Chapter 89 Confronting Mira
It was going to be now or never, Isabella thought as she walked through the hallways, with only one destination in mind.
The mirror room.
According to the careful observation she'd made in the last few days, she was sure that Mira and the strange men would be in the room, having what they thought was their secret meeting.
Well, it still was a secret.
She walked in stealth as she approached the room, hoping not to see a guard stationed outside.
Just as she made to cross, a guard stepped out in one of the adjacent rooms, positioning himself in front of the mirror room.
Isabella groaned in frustration. The young guard looked around,before standing upright, his hands crossed in front of him, ready to resume duty.
Isabella shook her head. She needed to act fast. She stepped back, away from the hallway, entering one of the rooms as she paced.
Then it hit her. The people in the mirror room had probably realised that someone had been eavesdropping on them and in their own little way, were trying to put measures in place to secure their plans.
She sighed in frustration, biting her lips, her fingers clenched as her brain worked overtime.
She needed to act fast and she needed to do it now.
She tiptoed back to the hallway as she peeped at the guard. What were her safest bets?
One look at the guard told Isabella all that she needed to know. He was bored and looked like he needed something interesting to distract himself.
She muttered a silent prayer as she stepped out, hurrying to the guard, a troubled expression evident on her face.
“Excuse me…” She looked frantic. “I…I…” She was breathing heavily.
The guard looked around, evidently looking for the source of trouble. “Are you okay, ma'am?”
Isabella shook her head, her hands on her chest. “I think I saw…” she stopped, pointing in the other direction. “I'm not really sure but…”
The guard nodded hurriedly. “Stay here, I'll be right back.”
Isabella heaved a sigh of relief as she watched him run off, promptly entering the door leading to the mirror room.
As expected, she could hear the voices already whispering.
“We have to make him give the orders.” One of the voices whispered. Isabella knew it had to be one of the men she'd seen in the room, some days before.
“We do,” Mira supplied. “But it's not yet done. There are still some things to be achieved.”
“Time is running out.” The last voice said authoritatively. He seemed to be the leader amongst them.
The whispers continued. She could hear bits and bits of words. Only Mira's voice could be heard without a hassle.
“He doesn't reserve the right to give the instructions. He is merely a tool.”’
Isabella identified the voice as the one with authority. He was the one who had just spoken.
“A tool that is still important.” Mira pointed out.
One of the voices snickered. “A tool nonetheless.”
“I think you guys are kissing the point here.” Mira tried to steer them back to the original conversation.
“The point here should be that he needs to hurry up. It's almost time for the rituals.”
Isabella narrowed her eyes. This was the first time she would be hearing of a ritual even though she'd been eavesdropping on them for days.
“And after the rituals?” Mira insisted. “What should happen to him?”
“The same thing that has been happening to the ones before him.” The man said with disdain. “He is merely mortal and deserves to die like the rest.”
Isabella shuddered, deciding that she'd heard enough. Two things were glaring.
Mira was at the high end of the planning amd Damien was merely a tool.
She was sure he didn't realise that he was a tool and was being treated as one. He probably thought he had a seat at the table.
Isabella wondered what promise he had been offered.
She stepped out carefully looking sideways, to be sure that the guard she had sent out had not returned.
Now, she needed to plan.
She was hurt but most importantly, she was angry. Angry that she had been played for a fool all her life.
She walked purposefully back to her quarters.
“Mummy!” Elias grinned as he saw her. “Back so soon?”
Isabella nodded, forcing a smile on her face. She waved at Betty who bowed before nudging Elias to return to the game they had been playing.
Thousands of things were running through her mind at the same time, all in a quest for revenge.
“Could you please take Elias out for a walk, Betty?” She turned to Betty. “And while you're at it, also ask Mira to see me.”
Betty hesitated, studying Isabella. “Are you fine, my lady?”
Isabella nodded, faking a smile. “I think I have a headache but I would be fine. I just need to get some rest.”
Betty nodded, even though she wasn't convinced.
Elias, having heard both their conversations, walked up to Isabella. “Is Mummy going to fall sick?” He asked, peering into Isabella’s eyes.
Isabella smiled as she ruffled his hair. “Mommy is only tired. She needs to rest.”
“Do we have to get Dr Nick?” Elias's lashes fluttered with concern.
Isabella chuckled, her heart warming. “No honey, that won't be necessary. Besides, Dr Nick is no longer in our employ.”
“Oh,” were the only words Elias uttered as he picked up his books. “You should rest, Mommy.” He said as he made his way to the door.
“I will.” She smiled. “Don't forget Mira, Betty.” Isabella reminded Betty as they closed the door.
The moment the door clicked, she stood up and began pacing. An idea had formed in her head.
This was going to be a confrontation. It was not an accusation. She walked up to the windows as she closed the curtains, leaving the entire room dark as she walked back to her bed, waiting.
A soft knock sounded on the door after what seemed like eternity and Isabella sat up, gearing for what was to come.
The door opened and Mira stepped in. “You sent for me, My Lady.”
“Yes please, lock the door behind you.”
Isabella grunted as she watched Mira find her way carefully around the room. “Everywhere seems so dark.” She made to open the curtains, but Isabella’s cold voice stopped her.
“How long?”
“Pardon?” Mira turned.
“How long has this been going on?”
Mira's brows furrowed. “I'm quite confused, My lady. How long has what exactly been going on?”
“The mirror room, Mira. Don't you dare play dumb with me.”
Mira almost fell to the floor in shock. “H…how do you…what mirror room?” She regained herself almost immediately, her defensive armour in place.
“Oh Mira,” Isabella scoffed. “You're not going to play me for a fool. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…”
Mira shook her head. “I think you're confusing me with someone else, My lady. Betty said we needed to call the Royal physician on our grounds that you aren't feeling too good.”
Isabella chuckled despite herself. Mira was not going to make her look stupid.
“Oh really?” Isabella stood up, ready to charge. “Why don't you tell me about the vessel and the bloodlines? Also, about Damien being a tool in the plan.”
“You…” Mira whispered in horror, colour draining from her face. “How do you know about these things?”
Isabella advanced slowly. “I think you're asking the wrong question, Mira. Would you love for me to continue, state out all your plans like you have laid?”
“My Lady.” Isabella raised a hand to stop her.
“Do not call me that.” She spat. “And I would also advise that you do not lie to me. I could kill you and dispose of you and no one will find out. I repeat, no one.” Her voice was icy, making the temperature of the room drop despite the warmth emanating from the fireplace.
Mira looked down. “How did you find out?” She repeated.
“That's really inconsequential at this point, Mira.”
“I'm sorry.” She raised her head, looking into Isabella's eyes.
Her expression was clear and rather than see guilt in her eyes. Isabella could see grief.
“Do not play that card with me, Mira.” She said promptly.
Mira shook her head. “I'm not going to do that, my lady. I know you think I should feel scared, but in reality, it feels like a huge load has been taken off my chest.”
Isabella opened her mouth to speak, but Mira beat her to it.
“I feel relieved. I know that sounds offish to you, but it's the truth. And believe me, I'm not trying to patronise you. I'm sorry, my lady.”
“And that is supposed to make me happy?” Isabella sneered.
“No,” Mira looked down. “I would never hurt you, My lady.” Tears pooled in her eyes.
“And yet you have.”
“I had no choice.” She cried out softly.