying look, but failed and turned aside from him.
Thomas shook his head silently at her ridiculous attempt.
"Foolish and stubborn," he muttered under his breath.
June spun around, firing back at him.
"Who are you calling foolish?!" she asked, but Thomas didn't reply and instead took a step back from her, placing himself near the entrance of the pool like a sentry.
"But you do admit you are stubborn," he said with a smirk.
June narrowed her eyes.
"Why are you stopping me if you're also itching to go in, huh?"
"Because you two are dangerous," Thomas retorted.
"And you are not?" she snapped boldly, forgetting to mind her words.
"The King is the one who could wipe out a whole lineage without blinking," she blurted out.
Thomas's jaw tensed, astonished by her utter stupidity. She really doesn't like having her head on her neck.
"What do you say about me taking your head right now then?" he threatened, and June quietly withdrew to another side, shaken.
Seeing that she was finally willing to shut up, Thomas asked her curiously.
"How did you find this place out?" he demanded.
June stared back at him puzzled.
"This place is restricted," he informed her, but she rolled her eyes and shrugged.
"There's no sign that said that," she grumbled.
Thomas narrowed his eyes suspiciously. It doesn't make sense that they would find a place so secretive by mere coincidence.
"You're saying you found this place by accident? It's a far walk from your palace."
June said nothing. She stared defiantly, lips pressed into a stubborn line.
Thomas's temper boiled at her rude response. He hasn't felt this disrespected in the many years he has served by Lucas's side.
He orders thousands of soldiers daily and can't believe he is being ignored by a maid.
"Are you…" he began, but saw Lucas approaching and stepped forward to meet him instantly.
He noticed his face was flushed but couldn't detect the cause from his facial expression, which remained stern.
"Is everything alright, your Majesty?" he asked, but Lucas didn't respond and simply walked past him, his pace brisk.
"How about I escort the Queen out so you can relax?" Thomas asked again, catching up with him, but Lucas refused.
"We are leaving," he said, and Thomas furrowed but didn't object.
Then, almost as an afterthought, Lucas turned his head slightly and glanced at the empty space behind them.
"From now on, allow Queen Emilia access to this place."
Thomas blinked.
"…What?"
The pool contained memories of Lucas with his mother and that's what made it a special space. He can't believe he is letting someone else use it so easily.
As soon as the King and Thomas were out of sight, June rushed back inside.
She found Emilia still asleep in the same spot, peacefully, with no knowledge of whatever happened while Lucas was inside with her.
Relieved, June gently tapped her awake.
"Your Majesty, it's time to go."
Emilia stirred, lifting her head with a dazed expression.
"Did I… fall asleep?" she asked, surprised.
"Only for a few minutes," June answered, deciding not to tell her anything about Lucas being there.
Emilia stretched her legs and gazed toward the horizon.
"I must've gotten comfortable here."
She can't believe how relaxing the atmosphere here is.
June nodded, lifting the scattered cup and pot.
"Let's return to the palace."
~
Emilia received news the next day that Lucas was out of the palace with his officials for a routine hunt outside the palace and took Eleanor along, giving her the chance to finally calm her nerves and focus on setting her plans in place.
She tried for the next three days to find out everything she could about Henrietta or any of the queens before her, but couldn't get anything useful inside the palace and sent Alice out to meet with Louis and see if they could get anything from the people living close to Henrietta's hometown about her family's massacre.
Emilia took a nap after that and when she woke up, it was evening and June came to her instantly.
"Where is Alice?" she queried.
"I haven't seen her all day," June answered, and Emilia's brows were etched with worry.
"I'm sure she is still with the young master and will be back soon," June assured, and then offered to massage Emilia's back.
Emilia signaled lightly for her to go ahead and June tended to her with gentle hands, massaging soothing oils into her tense shoulders.
"Any news from the hunting grounds?" Emilia asked after a while.
"The hunting should end tomorrow."
"I heard consort Eleanor tried to impress the King but ended up making a joke of herself," June said, chuckling, and Emilia scolded her.
"I asked you to keep an eye on the important stuff," she said, and June apologized although not sorry.
A faint sound of sobbing broke into the room from outside and they both furrowed.
"Isn't that Alice crying?" Madam Allison asked as she approached them as well.
Alice walked over to them with her body soaked to the bone, her sobbing getting clearer, and her face was red and bruised.