{A Few Days Earlier} The last few days consisted of Isabeau taking. She avoided William with no repercussions and she had found a way of avoiding the Princesses domineering investigation, thanks to the Lady of Mercia. After discussing what had happened with Princess Emilia to the Lady, leaving out her odd reaction at the end, the Lady suggested they meet secretly. At first Isabeau detested the idea and the extremities it presented but the Lady insisted that their increased interactions would only paint them as the traitors they were thought to be. So she agreed, talking through a bookshelf feeling like an idiot.
Today she would see the Lady again, even if every bone in her body pleaded against it. There was a little thrill to being involved in this, like drugs but without all those repercussions. She learned more of what the Lady thought the Princess was and her role in the castle. Some were just playful theories but the variables were endless, outstandingly endless. She hadn’t faced any problems! William accepted her harsh denials and her father was too old to manage her while caught up with the King.
She felt free as she headed to the library after posing in the courtyard while the Princess passed by. The Lady had discovered that the Princess was nowhere to be found until a little afternoon when she made her rounds of the castle. There was a gap where she checked a courtyard then looped the whole castle before making it back to the library, this gap was when they would meet.
Hurriedly, she wandered through the shelf's until she reached the last shelf where she knew the Lady resided on the other side. Checking to see that the large golden book was missing, she began to speak.
“My Lady?” She asked, still checking to be sure.
“Yes? You saw the book missing right?”
“Yes but what if someone just checked it out,” Isabeau refuted.
“‘A Guide To Managing Rowdy Toddlers’?” The Lady said, clearly holding back a laugh.
“You’re the one who said to never be off guard,” Isabeau exhaled, feeling a little offended, “do you have any news?”
The Lady took a deep breath before speaking. “Promise me you will not run, I trust your courage and hope you will not abandon me after this. But I can’t be sure.”
“That sounds… serious compared to a few childish theories,” Isabeau fell back into her defenses, “what are you planning?”
“This is going to sound a little absurd but,” The Lady inhaled before letting out a burst of various words, “my husband and I only want what’s best for the continent, you know of how weak the King is, you know of their boasting, and you know of their various in-capabilities shown at the expense of the people. I just-”
Isabeau cut her off with a sharp hush, “This is treason, illegal, punishable by death, what are you rambling about!?” This was so much more than Isabeau signed up for.
“I want to put the Princess on the throne and I need your help.”
“You-” Isabeau sputtered for words, “You want to put that maniac on the throne! She’ll stab someone for bringing her a cold cup of tea!” Isabeau laughed hysterically, the Lady was insane and Isabeau was so far out of line. She felt her grip on duty losen.
“Please calm down, you’ll understand when I explain,” The Lady’s tone was unwavered, a stable thing for Isabeau to hold onto. Isabeau stayed silent and let her continue. “We want what is best for everyone, we want a world not restrained by societal standards or so enamoured with material wealth that the true importance of life is forgotten. Putting her own the throne would create a kingdom anew, and if we have influence over her we can shape the world, we can create something better. My husband and I cannot do it alone, I came to you not only because you understand but because I saw a determined spark in you; something none of the other Ladys had. I trust that you’d trust me, put your faith in our movement, and move beyond the restrictions of your life in this kingdom.”
The Lady was barely breathing after her spew of words, Isabeau felt… well, she didn’t know how to feel or what to do.
“I am not the determined or strong person you have seemed to mistaken me for.” Isabeau whispered, just enough so that the Lady heard it.
“You are yet to understand where your strength lies…” The Lady exhaled, “Your courage is unique and unwavering.”
“You’re wrong,” Isabeau tried to shut this out, “after all of my compliance and submission… all I am is a coward, nothing more.”
The Lady chuckled, “It takes real courage to wake up everyday and pretend to be someone you’re not.”
Isabeau waited, only to say, “Really?”
“Really.” A hand appeared in the space where the golden book was supposed to lie, a way for the Lady to support her in such a simple gesture. Isabeau laid her hand atop it thinking that for the first time in a while someone understood her, and someone supported who she truly was. A friend. It’s the first friend she’s had since her mom, Saer and her friendship was artificial but this was someone who only wanted what was best for her; no romance and no ulterior motive. She wouldn’t let this go easily.
“I… will help you,” Isabeau drew her hand back as an attempt to regain posture, “but let this settle. We can discuss what you need me to assist with tomorrow my Lady.”
Seeing a book take the place of where the Ladys hand used to be was a signal to go, but before she left the Lady spoke up one last time.
“Please, call me Ayleth.”
---------------------
The next day Isabeau’s mind was whirling with having a friend. It was all she was able to think about, the Lady also wanted to drop formalities. Ayleth, her very first friend. Now she felt kind of bad for keeping William out when she was gradually letting someone else in, but he didn’t seem too deterred by her indifference at all. Today was Sunday so William had an immeasurable amount of pent up energy from sitting still in service for the majority of the day, and there were no meetings to divide his attention.
He jumped from topic to topic but as Isabeau tuned back in it seemed to be about how excited he was to get some fluffy bread from the dining hall. Isabeau surveyed the hall as they headed from the church that was in the far corner of the castle's property, a long walk away from the Eastern Wing. It seemed that all of the guests attended church, she didn't see the Princess there however, she didn’t seem like the God bearing type. Isabeau had decided she didn’t like the Princess, was she intrigued by their shared love of hiding their true emotions? Yes. Does that make up for acting out with no grasp of responsibility for her actions and cutting Isabeau? No.
William, as if he’d read her mind, began babbling about the Princess. “She’s so secretive, you know? I just find it so odd that a sole heir is kept out of the public eye and looks like she’d kill someone for looking at her the wrong way.”
Isabeau agreed but wondered if the disarray from the public eye was also to keep her out of harm, well harm from those not in control of her.
“Don’t get me wrong, the public eye breeds discontent and possible harm to her,” Maybe her really was reading her mind, “but there’s something more going on with her…”
Yeah, Isabeau thought, she’s also borderline psychotic.
“At supper last night she kept glancing at you though… It was the oddest thing.” William looked over his shoulder at her quizzically, hoping for a response.
“I didn’t even notice,” Isabeau lied, she’d noticed, “maybe she’s plotting my demise.”
Surprised with her attempt at a joke, William eagerly continued. “There’s rumors that she,” William paused to make sure no one was close enough to hear, “swings another way, if you know what I mean. She’s nearing 20 I think? Way beyond marrying age, our endowment with me being 18 is already considered late.”
“I don’t see why those rumors matter,” Isabeau said a little rougher than she anticipated.
William quickly shook his head and did a few shakes of his hands. “No no no no, I didn’t mean it in a harmful way. It just… intrigued me… that’s all.” For the first time in a while, William went silent.
He’d thought Isabeau took offense to that so he just stopped, is what Isabeau put together. She felt a little guilty but rumors like that only led to more trouble and as much as she didn’t like the princess, she wouldn’t wish for anyone's identity to be invalidated or used against them.
“It’s fine, those rumors are just dangerous.”
“I understand,” William gave her a sad smile, “I’ll be more careful.”
Just like that William was ready to ramble about the crisp apples that came straight from the palace farms. Isabeau put up with it though, listening along and nodding while they walked. When they reached the dining hall church goers had already filled up the buffet, William quickly fell in line. She wasn’t too hungry so she stood off to the side, wondering about a book she’d checked out the other day, when Ayleth approached her. Surprised, Isabeau stood up straight and tried not to look too familiar.
“Hello my Lady,” Ayleth said as she bowed her head, “will you be checking out a book later today.” She wanted to talk today, outside of their normal schedule. This was a small code they’d adopted.
“Yes, I plan to get this one with a golden cover.” Isabeau wanted to know why she wanted to talk so early, was her offer time sensitive? Is she planning something soon?
“Ah, I just returned that one,” Ayleth flashed her a knowing smile before turning as if they hadn’t been talking.
She was a little confused but understood when she saw the Princesses grim face appear in the entrance to the hall over Ayleth’s shoulder. The Princess looked disheveled, dark hair casting a shadow on her face while wearing a gown that looked fairly worn. People kept their distance as she snatched a roll off the buffet and walked back out of the room. Isabeau saw the Queen slap her wrist as she began to walk beside her. What a weird family…, Isabeau thought.
She made eye contact with Ayleth and noticed just how lucky this situation was, the Princess wouldn’t be around the East wing for a little while. Isabeau almost went to tell William where she was going but he was too enveloped in his butter toast to spare her a glance so she went on her way.
By the time she reached their shelf the golden book had already been taken out of its place.
“H-Hello?” Isabeau whispered.
“My Lady we’ve been over this.” Ayleth was holding back a laugh.
“I’m just checking!” Isabeau said defensively.
Ayleth slid a piece of paper into the empty spot on the shelf.
“Go ahead, read it,” Ayleth said, impatiently pushing the paper an inch further signaling for Isabeau to grab it.
Isabeau picked up the piece of paper and read through a bulleted list that was titled, ‘Books To Reference’. “What’s this for?”
“Well I have a plan that involves you but,” Ayleth inhaled cautiously, “you might not be adept in some areas of the plan.”
“‘How To Act: A Beginners Guide’,” Isabeau made an odd face, “what exactly are you planning?”
“I need your help to get closer to the Princess,” Ayleth tried to get this out uninterrupted but Isabeau rose quickly in contradiction.
“Last time I talked with her ended with a knife cut on my breast,” Isabeau instinctively put a hand to the healing cut, “she won’t get close to me.”
“She will if we have something she wants-”
“Information,” Isabeau cut her off, putting together the details, “you want me to pretend to give her information. You know what she’ll do if she finds out it's a hoax.”
“It’s more intricate than that,” Ayleth exhaled, “we need a connection to the Princess if we want to crown her under our influence. Your job is to become that connection.”
Isabeau didn’t speak, waiting for Ayleth to explain more before she backed out.
“I promise I will not let anything dangerous happen to you or to your family, I found out that the Princess doesn’t have the power to commit to her threats,” Ayleth scoffed, “found that out the hard way…”
Isabeau was way out of her grounds, way out of anything that she was used to. If she shifted her role here though… could she leave? If she changed her duty now, could she secure a changed future? Ayleth didn’t wait for Isabeaus thoughts to settle before she continued.
“Recent rumors have flooded of the Princesses sexuality,” Isabeau cut her off.
“Those rumors have no credibility,” Isabeau snapped, unintentionally.
“Hey…” Ayleth consoled, “A few townsmen have claimed to see her escort women out of bars, now that her appearance has been made public. It would explain… a lot.”
“I don’t see what this has to do with my job, what am I even supposed to do?”
Ayleth briefed her of the plan she’d set up, a way to not only gain the Princesses' trust but to also emotionally wrap her in. Isabeau felt sick about the second part.
“It’s not… right,” Isabeau murmured, “taking advantage of someone's emotions like that.”
Ayleth sighed, “Based on her rough edges, it looks like that's the only way in.”
“Seducing her?” Isabeau retorted incredulously, “If you haven’t noticed I specialize in shutting emotions down and emulating apathy, not emulating romance.”
“Not romance, seduction.” Ayleth emphasized.
“But she’s another woman… what about…” But Isabeau was lost for words, she knew this taboo was wrong but it felt weird going what her mother instated in her years ago. Her mother was nice but not to those who went against God’s words; awfully hypocritical of a prostitute.
“Isabeau,” Ayleth pleaded, “do this for both of us. This is the hard part, at the end you can reap what you sowed. But you have to sow it first, tomorrow night, before supper.”
“I have one day?!” Isabeau was going to faint from the stress.
“Isabeau,” Ayleth pleaded once more, “you can do this.”
“I’m not doing this for your personal benefit solely,” Isabeau announced, “this is for us. I will not be another person's tool, even to free myself from another's control. Promise me we are of the same standing, promise me this is a duty I can free myself from at any time.”
Ayleth didn’t miss a beat, “I promise.”
Isabeau took in a deep breath, trying to calm her fried nerves. She would need time to prepare and fully understand Ayleth’s plans.
“Make it two days and I’m in,” Isabeau declared, in this situation she would not be complacent to others demands. This coup will be her escape.
“Ok.”
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