Ellise, Robert, and Rider, walked into the manor without a word.

"He's been waiting," Edward Worthington said, walking beside Ellise with purposeful strides.

She did not reply, simply allowed him to guide her to the chamber where Reginald was waiting.

"What happened?" the old man asked when Worthington left the room.

She took the seat across from him, the image of Ruby's lifeless body as it was wrapped and placed inside a box to be carried back here with them still fresh in her mind. "It was a trap."

Robert and Rider went to fix themselves a drink. "Arielle was never going to Islefield." When Reginald only looked at her, she cursed under her breath. "The French are already inside Belcourt, are they not?"

The old man nodded. "They are guarding the gates as we speak." He looked from her to Rider to Robert. "It looks like you've just escaped hell."

"And landed back, apparently," Ellise murmured. "What of the Royals inside Belcourt?"

"We received the signal eight hours ago."

"And no word since then?"

"We see smoke coming up from inside. Something is burning inside, and we believe it's the orphanage."

"Are they trapped or are they dead?" she asked.

"We can't tell for certain."

"Does Louis have a plan?"

"He does not know who to trust, darling. He's rounding up all members of both Houses to get to the bottom of this. Those who connived in getting Napoleon's soldiers here should already be caught." Reginald sighed and shrugged. "He has to deal with the politics."

"And the Royal Guards?"

"We suggested he should keep them as the last resort. We don't know how many of the French are here. Storming inside Belcourt could be a trap. As king, he has to keep himself well-guarded somewhere safe."

Ellise's jaw tightened. Even if there were enough Royal Guards to storm inside Belcourt, they were scattered all over the kingdom. It would take days just to gather them here. "The Vandenbergs are occupied. They're dealing with the Soldiers we left behind and I can tell you they will not be happy to find out we're not doing a good job inside Belcourt."

"We have to do this as stealthily as we can," Reginald murmured, blankly looking at the space in front of him. "There are women and children inside that place who are innocent."

"We should infiltrate before Arielle and the French neutralize our forces inside. If we have any left."

"As Darcy, you cannot go inside," Robert said, approaching them with a glass of brandy in his hand. "In case Blackwood does not make it."

"I know," Ellise replied, looking into Reginald's eyes.

The man's brow furrowed. "Any ideas, Darcy?"

Ellise would rather be somewhere else, to be honest. She hated to be the bearer of an obligation in this magnitude. If her brother was here, he would tell her, "This was what I was talking about, sister."

She looked at Robert. They could be married by now, making plans for their child, fighting over what age it should be allowed to learn how to fence or ride a horse.

"Darcy," Reginald's voice spoke again.

Ellise let out a sigh and closed her eyes to collect her thoughts. Too much had happened in the past weeks and months. The questions and doubt about their plans were gnawing at her. The lives they lost for this stupid battle of power could never be replaced. So, what now?

If Arielle had successfully orchestrated the arrival of the French here, it was without help. And she had help. Powerful men who were outside Belcourt and within the king's circle. She managed to control those men to agree to her plans. "We have the list of all men who worked with Arielle. They should know more of her plans."

"Louis is already working on that. What I'm asking is what we should do about Belcourt, child?"

She shook her head. They had no way of knowing what happened to Blackwood and the others inside. They had talked about what they would do should things go awry, of course. Sasha and Aliya knew the landscape well enough to secure a safe place for them and the children. If they were still alive and had no way out, they would have tried securing the Village. They should have enough food there until help came. It also had access to all other Courts. Sasha, herself would penetrate the Library where there's medicine.

"I want to know your plans, Darcy," Reginald said, getting more impatient.

Ellise blinked a few times. They should be alive, she thought. Getting to the Village would have been Sasha's paramount goal.

"Elle?" Robert asked when she remained silent.

Finally, she slowly nodded. Looking at Reginald, she said, "Send a note to the gates."

"You want to talk to Arielle?" Reginald asked.

"No. I want to talk to the French." She looked at all men in the room. "They're in Belcourt, but their supplies will be limited. Food will run out soon and they know it. But that's only upon the speculation that Sasha and Blackwood were able to secure the Village."

"Arielle should now be feeling that she's running out of time. The French came here because Belcourt promised them something. What we should do is give them what they want faster than Arielle could."

*****

Arielle was taking a bath when the double doors opened and the Mistress of the Court of Arms walked in.

"Well?"

Lady Eastwell shook her head. "I lost a quarter of my Soldiers, Your Highness. They've all joined the Maidens inside the Village along with the old Soldiers Theodora gathered."

She closed her eyes and took a lungful of breath. "And the children?"

"I was told they are safe."

"The Great Hall?"

"Still burning, but we do not believe anyone is inside."

"Get me Jade."

"We lost her, Your Highness."

"The useless chit," she growled under her breath. "And the Belles?"

"Inside the Garden, entertaining the French soldiers."

Arielle slowly nodded. "Well done, Lady Eastwell. Tell them I will join them soon to discuss our next course of action."

The woman was about to say something when another Soldier rushed in, breathless. "The general received a note from outside the gates. He's preparing to leave the Flower Garden as we speak."

Water splashed over the rim of the tub as Arielle stood and snatched the robe from the Elected standing by. "Get him to me."

"I tried, Your Highness. I told him he is not permitted outside the gates."

"And?"

The Soldier hesitated, looked at her Mistress before her eyes went back to Arielle. "He only laughed, Your Highness."

"The bloody idiot." She tied the straps of her robe and rushed out of the room barefoot. "Gather your Soldiers, Lady Eastwell, and take over the Village. We've been waiting long enough. I want my children back." To the other Soldier, she ordered, "Follow Tremblay. Do not be seen."

*****

Esther scrambled to one corner, pulling Leila with her, when the door was kicked open. Her eyes widened when she saw Tanner. It took her a moment to process any form of reaction. She just witnessed someone who saved their lives die, had to stay in the same room with the body and a child, and then she had to come face to face with the man who betrayed her.

"You have to come with me now," Tanner said, stepping over Fatima's body.

"No," she ground out, pulling Leila into her arms.

"Yes, you are. Leo sent us."

"Us?" Her eyes flew to the doorway. There were two men standing outside.

"Who do you work with, Tanner?" she ground out.

"My loyalty lies with the Circus." He extended his hand. "Come with me now."

She hesitated, but what else could she do? Whether she wanted to go or not, Tanner would still find a way to force her. As she stood, taking Leila with her, Tanner looked down at Fatima's cold body.

Whatever came to his mind, his face did not show it when he faced her again.

He led them down an empty corridor, their footsteps too loud even if they tried to be quiet. It was the dead of the night. She did not know where they were being led to, but she followed anyway. They could be heading to their death and she would not care. She was tired. She just wanted this to end. And mayhap Leila felt the same because the child was silent beside her, gripping her hand tightly since they left the room.

Tanner signaled for them to stop at the end of the corridor. He poked his head out and motioned with his hand. One Royal walked out and they all followed, Tanner close behind. Three turns later, they emerged outside the Common Court. Out in the open.

"Where's everyone?" Leila asked.

"Hiding," Tanner said, pointing toward the plantation. We'll travel behind the trees.

"We're not getting out of here?" Esther asked.

"We're trapped here," Tanner explained.

"Where's Leo? How do we know you're not working for Arielle?"

"You don't," he coldly said. "You only have us now."

He did not wait for them to follow. He ran straight toward the trees. Esther shared a look with Leila. They had no other choice.

*****

Sasha stood in front of the Village gate when it opened and Tanner slipped inside. Then she sighed in relief when Esther and Leila followed.

The princess immediately saw her. Sasha turned to Leila, who was met by Aliya. "Please go with Aliya," she told the child. But Leila held on to Esther's arm and Esther pulled her closer.

Sasha wondered then what the pair had been through to have formed this bond.

"Where's Leo?" Esther asked.

"If you'll let Aliya take Leila to meet the Maidens, I'll bring you to Leo."

Leila froze. "They're here?"

Sasha smiled and nodded at the girl. "For them, you are still the High Priestess."

Slowly, the girl's hold on Esther loosened. "Come with me, Leila," Aliya said. "We've been worried about you." The child stopped, spotting Caroline and Trent. She looked like she wanted to say something, but she stopped herself and moved away in the opposite direction to follow Aliya.

"Where's that bloody bastard?" Esther asked, drawing Sasha's full attention.

"Come with me."

She led her through the maze of the Village, through groups of women in different colored cloaks huddled together, and finally into a room.

"Good Lord," Esther said under her breath, rushing to the bed. "What happened?"

"Almost died," Leo replied, eyes still closed. "You hurt, princess?"

Esther slapped his arm and fell to her knees, a sob escaping her lips before finally breaking down. "You left us to die."

"Of course, it's my fault," Leo droned.

When Esther did not reply, choking in her own tears as her shoulder shook, Leo opened one eye and sighed. "Stop crying like a spoiled princess. You're not dead, are you?"

"I thought you were dead!" she managed through her tears.

"I'll be if you don't loosen your hold." At his word, Esther let go of his arm.

Sasha quietly left the room and made her way back to her husband.

For now, they were safe. The children were safe.

Later, however, was uncertain.

*****

Reginald waited in a small tavern room. It was clear he did not belong in such a dilapidated place, but his very presence was enough to make the French general falter in steps when he walked in.

Then, taking in everyone who was also in the room with Reginald, Arnaud Tremblay slowly smiled. It grew into chuckles, then laughter. "I would have never imagined that you would be in the same room together," he said, accent thick.

Without addressing the man's words, Reginald smiled and said, "Your presence here must mean you are willing to make a deal."

"I was curious. I had to see it for myself," the general said, looking at him. "Reginald Stanhope. You're alive after all. For a while, we were beginning to think you are a myth." His eyes swept the room, and he shook his head. Then his eyes landed on the woman sitting beside Reginald. "Queen Helena Vandenberg Davercher," he said, with another shake of his head. Looking at them both, he laughed. "What an unexpected pair."

The queen just looked at him. "The deal?"

Tremblay looked behind him at his men and faced them again with a smile. "Somehow I find it quite hard to believe that you're just going to give me Louis."

"The fact that you are here, risking your life, means you wanted it to be true," the queen said. "And it is."

"Oh, no," said Tremblay with a wave of his hand. "There are more generals arriving in Sutherland. Whatever you do to me now will not matter that much." Fixing Reginald a look, he said, "I want to know why you're willing to give us Sutherland. For years, you've done nothing but plan for your return."

Reginald shrugged. "I would not win even if I can take Louis down. My son and I had a long talk and we both decided I should retire somewhere. He's currently trapped in Belcourt. I want him out of there and I want a ride out of Sutherland the moment your men take over the kingdom."

Tremblay scoffed, then slowly nodded. He looked at the queen next and waited. "My husband is no longer of use for me and my family. He only became king so I could gain power. With the threat of Napoleon, I decided to abdicate the throne in exchange for the security of all Vandenbergs."

"And your son?"

"Prince Emory will fight with his father."

"Can you truly allow him to do it? Would you be able to bear losing another child?"

"I raised my children to do whatever they wish. He can fight if he wishes to fight."

"And you only want Belcourt."

"The Vandenbergs built it from the ground up," she said, voice stern, almost shaking. "Louis is currently not in Coulway. He's headed somewhere. I will tell you where he is, as well as my son, Emory, if you give Belcourt back to the Vandenbergs. And once Sutherland is under Napoleon's rule, we shall all remain safe."

Tremblay looked thoughtful. "We already promised Belcourt to Arielle."

"And we promise you the king and the crown prince," the queen shot back. "Can that bastard offer you more than the women she exploits to your men inside Belcourt? I believe not."

Tremblay slowly smiled, watching Queen Helena with wonder. "Louis never knew the power he married, did he?"

"Louis does not know anything," Reginald said with a scoff, standing up. "Well, do you want him and the prince or not?"

It took Arnaud Tremblay a few moments. He may be the general, but he was still here following an order: take over Sutherland in the name of Napoleon. And he knew that the best way to do so was to get the king and his successor. The rest would simply follow.

Finally, he nodded. "If Sutherland loses its king and crown prince today, you have my word that you will get your son and a ship out of Sutherland," he said to Reginald, then to the queen, he added, "and you shall have your Belcourt back."

Later, after Arnaud Tremblay and his soldiers left for Birth to prepare an ambush, Reginald and Queen Helena shared wine in silence.

Ellise stood from the corner of the room where she had been quietly sitting and accepted the glass handed to her by one Royal.

"Do not look so glum, child," Reginald told her with a smile. "Sometimes we have to choose between the evil and the bad. Your plan chose the lesser evil."

She did not answer, and only nodded. Taking a sip from her drink, she prayed she did the right thing.