Chapter 25 - Strict Spy

James looked back at the door as he walked into the king's chamber. It was unusually widely opened. He proceeded to the inner bed chamber.

The bed was empty. The King was out of bed and the Queen Mother who he had expected to find beside him was nowhere to be found.

If the king could walk away from his bed. It will be either one of two possible ways. He was either carried or he was healed.

James grabbed the pillow on the bed impatiently. He squeezed it hard between his hands. It didn't seem like what he put within it was still there.

He hugged the pillow tight to his chest, compressing it hard to flatten out. There was obviously nothing in this pillow.

They had found out the talisman and removed it. He gasped for breath and looked around. No one had come in yet. He bent down looking all over the floor maybe he could found it, must it have dropped from the pillow.

"You lost something?" Queen Teresa asked from behind.

James was frozen. He didn't hear any footsteps. He closed his eyes and controlled his breath to gain momentum.

He rose up instantly and turned to face her.

"Mother!" he exclaimed. "I was wondering where everyone went. Michael just told me the king's condition has worsened" he said with some quirky smiles.

"And you thought underneath the bed is where I and the king has sought refuge, isn't it?" Queen Teresa asked strictly.

"Actually, no" James denied.

"But I met you on your four limbs with a very worried breath" she declared.

"I misplace a ring and I thought maybe I have dropped it here. But I think I will have to search my chamber all over again. And where is the King?" he asked finally.

"Here I am, hale and hearty" the Alpha king marched in behind Queen Teresa.

"Ohh! You are well!" James exclaimed and gasped. Everything seemed like a dream to him.

"Yes, but mind you. I still have to pretend sick for some while. You won't believe a voodoo was stuck in my pillow to make me sick" the Alpha King went back to lie on the bed.

"So I have to pretend sick until we found the culprit who did that" he explained.

"Pretend you are sick? You mean you want to fool everybody?" James asked like he couldn't understand what that meant.

"Yes, James. The culprit should be discovered and apprehended" he contended.

"I don't think that is a good idea, Father. Your sickness will not help the state affairs and you know what the news of your indisposition can cause" James appealed but the Alpha King was already waving his hand before he finished talking.

"You should try and handle state affairs in that case with the assistance of the sagacious Mother Queen" the Alpha King chuckled.

James turned to Queen Teresa. Her face was not looking pleased at all. She quickly smiled as she noticed James staring at her.

"It is high time I take break, anyway" the Alpha King closed his eyes and inhaled like he was in relaxation.

"I will make you proud, Father" James put his hand on his own chest. He was very happy about that and he couldn't hide it.

He was previously worried his father becoming better would hinder his plan but it didn't change anything. It even made it easier.

"I will make you proud, Father. You will see a bit of the king that will live after you to uphold your legacy" he promised again.

James headed out of the chamber once again but not in the mood he came in with. He was now better and happier.

It was time to set the ball rolling and put everything into place. There was still one thing he needed to consider. Michael must have known about the king pretending to still remain sick.

And the only way, they could have found out about the pillow was through Julia. He wondered how Julia had been managing to know his secret despite how careful Harold had been.

He needed to be extra careful about her. Her further meddling in his plans would be threatening to his ambition.

He was still missing something. He wanted a way he could make her work for him and choose him over Michael.

He needed that as well.

He headed back to his chamber. It was time to start the next phase of his plan. He had to inform Quentin to make the illusions ready.

*********************

Julia was startled as James walked in violently. He was almost pouncing on everything in his way. His countenance was as bad as hell.

Julia wondered what was going on with him. With the King sick. He was winning anyway. He didn't have to be sad like this.

He walked over to Julia and stopped. He smiled an obviously forceful smile.

"I don't know how you use to do it but I must applaud you. You are good at what you do" he chuckled.

Julia knew he was talking about spying on him for Michael but she would pretend she didn't understand what he was saying.

"What are you talking about?" she questioned eagerly.

"How do you use to discover my secret?" he asked straight away.

"I only know what you tell me" she replied, shaking like she was overwhelmed by him.

"The same way I told you I had something hidden in the King's pillow?" he asked.

"I didn't know anything about the king's pillow. I don't even understand any of what you are saying" she looked downward and shook his head.

"You are good at lying and I am good at detecting liars. I am just surprised you could still choose after I promised to turn you from a maid into a queen" he grumbled.

"My Lord. I haven't done anything against your will. I do not know why you castigate me" she lied.

"I am reprimanding you because of how you have been sabotaging my plans!" he yelled at her.

"I beg you. I did not do any of all you accuse me of" Julia was very sure he was only guessing. He would never be certain how she did that.

"Just tell me what he promised you that is more beneficial than being a Queen?" he asked calmly. He was very sad he couldn't understand her.

"There is nothing more grand than being a Queen in a kingdom, as the king's throne is adored by you. So do I feel about being a Queen" she looked at him straight in the face to sound believable.

"Then why do you keep working for him?" James was furious again.

"Just tell me what you want me to do, My Lord. And I will impress you" Julia pretended to be gasping as a result of fear.

"Nothing!" he roared. "What I need you to do is nothing" he thumped his foot on the floor angrily.

"As you wish, My Lord" she bowed slowly and moved backward away from him.

James stared at her with sadness. He obviously didn't know what to do with her. He remained silent like that for some moment, just staring at her.

"What else do you know?" he said softly.

"I know nothing" Julia replied quickly.

"Tell me what you know now" he said slowly with force. He seemed sure there was more inside her than what he thought.

"I know nothing. You have kept me in darkness since some days past. I can not guess anything you have planned" Julia sobbed. She wanted him to be deceived that she was already frustrated.

"If that is the case, that you really know nothing. Then you should tell him that I am starting a war to seize the kingdom. A war that will shake everything within this land. A war of takeover" he emphasized.

"A war?" Julia acted like that sounded new to her. "None of us is going to be safe" she showed fear.

"That is not what is going to happen. That is what you need to tell him" he assured her.

"I will do that, My Lord" she bowed again.

She knew James was playing a game on her and Michael. She had not just found out yet what he intended to get from that.

She would also need a way to make Michael seemed to him that she had told him that. That was going to be hard.

Michael had not known that James had discovered her. He only said something about James suspecting her.

"Why do you look like that is going to be hard for you to do?" James said suddenly.

Julia's pondering must have reflected in her face for him to notice.

"I think I am frightened by the mention of war. It arrested my mind" Julia quickly collected herself together.

"I said the war is not something you should worry about" he repeated sternly.

"I understand. I will carry out your wish. Can I go now?" she sought his approval.

"No. You should wait till I tell you to move" he moaned and walked away from her.