Chapter 10

"Are you sure Agnes?" I asked and she nodded.

I sighed and headed towards my first target. He was situated in a drawing room. He was looking out a large window, sipping what appeared to be tea but what I knew was spiked hot water.

I needed to do this. I needed to make friends, I couldn't be all alone in this court. I needed strong allies if I was going isolate myself from that dreaded trio.

I wasn't overreacting, I was doing what Janson and my Mother had always told me to do.

I was making friends.

Thankfully, I already knew one well enough that I didn't have to introduce myself.

Otherwise, I would have been helpless.

"Gally, I see you didn't heed my advice about your eyebrows." I teased.

General Gally turned around and raised his eyebrows to an unimaginable height.

"Princess Roan, they let you in here? I didn't know goats were allowed indoors."

I took a deep breath.

Just as I feared. Our hostilities would need to be resolved.

"They made an exception today." I forced a smile and Gally kept an unresponsive face.

After continuous staring, he broke.

"What do you want?" He asked. I was losing him.

My incentive had to be good enough for him to forget all the times I had made fun of him.

"My enemy's enemy is my friend." I said.

Gally shook his head.

"I'm not teaming up with you. I don't care if its against my mothers murderer."

I sighed and my face fell in frustration.

"Look, I know how much you hate that maze guard, Minho, I hate him too. If we just agree to be each other's ally against him, I think his downfall will be achieved much quicker than if we work by ourselves." I explained.

Gally furrowed his eyebrows and I did my best not to laugh.

"What could you possibly have against him? He's your little boyfriends best friend." Gally said, crossing his arms.

I scoffed. "So? Its not as if I enjoy the Prince's company and his friend is a disrespectful menace."

Gally smirked "Is it because of his little mistress? Are you jealous? I heard you attacked her in the hallway."

I gasped in outrage "Is that what they've been saying? That I attacked her?"

Gally smiled wider "That's what's floating around in the drawing rooms. Of course, even I know you'd never do that, but as always my opinion is singular. Everyone else here is enamored with Isabelle."

I liked my upper teeth and bit into my tongue to keep from screaming.

"Gally, I'll be queen soon, a regnant at that, you're sure you don't want to be my friend?"

Gally paused and squinted his eyes.

It took him a while to think.

"I might hate you but I'm not stupid and I'm not your friend. This is just good business. Agreed?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way." I said, crossing my arms.

He nodded "All right. So what's next?"

I smiled "Ever heard of Baroness Teresa of Calcutta?"

"That's her over there in the blue." I pointed at a pretty raven haired girl sitting at a card table.

I weaved through the crowd, Agnes at my heels, and Gally on hers.

The Baroness was shuffling her cards and waiting for a partner.

She was looking around the room and when her eyes landed on me, I took the opportunity.

"Do you mind if I join you?" I asked while I approached.

She smiled widely "Not at all."

She gave me seven cards and placed one from the deck down in the middle.

None of my cards matched so I took another from the pile.

"I don't think we've met. I'm Teresa." She said. She had vibrant blue eyes, freckles sprinkled her nose and cheeks, and her hair was pulled back from her face and in a bun. Simple and effective.

She would do marvelously.

"Roan." I said, finally placing down a card that matched.

I watched her face light up.

"You're not…?

"Indeed I am." I answered, having to take another card. The Baroness kept switching the pattern.

Her smile was so wide, my hand paused on its way down.

"Thank you for sitting down with me. It is greatly appreciated."

My eyebrows furrowed and I glanced at an amused Gally. Agnes was behind me so I couldn't see her face or ask for an indication.

Teresa adjusted herself in her seat. "You see… I had some trouble with some girls in finishing school and ever since then, I have had little friends and most of them leave once these girls poison them against me. You sitting here with me…that means I have your protection."

I could feel my heart thump with excitement. This couldn't have been better if I had planned it myself. If there weren't so many people around I would have hugged Agnes.

"And these girls… they wouldn't happen to be led by a certain Isabelle Winchester?" I asked, putting my card down but keeping my eyes firmly on the baroness.

It was her turn to be confused.

"How did you know?" She asked, putting her cards down. I could see them all. It looked like she was running out of good cards.

"That's not important but how would you like to be my new and first lady in waiting?"

My third target would be much more difficult to approach and that was why I was waiting 'till after dinner to approach. They could get the wrong idea if I directly confronted them.

I didn't think being engaged to Newt was going to be so hazardous. Sure it was depressing but I didn't expect the intrigue to start before the wedding.

We were at dinner and I had them sit Teresa at my left. I couldn't replace Newt but I could pretend he wasn't there.

Besides, he was too busy arguing with his mother.

"Mother this is not a matter that pertains you." Newt hissed, he was trying to whisper but his anger was getting the best of him.

"Of course it pertains me. You are my son. The last thing we need is a scandal, so stay away. Mother will work it out for you." The dowager's accent spilled through her words as she talked.

That's as much as I heard. The doors opened and the regent stormed in.

"Oh what a treat! Mind if I join you?" The regent strolled past all the chairs and to the empty one at the head of the table, "Don't bring out a plate I just want the company."

I glanced at Teresa. Her head was lowered just like everyone else.

I didn't like that. I peaked at Thomas at the end of the table. He was looking around also.

That was all I needed. I wasn't lowering my head.

I continued to eat just as I had been.

The regent was chattering to the people around him. Most of the responses given were short and meek.

What did they fear? All I saw was as pompous portly aging man and it wasn't like he was going to be ruler for much longer. There was only a month and a couple of weeks before Newts coronation.

"Dear Cousin, are you sure you don't want to eat? You must be hungry." Antonietta said, she was trying to get rid of the uneasiness that clung in the air.

"Not at all. I'm rather full; I ate before I came over."

I looked at the regent, my face betraying how irrational I thought he was.

"Ah young princess! I do hope my presence doesn't offend you too much." The regent said, taking the wine chalet of the man next to him.

I narrowed my eyes "Not at all. I don't see how you could."

"Well you must! After that look you just gave me. You know Newt, I must ask, how on earth did you get this thorny rose to like you?"

Finally, an opportunity to clarify.

"Actually-

And then it happened.

I was kicked under the table.

I was about to stand in outrage but Newt spoke up.

"I still ask myself that today uncle." The Prince said, looking down at his food.

"Hmm… you never told me, how did you propose? As far as I know you haven't made any visits to Suecia in years. One does wonder."

My leg stung and I stared at the menace in front of me. Of course, the maze guard.

He raised his eyebrows daring me to speak up again.

"Well you know the ceremonies and correspondence." Newt said, looking down at his food.

"I don't ever recall-" I started to say but was promptly stopped.

The next kick my leg received was sure to bruise.

"I don't see a ring. Surely you could have mailed that also." The regent said,

The queen mother clapped her hands and stood abruptly. The men struggled to stand in time.

"The performers are waiting!" She ushered everyone up with her hands and the whole room reluctantly stood.

Of course, it was Friday. The prime time for the nobility to entertain themselves openly while strategically planning marriages and backstabbing's.

I happily stood and Teresa followed as we left Newt behind. The thought of him made my skin crawl.

We were almost out the doors when I spotted Isabelle Winchester.

I felt my body jump to alert. I let people fill the space between us before I started walking again.

The performers for this night were musicians. I was disappointed, not that I didn't like music, but large amounts of nobles and music meant dancing. I knew how to dance, there was just no one I wanted to dance with.

"Teresa do you like dancing?" I asked, glancing at her. We were standing near a wall watching the dancers. The atmosphere had turned lively as soon as the musicians started and young courtiers took to the dance floor in a frenzy.

"With the right partner, your grace." She answered.

I had told her to drop the respectful tittles but she didn't listen.

"I want you to go dance with someone." I said, craning my neck around the room.

"Your grace?" Teresa asked meekly.

I didn't like her manner. Agnes was the only submissive friend I needed.

"Why don't you dance with my cousin? Hmm? He's a nice fellow." I said and took a sip from my cup.

Teresa shook her head so fast, I thought her neck would snap.

"With all due respect, your grace, I would be in grave trouble if I did that." She said.

I scoffed. "I'm the only one you can get in trouble with Teresa."

I paled when I noticed how scared she looked. She trembled like a leaf.

What had they done to her?

"Isabelle Winchester doesn't allow me to dance with anyone she likes."

Heat rushed to my cheeks and the fires of wrath brewed in my chest.

The nerve.

"That's absolutely ridiculous. Who is she to dictate who you dance with?" I lowered my voice when heads turned my way "You dance with whomever you wish Teresa and by the way, Isabelle Winchester won't be a problem for much longer."

Teresa looked up and the confusion on her face made me smile.

I patted her shoulder reassuringly and said "All in due time, All in due time."

I looked around the room once again. I was looking for Gally. He was setting up my next contact.

I found him near a window, again, and nearly jumped with excitement when I saw him standing next to the final piece to the puzzle. He pulled his ear when he saw me. It was time

"You now Teresa, I think I'll dance. Stay out of trouble." I handed her my cup and headed for Gally.

I had almost made it there when the horror appeared in front of me.

"Care for a dance?" He asked.

"No-"

He didn't let me finish. He grabbed on to my arm tightly and pulled me to the dance floor.

"Unhand me you beast." I hissed.

"Go ahead make a scene. I won't mind."

I scoffed but relented.

"How dare you force me? When I'm queen-"

"I'll have the Kings protection." He said.

Stupid maze guard.

He pulled me to the correct dancing position and stepped on my foot to get me to move.

"Why did you kick me?" I asked as he spun me. I felt ridiculous.

"To keep your mouth shut." Minho answered, squeezing my hand so hard it hurt.

I pulled it free and he only caught it again.

"The regent thinks I like your prince. That's unacceptable."

Minho rolled his eyes and pulled us to the right. The brittannican way of dancing was so barbaric and boring.

"He doesn't think that. He wants to embarrass Newt. Everyone knows you two are marrying to weaken Hibieria."

I didn't know that.

The stupid guard smirked when he saw my surprise.

"Parliament intercepted a marriage request from the Hiberians. Your parents were more than eager to marry you off to the highest bidder."

I kept the emotions from spilling through my features this time.

"And how would you know?" I asked.

He smirked again "Newt's rather talkative."

"Ah. Well for the record, I would marry the prince of Hiberia in a heartbeat over yours."

I really would. He was much nicer and I actually knew him well enough.

Minho raised his eyebrows, his eyes filled with amusement "Really? Jay the Gay?"

Oh, right. There was that little detail.

"James is not…queer. Those are just rumors." I said.

"Sure, if it helps you sleep at night. Look, I know you're up to something and whatever it is cut it out before you force my hand."

I scoffed "I'm not up to anything."

"Befriending Gally all of the sudden? Making Teresa your lady-in-waiting? Try not to be so obvious."

I stepped on his foot and he winced but kept us flowing with the rest of the dancers.

"I enjoy their company. And If I was up to something I'd go about it very differently."

He shrugged "You are your mother's daughter after all."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked and spun once again.

"Forget it. Just don't do anything stupid. Good that?"

The song had thankfully stopped and I could break free.

"Well it was dreadful dancing with you. I hope it never happens again. Good night."

I stepped away as quickly as possible and headed back to Gally.

I was crestfallen when I saw he was alone. He shook his head in frustration and glared before taking off.

That stupid maze guard had just cost me my final contact.