Clarification

I apologize for the confusion.

Simon did not understand the severity of the meeting with the crown prince. Walker Lane said as Jess sat facing her and the man with her.

We needed to brief you on protocols to follow for your first task. But we were disappointed that you had other business of more importance that needed your attention. Walker Lane said, giving Jess the side eye.

I am sorry for delaying the meeting. It was never my intention, Jess said apologetically.

The crown prince had to attend the meeting alone, discarding the earlier arrangement because of your delay. We thought of asking your sister to stand in for you, but she got scared and ran away, Walker Lane explained.

Daniel was not interested in the conversation between the women. He wanted to snuggle into the warm comfort of his bed and nap after an exhausting week.

He had planned to take some time to look for his runaway sister, but Walker Lane just had to drag him to this meeting.

It was beginning to make sense why Mia was running.

Mia could never stand any form of pain as she had been a pampered child since birth. The day she escorted Mom to the next village to help out one of our mom’s cousins who was getting married, we did not hear the last of it until after a week or two.

She complained of body aches and how she had to stay up all night as she had to serve guests from far-away villages who came to attend the wedding.

Mia did not lift a finger to do anything in the house for an entire month after that incident, as she needed the rest to recuperate.

I am sorry for not explaining the situation to my family, Jess said apologetically.

Walker Lane nodded her head in understanding.

What meeting was I supposed to attend with the crown prince? Jess asked.

She had never met the crown prince before. There were many rumors about him and his ruthless ways of dealing with people who crossed him, but Jess had never believed any of them.
The meeting you stumble upon, when you enter a room that was off limits to guests, Daniel chimed.

After thinking for a while, he realized this was the girl his brother had been dreaming about.

He finally found her, he thought with a smile.

What? Jess asked.

Was the crown prince there as well? She asked.

If you saw a middle-aged man dressed in blue and with a golden mask, would be my brother, the crown prince of Zaza. Daniel explained.

Her eyes widened in surprise, and her lips parted for lack of words. It dawned on her that the crown prince was the one who claimed her as his in the presence of those men.

She quickly stood up when the realization dawned on her that she was before the prince of Zaza and had not paid her respect to him.

Forgive me, Your Highness. I was unaware of who you were and failed to pay my respects. Jess explained apologetically.

It is not me you have to worry about. I am nice compared to my brother. Just make sure you are on his good side so that you do not find out the other side of him, as Elder James is about to find out.

Jess blinked her eyes as creased lines formed on her face from worry. She replayed the events and prayed earnestly in her heart that she had not ticked off the crown prince.

So it was the crown prince trying to protect her from the wandering eyes of the men in the room, and she had behaved rudely with him.

She had heard of his personality from the men who worked in the royal court that the crown prince does not forgive. This thought sent a shiver down her spine.
But why was he speaking ill against himself? She wondered.

For your benefit, I hope you did not negatively cross him because he shows no mercy to those who offend him, Daniel explained.

Seeing the fear in her eyes, Walker Lane elbowed Daniel, trying to get him to keep quiet or be gentler with his words.

Daniel had no filter to his words. He spoke his mind as it came to him without considering the effect of his words on the person hearing them.

You do not have to worry. The crown prince may be firm and strict, but he is a man who upholds truth and justice. He will not punish you without a valid reason, Walker Lane said.

She was trying to calm her nerves, but her words did the opposite, as Jess feared that her clumsy self would somehow make a mistake that would land her in trouble. It seemed working for the crown prince would not be as smooth sailing as she thought.

Jess was reconsidering the offer because of how strict the crown prince seemed.

Forgive me for saying this. I do not think I am the best fit for this job. Jess whispered, but loud enough for them to hear.

That is for my brother to decide and not you. You have been privy to sensitive information that could harm the progress of our investigation, so it is too late to back out now.

Daniel, you do not have to frighten the young lady with your words. Walker Lane, who was sitting beside him, said.

I am only preparing her mind on what to expect, he defended.

Walker Lane knew it was a bad idea to have Daniel accompany her to the meeting, but he insisted on tagging along, as he wanted to see the girl that his brother fancied.
The crown prince will not be available to meet you for a while. He will summon you to the palace once his diary is free. Walker Lane said.

On the ride back to the castle, Jess admired the beautiful scenery illuminated by the moonlight.

Her head was outside the carriage as the wind blew past her face. She was now at peace after Walker Lane clarified the issue.