Chapter Seventy-One: A suspicious incident

After the maid served the tea, she left and James and Clair alone once again.

But it couldn't really be referred to as 'alone', because of the guards outside.

If Clair had not met with her therapist earlier, she would have had a mini panic attack at the moment. Or maybe it was because James was there…

..and he made her comfortable

No, the heck?

They are technically arch-nemesis, in a collaboration based on their interests.

'I'll just try to convince myself of that for a second.' She thought to herself, it was the only way he could ease down her anxiety.

Such problems James did not know about and would not understand.

Nobody would, which is why she wanted to keep these things to herself.

Not even Doctor Liz could know how vulnerable she's capable of being.

Clair was yet to meet a person whom she can trust and be vulnerable with.

Anyway, the reason for this thought was because of how uncomfortable it was off there knowing there were so many royal guards around her.

This life was not something she was used to, but James was.

And so he noticed her discomfort right away.

"I had hoped this would put you at ease, I'm sorry, but I simply cannot dismiss the guards. If there is anything else-"

"No, don't worry, I'm fine with this." Clair shook her head.

She picked up her teacup and froze.

As an assassin, her senses were stronger and more sensitive. So, when she smelled the weird ingredient on the tea, she immediately placed it down.

"Stop!" She pushed the teacup out of James's hand right away, making it fall and break into pieces on the ground.

Sighing in relief, Clair was completely shocked when all the curtains opened and the guards were now surrounding them at every corner.

There were almost twenty of them.

Her gaze turned icy. The urge to snap their necks and finally get some peace and privacy surfaced.

She took a deep breath in and sat back down.

Jame turned to the guards and urged them to back down.

Stubbornly, they only took a step back.

"What happened?"

"There's something wrong with the tea." She told him.

"Are you sure?" He frowned.

So many questions were in both their heads.

Why did someone so boldly poison the tea of the crown prince in the palace? Isn't that too risky?

And why did James not smell anything? He too was trained for such situations, and someone trusted checked earlier all the food on this table.

Thus, it made little sense.

Taking her cup he brought it to his nose and frowned.

"Yours is the only one that has something wrong with it. Mine was perfectly fine." He informed her, making her furrow her eyebrows.

"Take everything away for examination." He ordered and handed her a hand.

Clair took it and followed him out.

She was completely silent.

This made absolutely no sense at all.

"Something's wrong."

"I know." He responded by tightening his grip on her hand.

Something was far from good.

This was very confusing and suspicious.

"Have they checked on the maid who brought the tea in?" Clair said.

"They will, it's protocol." He replied.

Clair inhaled sharply and looked up at him, observing his outfit.

He had a white-collar shirt on with some back pants; he was dressed like he would on a normal office day and his hair was not styled or anything.

He looked ready to eat breakfast and go back to the city.

She was dressed more elegantly and was getting far more attention than they intended at first.

Is this why he was targeted?

Wouldn't the logical thing to do, be attacking the crown Prince?

How is she important in this calculation?

And why now? Did they know she would be here?

No! This had to be a last-minute cooked up plan. Which means it must have a thousand flaws.

And isn't the food tested before serving? It must involve servants!

"Sh*t." She suddenly blurted out.

"A test." He finished as if he had been on the same train of thoughts as her.

She nodded and finished, "For me…"

"I don't understand. Is this your mother acting up again? I hope you understand as much as I am gifted with my abilities, I cannot accept 'tests' from your people. The only reason I show my true ability is when my life's in danger, therefore will my life be in danger every time they want to test me? What if I fail and die?" Clair gave him a serious expression and her tone turned cold.

He couldn't blame her.

This was wrong and he would get to the person behind this as soon as possible.

"Don't worry, this will stop. I will sort this out. I will protect you."

"The one whom you should protect is yourself but I will trust you on this." Clair nodded.

"I will bring you home and send you the report of my investigation." He told her as they continued walking and did not comment on her first sentance.

"Would you like me to order some food for you?" He asked.

"No, it's fine. I've eaten enough." She denied.

He nodded, and they silently walked back and called Lady Weld to return Clair's things.

James understood she was upset, and honestly, he was too.

Just like him, Lady Weld also understood the suddenly tense atmosphere and did not make a fuss. But before James and Clair could leave, she made him promise he would bring Clair back at all costs.

****

When James dropped off Clair at her own mansion so that she could get ready for work, he headed towards Yves residence instead.

He had an 'appointment' with Clair's father.

James felt something heavy on his chest as his driver took him to his destination.

He was not telling Clair the whole truth, and it pained him. She's someone who deserves to know the truth. But he was doing this for his country and because Clair's father requested him to.

He inwardly promised to tell her as soon as he could.

Walking inside Mr. Yves's office, he took a seat.

He saw his dark expression and he could already guess what had happened.

Mr. Yves picked up an envelope and handed him the pictures of when his mother sent people to 'test' Clair and how they had kissed.

More of these intimate moments between them were also captured.

James raised an eyebrow and his lips curled upwards at how sexy Clair looked in them. "Can I keep them?" He asked bravely.

Mr. Yves shot him a deadly glare.

"I told you this, didn't I? I'm not selling off my daughter just so that she can protect my family. As her father, I should be the one protecting her instead, even if that person is you! I had warned you to keep your distance and form a friendship with her, not a—whatever this is!" Mr. Yves raised his voice angrily.

"You even married her! All we needed was an engagement, not an official marriage!"