While Jenny's gone, I shall gather the rest of the pieces to my happiness.
*Few Days Later
I happily whistle. Feeling like a baby bird flying through the air, feeling the wind against it's wings for the first time. The pieces are finally clicking just like a jigsaw puzzle. Nothing could feel better. Except... the downfall of the Imperial Family.
I've doused the maids tea with poison. It's a slow poison. Painful, but elegant. It'll start with coughing. Then the bruises will bloom making their body a beautiful painting no one ever looks at to appreciate.
At the end, they'll be wondering how'd it happen but they'll never know it was me. I paid a commoner child to go meet with one of the maid's kids and tell them about a potion that will make them look beautiful. I made sure it was when multiple maids where present so the mother of the child wouldn't hog it. I personally saw all of them drinking it. All they want was a glance, a touch but what they'll receive in return is what they're more deserving of.
I never knew all the maids were this greedy.
Makes the King look like nothing.
The Imperial Family only has female servants and one butler.
The butler... he's observant, quiet. Never meddles more than he needs to. Always watching from the back, or the front.
The maids... will get replaced once the poison kills them. None of these maids were ever irreplaceable.
The butler saw Jenny take the necklace. I could see the questions in his eyes. He looked at me, met my eyes and understood.
But I know he didn't understand my true motives. He probably thought that I couldn't do anything and pretended not to notice.
Though he is a dangerous enemy. The house of the Imperial Family only works the way it does right now because of him. The house he rules.
Any game I play in the house... he'll be the player against me.
Later that night, I heard the knock.
Not a hesitant one. Not rushed. Just three short raps. Polite. Almost like they were measured.
The way someone knocks when they already know you have to open the door.
I rise, silk robe trailing behind me. I open the door. He's there.
The butler.
In his spotless uniform. Gloves fitted. Eyes sharp.
He bows beautifully. Showing he's fully versed in etiquette and ready. "My lady."
"Can I help you?" I tilt my head just slightly, enough to show wonder about what he's doing here. Enough to hide that I know about what he's doing here.
He glances behind me, at the empty room. At the untouched cookies. The untouched everything.
"You haven't called for a change of clothes this morning."
"I've decided not to go out today."
A pause.
"I see," he says, voice calm, unreadable. "The maids are unwell. All of them. They won't be able to attend you today."
"Unwell?" I echo, eyes widening to show my 'surprise'. "I hope they get better."
"Yes." His gaze lingers. Not threatening, not accusatory. Just present. Heavy on my soul, for any soul. "The apothecary says it could be poison."
"How awful," I murmur, fingers brushing the edge of the doorframe like I'm worried. "You don't think it's... me do you?"
He leans in just slightly. Not enough to invade my space, but enough to send a chill through the air. "No, but I do think the palace has become a very dangerous place, my lady."
And then he straightens, bows again, and turns to leave.
My heart thunders. Enough to make me think he might just hear it.
He knows that I want to play.
But he'll wait.
For my next move. Thinking that he has more power. That by giving me another turn won't effect him. Thinking he'll win this game, unknowing that he's spiraling right into my hands.