Chapter 16: Pranks, Plotting, and Unlikely Alliances
The sun hung lazily in the sky, casting golden beams through the trees as Tiara, Cedric, and Mia huddled together behind a large bush near the Duke's office.
"So, here's the plan," Mia whispered, her voice low but bubbling with excitement. "We take one of the Duke's papers from his deskâone that looks very importantâand then we slip it under the door to the library."
Cedric raised an eyebrow. "And then?"
"And then, we tell him we 'found it' on the way to fetch something for him," Mia continued, as if it was the most brilliant idea in the world. "But with one small tweakâwe make it look like the paper isâlet's sayâmisplaced in a very, very public place."
Tiara, who had been observing with a mix of amusement and disbelief, finally spoke up. "This is your plan?"
Mia grinned. "Trust me, Tiara. It'll be hilarious."
"Wait, so... we're framing Father for losing a paper?" Tiara asked, still processing the absurdity of it.
"Oh, not framing," Mia said with a wink. "Just suggesting he's very forgetful. You know, in a totally innocent way."
"Right," Tiara deadpanned. "In a 'totally innocent' way."
Cedric scratched his head. "This doesn't sound as innocent as Mia's making it out to be."
"Oh, come on!" Mia laughed. "It'll be fun! Think of the chaos. Besides, we can always blame it on someone elseâsay, a random maid or, better yet, Lily."
Tiara raised her hand, shaking her head. "Nope. Not happening. Lily will blame me and I'll never hear the end of it."
Mia grinned. "Fine, fine. But you're in, right?"
Tiara let out a dramatic sigh. "I can't believe I'm agreeing to this... but fine."
With that, the three of them sneaked their way toward the Duke's office. Tiara was already regretting it.
---
Meanwhile, in part of the imperial palace, Alistair was pacing in his private study. His dark eyes gleamed with frustration as he flipped through several documents, none of which were quite what he was looking for.
"Where is it?" he muttered under his breath. "I know it's here somewhere."
Just then, a knock came at the door, interrupting his thoughts.
"Enter," he commanded, without looking up.
A servant stepped inside, bowing low. "My lord, Lady Lilith has requested your presence in the garden."
Alistair paused, then slowly set the papers down. "Lilith?"
"Yes, my lord. She says it's urgent."
Alistair's lips curled into a tight smile. "Very well. I'll go see what she wants."
As he left the study, a sense of unease settled over him. Lilith had been acting increasingly... unpredictable. But what else could he expect from someone as manipulative as she?
---
Back in the garden, Lilith was watching the playful antics of Tiara, Cedric, and Mia with an air of distaste.
How... beneath me, she thought, her gaze cold as she observed the trio.
But as she stewed in her own bitterness, a figure appeared at the edge of the gardenâAlistair.
"Alistair," Lilith said, a sweet smile spreading across her face. "I was just thinking about you."
"Oh, really?" Alistair said, not bothering to hide his sarcasm. "How pleasant. I'm sure that's exactly what you were doing."
Lilith, unfazed by his tone, walked toward him. "I've been... thinking. About Tiara."
Alistair arched an eyebrow. "Tiara?"
Lilith's eyes glinted with something dark. "Yes. She's an obstacle, you know."
Alistair crossed his arms, not interested in playing Lilith's games. "I'm aware."
"She's so... innocent, isn't she?" Lilith continued, her voice syrupy sweet. "I'm sure she has no idea that she's the one holding back her own potential."
"I'm sure she'll figure it out soon enough," Alistair muttered, his eyes narrowing. "She's too clever to stay in the dark for long."
Lilith's smile faltered slightly. "Well, I'm just curious to see how long it'll take her to realize that some things aren't as they seem."
Alistair watched her carefully. "And what exactly do you mean by that?"
Lilith's smile grew wider, her gaze now completely focused on the group of friends nearby. "Just wait, Alistair. All in good time."
Before Alistair could respond, she was already walking away, disappearing into the shadows.
---
Meanwhile, back at the Duke's office, the prank was already underway.
Tiara was holding the Duke's important papers in her hands, looking at them nervously. "Are you sure this is going to work?" she asked Mia.
"Of course it will!" Mia said, her voice bubbling with excitement. "We just need to make it look like it slipped under the door andâpoof! The Duke will think he misplaced it."
Cedric groaned. "This feels wrong."
"Are you backing out now, Cedric?" Tiara asked, her lips curling into a teasing smile.
"No, no. I'm in," he said, crossing his arms. "But if this backfires, it's your fault."
With that, they pushed the papers under the door and scurried away, giggling all the while.
---
As they hid nearby, watching the Duke's office door, they didn't notice the figure who had just turned the corner.
Alistair walked toward the office, his thoughts swirling.
He opened the door, only to freeze in his tracks. The papers from desk were exactly where they weren't supposed to beâscattered across the floor.
"What theâ?" Alistair muttered, bending down to gather the papers, his eyes scanning the room for any signs of... anything unusual.
His gaze locked on something under the door. A piece of paper, barely visible.
This isn't good, he thought, narrowing his eyes.
Alistair grabbed the paper, and when he saw it, his expression darkened.
The prank had succeededâa little too well.
---