Chapter 5: The Plan

Dazzling crystal chandeliers lit the pristine marble floor of the ballroom from grand high ceilings. The orchestra was playing splendidly, their music weaving through the gloriously dressed guests.

First, she had to find her target.

Before Leticia found her choice, Amber would present hers.

Get the potion dissolved in some wine.

Next, greet target with drinks in hand. Offer the gentleman a drink and hand him the dosed wine.

Make a toast so that he would drink looking into her eyes.

And when the man is well under the effects of the potion, lead him to one of the retiring rooms prepared for the attendees and finalize the deal.

Now, where was he…?

Amber stood in the doors leading into the ballroom searching around the large room.

Yes, there he was!

As Matthias had described, her target was on an older gentleman. He was speaking to other gentlemen of his caliber quite a-ways from the entrance.

Earl Nicholas Selma.

He served in the royal court and was forty-five years of age. Since he had been parted from his wife some twenty years ago, there has been no fiancée or rumors of a mistress. He had a nice personality, dressed well and neatly, he had no bad rumors surrounding him or heavy debts. Yet, he was still single (Zuben: Is he interested in women?)

The young ladies were not attracted to his sober appearance because, he wasn't rich or handsome, and neither did he have outstanding abilities.

At that moment, there were no young ladies in light-colored dresses near him.

But Matthias had told her he was looking for a wife.

'If you chose Earl Selma, he would probably agree with the conditions you seek.' Matthias had told her. (Zuben: If it works, that is)

If he was gentle, he probably would not look down on Amber' lace-making work. Rather than thinking of how he would provide for his young wife after his passing, her work will be welcome as an additional source of income.

And there was the added benefit of having the backing of Marquis Reinfeldt.

Amber agreed with Matthias that he would be a good match.

Now she knew where he was, she had to get a glass of wine…

Amber abandoned her hesitancy and guilt, with her target gentleman in her sights, the next thing was to carry out her plan. She glanced in direction of Leticia; she was smiling and speaking to her popular gentlemen admirers.

She needed the plan to succeed!

With this in mind, she headed for the buffet table where a scrumptious feast and drinks were laid out for guests to enjoy at their leisure. On her way, she bumped into Lady Francesca Braunfels, daughter of the Duke of Braunfels.

'Lady Amber, how lovely to see you here tonight!'

'Lady Francesca!'

'I'm so happy, I wanted to see you.' Lady Francesca said with a happy smile. Amber instantly returned it. Lady Francesca gently spread the skirts of her pale blue dress.

'Take a look at my dress; see the delicate flower-patterned filet lace? Lovely, isn't it?' Francesca said as she twirled around.

'When the dress was presented to me, I was thrilled with it. I asked the tailor who had created such delicate lacework, and I was told it was you, Lady Amber, who made it. How positively delightful, I thought.'

Lady Francesca's exuberance made Amber smile,

'Thank you Lady Francesca, I am happy to have assisted in the creation of your lovely dress.'

Just then, another lady called upon Amber, asking her to make lace for her. Amber agreed exchanged pleasantries and moved along. Just as she continued onward, she was hailed again,

'Lady Amber, it has been a while.'

'It has been a while, Duchess Neuendorf.'

'I heard you have been busy lately, but might I request that you join us for our next garden party? My daughter would very much like to meet you.'

Why would the ten-year-old young Lady Neuendorf want to meet her?

The Duchess gave a shy smile and said, 'My daughter loves embroidery and lace, and once she was told about you. She has always wanted to meet you, a Lady who creates such beautiful lace.'

'Ah, I am honored she thinks of me so. I would love to meet her as well.' Amber replied graciously, touched by the sentiment. Amber and the Duchess discussed the details of the party. The Duchess had tremendous influence in Berghausen society, so after their discussion, Amber was greeted and introduced to many other society ladies. Many of them talked about ladylike things, some complimented Amber' skilled lacework. It seemed her creations were evaluated higher than she had imagined.

A mere dress. (Zuben: So begins Japanese brand over-thinking)

It could become a fine weapon.

Seeing and hearing her work be admired and praised made Amber feel proud and somewhat encouraged.

Her smile widened with pleasure.

On the other hand, many noble gentlemen saw a woman trying to live by their power as a negative thing. Amber was looked over with contempt, scoffed at, and told she was not lovely because she was clever. She was ridiculed at being inferior to Leticia.

Her sister thought the same.

Neither Leticia nor her gentlemen admirers ever acknowledged the path she had chosen.

Even if they had mistresses, and engaged in immature raucous behavior, they still wanted wives who were cookie-cutter and obedient. But Amber could not live like that.

She did not want to.

Since she could not change the way Leticia viewed life, Amber had to succeed in her plan this night, to live a peaceful life.

She took a seat in an unoccupied alcove and sighed as she looked about the party,

'It is rather lively…' she said to herself.

As expected of a ball sponsored the King. The size of the hall, the caliber of guests and their fashion, everything was a set apart from a party held by an everyday noble.

As she observed the unique gaiety she had not witnessed in a year, the orchestra began a new piece, signaling the beginning of dancing. The gentlemen escorted their lady to the dance floor. As the partners began their turn, the glittering of jewels nearly rivaled the chandeliers that illuminated them.

Amongst them was an especially pretty young lady dancing with a very handsome man in the middle of the glittering throng; Princess Rosemary Berghausen. She was the fifth Princess and had the distinctive silver hair of the Berghausen royal line. Her partner who has the same hair color was His Majesty, King Ernest of Berghausen.

Although Amber had not been to a Royal ball for a year, she remembered his face clearly.

He was infamous as a man who was not good with women, and he was hesitant to get married and secure the line of succession.

When she heard the rumor for the first time, Amber thought it was a bit strange. Ernest was twenty-nine and he had four older sisters who had been married off. So, he had grown up surrounded by women, there shouldn't be any reason why he wasn't good with women or liked women (Zuben: Maybe they were bitches?)

But his dislike or aversion was to the extent that he refused any marriage arrangements. As such, the young pastel dressed ladies did not look to him as a potential partner anymore. And the powers that be had also given up on a direct line of succession; Rosemary's first child will inherit the crown. Although they bemoaned the fact that there would not be a child born from Ernest directly as he was said to be quite excellent amongst the successive kings, there was nothing to be done. (Zuben: You would think people would learn that excellent people do not necessarily give birth to excellent children)

At this moment, Amber could not feel sorry for the King as his personal affairs being gossiped about. Earl Selma. If she did not succeed in giving him this love potion tonight, she would have to deal with the humiliation of Leticia's chosen. With a heavy sigh, she brushed her hand against the front of her dress over the pocket the bottle was hidden in.

'Is that you, Lady Amber?' a familiar voice called. Amber turned and her expression clouded instantly.

'Lord Damian…' she greeted as the dark emotions seeped up and spread in her heart.