378 Men at the gates (3)

"That was quick. Did you run to get her or something?" Tobias asked as their return with Julia was faster than he expected. 

"She was standing by the entrance with all the other servants, your highness."

"Little did she know she would become a part of the show. Leave us," Tobias ordered the guards as they did not need to be aware of what was said.

In the meantime, Edgar slid off his horse to deal with the maid. 

Julia scrambled to bow her head against the snow on the road in the presence of the king and said, "Your highness, why was I dragged out of the palace?"

"Edgar wait," Tobias blocked Edgar before he could reach Julia. "We won't get our questions answered if you kill her right away."

"I am not going to kill her. There are effective ways of getting information quickly without killing her. I don't have time to waste while she plays innocent," Edgar shoved Tobias away. "Did you put something in the Duchess's tea?"