Gabrielle slipped out of the bedchamber in the same dress she came in. The music from the ballroom was faint, but it was a sign that she still had some time to go around. Where? She knew where.

She knew what Islefield meant to Belcourt. Jubert Stanway, the Duke of Islefield, sometimes hosted Belcourt Soldiers in between missions out in the sea. They could freely dock their ships here, whatever it was carrying. And sometimes, they also delivered things on the island—food, wine, artifacts, important things for clients, and most often, they also deliver Belles.

As the strongest supporter of the king, the duke held important documents. Names, plans, maps. Years ago, the Royals made an attempt to enter the duke's estate in Coulway but failed to gain what they needed because the Soldiers were there first. After that failed attempt, everything Stanway kept as the most trusted adviser to the king was transferred here in Islefield.

Gabrielle did not know who he played for now, where his loyalty truly lay. It could be with the Vandenbergs, or it could be with Arielle. Whichever, it was better to have anything against anyone than nothing at all.

Having spent quite some time in this estate, coming in and out over the years, spying for Belcourt, Gabrielle knew every corner. They studied it; the map engraved in each Soldier's mind.

The duke's study was on the second landing, eastern side. But she also knew that's not where he hid the important things. They were under his valet's bed, down in the basement, in the servants' quarters. And that's where she went.

Stealthily, she made her way down, making innocent and silly excuses to servants, until she found the room where all the laundry was kept, found a pair of breeches and shirt and coat. Discarding the dress among the variety of clothes, she traversed the complicated narrow corridors and found the valet's room.

It was empty, and the trunk was there as where it should be. She picked the lock, opened the trunk, and found maps. Also inside were hundreds of letters and sealed documents. Unsatisfied, she stood up and searched the room.

She found it under the mattress. A small notebook. She leafed through the pages, frowning as she tried to analyze. When it finally dawned on her, she scoffed.

It was a schedule. Boats coming in and out of Islefield. Belcourt's ships.

She did not steal it, of course. The valet must check this notebook now and again. Grabbing pen and paper from the small table in the corner, she copied the time and dates of future ships coming in and out.

After putting everything in order, Gabrielle walked out, dressed as a footman, out of the servants' quarters, emerging into a hall. In no time, she was out of the manor, running across the field toward the docks.

There was a line of boats of different kinds, all of them empty. But not far ahead, hidden in the shadows of the trees, were men waiting for midnight to strike. And she knew, hiding in the darkness of the ocean, there was another ship that would welcome them and take them away.

Gabrielle approached the men, confident she would not be killed, and found Rider Fairborne among them. She waited in a distance as he approached.

"The French soldiers have already docked a week ago," she told him and almost smiled at the look of surprise on his face. "They are kept here on the island."

"How do I know you're not lying?"

"You can't." She handed him a piece of paper. "That's the list of names of the men who will be here in seven days. All of them members of the House of Lords. Belcourt will also be here. They're meeting one of Napoleon's generals."

"How do you know all this?"

"Because I know how to properly spy," she said. "However, Belcourt will be sending a ship in three days."

"To prepare for the meeting."

She nodded. "If we board that ship and take it back to Belcourt—"

"We can enter Belcourt." As she nodded, he shook his head. "The Royal Circus is no longer planning to infiltrate Belcourt. It has been agreed that the Vandenbergs will do that."

Gabrielle smiled. "I don't believe you, Rider Fairborne. I know the Circus does not work with anyone, especially with the Vandenbergs."

His eyes bore into hers. For a brief moment, they measured each other's gaze. "Believe whatever you wish. Our priorities have shifted because of the French. Belcourt is no longer a priority."

"I suggest you change your mind. Otherwise, I will not help you."

He frowned at her. "Why?" Stepping closer, he looked into her eyes. "Why do you suddenly want to get into Belcourt? Why not stay here with your family? Or even wait for your fellow Soldiers?"

"Reginald and Sasha said Belcourt took the High Priestess."

"You mean the child."

"Yes."

He shrugged. "She could be dead by now."

"Let me be the judge of that."

"Are you telling me that you're doing all for a child? That your loyalty lies with her?"

Yes, because that child was another Vandenberg thrown in a fate she had no choice over. The same child she vowed to protect as a Soldier. "Yes." He looked unconvinced, so she added, "I'll help with the French. I'll fight alongside all of you, but after that, you'll take me back to Belcourt, and you'll help me get that child back."

"You're loyal to Arielle."

She shook her head. "I'm loyal to Belcourt and that child."

"What are you really planning? Take the child, then what?"

"Keep her safe."

"And what about Belcourt?"

Her gaze faltered. She had not thought of that yet. "Don't underestimate the women of Belcourt, Rider Fairborne. With or without me, they'll know how to fight for their home."

*****

Ruby left nearly everything she arrived with in her bedchamber. She told Aaron she was not feeling well and wanted to retire for the night. She risked everything, she knew that, by coming to Robert Dior, the man she swore she would not work with anymore.

Their walk to the docks was quiet. He did not ask more questions, only offered a way out of Islefield.

"We don't have enough men to help you," he had told her.

"I just need to go back to the mainland," she almost begged.

He thought hard for a moment. "I'll come with you."

She looked up, surprised. "Why?"

"Sheridan Garmont is in danger. We can't lose her," he said, face tight.

There were no complaints, not even from Ellise St. Vincent. The woman just stared at Robert Dior and said, "We should get going."

She did not know what would happen to her, or if this was just a trap set up by Belcourt to catch her. But she could not just sit here and wait. Her parents were in danger. And so was Sheridan.

The boats were ready when they arrived. And before Ruby knew it, they were being rowed toward a ship. And to her surprise, she saw Gabrielle there dressed in a footman uniform. Their eyes locked, both of them confused about seeing each other on a ship with people that should be their enemies. But before words were spoken, Ellise St. Vincent stepped forward and took Gabrielle away, saying it was time to make plans.

Ruby was led into a cabin by a Royal. And then she was locked inside. Understandable, of course. And the moment she was alone and felt the ship sail away, her shoulders began to shake.

Suddenly, her life in Belcourt before all of this flashed before her eyes. She had been a Belle and had been working with secrets, yet she had been innocent. Or mayhap she just chose to be ignorant.

Questions flooded her. How did it come to this? Was this her fault?

If she didn't take any part in this, if she didn't let the Circus threaten her with the secrets they forced out of her former flower, Willoghby, this might not have happened. If she didn't take the risk of seeing her parents now and then, if she didn't keep it a secret from Belcourt, perhaps then she may never be here now. Perhaps then she would still be in Islefield, enjoying the night with Aaron.

But things happened. She walked into the library in Coulway and dug herself in a hole not meant for her. She chose to do the righteous thing... For what? The freedom of the women? She was just a Belle, trained to spy and flirt. She was not trained to be a hero.

No, that's not what Sheridan would tell her. That's not what her mother would say. Nor her father. They would tell her to follow her heart, to see her own path. She wiped her tears and sniffled.

And then she squared her shoulders.

Then she smiled, as she always did.

She was Ruby, after all. And she could do this.

*****

Leila opened her eyes and slipped out of bed when it was certain that Esther was deep in sleep. Without a sound, she went to the wall and quietly pulled out each brick. And just as quietly, she slipped out of the room, down the same path to the hall of the Palace.

Footsteps echoed from one corridor and her heart leapt to her throat. She pressed against one wall, hiding in the shadow cast by the column to her right. She waited, she counted. Soft chatters followed the footsteps until they grew distant. Poking her head out, she watched the two Soldiers disappear.

With a shaky breath, she made her way to the servant's doors at the side of the Palace. A small corridor led straight into a series of rooms. Kitchen, pantry, two more corridors. And further back, just by the exit doors that would lead straight to the Village, Asa, the Maiden, was already waiting. She looked tensed, but she bowed her head when she saw Leila. And without a word, Asa wrapped Leila in a velvet cloak, the same ones the Elected wore, one Leila herself had worn before she became High Priestess.

"This way, Your Highness," Asa said under her breath, leading Leila down the path that hid them from the nearest watchtower. Just at the end was a small carriage. She easily climbed inside and sat on the floor, pressing against the door. Asa drove them away from the Palace, but of course, Soldiers that they were, the ones posted by the road stopped them.

"My lady, where are you going?"

"I'm out to take some fresh air," Asa said.

A long pause followed.

Leila's heart hammered against her chest, blood rushed to her ears.

"Please don't stay out too long," the Soldier said.

"I won't."

And the carriage continued down the path. They went on like that for some time, just rolling down the road. In truth, Leila had never been outside the Palace. Although she knew the place through its maps, she had never been to where they were headed. The ladies always came to her.

When the carriage eventually slowed down, Leila looked out the window. Asa had stopped the carriage inside a driveway surrounded by lush gardens. The front façade was quiet, as if everyone had been told to go away.

There were two buildings arched in almost a circle. She knew what they were, what rooms were inside. But she had never been here.

Asa opened the carriage door and guided her to the ground. Wasting no time, they rushed through the first building and across to the outer one. She was led up a series of stairs, down a corridor, and into a chamber. On their way, they did not meet a soul. Not a single Belle.

Except for the one inside the study.

Leila stepped in after Asa, and her eyes flew to the Mistress of the Court of Flowers. Jade was already on her feet, rushing toward her.

"Your Highness," the woman greeted with a smile. "Lady Asa told me everything. You need my help?"

Leila smiled. "Yes."