Part II of the Winter Palace. This part was a bit challenging to write and it's such an important mission I really wanted to incorporate it in especially since this would have been Lara's future had she not cut herself off from her family.

It does mostly stick to the storyline with some added dialogues. We finish the Winter Palace in Chapter 15 but it's not with the storyline besides a possible dance between Cullen and Lara? We shall see next week…

In the meantime, hope you enjoy this one! Please leave a comment if you are enjoying it or any feedback you have :)

—-

Chapter 14:

As soon as she managed to clean herself up quickly, Lara put her uniform back on and entered the ballroom. Not even a minute in, and she was already approached. To her surprise, it was the Grand Duchess Florianne.

"My dear Inquisitor. Welcome to my party," She bowed at her.

Lara bowed back. "Is there something I can do for you, Your Grace?"

"Indeed. I believe tonight that we both are concerned by the actions…of a certain person," Florianne began walking towards the stairs leading to where others were already dancing.

"Come. Let us dance. Spies cannot hear us on the dancefloor."

"Honored to, Your Grace," Lara smiled sweetly, already knowing this conversation wasn't going to be good. Alarm bells were ringing in her head.

Florianne smiled back and led the way. Some eyes were on them as they made their way, others were lost in their dances, others heavily into their conversations and gossip. As they were surrounded by the other guests dancing, Lara felt her hand being grabbed by Florianne, preparing for their dance.

"You are from the Free Marches, are you not? How much do you know about your little war?" She started as they began to move.

"What do you think I ought to know?" Lara stepped in sync with her, constantly remembering to play the Game. To the death. She couldn't let her hostility to her family be shown here.

"My brother and dear cousin have been at each other's throats for too long. It took great effort to arrange these peace talks yet one person would use this occasion for treason. The security of the Empire is at stake. Neither one of us wishes to see it fall."

"Do we both want that?" Lara asked, focusing on both their movements and her words.

"I hope we are of one mind on this."

"It's hard to tell friend from foe these days, is it not, Your Grace?" Lara asked, not giving away her position while she moved with Florianne. The couples all moved together in unison.

"I know you are here as my brother Gaspard's guest. You are a curiosity to many, Inquisitor…and a concern to others," Florianne responded sweetly.

"Am I the curiosity or the concern to you?"

"A bit of both, actually. Tonight is of utmost importance. I wonder what part you will play in it. Do you even know who is friend and who is foe?"

She plays the Game well. Too well.

"If I have learned anything Your Grace, it is to put my trust in no one," Lara replied smiling, but meant every word. Her life taught her not to trust anyone, not even her own family. It's why she had such a hard time letting anyone in and preferred it that way. For the first time, Lara had friends and while it made her uncomfortable, it was also so welcome after a life of loneliness.

"In the Winter Palace, everyone is alone. It can't have escaped your notice that certain parties are involved in dangerous machinations tonight," Florianne responded, twirling around the ballroom with the other couples in sync.

"I thought 'dangerous machinations' were the national sport in Orlais," Lara smiled, proud of herself for that statement.

The music was soon coming to an end, and Lara bowed the Grand Duchess whilst making sure to hold her up securely. An accident wouldn't be welcome. She lifted Florianne to her feet, and cheering and gasps could be heard behind them.

"You have little time. You must stop Gaspard. In the Royal WIng Garden, you will find the captain of his mercenaries. He knows all of Gaspard's secrets. Perhaps you can persuade him," Florianne bowed to her.

"We'll see what the night has in store," Lara bowed back, still smiling.

—-

She was reunited with her party again in the Royal Wing. She had managed to woo Ambassador Anton and his men to speak with Cullen in the ballroom about her tales. She felt guilty knowing Cullen had so much on his shoulders at the moment but she needed to get into the Trophy Room, which was a success evidence wise. Now, Lara had a dreadful feeling that they were walking into a trap. Why would Florianne turn in her own brother? She tried to ignore it but of course, Dorian had to confirm her worries.

"I hope you know that this could very much be a trap," Dorian commented as he looked around.

"The nobles like to mess with people so I wouldn't be surprised," Bull added.

"Not unless we trap them. We could reverse this, yeah? Trap the nobles and show them the little people are in charge here," Sera said with a disgusted look on her face.

"And how do you plan on doing that? When we're caught in the middle of Maker knows how many traps have been laid tonight?" Dorian glared at her.

"Pfft. You don't have to be such a stick in the mud," Sera said then started giggling. "Laid, haha…you need a proper one. Maybe you'll get that stick out of your arse."

"Excuse me…" Dorian snapped, annoyance clear in his expression.

"For fucks sake! Shut up!" Lara hissed at them. "Can we not have our enemies know we're in here? Thank you…"

Lara regretted snapping at them, but she was on edge. Several traps were indeed laid tonight and Lara was somehow getting stuck in all of them. Leliana was unweaving the web little by little the more secrets and evidence she provided her with but it still wasn't enough. As they made their way up to the Royal Quarters, she could feel her fear rising. All of a sudden, a scream caught Lara's attention and she headed over.

A servant was on the floor trying to run away, with a Venatori agent trying to kill her. Before Lara could do anything, Bull charged towards the agent and kicked them through the window with full force.

Sera snickered, "Ouch…wouldn't want to be them…"

"Are you alright?" Lara asked the elf, helping her up.

"I think so. No one is supposed to be here. Briala said…I shouldn't have trusted her,"

"Briala told you to come here?" Lara asked, confused.

"Not personally. The 'Ambassador' can't be seen talking to the servants. We get coded messages but the order came from her. She's been watching the Grand Duke all night. Not surprised she wanted someone to search his sister's room," The elf said angrily.

"This is Florianne's room?" Lara looked around to see if anything stood out.

"It used to be when they were children. They moved to the guest wing when this part was damaged," The elf responded.

"Anyone else who knows about the code and this location?"

"I don't know. Any of us could do it but no, it came from Briala,"

"What were you trying to find in her room?" Lara asked curiously.

"It didn't say. I should've known this was a setup…." The elf looked down, embarrassed.

"You sound like you distrust Briala," Lara kept her eyes on her, assessing her.

"I knew her. When she was Celene's pet. Now she wants to play revolution. I remember she was sleeping with the Empress who purged us," The elf was angry now.

"Would you be willing to testify to that?"

"If the Inquisition can protect me, I'll tell you everything."

"Go to Commander Cullen. He's in the Ballroom. He will keep you safe," Lara smiled at her.

The elf nodded and left.

"Knew it. I did. And I bet they had some serious hate sex," Sera said.

Dorian groaned in annoyance.

—-

Further down the corridor, a male Orlesian accent called out from one of the rooms.

"Hello? Is anyone there? Somebody?"

Lara looked at her party. They all shrugged. They were all in the thick of it so might as well go and see what was inside. Lara opened the door and she could not make it up even if she wanted to. She immediately blushed a bright red at the Orlesian man naked and tied up to the bed. She couldn't even remember seeing a man naked so this was a new sight for her and was immediately uncomfortable. Like she was invading his privacy. She tried not to look between his legs as he was semi-hard. Sera's sniggering overtook the whole room as she couldn't contain herself.

"Oh my…" Dorian said, trying not to sound too amused.

Bull just gave out a laugh, "This ought to be good."

"What…um, what happened?" Lara asked the man, trying not to sound uncomfortable.

"It's not what it looks like! Honestly, I would have preferred it if it were what it looked like! The Empress led me to believe I would be rewarded for betraying the Grand Duke. This…was not what I hoped for," He wasn't even embarrassed. More sorry for himself.

"Right, so the Empress left you here naked and trussed like a roast duck?" Lara raised an eyebrow.

"Please! I beg you! Don't tell Gaspard! She beguiled me…into giving her information about plans for the troops movements tonight. She knows everything! The Duke's surprise attack has been countered before it even began. The moment he strikes she'll have him arrested for treason," He begged while pulling on his restraints.

Celene knew this whole time but acted like she didn't. Damn the Game…

Dorian let out a hearty laugh, sounding in a much better mood.

"Oh, Orlesians…" He commented.

"Right. Well, I'll protect you from Gaspard if you're willing to testify about Celene's trap," Lara started to remove his restraints awkwardly trying to avoid the fact that he was still naked.

"I'll do anything! Anything!" He pleaded.

As soon as he was freed, he grabbed his garments quickly and ran out of the room.

Lara was now getting quite fucking sick of this. This night was an overwhelming reminder of why she wanted nothing to do with her family or Orlais. She wasn't meant for this life.

—-

As they made their way to the gardens, she could hear a voice belonging to a Ferelden screaming.

"You painted Orlesian assholes! When I get out of this, I'll butcher you like the pigs that you are!"

"That sounds like our guy," Bull said, his weapon ready.

Lara didn't like it. If he was working with Gaspard, why was he cursing the Orlesians? Something wasn't right but the only way out was through so she had to face whatever awaited her in the gardens which was no doubt another trap.

Is that a fucking rift? Oh for fuck's sake.

She was greeted by armed archers and a giant fucking rift in front of her face. Her left hand glowed a sickly green color and immediately Lara was irritated by the connection, by the pull on her hand. Today was really testing her patience.

"Inquisitor. What a pleasure. I wasn't certain you'd attend. You're such a challenge to read, I wasn't sure if you'd taken my bait," Florianne appeared from above.

"I fucking knew it…" Lara whispered to herself, angrily.

"Hmm, I fear I'm a bit busy at the moment, if you were looking for another dance," Lara replied, sarcasm bleeding through her words.

"I see that. Such a pity you did not save one final dance for me," She said sweetly. Too sweetly.

"It was kind of you to walk into my trap so willingly. I was growing tired of your meddling. Corypheus insisted that the Empress die tonight and I would hate to disappoint him."

What? You have got to be fucking kidding me…

"Why kill the Empress? I don't understand what Orlesian politics gain him," Lara replied.

"Celene's death is a stepping stone on the path to a better world. He will enter the Black City and claim the godhood waiting for him," She answered, a way too proud smile on her face.

Visions of his future suddenly rose to the surface, bile forming in her throat. In his future, Celene was assassinated. This allowed him to gain control of Orlais and it seemed it would be from Florianne's doing, which means she needed to be stopped in order to stop his future from happening. This was her moment.

"You're Orlesian royalty and you're helping him attack your Empire?" Lara asked angrily.

"You think so small, Inquisitor. Why settle for an Empire when Corypheus will remake the entire world? I admit, I will relish the look on Gaspard's face when he realizes I've outplayed him. He always was a sore loser," She smirked, pleased with herself.

"You're not being kind, Florianne. He's got to get used to disappointment," Lara smirked.

"Not today, I'm afraid. No one would imagine that I would be the one to kill the Empress. A pity you'll miss the rest of the ball tonight, Inquisitor. They'll be talking about it for years. Kill her! Bring me the marked hand as proof," Florianne walked off without another look.

Lara let out a cry and immediately lifted her hand, the anchor crackling waiting to be connected with its magic. The power of her hand connecting with the rift was enough to startle the archers. Bull and Sera already sprung into action attacking them while Dorian stood behind her to cover her. She disrupted the rift causing the demons to be docile, allowing them to be defeated easier. Disrupting the rifts bought them more time. Lara slammed down her staff sending electricity towards the demons, stunning them momentarily. Her anger was building and if it was anyone she would take it out on, it would be these fucking demons and sending them back to the Fade where they belong.

Before she realized, the archers were killed and the demons gone. With a sigh, she lifted her arm one more time and closed the rift. She drank a potion to protect her mana just in case and immediately wished it was alcohol.

She walked over and freed the Fereldan man that was tied up. Lara nearly forgot about him.

"Andraste's tits! What was that? Demons? There aren't any more of those blasted demons, right?" He yelled.

"Good eye. Those were definitely demons," Lara responded sarcastically.

"Maker Bless Me! Demons? In the fucking Winter Palace? I knew Gaspard was a bastard but I didn't think he'd feed me to those fucking things over a damned bill," He spat out angrily.

"Gaspard left you as bait?"

"Well, his sister, but it had to come from him, didn't it? All that garbage she was spewing doesn't mean anything. Gaspard had to be the mastermind!"

Lara let out a sigh and in the most Cullen way possible, she pinched the bridge of her nose. Now she understood why he did this. Lara was getting sick and tired of all these plot twists.

"Your accent is Ferelden. Are you one of his mercenaries?" Lara asked, not sure why he was here.

"Born and raised in Denerim. Seems like I should have stayed there. The Duke wanted to move on the Palace tonight but he didn't have enough fancy Chevaliers. So he hired me and my men and he had to offer us triple our pay to come to Orlais. Stinking poncy cheesemongers…" He muttered.

Sera snickered loudly.

"Want a new job? One that pays better? The Inquisition can always use a good mercenary company."

"You're hiring? I'm game. Anything's better than this bullshit," He commented.

"Speak to Commander Cullen in the ballroom. He's also a fellow Ferelden man. You two might get along," Lara answered.

"Good. I'm done with Orlesians and this fucking Palace," He said as he walked off.

"So am fucking I," Lara spat out angrily, gathering some looks from her party.

—-

There was no time to clean up or change to her uniform. She needed to get to the ballroom immediately before Florianne striked. She'll deal with Josephine's horror later. As she entered the ballroom, she spotted The Duke and Duchess walking together across the ballroom. A smirk played on her lips as she eyed them. Soon they noticed her and she wished she could frame their faces when they saw her there. Alive. She turned the corner and kept on walking until a familiar voice filled her ears. One she wanted to get lost in but couldn't.

"There you are! Thank the Maker you're back. I was…We were worried, I mean. The Empress will begin her speech soon. What should we do?" He asked her softly.

"Wait here Commander. I'm going to have a word with the Grand Duchess," Lara said, anger seething through her words. She was done with tonight.

"What! There's no time! The Empress will begin her speech…"

"Cullen! I'm tired and fed up!" She whispered harshly at him. "I know what's going on, let me deal with this! We came to save the Empress so that's exactly what I'm fucking doing," She said as she stormed off.

She could see his retraction and immediately regretted taking it out on him. He didn't deserve it, even if he didn't really understand what was going on. She instantly felt like a child. It would've been easier to let him in, but Lara couldn't. Not here, not in front of these people. How much she wanted to sink into his arms. The way he held her once before. She needed that again. His strong hold, his protection. But now wasn't the place or time and hopefully Cullen would understand after this was all over.

She stood just below the stairs, interrupting the talks about to begin. Celene stood up above. Gaspard, Florianne, and Briala on the lower level, below the Empress. Lara stood at the very bottom. The little people showing them who is in charge as Sera would put it. Gasps could be heard around her as she stood, interrupting. Not very Orlesian of her.

"We owe the Court one more show, Your Grace," She said, smiling sweetly, the Game back on.

"Inquisitor," Florianne turned around to face her.

"The eyes of every noble are upon us. Remember to smile, Your Grace," She continued, making her way up the stairs. "This is your party, after all. Wouldn't want them to think you've lost control."

Florianne took a few steps back. "Who would not be delighted to speak with you, Inquisitor?"

"Hmm, I seem to recall you saying, 'No one would imagine that I would be the one to kill the Empress tonight'," Lara said loudly so all could hear.

The silence that filled the ballroom was deafening. Lara continued.

"When your archers failed to kill me in the garden, I feared you wouldn't save me this last dance. How easy it is to lose your good graces. You even framed your brother for the murder of a Council Emissary," Lara walked around her, like a predator hunting her prey.

Gaspard stepped closer to them, almost in disbelief but it was hard to tell with his mask.

"It was an ambitious plan. Celene, Gaspard, the Council of Heralds…all your enemies under one roof," She finished, standing in front of her.

Florianne was almost cowering away. "This is very entertaining, but you do not imagine that anyone believes your wild stories?"

"That will be a matter for the judge to decide, cousin," Celene spoke, her face giving away no expression or emotion.

Florianne turned to her brother. "Gaspard? You cannot believe this! You know I would never…"

Gaspard made a face at her and backed away. He turned to leave, Briala at his side. Knights soon descended the stairs, closing Florianne in.

"Gaspard?" She called after him, turning and realizing she was being closed in. Panic soon showed on her face.

"You lost this fight ages ago, Your Grace. You're just the last to find out," Lara finished.

Florianne began to sob on her knees as the knights took her away.

—-

"Your sister attempted regicide in front of the entire Court, Gaspard," Briala said as soon as they were in private on the balcony.

Lara stood with Celene, Gaspard, and Briala.

"You're the spymaster. If anyone knew this was coming, it would be you," Gaspard spat back.

"You don't deny your involvement?" Briala asked, ignoring his comment.

"I do deny it! I knew nothing of Florianne's plans! But you…you knew it all and did nothing!"

"I don't know which is better: that you think I'm all-seeing or that you're trying so hard to play innocent and are failing at it," Briala responded, keeping her cool.

"Enough of this bickering. Tevinter is plotting against our nation. For the safety of our nation, I will have answers," Celene intervened.

"Gaspard intended to attack. He spent all night sneaking mercenaries into the Palace. Your captain told me so himself," Lara said, looking at Gaspard.

"And where did your troops come from, Inquisitor? Seems we are both damned," He replied sneakily.

"We found your knife on a dead Emissary's body. Not to mention this letter Gaspard penned to his General ordering his men into position in the palace," Lara continued, handing the letter to Celene.

"Do you blame me? Preparing to repel an attack was the course of wisdom," He replied.

"Mhmm. Keep telling yourself that. We've heard enough to damn you," Lara smiled at him.

"Thank you Inquisitor. There can be no doubt of your treason, Gaspard," Celene answered.

"I have no choice but to declare you enemy of the Empire. You are hereby sentenced to death."

What the fuck?

"You have enough evidence to dissolve his support for the throne. You don't need to take his life," Lara interjected.

"As a favor to you Inquisitor, I will let him live," Celene replied.

Gaspard was taken away and Lara was never so relieved to have this over with. Once it was her and Celene alone, Lara took this opportunity.

"I found this. I thought you might want it," She handed her the locket. "I'm not sure of the situation between yourself and Briala but if you can, make it right. You have another chance."

"Thank you for tonight Inquisitor. This peace was not possible without you," She responded, not taking her eyes off the locket and holding it close to her. With a nod, she left to address the nobility. Lara soon was hit with the reality that Celene kept Briala's locket just like she still kept Cullen's spare coat in her quarters.

—-

"Ouch!" Lara whispered harshly as Josephine was fastening her into her dress. It was time for celebrations and Josephine outdid herself with the dress she ordered. A white coloured dress decorated with gold details and thin royal blue hemmings to compliment the royal blue uniforms. The top part tightly fitted with a corset, the bottom a wide gown that flowed with her movements. The dress hugged her figure perfectly, showing just the appropriate amount of décolletage to catch the eye but still leave to the imagination. She felt like royalty. Gold details were intertwined throughout her neatly plaited braid.

"There! You look magnificent. Now we have your makeup left," She walked over to the vanity table and gathered some items.

"I'm so tired…" Lara sat down on the bed, feeling guilty for not enjoying this moment.

"Tonight couldn't have been easy on you Inquisitor…"

"Please. Lara."

"Lara. If I may speak plainly. You've done so well and if it means anything, I am proud of what you've accomplished. For our nation anyways," Josephine nearly giggled and Lara knew she meant Orlais. Their backgrounds.

"I snapped at Cullen," She had no idea why she was saying this. Or why she was feeling vulnerable. Or even why her guard was down all of a sudden.

"He is quite forgiving. If he means so much, why not talk to him," She answered, sitting next to her.

"You and Blackwall?" Lara suddenly remembered.

"He is a gallant man but there are too many differences in our station. It must be 'la splendeur des cœurs perdus'," Jospehine answered, placing a hand on Lara's.

The splendor of lost hearts.

Lara felt her heart break for her and tears pricked her eyes. She was suddenly so emotional and she blamed the exhaustion taking over leading to a lack of control over herself.

"Fortunately, your situation with Cullen is quite different," She continued.

"How? A templar and a mage? A Ferelden and a nobility? A Commander and his Inquisitor?" Lara could think of all the reasons why they shouldn't be.

"You cut off ties from your family, did you not? You are under no obligation, no requirements, nor expectations. Your life is simply your own to choose, even if it means choosing a certain Commander. He is only your enemy if you make him to be," Josephine answered, giving her a smile.

She was right. Her life was her own. She was free to choose her path. A chosen marriage partner for her always sickened her, she hated the idea. The life she would have been forced to live was empty. Empty large rooms in a large house, balls and social events, politics, forced conversations, fancy dresses and material items, family name and prospects, lack of parental attention, a forced husband which would no doubt lead to an affair at some point down the line but kept in hushed whispers. A life that wasn't meant for someone as free-spirited as her. In a way, being a mage was a blessing. It was her ticket out of that life, away from her family.

A stray tear rolled down her cheek. Josephine knew something was between them. Of course she did. It was almost as if she were giving Lara her approval at this moment. To go for the opportunity that Josephine wasn't able to herself.

"Thank you Josephine," She whispered as she wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug. She returned the hug back to her.

Josephine gave her another warm smile once they separated, a tear rolling down her cheek as well as if they understood each other without saying it.

"No more tears now. I'm going to do your make-up," She said while walking back over to the vanity table.