23 Queen Adeline II

  If what the Pedlar said was true, that the confidential letter from England could be the orders to attack the crown prince of Persia, a war was indeed upon them. Joseph had to find out very soon to prevent the catastrophe. He couldn’t think straight or sleep well until he found out what was inside it. So, when the night came, Joseph decided to check Lord Parlings’s room for the letter and read it. He waited for midnight so Lord Parlings and his men were out, and then Joseph approached his room. He turned the handle gently, but it was locked. Of course it was. Joseph pushed and pulled, praying that his force could budge the door open, but nothing happened.

  “What are you doing?” someone said, startling Joseph.

  Joseph jumped, holding onto the door. It was Behzad. “Jesus,” he whispered. “What are you doing here? You startled me!”

  “Why are you whispering?” Behzad said.

  Joseph straightened his height. “I didn’t want to wake you.”

  “I never slept.” Behzad looked at Joseph’s hand on the doorknob. “What do you want from his room?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Joseph. I do not tolerate any disrespect regarding my guests. Tell me what you were doing, or I will report you as a thief.”

  “You wouldn’t,” Joseph said, waiting for Behzad to drop the matter.

  “I’m calling the guards," Behzad said, walking away.

  Joseph sprinted after him, grabbing his wrist “Parlings is hiding something,” he blurted out.

  Behzad stopped and turned to him. “And what does it have to do with you?”

  “I believe he is planning something dangerous.”

  “You’re paranoid and delusional.”

  “I know British men, Behzad.”

  Behzad approached him again. “Under no circumstances shall I let you enter his bedroom.”

  “Let us make a deal. I will enter Parlings' room—"

  “I just said I will not let you enter his room under any circumstances!”

  “Listen to me first!”

  “No!”

  “Behzad, please! If I find nothing, you can surrender me to your guards, but if I do, you will let me go.”

  “You are insane!”

  “I’m a man of my word.”

  “You want to risk your life only to spy on Rufus?”

  “Yes.”

  “If I report you as a thief, you will face charges in England too!”

  “I know.” Joseph was persistent, which distressed Behzad. “Please,” Joseph pleaded.

  “All right,” Behzad said. “Fine. But I will stand here and watch you. You won’t take anything from his room.”

  “Accepted.”

  Behzad took a deep breath and tried preparing himself mentally. “Dear Lord,” he mumbled. “All right.” He shook his head and took a key out of his pocket.

  “What is that?” Joseph asked.

  “It’s a Master key. It opens every lock.”

  “I didn’t know you had that.”

  “Hush.”

  Behzad opened the door with a swift motion and entered. Joseph followed him with a confused face. Behzad didn’t seem like a man who would have a Master key to open every door. Joseph lit a candle and started searching around the room. He looked at every corner and drawer, between the layers of folded mattresses, behind the long curtains, in vases, and above the wooden closet. Nothing suspicious was there.

  Behzad cursed under his breath. “Joseph,” he said in a defeated voice.

  “Wait,” Joseph said, still searching.

  “Joseph. You won't find anything.”

  “Give me a few more minutes.”

  “Joseph!” Behzad shouted.

  “All right!” Joseph stood straight. “All right. Fine. You’re right. I’m a man of my word. Let us go.”

  Behzad waited beside the wooden closet for Joseph to exit. Disappointed, Joseph walked toward the door with a long face, but something caught his attention so he stopped, pulling his foot on the floor. Behzad wondered what he was doing. Something didn’t feel right under his feet. He rubbed his boot on the rug a few times.

  “What are you doing?” Behzad asked.

  Joseph knelt and touched the rug beneath his boots. It was bumpy. “I believe we found what we were looking for.”

  “Joseph…,” Behzad said, not believing him. “We must leave before Rufus returns.”

  Joseph lifted the side of the rug impatiently and saw a letter there. “See?” he said as his eyes lit.

  Behzad looked haunted. He knelt by Joseph and tossed the rug to a side, revealing dozens of letters on the other side. They both were shocked. All the letters had confidential stamps on them.

  “That sneaky bastard,” Joseph said in shock.

  “We don’t know what’s in the letters,” Behzad said. “It could be good things. It’s not necessarily going to be a bad thing.”

  “We can find out.”

  “You’re not going to read them, are you?”

  “I entered the room despite your threats. You think I won’t read the letters?” He sat there, with one candle on the floor, opened one of the letters, and read it.

  “Dear Lord Parlings,

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Her Majesty wishes me to write and inform you that your inability in completing this mission has disappointed her dearly.

  If you do not obtain any information regarding the Hood and his whereabouts very soon, Her Majesty shall abort your mission and expenses. You will be on your own.

  Your immediate response is awaited.

  Yours sincerely

  Julianne Sothern

  Lady-in-waiting”

  Joseph’s mouth opened in shock. The Hood could be only one person; the mysterious healer.

  “What is it?” Behzad asked.

  “I knew it!”

  “Tell me!”

  “The Queen wants Parlings to find the Pedlar.”

  “What?”

  “It’s not a hobby or an adventure for him. It’s something much more important.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Read it,” Joseph said, handing Behzad the letter. While Behzad read that, Joseph opened another letter.

  The other few letters were from Parlings to the Queen. The only thing they talked about was the Hood. The last letter Joseph opened was stamped ‘Highly confidential’. He opened it with care.

  “Dear Lord Parlings,

  I am pleased to finally have learned about the Hood. The palace’s rumors are loud, and I am old. My patience is running thin.

  I’m afraid we won’t have the luxury of seeing her alive in England before my eyes. That won't be necessary, considering she’s a girl. Do what you must and let Lord Sherman, ?????????????, and Captain Marchesi be witnesses. I want a sealed and signed letter from all of you confirming her death by the end of this month.

  After that, your new title awaits you at Nowkey. Do not disappoint me.

  Yours sincerely,

  Queen Adeline II”

  “Dear Lord,” Joseph said, covering his mouth.

  Behzad heard footsteps, so he hushed Joseph. They pulled the rug back on the letters, fixed the place like they found it, and left the room. Behzad ran toward his room, and Joseph followed him. He filled a glass for Joseph and handed it to him, then grabbed one himself and sat next to Joseph.

  “I can’t believe it,” Behzad said. “I refuse to believe it. An order from the Queen? Queen Adeline the Second of England? She seems like the most unbothered woman in the world.”

  “You are the only foreigner who believes British people are nice.”

  “It can’t be. Rufus is not such a person.”

  “Behzad, please,” Joseph said. “What did I tell you? I knew he was hiding something. When we were at the palace, I got injured by a trap. Parlings told me it was a deer trap, knowing damn well that it wasn’t since he is a hunter. It was a trap to capture the Pedlar and kill her instantly.”

  “Dear God!”

  “I wonder if he is a hunter of animals or people. That makes him far more dangerous than I thought. We would never discover his intentions if you didn’t have that key. He even knows where the pedlar is since he has been leaving his traps in the right locations.”

  “What do you mean right location? The pedlar was at the palace?”

  “Not the palace. At the very far woods behind the palace.”

  “I wished you were wrong. I wished you were only paranoid. God, it feels awful. I can’t believe I am upset that I did not have to report you to the guards.”

  “You wound me!”

  “You know what I mean. I never wanted to see this side of Rufus. I have never known him, and it hurts.”

  “I must apologize.”

  “What for? You did nothing wrong. Except opening his door and spying on him.”

  “Because we broke your trust and violated your hospitality.”

  “Sometimes we choose not to discover the truth because the burden is heavy.”

  “I know,” Joseph mumbled.

  “Thank you for opening my eyes.”

  Joseph nodded and drank from the white drink. His mouth twitched. “What is this?”

  Behzad looked at him. “This? It’s Doogh.”

  “What is Doogh? I thought you were giving me alcohol.”

  “No. It’s a sour beverage to balance your body.”

  “What?”

  “We had a stressful time. We need our body to function better.”

  “It’s weird.”

  “I know. You’ll grow to love it.”

  Joseph kept recalling the letters and what was written inside them. “In the letter,” he said, catching Behzad’s attention.

  “Hmm?” Behzad said.

  “The Queen assigned three men to witness the Pedlar’s death,” Joseph said. “But one name was smudged. Lord Sherman and Captain Marchesi are my acquaintances. I didn’t know they would agree to do such a thing.”

  “I suppose we both think too good of people.”

  “That’s true. Why do you think the Queen said she doesn’t want the Pedlar in England since she is a girl? What does it have to do with her gender?”

  “Maybe the Queen respects men and not women."

  “The Queen is not like that. There must be something else. Please do not say anything about the Pedlar or what we did to Parlings. I don’t want him to know we have learned things about her.”

  “Of course, I won’t tell him. Don’t worry.”

  Joseph took another sip of the white sour drink and still didn’t like it. He had to find the Pedlar and tell her about Parlings’ true intentions. That was the only thing on his mind, and he would not rest until fulfilling it.

  The palace was highly guarded for the next week. They were preparing for a feast. The Pedlar’s thought did not leave Joseph’s mind, especially in his sober state. After Behzad asked him to stay sober, Joseph honored his request. He respected Behzad dearly. But it was too difficult to quit drinking when his mind was a master at making him miserable.

  “Can you find a way to enter the palace?” Joseph asked Behzad while riding on a horse next to him.

  “It seems this is the only thing I’ve been doing lately.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. But this is urgent.”

  “I might find a way. What for?”

  “I can’t tell you.”

  “You’re hiding things from me. I don’t like it.”

  “I promise you that I will not harm you in any way. Keeping this a secret is for your well-being. I don’t want Parlings to interrogate you.”

  “Is the Pedlar at the palace?”

  “Behzad…”

  “All right. I won’t ask. There is a ceremony. I might be able to get an invitation.”

  “You’re a life-saver.”

  “But I must warn you. The palace has doubled their guards since the last time the crown prince was stabbed.”

  “Of course.”

  “If you do anything stupid, I can’t help you.”

  “I understand.”

  “I don’t think you take my words seriously, Joseph. Are you going to betray me like Parlings?”

  “No! Absolutely not.” Behzad’s gaze stayed on the road for a few minutes, not speaking of anything. “I’m sorry, Behzad,” Joseph said, and Behzad looked at him. “I’m sorry that Parlings deceived you and lied to you.”

  Behzad shrugged, pulling the reins to slow down the horse. “I guess it always happens with you guys, right?”

  Joseph hated how Behzad thought of them. “No. Not always,” he said. “I know you have no trust in me or Parlings, and you’re right. I don’t blame you.”

  “It’s not like that. I just don’t understand why one would betray one’s friend. I thought we were friends. Perhaps I was wrong.”

  Joseph shook his head. “You’re not wrong.” He moved a branch out of his way while riding slowly. “When I was in London, I had only one companion. Thomas Lancaster. He is a wise, loyal man. He built my character, saved me from my drunk father, and helped me grow. I owe him my life. Yet I never told him how I felt. After my wife and son’s death, I was once again alone. And he was still there for me. I never thanked him, never considered him as my friend. Who is a friend? I didn’t know. I still don’t know.”

  “You have lived a very lonely life.”

  “Yes. But I know one thing. You are a great companion. I appreciate your presence. Your kind words have changed my perspective on the world. I’m at more ease now than I have ever been in these four years.”

  Behzad smiled. “Are you drunk, Joseph?”

  “These are the soberest words you’ll hear from me. I haven’t drunk since you asked me not to.”

  Behzad couldn’t believe him. “You’re jesting.”

  “I’m one hundred percent serious.”

  Behzad smiled again. “You listened to me.”

  “Don’t make me repeat myself.”

  “It’s good to be vulnerable, Joseph.”

  “I’m carrying a knife.”

  Behzad chuckled. “Coming from a man with the softest heart.”

  Joseph smiled too. “I guess you can mock me.”

  “That’s what friends do.”

  Joseph looked at him again while pulling the reins to stop the horse. Behzad stopped too. It was nice to hear ‘friend’ from Behzad. “Yes,” Joseph said. “That’s what friends do.”

  “Also, friends can borrow a hundred coins,” Behzad said. Joseph laughed. “I’m serious,” Behzad said. “I deserve a hundred coins since Rufus deceived me.”

  They started riding again and talked about their lives. Joseph realized he could spend most of his day with Behzad without being bored or tired. Behzad was intelligent and compassionate. He knew about many things, which fascinated Joseph.

  After a few days, Behzad could finally get invitations to the palace. Joseph and Behzad tidied up and got ready to go to the ceremony. Parlings wasn’t there, so it was easier to find the Pedlar.

  “The feast is called Sadeh,” said Behzad as they entered the palace. He looked the most handsome Joseph had seen him in his colorful clothes.

  “What is Sadeh?” Joseph asked while looking at the nobles around him. His eyes explored every corner to find the Pedlar.

  “Sadeh marks the day ancient Persians found fire,” Behzad said. “It’s fifty days left to Spring.”

  Joseph sighed. The winter was half gone, and he still hadn’t returned to England. He knew why he hadn’t returned. The healer. He had to pay his debt first.

  Behzad got busy talking to the nobles. Joseph parted from him and kept searching for the healer. She wasn’t in the crowd or anywhere near the servants. He searched for her long black hair and found the Princess instead. The Princess was talking to a woman close to her. He waited for their talk to be over to approach her.

  “Mainwood!” a man said, stopping Joseph in his tracks.

  Joseph turned to look at the man. “Lord Sherman,” he said in disbelief, his face losing its color. Lord Sherman was a viscount from Nowkey. Joseph knew him from university.

  “You look like a ghost,” Lord Sherman said, cutting into Joseph’s thoughts. “Are you all right?”

  He wasn’t. Lord Sherman was in Persia for only one reason; witnessing the Pedlar’s death.