Warning: Alianne comes off as a major slut in this…but she'll be normal in the next chapter, I promise! Ah yes, also…you'll notice I write real historical figures into my fics, or at least mention them. Why, you ask. I'm a history buff, pure and simple. I can name the British succession from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth II in order…it's sad. Ah yes, STRONG LANGUAGE in this chapter!
Part Three: The ConspiracyAlianne lounged on a divan, preparing for a night among the Court. She drummed scarlet fingernails on the porcelain table as she sipped a glass of French champagne. Thank the Goddess for Europe, she thought wryly. I was beginning to give up on the champagne back home.
Back home…she had completely forgotten to go back home! Alianne sat up suddenly, knocking the champagne to the floor, the glass shattering. "They probably think I'm dead," she whispered. "Oh, shit. Oh well, it's not like I can do anything. In a few months, I'll be Queen of the Copper Isles, and then they won't be able to do anything."
With the mention of marriage, Alianne's thoughts turned to Casimiro. He had turned red with anger and hadn't bothered to keep the bad language out of his words as he'd screamed himself hoarse at her. She smiled slightly as she settled back on the divan. It honestly doesn't matter…once I'm married to Cebrian and am queen, I can take as many lovers as I want, Casimiro included.
At the same time, Casimiro paced his bedroom, trying to think of what to do. He was furious that his grandfather had stolen his fiancée by feeding her lies about his past. So what, he'd been engaged before…it was only once! And the girl was an idiot…
He really was in love with Alianne. She made him feel the way no woman ever had before…and now, to lose her to his grandfather. The thought was so disgusting he actually had thrown up when he found out. Casimiro's cousin, Enrique, had tried to comfort him, for he was the only one who really understood. Four years earlier, Cebrian had married Sophia, Enrique's fiancée, secretly. His exuberant cousin was crushed beyond repair.
Casimiro looked down at the wine glass in his hand, trying to think of a solution. He thought of his extravagant, opulent grandfather…the man who ordered slaves to be taken from nations in the Eastern Lands, who raised taxes by twenty percent so he could build a new palace specifically for the Beltane festival. Cebrian was hardly the most popular monarch…no one would be too upset if he died. Casimiro frowned slightly, thinking of his uncles. Not a single one of them was fit to rule the country. Casimiro personally thought they were idiots, but he kept his opinions to himself most of the time. His grandfather had been hinting at naming one of his grandsons his successor…now all Casimiro needed to do was make sure it was him.
Later that night, Casimiro asked his grandfather to join him on the terrace. Cebrian followed, looking irritated.
"Gods, Casimiro, if this has anything to do with the little whore, I swear…"
Though he flinched at Cebrian's slur, Casimiro did not comment on it. "No, Majesty, this has nothing to do with her. I was thinking…being king is dangerous. There are many who would see you killed every day, and yet our nation is at risk because you have not named your successor. You have seven sons, Majesty, and the last think the Copper Isles needs is a war between them over the throne. I myself would sleep much easier every night if I knew there was a designated heir."
"You know, Casimiro, you are right." Cebrian sighed as he settled himself on a bench. "None of my sons are fit to rule, either…though my three grandsons are. I have been meaning to tell you this for a while, but I want to name one of you as my heir."
"Yes, Majesty," Casimiro replied blandly, knowing his grandfather preferred him over Eladio and Enrique, "but which one of us will it be?"
"That is the question, isn't it, my boy? I think you already know the answer. I have decided to name you my heir, though both Eladio and Enrique will undoubtedly hold high positions in your reign?"
"Absolutely."
Cebrian put his hand on Casimiro's shoulder. "I thank you for approaching me about this…especially when you are so concerned for my safety. Now, let us go announce this to the Court."
Casimiro was right in guessing that his grandfather's courtiers would not be surprised. Eladio and Enrique were satisfied as well when they heard of the places they would hold in the government. Only Alianne looked at him suspiciously, as if she knew his real reason for forcing his grandfather to name him successor. When I am king, he thought, and she is my queen, she will thank me.
Things moved slowly in the days approaching Beltane. Alianne felt disgustingly lazy, just lying around not doing anything. The habits of home were still with her somewhat, so she could not just sit all day and gossip.
"You would have found yourself doing the same thing at the Tortallan Court," a voice behind her said. Alianne whirled around to face Casimiro.
"Are my feelings that obvious?"
He motioned for her to sit back down. "Not to everyone, but I can tell when you're bored. And," he added impishly, "when you're unhappy."
"Who says I'm unhappy?"
"Your eyes," he replied softly. "I see the pain in your eyes…you miss your friends and family in Tortall, do you not? You feel guilty for staying here, for not informing them that you are alive."
"D'you know what would have happened if I had sent word?" she asked, her voice growing high. "They would've made me come home! If not my parents, Jonathan. Our two countries are not on the best of terms, as you well know."
"Listen, Alianne," he whispered in a voice that made her look at him, and only him, "I am going to give you a chance right now to become queen…not Cebrian's queen, my queen. Then, you can go back and see your family in Tortall. But I need you to help me."
"Help you what?" Her voice was suspicious.
"Get rid of Cebrian," he answered frankly. "Goddess, Ali, the man is a criminal! He steals from the poorest of the poor just so he can build his palaces and laze around, doing nothing but fucking whores! Excuse my French. Listen, Ali, he named me his successor! I'm next in line…and all we need to do is get rid of him in a natural-seeming way. And you're going to help me."
"How?"
"There's a poison that slowly kills. You don't know you're dying until three days or so after you've taken it. Only, his drinks are so heavily guarded…we'd never get it in. But I have thought of a way, and it involves you…"
She scowled. "What's the catch, Cas?"
He paled slightly. "How'd you know there's a catch?"
"Cause there's always a catch…what is it?"
Casimiro looked away, knowing he didn't want to ask her to do what he needed her to. "Ok, Ali, you're going to hate me, but…"
"Goddess, Cas, I might be willing to do some things, but I will not do that, d'you understand me? Absolutely not!"
"Well, if you don't do this now," he snapped, "then you'll be stuck doing it for the rest of your life. Did you think if that?"
Alianne looked away, knowing he was right. Dammit, she thought bitterly. I'm between a rock and a hard place with nowhere to go. Fuck. "Ok, fine," she said finally. "I'll do it…but when?"
"Beltane."
"What if he doesn't buy it?"
Casimiro laughed. "My grandfather, refuse a woman? You must be joking, my darling. Just remember, you're doing this for the good of the Copper Isles…and for the good of us."
Alianne wrinkled her nose. Something in the back of her mind told her that she was going to regret this decision…but she decided to go along with it anyway. After all, if they succeeded, Casimiro would be king, and she would be free to marry him.
Beltane dawned bright and fair. The daytime celebrations were wonderful, but Alianne was too much of a nervous wreck to enjoy them. As Cebrian's betrothed, she was basically queen, and served as one during the festivals. At the ball that night, Casimiro slipped a tiny vial into her hands while they were waltzing around the room.
"Make sure it dissolves completely into the wine," he whispered. "Otherwise it won't work."
She nodded, making a mental note of his instructions. Slipping the vial down the front of her dress after the dance, Alianne ignored the discomfort during the rest of the ball. Though, of course, the placement of the vial actually took her mind off of the bone-crushing corset she wore. She could hardly take in half a breath at once! The effect was dazzling, as her waist looked as tiny as a gold noble. Alianne took a deep breath. It was time…
Maybe I won't actually have to do anything, she thought frantically. Maybe he'll pass out…gods know he's had enough to drink tonight!
It appeared luck was not on her side that night. Cebrian had all but ordered her to his bed. She went, of course, knowing that kings did not take it well when they were disobeyed.
Days later, Alianne still shuddered when she remembered the painful experience that it was. She had all but recoiled under his touch, trying to think of Casimiro…of anything but what was happening at the moment. It was only a touch short of rape, in her opinion, though she was successful in getting Cebrian to drink the wine later…now it was only a matter of time before they knew…
A courier rode hard through the streets of Corus, knowing that his message was a vital one that must reach King Jonathan and Queen Thayet. He dismounted, handed his reins to a hostler, and walked directly towards Jonathan's council chamber. Not bothering to knock on the door, he strode in, much to the shock of the various nobles gathered around the table.
Kneeling next to Jonathan's chair, he said swiftly, "From our agents in the Copper Isles, Majesty."
The king nodded, and the courier took his exit as suddenly as he had come. The council looked expectantly up at Jonathan as he read the message, all the while his face growing paler and paler.
"King Cebrian has died, naming his grandson Casimiro his successor," Jon announced, putting the paper back down on the table. "Casimiro and his fiancée Eliana are to be crowned at the next full moon."
"Not wasting any time, are they?" George remarked thoughtfully. "He's up to something."
Gary laughed. "You're paranoid, George. We wanted Casimiro on the throne…he's always been an ally of ours."
"Casimiro has," Myles replied, "but I've heard rumors of this Eliana. She's ambitious, and she has her eye on the Eastern Lands. At her orders, the Copper Isles has already taken several islands previously belonging to Carthak. She's young, strong, healthy, and apparently very beautiful. All powerful weapons in Casimiro's hands."
Jon looked at his spymaster skeptically. "You honestly think Casimiro and this Eliana want to create an empire? They haven't the armies, nor the wealth."
"That's where you're wrong, Jon," George corrected. "Cebrian was no fool…he has been building up an army and collecting taxes from his subjects for five years now."
"What? Why was I not informed of this?"
Raoul raised an eyebrow. "You mean you didn't know?"
"No! Who else knows this?"
"Jon," Alanna said, trying not to laugh, "everyone knows…they had a debate on the pros and cons of the influence of the Copper Isles at the university months ago. We just assumed you knew."
"Well…well, I didn't," he snapped. "I've been busy the past few years, in case you haven't noticed! I have two children getting married, and three other marriages to set up. It's not like I have time to listen to idle Court gossip."
His council laughed, causing Jonathan to only grow angrier. He hated being made a fool of, especially in front of the group of people he was with now, for unlike some, they wouldn't let him live it down.
"Well, fine then, if you want to make fun of me, go ahead. Gary, arrange for some kind of gift to be sent or something…we want Casimiro to know that he has an ally in Tortall."
A/N: Ok, ok, I keep saying the chapters are going to get longer, and they are! I promise! It's just, I don't have all the time in the world…those of you pressuring me to get a chapter out every day, please understand that I simply can't! I don't sit at my computer all day and write fics! I have a job, and I have somewhat of a social life (yeah, right…whatever). Ok, I will make Part Four longer…I swear on the Holy Bible, I will! Not to mention it gets interesting…yes, there will be some contact between Alianne and the Tortallans in Part Five. Also, the next chapter might come out a little later as I am in the middle of Tragic Kingdom…which I am devoting more of my time to, since I just love the story so much. Ok, well, see y'all! I love you!