January 4, Winter, year 36
Well, that went over surprisingly well. Daisuke brought Tsuyu with him, thankfully, so I didn't have to worry about what she might think…
"Alright, so what did you have in mind?" Kaemon's glance was undeniably skeptical.
"We have to prove that Toshi has the intent to kill so that he can become King, right?" Claire's voice was low, they were in the library. "Why not give him the opportunity?"
All around the table, jaws dropped. Only Akio rubbed his chin thoughtfully, turning the implications over in his mind.
"It is pretty obvious that Toshi is less than fond of you as well," he nodded. "Perhaps this is because when you talk to people, even though they might not seem too, they listen, and take things you say to heart."
"She changes people," Tsuyu interjected softly, eyes knowing. "By being herself and a strong personality, she draws the people to her and they change into someone better. I would not doubt that this is the reason Hikari changed."
Claire blushed a little, waving a hand at the bejeweled Queen.
"You're giving me too much credit," she protested, rubbing the back of her neck.
"But only think about it," Tsuyu's voice was gentle as the boys continued to wrap their minds around the idea of giving Toshi his chance. "From the time that you spoke to Hikari and told her that you bore her no resentment, she changed, no?"
The blonde blinked, repeatedly. Tsuyu just giggled at the dumbfounded expression that crossed her face. Claire had not thought about that, she'd honestly thought that Hikari had been blameless and had….
Akio cleared his throat carefully, snapping both females back to the present, and Claire nodded, continuing.
"How would we go about giving him the chance?" Kaemon asked, brows drawn together in worry. "What if he actually succeeds?
Daisuke reached out and smacked his brother in the shoulder, annoyed.
"Not if you're there first," Claire interjected more to keep them from glaring each other to death than because she wanted to share the rest of the plan. "Which you would be, naturally. We're planning this, remember?"
She fell silent for a short moment, letting them all absorb it.
"Alright Claire… what did you have in mind?"
She laid it out for them in exact detail, hoping that neither Skye nor Tsuyu would be offended by her presumptuous idea. Again, jaws dropped, and frowns crossed faces as silence descended.
What Claire proposed was simple. Through a rumor, inform Toshihiro that Daisuke and Claire may be stepping out on their significant others… with each other. At a specific time and place.
Admittedly the idea wasn't exactly her favorite, but if there was something Toshi wanted, it was to kill Dai, and then he could threaten Claire into silence with the knowledge of her 'infidelity.'
Skye's expression she had anticipated, he was clearly unhappy with the idea. So was Daisuke. Tsuyu seemed mostly contemplative, and Claire hoped that it was a good thing. Akio nodded lightly; to him, the idea was sound, and even Kaemon seemed impressed by it.
The militarial positioned Prince pulled out a map of the formal gardens, and laid it down on the table. Between Akio and Kaemon it was decided on the best hiding places for the soldiers who would catch Toshi in the act. Claire felt a knot loosen in her chest, relief that at last there was a plan to take care of Toshihiro, and a way that she could be involved.
Hopefully it would end all her dreams.
Eventually Daisuke and Skye were argued into the idea as well, by Tsuyu of all people, who pulled Claire aside after the meeting broke up. The blonde feared the worst, brows drawing together in uncertainty, but Tsuyu only smiled warmly, and hugged her.
"Thank you Claire," her voice was soft, gentle. "I was starting to fear that Daisuke himself would be Toshihiro's next target, and they had no ideas on how to protect him beyond not letting Dai alone for a minute."
"And that would have about the same effect on Daisuke it has on me, I bet," Claire chuckled. "Being crowded by people, even with the best of intentions isn't exactly my idea of a fun time. I can just imagine how he's been complaining."
The queen giggled, nodding.
"I was… a little uncertain about my idea," Claire admitted after a minute. "It just seems…"
Tsuyu patted Claire on the shoulder, light blue eyes understanding.
"I can see how much you love your prince," she said gently. "Do not fear, I would not think such things. And I am certain that Skye will… how do you say it?"
"Get over it," Claire responded dryly. "I hope so…"
"He will, I know it. I believe this is more about his inability to protect you if he's to be a witness…" Tsuyu trailed off, then snapped her fingers. "That does remind me, if you are going to take such a dangerous role, I wish to give you something that may help."
Intrigued, Claire followed her friend as the brothers continued to talk in quiet tones. Clearly for them, the meeting wasn't yet finished entirely.
Skye was a little put out by his wife's idea, for the exact reason that Tsuyu had stated. Being forced to watch her play this part out, and not be able to help her until after Toshi had made his move was going to be difficult.
"It's too bad we can't get someone else to do this," Kaemon nodded, sensing his brother's unhappiness. "But it can only be Claire. If Tsu-chan is correct than your lady wife has inadvertently thwarted many a plan of our errant sibling."
"But that's also the reason it's as dangerous for her as it is for me," Daisuke pointed out. "Made more difficult on her part because she's carrying children. What if he decides that it's simply easiest to attempt to kill the both of us?"
Oddly, Skye was annoyed by this. He should have been agreeing with Daisuke, but the more he thought about it, the more he knew his wife had something up her sleeve.
"We're just going to have to trust her," Kaemon said firmly, noticing the conflicted look on Skye's face. "She might not have Akio's strategic know-how, but she's clever. There must be something in the back of her head that she's going to use to defend herself in case that happens."
"So these will help me?" Claire looked down at her arms a touch doubtfully. "I dunno Tsuyu…"
Tsuyu nodded firmly, tapping the blue bracelets.
"They are made of the same material as the knife that Toshi will be using," she replied. "It will repel the blades, no matter where he might try to strike you. Also, this," and she lifted a small bar of the same material, "will expand into a cage. And I am certain that the boys will have recording crystals which will prove anything beyond any form of doubt."
Claire pursed her lips thoughtfully, then let out a nod and sighed softly. She trusted Tsuyu, if she said they would do that, then the blonde would believe her.
"I would say also that you will need to use whatever spells Miharu has taught you in the manner of restraining."
"Miharu didn't teach me anything like that… Only how to ease the teleportation sickness. I was going to start learning about healing broken bones, but then I got pregnant, and everything got crazy."
"Well, then we'll just have to fix that, won't we?"
Everything's going to be set up for this 'tryst' on the fifteenth. Tsuyu's promised that I'll learn at least one, if not two binding spells by that point.
I can only hope she's right…
Though I have to admit I never thought a soft lady like her would know how to do something like this. Have to admit, I'm impressed.