As the palace maids stood in rigid rows and columns, Adeline was commanded to identify the woman who had led her to the back exit.
She scanned the faces of the staff, her heart sinking further with every stranger she passed.
The middle-aged woman who had entered her chamber was nowhere to be found.
"What is the delay?" Huxley demanded.
"Your Majesty, the lady who guided me... she isn't here," Adeline stated, her voice trembling.
The Head of Servants stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Your Majesty, I have personally verified the registry. Every maid currently employed in the palace is present in this hall," he asserted.
"It appears someone has gone to great lengths to frame my name," Presley remarked with an expression of wounded innocence.
Adeline looked at the Luna Queen in disbelief. The woman was lying with terrifying ease. She then turned her gaze toward Gideon; he remained exceptionally calm, his eyes bored into hers as if to say, I told you so.
