Not in her dictionary…
When I got back inside my room, Rita was already there waiting for me. As soon as I opened the door and walked in, she immediately stood up in anticipation of full details of everything that had happened.
“Tell me, my queen, how did it go?” she asked excitedly, and I chuckled at how she was behaving as I moved over to the bed to sit down.
After a short while, I finally spoke up, my voice measured but full of intent. “They couldn’t believe it, but I am sure they are definitely not in denial.”
“Oh nice! So now His Highness has finally gotten the chance to see her true self being played out. However, my queen, I really think we need to be more careful of her right now. For someone to even consider carrying out such an evil plan only goes to prove just how detrimental and dangerous it is to have her around. I mean, how could someone have been planning such a thing for a while? Basically, I just think we need to be more careful in general because now that we have made a move against her, we should definitely be ready and 100% prepared for retaliation of any sort.”
I nodded. “I know. But I’m not afraid of her, and I won’t let her get away with what she’s done. She’s been a thorn in my side for too long, and it’s time she faced the consequences.”
Rita stopped pacing and turned to face me, her expression serious. “So what’s the plan, my lady?”
“We need to start by gathering information on her connections. Veronica’s powerful, but she’s not working alone. Amira, for one, is involved, which I am obviously not surprised about. I mean, you are here on my side, so it is basically expected that her personal handmaid is on hers as well. However, I suspect there are others in the mansion-people we trust-who might be secretly loyal to her.”
Rita crossed her arms, deep in thought. “We need someone on the inside-someone who can get close to her and gather intel without arousing suspicion.”
“I’ve already thought of that,” I said, a small smile playing on my lips. “I know exactly who we can use.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Who?”
I hesitated for a moment before answering. “Amira.”
For a moment, it seemed as if every bit of reasoning had eluded her because she just couldn’t believe what I had said. I nodded in addition, chuckling again at the expression on her face, but she kept staring at me in disbelief.
“My lady, I think you’ve probably mixed up the names since there is an Amira and also a Mira-Mirabel. You’re probably talking about Mira, right?” she exclaimed.
“Come on, Rita, I’m not talking about Mirabel. You heard me right when I said Amira, and I know for a fact that I am not mixing up their names.”
“Oh, I see. But come on, my lady, this woman is literally Queen Veronica’s right-hand woman. How can we trust her?”
“We can’t. But that’s what makes her the perfect pawn,” I explained. “Amira is loyal to Veronica, yes, but she’s also afraid of her. Veronica treats her like dirt, and that’s our leverage. If we can manipulate Amira’s fear, we can turn her against Veronica-at least long enough to get the information we need.”
She looked skeptical but intrigued. “Well, everybody knows for a fact that she and the Queen don’t relate the way we do because, obviously, Queen Veronica treats anyone below her status like dirt. However, do you really think Amira will betray her?”
“She already does, in small ways,” I said. “I’ve seen it. She’s not as loyal as Veronica thinks, and if we offer her protection-and maybe a little incentive-she’ll talk. But we have to be careful. If Veronica catches wind of this, she’ll kill her before she ever has the chance to betray her.”
“Whoa! Kill? Isn’t that a bit too extreme?”
I shook my head, soon remembering Madam Mortica. “Extreme? Trust me, the word ‘extreme’ is definitely not in Veronica’s dictionary. You weren’t here when this happened, but that woman literally killed someone who worked here. She was a blunt, caring, and helpful woman who we always called Madam Mortica. Can you imagine? Veronica actually killed her basically because she wanted to get to me and frame me.”
“What? That’s just pure wickedness.”
“Exactly, and so I have come to understand that we really shouldn’t be around someone like Veronica without being able to discern her moves. If she has to step on a million bodies just to get where she wants, she would definitely do so. She’s that void of conscience. In essence, understanding someone like Amira just makes it clear that she is pledging allegiance to Veronica only because she doesn’t want to lose her life. So we can use that to our advantage.”
Rita ran a hand through her hair, considering the plan. “It’s risky.”
“It is,” I agreed. “But if we want to take Veronica down, it’s the best shot we have. Besides, once we get enough evidence, Veronica won’t be able to deny her crimes. We’ll expose her to the entire council, and she’ll have no choice but to fall.”
She looked at me, her expression softening. “This is quite a dangerous game, my queen.”
“I know,” I said, meeting her gaze. “But this is a game I have to win.”
—
That night, we set our plan into motion. Rita and I gathered everything we knew about Amira-her routines, her weaknesses, her fears. It wasn’t long before we had a clear picture of how to approach her.
The next morning, I found her alone in the garden, tending to the flowers-Veronica’s flowers, of course. She was humming softly, completely unaware that her life was about to change.
I approached her quietly, my footsteps light on the gravel path. When she looked up and saw me, her face paled. She quickly stood up, her hands trembling as she fidgeted with her apron.
“Your Majesty,” she stammered, bowing her head.
“Amira,” I said calmly, stepping closer. “We need to talk.”
She swallowed hard, her eyes darting around, clearly looking for an escape route. But there was none. I had her cornered.
“I know you were involved in what happened to me,” I said bluntly. “And I know Veronica ordered you to do it.”
Her face went even paler, if that was possible, and she opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
“Don’t bother denying it,” I continued. “I don’t have time for lies. What I want to know is how far you’re willing to go to protect yourself.”
Amira blinked rapidly, clearly confused. “P-Protect myself?”
“Yes,” I said, lowering my voice. “Veronica doesn’t care about you, Amira. You’re expendable to her. But if you help me, I can make sure you’re safe.”
She looked up at me, her eyes wide with fear. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I smiled, but there was no warmth in it. “Don’t play dumb with me, Amira. You know exactly what I’m talking about. And you also know what Veronica will do to you if she ever finds out you’ve failed her.”
Her lips trembled, and tears began to well up in her eyes. “Please… I didn’t mean to… I was just following orders…”
“Following orders or not, you’re involved. But I’m giving you a way out,” I said, my voice hardening. “Help me take down Veronica, and I’ll make sure she never hurts you again. Refuse, and you’ll be dragged down with her when she falls. It’s your choice.”
Amira looked at me, her expression torn. For a long moment, she said nothing, her fear warring with whatever loyalty she still felt for Veronica. Then, finally, she nodded, her shoulders slumping in defeat.
“I’ll help you,” she whispered.
“Good,” I said, turning to leave. “You’ve made the right decision, Amira. Don’t make me regret it.”
As I walked away, I couldn’t help but feel a thrill of satisfaction. The pieces were falling into place, and soon, Veronica would have no idea what hit her. As much as I felt excited about this mutual agreement with Amira, I also remained conscious enough to understand that she was capable of leaving my side at any time.
I’d use Amira, but at a very safe distance, of course, I said to myself as I proceeded toward my bedroom again. I started by indulging her to get a little information from Veronica just to test her, and while I awaited her response, I couldn’t help but begin strategizing on what I was going to carry out.
The next few days passed in a blur of quiet tension. I kept my distance from Amira, only checking in occasionally through subtle gestures and brief, coded exchanges. I didn’t want to raise any suspicion, especially with Veronica’s sharp eyes watching everyone so closely. Rita and I spent our nights refining the plan, making adjustments as we learned more from Amira’s behavior.
One evening, after gathering enough courage, Amira slipped a small note under my door. My heart raced as I unfolded it, scanning the shaky handwriting.
*”Veronica plans something big. The council meeting tomorrow. Be careful.”*
That was all it said, but it was enough. I knew Amira’s information had to be true-she wouldn’t risk her life to mislead me now. I showed the note to Rita as soon as I could.
“She’s making her move,” Rita murmured, pacing the length of my chamber. “But what exactly is she planning?”
“We’ll find out tomorrow,” I said, folding the note and tucking it away safely. “We need to prepare.”
—
The next morning, the grand hall buzzed with activity. The council members had already gathered, their ornate robes sweeping the marble floors as they exchanged polite conversation. Everyone knew this meeting was the usual one the council uses to usher in the mating season, and so I didn’t bother worrying about what exactly was about to go on. I took my seat near the front, my eyes scanning the room for Veronica. She sat across from me, a cold smile playing on her lips as she conversed with a few of the elder council members. I could feel the tension simmering beneath her composed facade, a warning of what was to come.
As the meeting commenced, Veronica stood, requesting to address the council. Her voice was smooth, as though she had practiced her speech a hundred times over.
“My lords and ladies of the council,” she began, her tone sickeningly sweet, “I regret to inform you of some grave concerns I’ve had regarding the current state of the kingdom. It has come to my attention that there are those within our ranks-those we trust-who are not as loyal as they appear.”
Her gaze swept the room, finally landing on me. I held her stare, refusing to be intimidated.
“There have been plots,” she continued, “against the crown itself. A conspiracy to overthrow the rightful rule. And I believe we need to address these threats before they spiral out of control.”
Whispers erupted across the room, the council members exchanging shocked glances. I remained silent, waiting.
Veronica’s lips curled into a cruel smirk as she turned toward me. “I believe there is evidence to suggest that certain individuals have been conspiring to undermine the crown, and I would like to present this evidence now.”
At her signal, two guards entered the room, dragging someone with them. My blood ran cold as I saw who it was: Amira.
She was pale, trembling, and her eyes darted wildly as the guards forced her to her knees in front of the council. I could see the fear written across her face-Veronica had caught on.
“She is one of the conspirators,” Veronica announced triumphantly. “She has been secretly aiding those who wish to overthrow me and destabilize the kingdom. I have evidence of her treachery.”
My heart pounded.