Chapter 38 Pretense
Isabella stood by the window, watching the activities of the court years. A sharp knock sounded on the door and the intruder walked in, almost careful to step on the floor.
“You sent for me,” She said meekly.
“I did.” Isabella said curtly, not turning away from the window. “Figured I could see you for the last time and hear what you have to say.”
The words burned in her throat as she spoke. It was taking everything in her not to turn around and grab her visitor by her throat.
It would not hurt to send Damien her gut as a gift. Instead, she swallowed and smiled sweetly before turning around and walking to sit on the couch opposite where Victoria was sitting.
She watched as the other woman's hands trembled, trying to smooth her skirts. She looked around nervously.
“Do you feel unsafe?” Isabella asked, irritation budding up her throat.
“No, it's just that, I…I…” Victoria stuttered then sighed apologetically.
“He has men here. In the palace, in the chambers, watching my every move.”
“And?” Isabella asked impatiently, her eyes narrowing. “What are you implying?”
Victoria sighed. “He sent me back here. To change my stories and be his eyes.” She rushed, afraid that the words would get stuck in her throat if she did not get them out sooner.
Isabella snorted. “And why should I believe you? You…”
“Can I have something to drink?” Victoria cut in. “Sorry to cut you off, but I need to drink. If I'm going to concentrate without my nerves breaking, I need something strong.”
Isabella paused. For a moment, she was expressionless. You could not tell what was running through her mind. Then she clapped her hands slightly and the door opened, ushering Mira.
“Get us some drink, Mira. Scotch?” She turned to Victoria for confirmation.
“Bourbon.” Victoria corrected.
Isabella masked her surprise as she turned back to Mira. “Get us some bourbon then.”
She waited until the door was shut before turning her attention back to Victoria. “Your drink is on its way.”
Victoria gave an appreciative nod as both ladies fell into silence, each one consumed by her thoughts.
The door opened again, and Mira walked in. Setting the tray down, she poured a glass for Victoria who downed it the moment it was handed to her.
“That will be all, Mira. You can excuse us.” Isabella muttered.
“Yes, Ms Thorne,” Mira said and bowed slightly, walking out of the room.
Victoria's eyes trailed her till she heard the click of the door before she sighed in relief.
“So,” Isabella urged. “You have your drink.”
Victoria exhaled. “He found out I was here.”
Isabella shrugged. “That's to be expected. Damien is not a fool, Victoria.”
Victoria shook her head. “No, you don't get it.” She objected. “He knows what we spoke about. The contents! Isn't that absurd?”
Isabella folded her arms, her expression not changing. “And?” She was trying so hard not to act uninterested because of the promise she'd made to Lucien, but Victoria was making it harder for her.
“I was sent back to you,” Victoria said deflated. “He said to come back and change my stories, be his eyes.” Her laugh was harsh.
“Can you imagine?” She shook her head. “Of course not, you can't. You have it easy.”
Isabella was calm, too calm in fact.
“Why are you doing this? You are talking about Damien, for what reason exactly?”
Victoria shrugged, pouring another drink for herself. “Do I really need to have one?” She emptied the contents into her mouth before placing the cup down.
“Yes, you do.” She said. “Look, I know you, Victoria. You are selfish. You do not do things without reason enough.”
Victoria's smile faltered. “You are right. I am actually selfish.” She tried to fix her expression, but Isabella could see she was struggling.
“But you're also wrong.” She continued. “I didn't take Damien because I was trying to be selfish or because I wanted you to suffer.”
“Oh come off it, Victoria.” Isabella scoffed. “You're not taking me for a fool, are you?”
“He has my child, Isabella.” For the first time, Isabella sensed the fear laced in Victoria's voice. “He freaking has my child.” She said, her voice slightly raised.
“What do you mean?” She sat up, all traces of disinterest gone.
“He has my daughter and is holding her captive just so I can do his bidding. He's not playing games,” she said resolutely.
“That…” Isabella stuttered. “He can't imprison his own child. You, I could believe. But his daughter?...” She trailed.
“Did I tell you she is moonlit?” Victoria's voice was scratchy.
“Your blood…” she pointed at Isabella. “...was injected into me when I was pregnant.”
“He what?” Isabella sat up, all traces of calmness gone. “He did that?”
Victoria nodded, holding herself back from crying. Crying was going to change nothing. It was time for solutions.
“Where is she?” Isabella grunted. She could not imagine Lucien imprisoning Elias for his own selfish motive.
“I don't know.” Her voice was flat. Flat and sincere.
“We have to tell Lucien… sorry, His Majesty.” She corrected, immediately. Her squabble with Victoria is forgotten.
“No we can't. We cannot.” Victoria refused vehemently. “I am here as his spy, remember?”
Isabella shook her head. “It still doesn't change anything. His Majesty deserves to know.”
“He has a lot on his plate already. From what I heard, Damien will be revealing himself today. We can't afford to distract His Majesty.”
Isabella huffed, still not convinced. “You cannot afford to double-cross Damien.” She said slowly, the implication of the whole situation dawning on her. “You may die.”
Victoria hissed. “I will still die.” Her voice was resolute. No amount of conviction from anyone would make her do otherwise.
“Look, I understand your fears, Isabella. But Damien is power hungry and will do anything to gain power. Anything.”
“Including using his daughter for the powers,” Isabella said quietly.
Victoria stiffened before nodding slowly. “Now you get it.”
The two women fell into silence, looking out the window occupied by their different thoughts.
“What's going to happen now?” The words had left Isabella’s lips before she realised she had spoken them out loud.
Victoria shrugged. “We'll play into the game he wants.” She said simply as though she'd thought it out.
But she actually had. The journey back to the Royal Palace had been a thoughtful one.
“Every fortnight, I'll supply him with information about you and the palace. False information of course.” She added quickly.
Isabella nodded. “This is going to be huge.” She muttered. “Isn't there a way to stop this from breaking out into a full-blown war?” She hesitated.
“You know the answer as much as I do, Isabella.”
Isabella groaned. “Very well then, May the best man win.” Her eyes had turned icy.
Without warning, she clapped her hands softly, summoning Mira.
“Take this woman to the servants’ quarters, Mira.” She said the moment Mira appeared.
“Don't do this, Isabella.” Victoria played into character. “I have hurt you, but I deserve a second chance. You got one by being with the King.”
Isabella huffed. “Which is exactly why I'm showing you mercy by allowing you to be a part of my detail and not throwing you into the dungeon.” She waved her hands.
“I would love to be left alone.” She turned back to the window, an indication that the conversation was over.
“Yes, Ms Thorne.” Mira Curtseyed, before turning to Victoria. “Miss Victoria?” She urged.
Victoria looked hard at Isabella. “You don't have to do this,” She muttered, wiping off a stray tear as she followed Mira, resignedly accepting her fate.
Isabella backed against the wall the moment the door closed, holding the walls for support.
She had tried so hard not to be swayed. A lot of things were happening at once, and she didn't know and couldn't tell which was true.
Victoria had come back, just as Lucien had said she would.
But what Isabella couldn't wrap her head around was why she had come clean? Was she truly remorseful?
Or was this a game that she and Damien were playing together?
She bit her lips as she paced the room. War was coming and if she was a tad bit right, then Damien was already in the tower.
Isabella wondered as she paced on the tactic he would use to get himself into the Elders’ Council. He was a powerful man, but they clearly had strict rules.
She would look out actively for herself and Elias.
Victoria's trust and advice would be taken with a pinch of salt. She could not be trusted. Not at this time.
Actually, no one could be trusted. As Victoria had said, Damien had eyes and ears all over the palace.
He'd successfully killed Lord Blackburn and Casmir. And he had Lord Harlan wrapped around his fingers.
Who else did he have?
What was his next line of action?