Chapter 97: Dog-nose and the Mission

Chapter 97: Dog-nose and the Mission
Olive was staring blankly into space.

A cool breeze, blowing in from the open balcony doors of Xavier’s home office, curled through her hair so that a few strands brushed delicately against her cheek.

She shivered. But it wasn’t from the hair caressing her skin.
It was from the sheer excitement of a new and exciting experience.

A breath parted her lips as she slowly smiled, a faraway look in her eyes. “Me? A… a spy?” She slammed both hands on the table, making Xavier jolt. “I’ll do it!”

He raised a hand. “Wait, calm down! I’m not asking you to go and cause chaos like you did last time.”

“Never fear, Xavier, Sir!” Olive declared, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “I’ll take care of it!”

“It has to be discreet—”

“That Betty girl will never see me coming!”

“Good heavens.”

Olive eagerly leaned over the table, green eyes wide. “Do you want me to collect evidence? Leave it to me. My nickname back in my hometown used to be Dog-nose! I can sniff out someone’s secrets faster than you can get a girl in bed.”

Xavier’s glare hit her like a thrown dagger.

Olive froze, nervously chuckling as she straightened. “Wh-what I meant was…” Failing to find an appropriate lie, she gave up and stiffly curtsied. “I’m sorry, Sir.”

He stared sternly at her. “Keep the jokes to a minimum.”

“Yes, Sir. Ah! Is it alright if I tell Fiona that I’ve been given tasks by you as an excuse whenever she calls on me? And she calls on me often lately, she thinks I’m getting up to mischief.”

“You’re not?”

“Of course not.”

X let out a scoffing laugh, leaning forward on the table. “You put a moustache on Aurelia’s face and called her Sir Wilton.”

Olive cackled, making his grin widen. “Well, it worked! Didn’t it?”

“It may have, but please. None of that this time. Fiona has every reason to keep a close eye on you. But for this matter, I’ll permit you to use me as an excuse.”

“Wonderful! Thank you, Sir. I’ll make sure to drag the girl in by her hair.”

“Olive, no, your task is only to secretly watch the girl and report to me or Vlad. But he’d prefer if you came directly to me.”

“Aye, Sir! I would also prefer that.” She curtsied. “May I be excused, Sir? I’ll get started on the mission right away.”

Xavier exasperatedly waved her away. “Go, Olive. You’re excused. Just make sure you don’t get caught.”



The hallway that opened into an arched hall— which had doors leading to the kitchens, the pantries, and the washroom— was filled with servants going up and down to complete their tasks.

In the bustle, Betty walked calmly through, her clever eyes studying everyone as she sharpened her hearing to pick up on all the conversations flowing past her.
She needed something connected to the Princess, anything at all.

She was out of the busy hallway and walking calmly toward the kitchens, then, hoping to hear a bit of gossip from Cook.

Luckily for Betty, she didn’t have to go that far. A group of four female servants was walking out of the washroom, their pale hands showing that they’d been busy with some laundry.

“So, what are you going to do?” one of them asked. “The Princess will have her nightly routine at that time; you won’t be able to get away.”

Betty slowed down, turning to some drapes and buying time by brushing invisible dirt off the expensive fabric. In reality, her ears were turned toward the girls’ conversation.

“That’s what worries me,” the other girl sadly said. “My mother needs me, you girls know that.”

“Of course, we do, we know how ill she is. Maybe ask Princess Ava to let you go for the night, she’ll understand.”

“How can I do that?” the sad girl asked. “She’s let me out of my duties up to five times now. Even I’ve a conscience, you know?”

“And it just happens that everyone’s too busy to take on your duties,” said the first girl. “Such terrible luck.”

Betty smirked. This was her chance! She spun around. “I’ll do it!”

The group jolted, startled.

“Betty! You scared me, goodness.”

Smiling sweetly, Betty skipped over. “I couldn’t help but overhear. Holly, do you need to be home with your ill mother tonight? Go. I’ll replace you for the Princess’s night routine.”

Holly gasped. “Really?! Oh, Betty!”

“Wait,” another one of the girls said, crossing her arms as she gave Betty a suspicious look. “What’s the occasion? You’re never one to offer help.”

Betty’s smile tightened, but she forced out a chuckle as she gave the girl a look. “Don’t be silly, Sarah.”

“It’s Saren.”

“I’m the most helpful person in this kingdom,” Betty continued. “And, for Holly, I’m offering special help for her mother’s sake. My mother died of illness too, you know?”

“A year ago, it was of drowning,” Saren murmured.

“So, trust me,” Betty told Holly, whose eyes were shining with gratitude. “And I’ll be sure to reassure the Princess if she notices your absence.”

“Oh, thank you, Betty,” Holly whispered. “I won’t forget this!”

Betty smiled as Holly tightly squeezed her hand before rushing away to pack for her night away, the other girls following her.

Sighing, she confidently brushed her hair back.

“Betty,” a voice called.

She turned. “What, Julie?”

“My money, that’s what. You owe me. Getting all those goods beneath Aurelia’s bed hadn’t been easy, you know—”

“Sshh!!”

Grabbing Julie, she pressed a hand over her mouth and glanced anxiously about. “Be quiet! What if someone hears you?”

Julie pushed away her hand. “Well, give me my money, and nobody will.”

“Oh, be patient!” Betty hissed, glaring. “I’m working on something big. Once it’s done, I’ll be able to give you three times the amount!”

Julie’s eyes sparkled. “Really? What is it? You’ve spotted a few baubles discarded by the royals?”

Betty scoffed, smirking as she crossed her arms. “Far better. Tonight, I will be in the presence of Her Highness Princess Ava. And by the time I leave her room, I will be her most trusted servant. I’ll find favor with her, and you know what that means?”

“That… that she will reward you?”

“Exactly!” Betty boastfully said. “When she sees the things I can do for her in this kingdom, I will receive more than just some measly baubles. Clothing, jewelry, and food are nothing. I’m going to get some serious wealth and power.”

Julie suppressed a squeal of excitement. “Wow, Betty! Oh, I’m so envious! How are you going to do this? What are you going to offer her?”

Smirking, Betty turned away. “What else? I’ll bring her the head of her current worst enemy. That’s all.”