XXXVII

Princess Roshanne

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"A fight? Inside the harem?" Roshanne asked Odette who had just delivered the news to her, she was in her office once more finishing the last of her paper works, that would slowly mount again in the coming weeks.

"Yes... Between lady Dara and lady Dae." Odette added, Roshanne's brow knitted.

"Did she fought back? Lady Dae I mean?" She asked again before setting down her quill and putting the parchment aside after signing it.

"No my lady... From what my robin had told me, lady Dae was defended by lady Eleanor and Helena." Roshanne's nods her head, it seems that Dae had been gaining more and more friends inside the harem.

" Tell your little Robins to keep a close eye on Dae." She told her, Odette nods her head, Roshanne then opened the drawer in her desk to fish out the vial that Dae had given her, the one that is meant to kill the king and his concubines. It seems like Roshanne had found her target, this will please Dae's father dearly.

"Look for Neviska,and tell her to go and fetch Dae...I wanted to talk to them as soon as possible" She told her.

" As you wish your highness." Odette whispered before walking out of her office, once Odette was gone, Roshanne stood from her chair stood by her window, her window was facing the training yard where the knights are training, Alastair was their along with Lord Boromir, Roshanne noticed that lord Boromir has his great sword the Dane, it was big sword twice it's weilder size, the Dane had been a family heirloom of lord Boromir,it was big and sharp that it could cut it's enemies into half in one full swing, her eyes the went to Alastair, he was shirtless, his long silver hair was flowing, in front of him were three young squire, from the colors of their hair she knew it was their brothers children,she just don't which of her brothers sent their son to be trained by Alastair. While Alastair was lecturing she noticed that Kaspian was also in the ground, her eyebrow furrowed when she noticed that he wasn't doing anything in particular, knights surrounded him,while he too is shirtless he wasn't doing any training, he was holding the Golden sword, a family sword that once belong to Khalil, her first clench when he carelessly swing it around. Scaring few of the knights. Roshanne noticed the poor condition of the sword.When Khalil was alive that sword was treated with respect,it was polished daily,and kept in a place where it would be safe...but right now... It was being used carelessly.

She ought to get that sword back, it was a symbol of power and royalty, no bastard should ever posses it.

"A penny for your thoughts." Roshanne was startled when someone spoke behind her, she was surprised to see  Margaret.

"Sister,what brought you here?" She asked her, Margaret rarely comes to her in her office, when she wanted to talk to her, she would demand Roshanne to come to her.

" I have something to tell you." Margaret stated, peering at the window too, then a smile thug on her lips.

" And here I thought it was nothing but just a baseless rumor, imagine how surprised I am of finding it was true." Roshanne brow furrowed.

" What are you talking about?" Margaret smirks and faces her.

" Rumors of your betrothal to Alastair had been spreading like a wild fire in the kingdom, I received letters from lords and ladies asking for confirmation about this. I guess I will be writing back a letter of confirmation." Roshanne rolled her eyes,of course everyone was thirsty of this news...after all everyone was waiting for her with a bathed breath to get married, who will be the lucky guy? they must be thinking.

" A lot of lords have voiced their opinion about this marriage, disappointment, pointing out that you should have been married to another prince of a different kingdom to at least strengthen the Kingdom's relationship, while some spoke of Usurpation." Roshanne's head whips towards Margaret.

" Usurpation? How?" She asked,and Margaret shakes her head.

" Everyone knew of your hatred against our father, everyone knew you hated Kaspian, so this marriage with Alastair and the sudden alliance of the Duke of Cadalin who, may I remind you also Hates the king. Screams plotting,this whispers have reached our father's ear Roshanne, that's why I came...I am giving you a warning to watch every steps you take. The soldiers we have been gathering are still not enough to subdue the Kingdom. So I begged you to thread carefully, Right now father isn't paying to close of an attention to you, but he will surely be watching you." Margaret had warned her.

" Do you know who's whispering to our father?" Margaret sighed and shrugs.

" There are many sister,and I know you wanted to kill them...but refrain from doing so...it will make everything more obvious, for now, do not do anything haste, continue with your plan, but act carefully." Roshanne nods her head, her sister was right,she cannot act too hastily right now... she will have to watch her steps carefully.

"Another thing, I have this." Margaret gave her a small envelope with a seal of hawk, a familiar seal that the Duchess supreme uses. Roshanne took a hold of it and read it. Her eyes widen in surprise upon reading the Duchess's letter, a letter that expresses her support for her.

"How? What makes her agree?" Margaret smiles.

"I told her of our plans, of you stealing the crown, killing the king and everything. And then I offered her a position, I offered to her the position of your advisor, but she declines, then demanded that she be placed as the councilor for treasure." Roshanne brow raised.

" And you decided without consulting me?" Margaret scoff.

" Oh please, it's not that bad. The duchess is a good person, she handles the city of mine,our number one exporter of gold, our money basically comes from her land,so giving her that option isn't bad at all." She told her, well it isn't bad, and true she was also seeking for the Duchess support on her, but still Margaret should have told her first that she would be telling everything to the duchess.

"Are you sure she could be trusted? " She walks towards the scented candle that was burning inside her room, she dip the tip of the letter against the flame and watch as the letters burn before tossing it to the fireplace.

"The Duchess is a woman of Dignity, she wouldn't dare betray us." Margaret stated sounding so sure of herself.

"What makes you so confident?" She asked curiously, The Duchess is a powerful person, her city is basically powerful on its own, and ever she desires it, she could make it into a new kingdom.

"It's because we had that woman on a leash, her younger sister is working under me as a lady in waiting, she is their father's only living heir at the moment, so she wouldn't dare betray us. I promise you" Margaret puts her hand on her shoulder, giving it a small squeeze.

" And she promised to attend your wedding. If you are going to held one at least." Roshanne nods her head.

" We will have a wedding, but It will pushed back, maybe during the early month of fall." Margaret look confused.

" Well that would be breaking tradition, Royalties get married in early summer months or mid, but fall? Wouldn't it be seen as.... A taboo?" Roshanne shakes her head, her sister were one of those people who are uncomfortable with the idea of cultural change. But that's not her...if anything Roshanne Loves breaking everyone's expectation of her. She loves taking everyone by surprise.

"Well it wouldn't be a good idea too to held a wedding after someone's funeral." She pointed out, making sure to lower her voice, Margaret's eyes widen.

"Why? who's dying?" Margaret asked confused, Roshanne just stared at her and smile, before Margaret could ask for more, someone knocked on the door, startling her in the process, Roshanne shakes her head, Margaret have always been easy to scare as well as startle.

"Please come in." The door opened, Neviska was the one who entered first, followed by a timid looking Dae.

"We shall continue this conversation some other time sister." She told her, Margaret seems like she's not letting it go easily, she wanted to ask more but refrain from asking when the smile on Roshanne's lips disappeared.

" Of course, as you wish." She stated, bowing respectfully before existing. When the door closed only then did Roshanne looked at Dae. Her brow twitched when she noticed a visible bruise on Dae's cheeks. Something inside Roshanne twitched, something unpleasant started blooming inside her,it started from the back of her head, before settling in her stomach, crawling its way into her chest before gripping her throat, begging to be let out, begging for her to bare her teeth and breath her flames, it made her hand itch, and it could only be scratch when she has it around someone's neck.

"Your highness?" Roshanne blinks twice, before her eyes settled back on Dae, who's still standing timidly behind Neviska, and to Neviska who's standing there looking scared.

"Ah yes.... Forgive me, I was too deep in though, now why don't you take a seat first?" She asked the two, Neviska turned towards Dae and offered her a smile, allowing her to sit first before taking her own. Roshanne carefully watches Dae, she was fidgeting in her seat, avoiding her eye, and looking anywhere around the room except from her, she also noticed how Dae was trying to hide the bruise on her cheeks.

"I heard what had transpired inside the Harem." She finally began, Neviska looks down on her lap.

"It was an accident, a misunderstanding." Dae spoke still not looking at her. Roshanne's eyes were now focused on Neviska, she squinted her eyes at her.

"Where were you when this happened?" She asked her, Neviska flinched at the heaviness in her tone, she began sweating.

" I sent her to take a rest, since I didn't require her help yet." Dae answered, she was now looking at her, though she hide the bruise using her hair.

" I wasn't asking you on this matter lady Dae. I specifically assigned Neviska to you as a lady in waiting as well as an aid. It was also her duty to protect and defend you against any harm. Should you be placed in any danger, it is her duty to put herself against the enemy and you." She reprimanded her, Dae looked away from her and then at Neviska.

" But she didn't know that something like that would happen." Roshanne's brow furrowed.

" Exactly! And that is why she isn't allowed to leave your side. Should you try and send her away it is her duty not to wonder too far from you, in case something like that happen. Now how am I supposed to explain this to the king? He would surely blame me for assigning such incompetent fool by your side!" Roshanne's eyes pierced against Neviska who had began sweating under her gaze.  When none of them spoke, Roshanne sighed and pulled out a piece of paper.

" You have failed to protect your mistress Neviska, therefore you proved yourself to be incompetent." She walked towards Neviska and placed down the parchment, it consist of a letter of resignation. It was already signed by her. Neviska looked up at her wide eyed, tears were already beggining to fall from her eyes.

" Y-your highness! Please... I desperately need this job! My sisters! And my brothers are all depending on me! My father is sick and he needs medication! My mother is old, and she can't afford to go back to work! My brothers are still studying to became a knight! Please!" Neviska begged her, Dae looked panicked, she puts her hand on top of Neviska shoulder, before looking back at Roshanne with a pleading look as well.

"You will be compensated, a letter of recommendation will also be given to you, to help you work for another noble lady, though I doubt it will be any easier. You will be having a bad record." She stated watching as hope slowly left Neviska eyes. It was slowly replaced by terror.

"Your highness, please listen to me... It wasn't her fault...it was mine! I-" Dae didn't get to finish what she was going to tell her when she cast her a glare.

" Please! please your highness." Neviska then kneeled in front of her, Dae tried to pull her back, but Neviska won't budge.

" I'm sorry, please I'll do anything.... please!" Roshanne fought back the smile that tried to makes it way on her lips, Neviska had fallen to her trap,just as she wanted her.

"Anything?" She asked, and watches as Neviska nods her head.

"Good.... Then I trust that you will be sending this message to the king." Neviska eye's widen. To be honest, she knows that Neviska is well aware of the hidden rule inside the harem between the servants of the concubines, it was a rule not to tell on anyone's mistress to the king. They were forbidden on going to the king to report about concubines fued. To break such rule, means she'll be hated... But such rules means little to none to a desperate woman such as Neviska.

"I...I will." But lucky for her, Roshanne understand this kind of rule, and to be honest Neviska wasn't bad... Her former employers, reported her as being loyal and trustworthy, and she had proven herself to be. If words get out about her being the one to tattle about the incident, she will be dealt with by the other servant and possibly by the other concubines, and it could be very well be the cause of her demise. And she Doesn't want that... She doesn't want to lose a reliable person who can look after Dae for her, so she will be willing to lend her a helping hand.

"You will seek for Bishop Edmond, the confessor, tell him you wish to seek a private audience with his Majesty and that you wanted this meeting to be private, without any other witness but him. Bishop Edmond would rely this message to his Majesty for you. Then when the king spoke to you, tell him everything, and then ask for your identity not to be exposed during the hearing, tell him that you fear for your life as well as for your lady." Neviska nods her head, making sure to digest every single word that she says.

" After that." Roshanne looked at Dae.

" You will tell him the truth, don't even try and be nice and deny everything just because you felt pity. If you wanted to survive, do what I will tell you to do." Dae swallowed and she nods her head.

" Now lady Dara had been a pain in my ass. Her daughter Princess Louvine as well, and I'm sure you still remember prince Daylan, his son." Roshanne told her, and Dae nods her head, of course who could forget him.

" The king will probably ask you what punishment would you like for her to receive, tell her this... You wanted her flog, right where the hearing is heared... And that you wanted her daughter Princess Louvine to be married off to Archduke Arthur's son, and be quickly sent away. " Roshanne smirks, but Dae looked hesitant, so she quickly added.

" I'm sure you father will be pleased, despite not poisoning someone. " She added, and Dae finally had come to a realization. She looks at her before nodding.

" Good... Now everything is cleared... Now why don't you go ahead lady Dae. I will still have to talk to lady Neviska to make sure everything will go according to our plan." Dae looked back at Neviska, she looks worried, but Neviska pats her hand. Giving her the go signal, it actually amazes her how this two had quickly formed a thick bond with one another.

Once Dae had left, Roshanne offered her hand to Neviska,and she took it.

"Now.... Here's another job for you." She opened Neviska's palm and placed the vial of poison that Dae had given her.

" I want you to put this on lady Helena's tea, grab a small needle, dip into the vial before using to stir the tea... The effect of this poison is powerful, one drop is enough to kill someone, so you must be very very careful, so you won't ended up killing lady Helena." She said this with a sweet smile on her face while Neviska had already turned pale and looks like she's about to wet herself.

"B-but your highness?! Lady Helena? She haven't done anything wrong? Why?" Roshanne understand it, Lady Helena had been one of her father's kindest concubines, she doesn't bother herself too much with politics and didn't raise her children to fight for the crown, basically she and her son and daughter are harmless little butterflies in her father's garden... But they are a tool for her to kick out her enemies.

"Trust me... It will all be for good,and... She won't die... Well unless you make a mistake and you put too much poison in her tea." Neviska swallowed and eyed the vial.

"Now after that.... I want you to start a wild rumor.... Tell them you saw one of lady Dara's maid tampering with the tea."

"But the maid will surely deny it." Neviska reasoned out to her, Roshanne shakes her head, she tuck one of Neviska's loose hair behind her ear and caress her cheek.

"That maid will be magically buried six feet beneath the ground.... That's all you need to do... Leave the rest to me. Now... Do we have a deal?" Neviska stared at her for a moment, seemingly weighting her options. But in the end... Roshanne did get what she wants.