Chapter 166: WAYS TO THE HEART

WAYS TO THE HEART

Marcella POV

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that continuing to rely on the old witch would never get me the results I wanted. She was clever, yes, but her methods were slow, outdated, and far too cautious for my tastes. I needed precision, speed, and a plan that only I could execute. I had no choice but to change everything. This time, I would escape on my own. The old witch had her uses, but she could never help me take the twins. That responsibility fell entirely on my shoulders.

I retreated to the dim corners of my quarters, letting the shadows swallow me as I began to rethink my entire approach. The old plan was too flawed, too dependent on variables I couldn’t control. I needed absolute control. I needed a perfect plan, one that accounted for every detail, every guard, every habit. My mind raced with possibilities as I began to analyze the palace, its routines, and its inhabitants.

First, I needed to study the palace routine meticulously. I had to memorize the guards’ shifts outside the nursery, learn the precise schedules of the nursemaids, and anticipate every movement Mildred made with her twins. I needed to know the hours she lingered with her children, when she retired, how long she spent doing each task, and when she let her guard down, if only for a moment. Every detail mattered because one small mistake could ruin everything.

Mildred fancied herself a protective mother, but I could see through the facade. Her predictability was her weakness. She never varied her schedule; she never deviated from her routines. If someone were observant enough, it would be shockingly easy to gain access to her precious twins. That was where I would strike. To penetrate the nursery without suspicion, I would need allies on the inside—the nursemaids—and I would need to understand the guards, their movements, their habits, their weaknesses.

I began small experiments. I left minor “accidents” in plain sight, booby traps that should have been noticed immediately. I intentionally made mistakes to see if anyone reacted. Each time, nothing. No one noticed. No one cared enough to correct me. Slowly, I began to realize just how much I could manipulate if I played my cards right.

It was during one of these small operations that I began observing Amira, one of the nursemaids. She was diligent, exhausted, and stretched to her limits by the constant demands of the twins. One afternoon, I joined her for lunch, choosing my approach carefully, masking my true intent beneath a veneer of concern.

“Can I say something?” I asked softly, and she shrugged, clearly too tired to argue.

“You look completely drained,” I said, leaning forward. “Have you been overworking yourself? You know that’s dangerous, right?”

She chuckled faintly, shaking her head. “It’s not like I have a choice. The twins need constant attention. Keeping them safe, ensuring they’re healthy and happy—it’s exhausting. Some days, I wish someone could just take over for a few hours, even a moment.”

I smiled. “What if I told you there’s someone who could ease that burden?”

She laughed softly, but it was tired and strained. “I don’t think that’s possible. But thank you for listening. That in itself is a relief.”

I rose with my lunch plate, following her to the kitchen, helping her carry and wash the dishes. Her gaze lingered on me longer than necessary, and I noted the flicker of admiration. It was subtle, but it was there. Small victories mattered. Trust was like a seed; with careful nurturing, it could grow.

“Why have I never noticed you before?” she asked as we worked. “I heard you were demoted a while back. I hope you’ve changed. It’s been years.”

I laughed softly. “If I hadn’t changed, I wouldn’t be standing here helping you now. Life has taught me patience and humility. I’ve scrubbed floors, cleaned staircases, washed more toilets than I care to remember. I’ve come to accept my life—I have no other choice but to adapt.”

Amira laughed in response, a sound that carried relief. “I was in your position once. At the lowest rank. I struggled, worked hard, and eventually was recognized. Now I’m a nursemaid. The work is taxing, but at least I’m not scrubbing the head maid’s toilets anymore. Even with Mildred as queen, it’s manageable.”

I smiled inwardly, already calculating the possibilities. Night fell, and I returned to my room, deep in thought. Even if I gained the trust of the nursemaids and somehow extracted the twins, the guards were my next hurdle. Their vigilance was overwhelming. There had to be another way, a secret route. Palaces were never built without them. They always had hidden passages, concealed exits, ways to escape unnoticed.

I rose quietly and made my way to the engineer’s office. As expected, it was empty; the staff had retired for the day. My pulse quickened as I rifled through the drawers until I found the blueprint I had been searching for. My heart pounded as I traced the lines, studying corridors, staircases, towers, and gates. And then I saw it: a network of tunnels beneath the palace, wide enough for a human to pass through, a labyrinth built for emergencies, war, or escape.

The thrill of discovery coursed through me. This was it—the route that could change everything. I stole the blueprint, tucking it under my arm, and hurried to examine the tunnels in reality. They were even more impressive than I imagined: spacious, well-ventilated, twisting, and winding until they finally opened near the mountains, where train rails offered an easy path out. The opportunity was perfect, almost too perfect.

All that remained was the most challenging part: the twins. How would I remove them without alerting Mildred? Even with Amira on my side, timing and precision were everything. Every step had to be orchestrated flawlessly.

I sank into a chair, eyes on the blueprint, plotting phase one: win complete trust of the nursemaids. Phase two: manipulate guard rotations subtly. Phase three: access the nursery undetected. Phase four: remove the twins, using the tunnels as my escape route. Every step had to flow seamlessly into the next.

The night deepened, shadows lengthening across my quarters. The thrill of the plan consumed me, but a seed of doubt remained. Perhaps it was time to consult the old witch one last time. She had knowledge, resources, and tricks I could not afford to ignore. Between her cunning and my intelligence, the operation could become flawless.

I smiled, letting the darkness of ambition settle around me. Mildred thought she was clever, but her love, her routines, and her predictability were her greatest vulnerabilities. I would exploit them slowly, quietly, until she never saw it coming.

The palace’s secrets were now in my hands. The routines, the vulnerabilities, the secret tunnels, and the unwitting allies—all ready to be used. Soon, the twins would be mine.

And I would not fail.