Chapter Three: Two Royals, a Plan, and Why They Shouldn't be Left Alone Together
"Ger-? Forgive me, Prince Geric. What are you doing here?" Isi asked coldly, putting extra emphasis on his title. Poker faced, Isi carefully guided her geese over to the stream. He was free to jump in and drown, if he liked. Hmph.
"Isi? Please, Isi, at least listen to me. I know this can't make up for my behavior, but I apologize with utmost regret for the way I have acted towards you. Please forgive me, Princess Anidori," Geric whispered these last few words, for they spilled over his lips without command. Slowly, his love turned, her eyes sparkling with emotion. Her full lips, chewed and bruised from anxiety, tilted up into the lovely smile Geric had longed for over the past few days. If only a few days did this to him, he could not imagine what a lifetime without her would have been like. Might still be like.
"You-you believe me? But, after that day, I thought that surely-"
"Hush, Isi, darling. I doubt you no longer, as I should have felt in the first place. I seek your counsel, for I am at unrest. How am I to inhibit the imminent attack on Kilendree? They are innocent, but that woman, Selia, she is determined to launch the mission as soon as possible. Surely you must have some idea? You were always far wiser than I," Geric begged, getting to one knee and kissing Isi's hand.
"That all depends on what you're willing to do. How far will you go to help me? I cannot do this without you, my love."
"Then listen carefully..."
Selia paced her bedchamber, Ungolad seated on the bed.
"What on earth is that Royal Rat doing? I don't trust him to be out of my sight... What do you think, my heart? Should I allow him more freedom or tighten the leash on our pedigreed little puppy over here?"
"I may be biased, due to his position in relation to mine, but I would pull that leash just tight enough to choke the dog at the right moment," Ungolad sneered with a nasty grin.
"Soon, my love, soon we shall be married instead of that dimwitted Prince and I. I wonder, has he gone to see that Goose Girl again? Oh my, we may have a problem, Ungolad. Looks like we may have a little puppy love on our hands," Selia ranted calculatingly, pacing faster, "Darling, you know what must be done. Find him and split them apart. Slit that little brat's neck if the oppurtunity presents itself. She will not take my future from me! We have worked far too hard for it all to be in vain now. Locate them, and kill Anidori."
Geric listened carefully to Isi's plan, adding the odds of success in his head. Maybe she should take over the strategic planning for Bayern's Own.
"...and so, after that, we should have won. If not, we're both done for."
"So, quick review: we get out of here, ride back to Kilendree, forewarn them, I pretend that I have already accidentally married Selia, we trick her into making a mistake, and we hope to any power above that we made it?"
"Yes, that's the best I can do. But, you must be convincing, or they will not believe it. Selia must be confused. The only thing that weakens her is when evidence trips her up."
Naturally, the plan upset the forest workers seeing as they were not a part of it. After much reasoning and protesting, Isi and Geric were allowed to leave. Packing like a blonde tornado, Isi tried not to let the anxiety of failure overcome her. Surely, with Geric by her side, she could save her country from Selia trying to cover up her bloody deeds with a war. They had to succeed; if Isi knew anything about Selia, it was this: once she had power, she would do anything to get everything within and beyond her murderous reach.