Chapter 106: If Someone Discovers What We Have Done?
"And if something goes wrong, my lady?" Marta asked. "If someone discovers what we have done?"
"Then we deny everything," Isolde said coldly. "We claim that Morgana planted the necklace herself as part of some desperate scheme. We claim that the servants are lying. We claim that Morgana used magic to deceive us all. We make it so that no one can prove anything."
Marta’s expression shifted slightly at the mention of magic.
"Magic, my lady?" she asked carefully.
"There are whispers," Isolde said, a slight smile playing at her lips. "Servants talk. They speak of strange occurrences around the girl. Of fires behaving oddly. Of animals responding to her in unusual ways. If we plant those seeds, if we suggest that she used magic to manipulate us all, then the nobles will believe it. The common people will fear it. And the kings will have no choice but to distance themselves from her."
Marta understood immediately.
"It is brilliant, my lady," she said quietly.
"Of course it is," Isolde said. "Now, call for Vivienne, Seraphine, and Celeste. Tell them I request their presence in my chambers this evening. Tell them it is urgent."
"Yes, my lady," Marta said, rising.
"And Marta," Isolde said as her maid reached the door. "Not a word of this to anyone. Do you understand?"
"Yes, my lady," Marta said. "I understand completely."
She left the room to deliver the summons.
***
Isolde returned to her mirror and studied her reflection.
By this time tomorrow, Morgana would be in holding cells. By the end of the week, she would be expelled from the palace. By the end of the month, she would be forgotten.
And she would finally be seen.
Finally, the kings would have to acknowledge her.
Finally, she would matter.
She smiled at herself in the mirror....a cold, satisfied smile that contained no warmth, no humor, only the certainty of a predator who has finally identified its prey and knows exactly how to strike.
The trap was set.
All that remained was for the victim to walk into it.
***
That evening, as the palace settled into the quiet hours before night fully fell, three young women made their way to Isolde’s chambers.
Vivienne arrived first, moving with the confidence of someone who knew exactly how attractive she was and how to use that fact. Her dark hair was arranged elegantly, her gown was carefully chosen to flatter her figure, and her expression was one of casual curiosity.
"Isolde," she said, entering without waiting for explicit permission. "What’s this about? Your maid was rather cryptic with her message."
"Sit," Isolde said, gesturing to one of the chairs arranged near her fireplace.
Vivienne settled into it with practiced grace, reaching for the wine that Isolde had thoughtfully left out.
Next came Seraphine.
She was the picture of elegant sophistication...copper hair arranged in an intricate style, her gown a shade of rose that complemented her coloring perfectly, her movements measured and deliberate. She entered the room, took in the scene, and understood immediately that something significant was about to happen.
She took a seat without comment and also poured herself wine.
Finally came Celeste.
She was younger than the other two, blonde and delicate, with the nervous energy of someone who had never quite felt comfortable in her own skin. She entered hesitantly, her eyes darting between Isolde and the other two women as if trying to assess whether she was walking into something she should avoid.
"Sit, Celeste," Isolde said, her voice carrying a note of command that made it clear this was not a request.
Celeste sat, perching on the edge of the chair like a bird ready to flee at any moment.
Isolde stood before the three of them, her posture regal, her expression calm.
"Thank you for coming," she said. "I have something important to discuss with you. Something that requires absolute discretion and complete commitment. Before I continue, I need to know if you are willing to listen."
Vivienne and Seraphine exchanged glances.
"Of course," Vivienne said, her voice carrying a note of intrigue.
"I am listening, Isolde," Seraphine added, her tone measured.
Celeste simply nodded, too nervous to speak.
"Good," Isolde said. "Then let me explain the problem we are facing."
She began to speak, laying out the situation exactly as she had planned it. She talked about the kings’ obsession with Morgana. She talked about how it undermined all of them. She talked about how a servant girl...a nothing, a nobody, was somehow capturing the complete attention of three powerful men.
And as she spoke, she watched the other three women, gauging their reactions, understanding what motivated each of them.
Vivienne’s eyes gleamed with the promise of advantage.
Seraphine’s expression became calculating, understanding the politics of the situation.
And Celeste looked increasingly uncomfortable, as if she was beginning to sense where this conversation was heading.
"The question is," Isolde concluded, "what do we do about it? Do we simply accept that Morgana has somehow bewitched the kings? Do we resign ourselves to obscurity while a servant girl steals the glory that should be ours? Or do we take action?"
"What kind of action?" Vivienne asked, her voice hungry.
"The kind that ends this situation permanently," Isolde said. "The kind that removes Morgana from the palace entirely. The kind that ensures she can never return."
Seraphine leaned back in her chair, her intelligent eyes studying Isolde.
"You have a plan," Seraphine said. It was not a question.
"I do," Isolde confirmed.
And then, with Marta standing silently in the background, watching everything with those sharp, intelligent eyes, Isolde pulled out the velvet pouch and opened it.
The necklace gleamed in the firelight.
"This is Lady Margot’s necklace," Isolde said calmly. "The one that was stolen three days ago. And tomorrow, it will be found in Morgana’s quarters. And when it is found, all three of you will testify that you saw her acting suspiciously. That you saw her near Lady Margot’s chambers. That you heard her complaining about needing money."
Vivienne’s smile widened. She understood immediately.
Seraphine’s expression remained neutral, but her eyes glittered with understanding of the strategy.
And Celeste went very pale.
"You’re going to frame her," Celeste whispered.
"I am going to remove an obstacle," Isolde corrected. "I am going to do what is necessary to protect ourselves and our futures."