170 The Plo

CHAPTER 170

It was indeed true that Cyrena was filled with so much wisdom and insight at such a young age, thus earning her the nickname, 'the Young Female Scholar' only after Cullen, who was then the 'youngest male scholar' in his time.

"I wonder what Bayard would do to silence the voice of the people," Lady Erwina thought out loud as she made her way towards her daughter's chair.

"The only thing Father would do is to finally give in to the demands of the people and give brother a hefty punishment. It may not be stripping him of his inheritance but, it would be something worthy of keeping the citizens at bay. There is no escaping this trap this time around."

She sounded so confident as she calculated her father's next action. Cyrena was truly her mother's protégé.

"That is my grand goddaughter. You take after your mother so much. I am proud," Lord Ferdinand praised her with a beaming smile.

"Of course she takes after me. It is because Bayard refused to marry me as his future Queen, if not she is also as deserving as that good for nothing Prince. And that is why she would be the next Crown Princess."

Her eyes beamed with smiles at her future victory over King Bayard and his son.

"Patience, Erwina. Take things one step at a time. There is still time. We can get more alliances and cause more troubles for him, making his supporters to abandon him and support a true and reasonable heir." Lord Ferdinand cautioned her.

"Very well, godfather. I would heed your warning," she said respectfully.

"Good. We cannot afford mistakes with this next move. Even though Bayard suspects it, he cannot make a move on you or accuse you if you do not have your hand directly in it."

"So how would you do it, godfather?"

"Simple, we would talk to one of the Ministers looking for a way to rise in rank and status, then promise him something better. Once he is bait, we would make him take care of the rumours and support with money where necessary."

"That way, even if things go south or they try and investigate the matter, it would not boil down to us. The ministers know better than to betray you, mother."

"Brilliant. I am beginning to love this plan more and more."

"Of course you should. After all, we thought about it, right?"

"Yes," the mother and daughter said in unison and everyone burst into laughter.

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~LADY LORELEI'S CHAMBERS~

At the same time somewhere else in the palace, in a bed-chamber, Lady Lorelei and Amelia sat down on the bed, engaging themselves in a heart to heart discussion.

As usual, Amelia wore her all-black outfit with her hair tied in a ponytail and her mask still on as she chatted with Lady Lorelei.

"I am happy you got hooked with someone you like, dear."

She took a few steps forward and moved close to the window to take a look outside.

"Spoken like my apprentice and ward." Lady Lorelei's elegant voice sounded from behind her.

She didn't bother to move her eyes from the scenery below to answer the gorgeous lady behind her. Rather her mind drifted off to its own thought as a smile curved up her lips.

'As cunning as ever, Lady Lorelei. Who would hear her would think that she really meant it. It was a test just now, to see if I have lost track of what's important. Too bad, I am her perfect protégé.'

"Hmm," Amelia managed to blurt out absentmindedly.

"What is it?" Lady Lorelei asked.

She moved to a corner in the bed chamber and picked up some herbs to make a concoction as she awaited Amelia's reply.

"Nothing much, it is just that I haven't heard from Princess Cyrena since that day. I wonder what she has on her mind. I doubt she would let it rest. She may as well just go after him."

"You think so? You may be wrong this time around. Both Lady Erwina and Princess Cyrena are looking for ways to get King Bayard to punish Prince Owen."

"Wow, that concubine really knows how to play her card well, poor King. He is caught in her web."

"True. I cannot say I pity him though, he brought this upon himself. He had it coming and he still does. Anyways, matters of state aren't my problem now."

"Then what is?" Amelia asked. Her gaze finally left the scenery of the palace from below and the dancing clouds in the sky to look at Lady Lorelei.

Her eyes held her curiosity as she stared Lady Lorelei down before popping the question. "It is the hybrid, right?"

Seeing as Lady did not answer her, Amelia could only guess what was on her mind. Lady Lorelei stopped her crushing of leaves with the little pestle in her hands for some seconds.

Her gaze was still fixated on what she was doing and continued right after, completely ignoring Amelia.

Amelia chuckled within. She didn't need anyone to tell her before she guessed what was on Lady Lorelei's mind. Her moment of pause answered for her. She was right, it was the hybrid.

'I thought you had her or were going to capture her?" Amelia asked again.

No reply.

She did not back down but rather continued questioning the serious Lady Lorelei.

"Don't tell me you let her escape. King Bayard is going to be mad, well that is if he isn't already mad at you or... Wait a minute… Have you told him yet? If so, I doubt he would send for Cullen to his study."

"He asked Cullen to his study?"

"Yes, he did."

"Why and how did you… know?"

"I overheard them when a guard came to deliver the message. As for why I do not know the answer to that," Amelia replied nonchalantly and walked back to the bed to sit down.

"And why were you there again?"

"The usual. I just wanted to check up on him."

"Amelia!"

"What?" She asked, shrugging her shoulders like she did nothing wrong.

"Tsk tsk tsk," Lady Lorelei clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth as she paid no heed to her ward.

"That aside, when would you give King Bayard the lovely news?" Amelia added.

"It's just like you not to let a matter rest till I give a reply, isn't that it? Well, I've got news for you dear. You are not getting anything from me! Take your potions and keep an eye on that Princess for me. Understood?"

"Yes, my Lady. But…"

"No buts," Lady Lorelei said cutting her short. Her face wrinkled as she frowned a bit.

'Leave it to Lady Lorelei to evade a question and use her authority.' Amelia thought to herself.

"Your mission starts now. Keep a low profile and stop visiting Cullen. You could get caught one day."

"I can't wait for that day then. Isn't it time for him to know the truth?" She asked Lady Lorelei with her hands crossed in front of her chest.

Her eyes were sharp and bright as though she could pierce through Lady Lorelei's head and read what was on her mind.

"When it is time, he would. Until then Amelia, keep a low profile. Besides, I needn't warn you that Princess Cyrena may be out to get you."

"Right on it, it would take forever but she can never get me. Anyways, I would get my supplies and be out of your hair, my Lady."

"Hmm."

Amelia shook her head lightly as she made her way out of the bed chambers to get her potions and poisons, and then left without looking back.

Lady Lorelei finished what she was doing and dropped the little pestle on the table. Slowly she made her way to her potion shelf to get something.

Standing before the big shelf, her fingers lightly tapped on her chin as her eyes scanned the potions in front of her.

It was much easier to see what she needed as she labelled each potion, but her mind was too occupied to even find what she needed.

'Ever since the hybrid went into the mist, my tracker on her suddenly vanished. It may have washed off my spell. Right now, I do not even know what is happening in that damn forest. I feel so blind right now. I need to get her one way or another and mark her with my spell again.'

She felt frustrated with what was happening. Part of which was because she wouldn't have anything useful to tell King Bayard when he asks her about the matter.

She didn't even know if the Elves had gotten their hands on her or if they were still venturing into the forest peak. She was really a lost cause right now.

'I need to return there. I cannot afford more mistakes like this in the future, lest Bayard cut off my neck. Not that he could, but I do not want him bickering about.'

"Ahh!"