~~

Trinity

~~

We entered Aunt Glory's private study then. I hadn't said anything after I had asked if Athair mòr or Aunt Glory had ever suspected Hibiscus. I didn't want either of the two of them to be angered by my questions just yet.

I just knew that once I actually started to interrogate the woman, Aunt Glory was going to be angry with me. I needed to pull her aside and talk to her first and tell her what it was that was on my mind.

When we were in the room, Aunt Glory forbade all knights and guards from coming in. I thought to myself at that moment that there was something wrong with that declaration. There was something going on that I simply didn't understand yet.

Reece and I still followed them all into the room, that part didn't change, but the guards and knights that were following us were forbidden from entering.. I saw a fearful look in Vincent's eyes as I looked back at him. He wasn't happy about this either.

"Sit here, Bissy." Aunt Glory guided the woman to a chair near the fireplace. Almost as soon as she was seated though, Aunt Glory had conjured up a cup of tea. That was a new one, I have never tried to create food and drink from magic like that. And I don't think that I will either. I will stick with what I am used to, for now.

"Drink this, it will make you feel better." Aunt Glory handed over the cup. "It will all be OK, Bissy, I promise it will."

"I can't believe that I had to see something like that. What did Frida ever do to the killer?" She was shaking, she was sobbing, she was doing everything right, but there was just something in her eyes that made me think that it was all fake.

"I don't know, Bissy, but I will find out who did this. I will find them, and I will make them pay."

Aunt Glory's words weren't empty. I could feel the power in those words that proved to me, and all of us in the room, that she was telling the truth. She fully intended to punish the person who committed these crimes against her people.

"Queen Gloriana, may I speak with you for a moment." I beckoned her over to where I was standing, on the opposite side of the room.

"Of course, Trinity dear." It appears that now that we were back in her private quarters she was speaking familiarly again.

Aunt Glory rose to her feet and started to walk to my side, however, I saw that her eyes were tense, and she was far from the calm and collected person she was pretending to be. I could see the control and sanity in her eyes wavering like they were just thin veils hiding the true chaos that she was feeling.

"Trinity, my dear, what is it that I can do for you?" She gave me a small smile that definitely wasn't real. I could tell what it was that she was truly asking me- 'What do you want? Can't you see that I need to take care of my friend here?'

Yeah, she was definitely pissed off at me. This was likely to turn into a major incident between us. I knew that this was what I needed to do, it was the proper course of action, but could I get her to understand that as well? That was the big question now, wasn't it?

"Aunt Glory," I paused and tried to give her a friendly smile, letting her know that I was indeed worthy of her respect, and that I was just being polite for her sake, "I think that we need to be a little more careful. We do not know what happened earlier this evening. So until we get some more details, we need to be a little more cautious and reserved."

"Are you telling me that you suspect Hibiscus?" I saw incredulous anger start to fill her face before she had it hidden again.

"I think it is too soon to rule it out." I confirmed for her.

"Trinity, I will have you know that Hibiscus is the first friend I ever made. Back when she ascended from being nothing more than just the magical essence of the flowers themselves. I know that she is not capable of something like this."

"Have you ever interviewed her before?" I leveled a firm look her way. "Have you ever talked to her about what has been going on around here? Or did you exclude her because she is a close and personal friend of yours?"

I see that she was instantly defensive about that question.

"Of course, I didn't question her. She is not that type of person. She is a sweet, kind, and honest woman that-."

"And by your own admission, you could tell that everyone that you did interview was telling you the truth and had committed no crimes, or that you could tell anyway. So, wouldn't it stand to reason that the people you didn't interview because of their closeness or assumed innocence are the likely culprits?"

I could tell that she was understanding and even agreeing with me, however, she didn't seem all that happy about it. I just stood there though, watching her as she did her best to process the words that I had spoken.

She didn't want to suspect her friends, and I could understand and relate to that. This wasn't a time that afforded us this type of leeway though. No one was beyond suspicion when there were people being murdered.

"You are right, Trinity." Aunt Glory hung her head in shame, looking at the floor. "I have been a fool, and it took you to open my eyes. You are a wise leader and a good friend. I will stand aside and let you do what needs to be done. Please, help me find the person behind these heinous crimes."