Chapter 40

Ambrose POV

After Nalani went to sleep I started my investigation. I headed for the said crime scene, the royal kitchens. This was the time the servants ate their dinner so it was the perfect time for an impromptu inspection. The culprit might be around us. I suspected he was still in this castle since his plan didn't work.

I expected him to pull another stunt since he wanted me dead so badly. I will wait for him to get desperate then he will definitely make a mistake. I will corner the little rat until I catch him and when I do I will skin him alive for hurting my woman.

The state Nalani was in is one I never want to witness again. I will keep her safe. I will protect what is mine. And if anyone tries to take her away from me I will cut them down. Every time the images of her laying on the cell floor unconscious flashes through my mind, a rage I had hidden deep inside me starts to spill. It grows and threatens to take over my mind and body.

I was eager to know who caused all this ruckus in my castle. Who was so unafraid that they thought they could kill me. Since I was not dead, they raised an alarm and alerted me. I have been lenient with so many people. I knew most of the noblemen wanted to kill me but I thought they didn't have the guts to do it. Apparently one of those rats had the balls to do it.

Since this was the condition Nalani had before she could become my Queen I will look into it personally. I could force her and make her mine but I didn't want to . I wanted Nalani to choose me. I wanted her to give herself to me wholy without any resentment on her side.

My trusted knights followed me to the royal kitchens. As expected all the castle servants were in the dining room eating their dinner. I walked in and stood at the entrance .

" Surround the dining area" I commanded

"Yes your highness"

Just like that, everyone panicked.

"You will all stay in your seats"

" yes, your highness" they answered but I could sense their fear.

Fear my old friend. We meet again. A long time has passed since I instilled fear in everyone. Maybe that's why they have been behaving poorly. Thinking they own this place, it was time to remind everyone who they belong to. As long as they are a citizen of this kingdom, they belong to me and I hold their fate in my hands.

" Mrs Smith" I called

"Yes Sire" she moved from her seat and came towards me.

" Mr Smith" I called once more

"Yes your highness" the old man came towards me and stood by my side .

With their help I'll be able to close this case quickly.

"  I want the both of you to point out the chefs in this Castle"

They called them out one by one in front of me. Once they were done , the chefs who were all male knelt before me.

" Who was working in the kitchens the day I was poisoned?" I asked

They all stayed silent. I could almost hear the sounds of crickets . So they won't talk.

"Who was in charge of my food? " I growled

I could see some of the servants flinch at my tone. I wasn't here to play games with them. One of this crazy bastards almost killed me and here they are, silent like dead bodies. If they want to remain silent forever I won't mind.

Swiftly, I took a sword from one of the knights closest to me. They should know I meant business. I raised the sword and asked again. This time I heard murmuring but no definite answer. They think being quiet will exempt them from my wrath.

The rage that was hibernating inside me started awaking. I watched them cowering in fear but neither of them told me what I wanted to hear. They didn't want to set each other up, it seems even with their lives on the line. If they didn't think their lives were important then why should I.

"  Who was it" I asked for the last time.

" It wasn't me" they said uniformly.

Huh... A smirk made it way on my face as I looked at them. So be it. I raised my sword and sliced the first one in half. The other servants gasped while some screamed at the scene. He fell forward. Dead. The rest started shaking. Now they knew I meant business.

" Your highness, you need to come down" Mrs Smith tried to reason with me but I was beyond reasoning.

" They fucking tried to kill me. How can I come down!" I demanded.

I raised my sword once again and cut down the next one. The others started crawling further away from me as if it would help their case.

I signalled my knights and they dragged them back to my feet.

" If you decide to be silent I will continue killing each one of you until no one is left" I threatened

My voice felt foreign even to me. It was like a beast had taken over my body and it demanded blood.

" You!" I pointed at one of the chef's infront of me.

"  I was off that day however he was the one in charge that day" he pointed at one of the dead bodies.

"  How convenient? Huh....blame it on the dead body which can't speak"

Before he could defend himself I sliced him into halves. Only two were remaining. They were trembling and shaking that it was visible. I knew I had instilled the fear of God into them. Since they were juniors based on their clothing I gave them another chance.

" Speak" I commanded.

" I- I w-was w-working that d-d-day" one stammered

" Tell who was around . Point everyone out"

He pointed at everyone who was in the kitchens that day from morning to evening. He explained what happened in detail while he stammered but I was patient enough to listen.

" There was another chef, he is not here today though "

" When is the last time you saw him?"

" The next morning your highness. He was going towards the stables which I found suspicious but I concluded that he might be going to see someone"

Nalani was right. There was indeed someone else in the kitchen.

" What was the name of that chef?"

" Jonathan your highness"

" You can all leave"

The servants didn't need to be told twice. They rushed out of the room like they were on fire. I was left with Mr and Mrs Smith, my knights and the dead bodies.

"  Dispose of the dead bodies" I ordered " And you two follow me to my office"

I left for my office while the rest were left to their task. Once we were at the privacy of my office I asked the two how a random stranger was able to get into the royal kitchens.

" Your highness, Jonathan was hired by Sir Carl a long time ago. He used to work in the stable but he was promoted to kitchen duties. What we don't understand is how he became a chef" Mr Smith explained

Sir Carl. Why do I keep on hearing his name each time there is a disaster in the Castle. Could it be my suspicions of him are true. Was it possible he wasn't as loyal as he pretends to be? The facts were someone tried to kill me and framed Nalani for the crime. This was someone who has been in this castle. Someone who has worked here somehow.

Someone who had access to us. Someone who could observe us without getting caught. Everyone was a suspect .