"We cannot fight the French. Nor can we fight against more Soldiers as we already did," said the Mistress of the Court of Libraries.

"I agree," answered the Mistress from the Court of Service. "We should not be fighting against each other." She looked at the row of Maidens. "We should take the children out of here."

"There must be a way," said Lady Miranda. "The children are scared and confused. There should be another way out of here."

"Arielle must have already blocked every escape," said Aliya. "There is one in the Palace directly into the woods. It's impossible to get there now. Another is a secret passage through the Flower Garden, one often used by secret flowers, but as we know, the Flower Garden is being occupied by the Belles and the French soldiers as we speak."

Sasha shared a look with West, who was standing in the back of the Tea House. As men, he and other Royals were apprehensive to speak. When she veered her attention back to the discussion at hand, she stepped forward and said, "If we can find older maps of Belcourt inside the Library, we might have a chance of locating the sewer line." Everyone fell silent, considering her words.

"But I would not suggest putting the children through such an ordeal," West said, speaking for the first time. All heads turned to him. "I'm certain that the Royals outside Belcourt shall try to rescue us and take Arielle and the Frenchmen down."

"No, this is our fight," said one of the Maidens. "We cannot rely on anyone outside to help us."

"Maybe you should," West said, stepping away from the back of the room, walking into the inner circle of women. "We are all fighting against the French, not each other, my lady. As I've said, we shall help you."

"You do not even know if your friends outside are not letting all of us be fed to the wolves! Worse, conniving with other forces that shall further endanger Belcourt's independence."

"My faith in my comrades is on par with the same faith you impose on your children to blindly gave to your High Priestess all these years. The only difference, my lady, is that I've known these people all my life."

Before the argument progressed, Sasha spoke again. "Arielle was never the High Priestess."

"Yes," said the Maiden, tearing her gaze away from West to look at Leila, who had been sitting quietly beside Esther. "The High Priestess is here with us now."

Esther, who had no opinion on anything since they started, suddenly went rigid and scowled at the Maiden. "For God's sake! She's naught but a child, woman. Leave her out of this. She has been used enough as it is!" Her face was red, that Sasha questioned if the woman was speaking just for Leila. Her words were spoken with utter disgust, as if she herself knew what Leila had been through. "She was trapped here to be groomed, led to believe that she had power, when in fact she was deprived of the things a child ought to have had! A childhood! Family!"

She only stopped when Leila's hand rested on hers, and the child raised her head to look at the Maiden. "While I may agree with Esther, because I truly feel and have now come to realize that I am merely here because of someone's false sense of power, I also have to accept the fact that for a time, Belcourt regarded me as its High Priestess. I was given the title, and while I do not think I am fit to be one, I also believe that Arielle is not much more deserving of the throne." She stood in a body of a child, but with the grace of a woman. "Belcourt has indeed trapped me here all my life, yet it is still the only home I know. But now it has turned into hell. I want it back." She threw West a glance. "And if it means working with people we thought were enemies, then so be it. I suggest we listen to what the Royals have to say, for this is no longer a fight we can do on our own."

"But Your Highness—"

"If we escape, we lose Belcourt to Arielle. And if we fight, we will not have a chance against the Soldiers and the Frenchmen. But if we wait, and believe that help from outside is coming, maybe we will have a chance. As West Blackwood has said, he knows his comrades. I also happen to know some of them and I shall give them the chance to help us."

She turned to the rest of the Maidens, then the Mistresses present in the room. "You can choose to obey me. I do not represent Belcourt now as I speak. But I do represent the children of Belcourt, as I do represent all women, because anyone of you could be our future. Give us that chance."

Sasha looked around the quiet room. "We have food here," she said. "Some had raided the Library to get supplies of medicines and weapons available."

"Give us until the morning," added West. "If help does not come, we can proceed with the plan to escape."

One Maiden nodded, followed by another. But the Mistress of the Court of Libraries spoke, saying, "You only have a few more hours, Sir. My ladies and I shall spend it planning for an escape." She turned to the Maidens, then Leila. "If you will permit us, we would like to make a secret trip back to the Library to gather older maps of Belcourt."

Leila just nodded before she sat back down beside Esther who just pursed her lips, shaking her head, murmuring, "You did not have to say that much, child."

*****

When Arielle received the short note, she immediately ordered the Soldiers to open the gates and escort her visitor to the Palace. She waited anxiously, but with the presence of Lady Eastwell, the Mistress of the Court of Arms, she had to appear confident.

When the old man walked into the elegant chamber with his three guards in tow, Arielle gracefully stood. "Reginald," she greeted with a knowing tone. "To what do I owe this rather surprising visit?"

The man did not immediately answer. What he did was demand for a chair, which Arielle conceded to. As he took his time to sit and adjust his position, she went back to her own throne, a gold-and-red winged chair sitting on a small podium. That way, she was looking down at him.

She was smiling when he finally cleared his throat and looked up at her, his demeanor proud, but also amused. "You look just like your mother."

Her smile instantly disappeared. That was not what she expected to hear.

"Amazing woman, your mother. A free spirit, too. In fact, I did warn my then Prime Minister, Addison Blackwood, that she may be his biggest mistake. But of course, as we both know, he did not listen. He said that Belcourt was the mistake. She may have left Belcourt, but she was still bound to it by her Vow. Thus, you, child. You were the byproduct of that Vow. She was forced to betray her husband to spy on me and seduce the man that is your father."

Arielle took a long moment to master herself. And when she did, she scoffed. "I have already heard that part of history from my dear brother Albert."

"Ah, of course, you have," Reginald said, looking straight at her. This was a man who had reigned Sutherland. Once, he was a powerful king, the remnant of his power still held in his gaze. "I have gathered members of the House of Lords. I'm here to give you an offer. You've done quite an astounding work getting support from the same men. They're all willing to continue working with you."

"For a different goal? Which is to make you king?"

"Of course, child," he said.

"But I already have someone in mind to rule Sutherland."

"Ah... The French," Reginald said with a shake of his head. "I also heard half of them rushed out of Belcourt to meet the queen."

Arielle stiffened. From the corner of her eye, she could see Lady Eastwell share a look with one Soldier. What could they be thinking now? That she had lost control? No, of course not. Tremblay would never betray her. If it was not for her, Napoleon would never have had trouble setting a camp in Sutherland.

"And what shall I get in return?"

"Belcourt, of course," said Reginald.

"Supposing I side with you, what plan do you have in mind?"

Reginald smiled. "I've been through enough in my years as king, child. I know that anyone can be bought for an ounce of power and wealth. But to answer your question, you need not do anything. I've already taken care of Louis. The queen and the French shall be next. It shall be easy because Helena believes I'm working with her. My Royals are loyal to me and can easily give her the ending she deserves for what she did to both of us. All you have to do is to remain on your throne."

"And why would I believe you?"

"Because I have no interest in Belcourt. However, the Vandenbergs do. To them, this place is theirs. Once the queen is gone, they shall try to get Belcourt back and force one of their own to rule it. And it shall merely repeat history. I've already learned my lesson. No Vandenberg can ever rule Belcourt again."

Arielle looked at Lady Eastwell, and with the slightest motion, the lady nodded.

"I do not have to do anything."

Reginald's gaze never left hers. "Well, you can do one thing. There are still French Soldiers within Belcourt. Perhaps you can offer them drinks that shall put them to sleep forever?"

Arielle scoffed once more. "I shall think about your offer."

With a grunt, the man straightened on his feet. "Of course, you will. But don't take long. I have a throne to fill."

Arielle lifted her hand to stop the Soldiers who moved to follow Reginald. When the man finally left, Lady Eastwell approached Arielle.

"Well? What do you think?" Arielle asked the Mistress.

"I believe we are currently trapped inside our own home, Your Highness," Lady Eastwell said. "Our own women turned against us and they're all inside the Village with our supplies. It would not be long before we'll be forced to enter the place. And when that happens, we'll be waging a war against our own people. It should never happen. It goes against Belcourt's ideals." The woman turned to stare at the doorway Reginald exited. "If he changes his allegiance, we shall be helpless."

"Or he could be playing us. How do we know he is not fooling me?"

Lady Eastwell was quiet for a moment. When she spoke, she turned to Arielle. "Would you rather stay on a throne with no subjects, or risk it for the good of all? We've already lost enough Soldiers."

Arielle stood and stepped down her throne. "I will think about it."

As she soon found out, Reginald was not the last to call on her. Merely two hours later, while Arielle made plans with the Soldiers regarding the current situation in the Village, she received another note.

This time, however, she did not let the visitor through the gates. Arielle left the Palace and rode a carriage to meet the caller, passing through the still burning Great Hall. The fire would soon run out of wood to devour and it would leave nothing but the ruins of what used to be one of the most magnificent edifices in Belcourt.

But it was also built by the Vandenbergs to entertain their guests. It was where the children were forced to perform in front of Sutherland's richest, was where women of eighteen were courted, shattering or fulfilling their dreams. It was gone now. But like a phoenix, something new would rise from its ashes. A new Belcourt.

When they reached the gates, Arielle climbed out of the carriage and waited as the Soldiers opened the iron doors of the second gate. Across from her stood someone she was familiar with as well. Another player in the game.

"Ellise St. Vincent," she greeted with a wintry smile. "Are you here for Leila or your sister-in-law?"

"No," the woman replied, squarely looking at her with no expression on her face. "I was informed that Reginald came here."

Ellise St. Vincent was dressed in white shirt and buckskins, boots, and a dark coat. Her hair was pulled high behind her head. Not far away, there were five men standing guard. It was clear who ruled the Royal Circus while Blackwood was away. Arielle could only hide her contempt. A woman. Crowning a woman to rule a group of men? The Royal Circus were naught but hypocrites. Was it a move to mock Belcourt's High Priestess?

"Yes, he did," she replied. "I'm surprised you have to ask. Are you not one of his armies?"

The woman's eyes wavered for a second before she shook her head and said, "I have decided I don't agree with his plans."

"I quite like it."

"You mean the plan he told you, one he knows you would agree on? One that is not true?"

Arielle smiled even more widely. "How do I know it's not you who is going to deliver the wooden horse?"

"Darling," Ellise said, looking at her with mock pity, "I don't give away gifts so easily. I'm only here to offer a trade."

"Ah. More trades. I'm loving this night."

"Reginald sent the French to the king."

"He already told me that, yes."

"Did he also tell you that he sent them to kill Louis?" When she did not answer, Ellise scoffed. "Of course, he did." The woman took a step forward. "It is quite true. But Reginald is not going to be king. He made a deal with the French. He is boarding a ship soon with no interference from the French as soon as he gets his son out of Belcourt. And the queen, in exchange for her role in killing Louis, shall regain Belcourt."

"Your story is rather too farfetched, Ellise, dear."

"I was there when they made the deal. It was my idea."

Arielle's brows raised in mock surprise. "And why the change of heart?"

"Because I believe we have lost enough people in this stupid war."

"Why would Reginald choose to leave Sutherland when he now has a chance to be king again?"

"Because he is a wise man, and he knows Napoleon shall ultimately win."

"And why did he pay me a visit? Why offer me something?"

Ellise frowned. "Why do you think?" the woman asked. Arielle remained silent, clueless. Ellise shook her head with a light chuckle. "He planted men within Belcourt." Throwing her eyes at the Soldiers guarding the gates, Ellise asked, "Do you think these Soldiers are still serving you and not the Vandenbergs?"

Arielle went cold.

Ellise St. Vincent stepped away. "Once the French get Sutherland, the queen and the rest of the Vandenbergs will reclaim their reign of Belcourt. And Reginald will live the rest of his life a free man somewhere else with his son."

"You're setting me in a trap. I can feel it. You are insane if you think I'll ever leave Belcourt."

Ellise stepped back. "We, the Royal Circus, have agreed to no longer support Reginald and the queen. But if you so choose, make a deal with Reginald. Either way, I would still get my friends back. However, be careful. The Vandenbergs are not the friendly sort."

"I can never leave my people."

"Then give me back mine."

"Why would I do that?"

"So we can fight for Sutherland."

"You mean you will save Louis?"

"No. As we speak, he could be dead. But the crown prince is alive."

"You mean Emory." Arielle scoffed. "He will never be like Albert."

"Of course. He is not as insane. He is actually the better king."

Arielle's face flushed. "Go away before I go for your head."

Ellise just smiled at her. Stepping back, she slowly nodded. "Be careful, Arielle. Make the right choice because I never want to one day tell you 'I told you so'."

With a scoff, Arielle turned around. "I already chose my side."