Leila made another short trip down the tower to meet with Asa. They talked in the shadows.

"Jade will be bringing people into Belcourt soon," said Asa.

"How?"

"The upcoming Flower Ball. All Gentlemen of Belcourt shall be invited." The look on Asa's face told Leila that she was uncomfortable with the situation, but she was also hopeful. It had not passed Leila's notice that Asa did not fully trust Jade.

"That's good enough. And Aliya's old maids?"

"They'll find a way to serve during the ball." Asa looked behind her. "Meet me here in three days, Your Highness. By then, Jade will have more information on how you will be escorted out of Belcourt."

"And Arielle?"

"She's making plans to meet with the French soldiers in Islefield. If she succeeds with this plan, Napoleon's army would gain access to Sutherland. Members of the House of Lords are joining the said meeting."

"Of course, they are. They want to maintain power once Louis is out of power."

"If she succeeds, Belcourt will remain powerful."

"Yes, perhaps. But I don't like that the one in power is not me. Arielle will only ruin Belcourt." Leila said. Arielle was insane. She did not care if she killed children for her goals.

"This was what Albert wanted as well."

"Albert wanted many things, but that did not mean he was always right." She looked away and murmured under her breath, "I also thought I was right." She looked at Asa again. "When I make my escape, I won't know how much time it will take me to gather all the help I can get. But once I'm in power, I'll make things right. Everything they did wrong—I did wrong—I'll make it right. I'll make the children safe again. And they'll be free to dream of their future."

They'd be free to draw their future houses, plan their gardens, and be children. And they'd be ready to face the world outside Belcourt. Yes, they'd be free to leave. And they'd be free to stay.

"Of course, Your Highness."

"I'll wait for you here in three days."

She could wait, Leila thought as she made her way back to the tower. Good things took time. As soon as she crawled back inside, Esther was already sitting in the bed, eyes on her. As if she had been waiting for Leila.

"I inspected the Palace. The Soldiers make their rounds—"

"Stop lying to me, child," Esther said, walking over to her, eyes murderous.

"What do you mean? Are you angry because I did not tell you I was going out tonight?" Leila nonchalantly replaced the bricks on the wall. Done, she stood and faced Esther. "I'm simply doing what you told me to do. I'm looking for a way to get us out of here because you obviously cannot."

"I was sent here by my family—"

"And you were a fool to believe they can take you out?" Leila asked. "They sent you here because they needed you to be here. Probably to make Arielle feel like she's holding something against your family."

Esther grabbed her by the arm and forced her to face her. "What are you planning?"

"I'm planning to go to sleep. I'm quite tired after doing all the work." She squirmed away from Esther's old and went to bed, heart beating fast. She could still feel Esther's eyes on her as she closed hers. Would she be alive tomorrow? Perhaps not if the woman was crazy enough to kill her.

*****

Lady Winthrop frowned at the line across from them. All dead men covered in white cloth. Five of them, in fact. She looked up at the cobwebs that blanketed the ceiling. And then she veered her bored eyes toward Natalia St. Vincent. "If Harriet is not in mourning, and if she was here, she would still be mourning. This place is the worst kind of boring. Makes me want to cry, really."

Natalia St. Vincent sipped from her cup, swallowed, and said nothing. She caught Aliya's gaze and slightly rolled her eyes. Aliya then shared a secret smile with Caroline, who had brought along a book for the long hours ahead.

"The dead men in Coulway are far more interesting than the ones in Strait," Lady Winthrop continued, standing to inspect the dead faces one by one. Before her mother-in-law could make a sharp comment, Aliya shot to her feet to humor the old lady, asking, "How do you say so, my lady? This man has bruises on his cheek. His story seems interesting."

Lady Winthrop joined her and scoffed. "He got it after during a drunken squabble. Nothing we've never seen before, darling."

They went on to the next corpse, decided he, too, was boring, and the next, until they reached the last one. While they discussed the woman's unfortunate accident with her dog that caused her to fall from a bridge and cracked her head, the door to the chamber opened and in walked the people they never expected.

The crown prince stopped when he saw them and gracefully acknowledged them as they stood, save for Natalia St. Vincent, who had taken Caroline's book while sipping tea. Five royal guards followed, then the king himself. The door that led to the theater where the Royal Opera was to be held burst open and Rider Fairborne walked out and wordlessly guided the king and the prince through the doorway. The queen, on the other hand, came later, chin high and eyes looking straight, not seeing both dead and living. Behind her, a group of people, most of whom quite familiar to the Royal wives.

The Vandenbergs.

The room was still and quiet as all wives stared agape, save for Natalia St. Vincent, who had already flipped a page with tea in one hand. When they had all filed out of the chamber, Lady Winthrop, with her mouth still open, looked at the other wives. "I think it's the first time I'm more interested in talking about living humans."

As she said it, the Duchess of Eaton walked into the room with a small smile. "Hello, ladies," she greeted, brown hair tied in a bun behind her nape. She was wrapped in a lavender dress and black cloak.

"Sasha," Aliya said, slowly making her way to the woman, brows furrowed. "What is happening?"

"They're having a different Opera tonight," she said, gesturing for Aliya and Lady Winthrop to go back to their corner.

"About what?" asked Lady Winthrop.

"About a heist," Sasha replied, taking an empty seat.

"And I suppose you're here because you're also waiting for your husband to be done with his duties?" Natalia asked, speaking for the first time.

"No, of course not," Sasha said. Her eyes jumped from one woman to the other. "As women, they should not expect us to idly wait."

That got their interest. Their shoulders straightened and leaned forward. Natalia St. Vincent snapped her book close and replaced her teacup on the small table.

"We have things to plan," she told them.

"What?" Aliya and Caroline asked in unison, revealing their eagerness for something new. For an adventure. Lady Winthrop was smiling wickedly, equally excited, saying, "Oh, I've never been this intrigued since my last mission, dear. Please do go on."

"The Royal Circus is building an army with old enemies, but it shall not be enough. We'll need more help."

"I doubt all of us can handle a sword, dear," Lady Winthrop said. "My best weapon, for one, is my ears and tongue. That's all I can offer, I'm afraid."

"Fret not, my lady," said Sasha, "I will not be expecting you to hold any weapon."

"What do you have in mind?" asked Aliya.

"We need to gather all women who left Belcourt."

*****

Summer was quiet during the first few miles of their journey. Ruby sat just as quietly, her hands tied in front of her. The carriage jostled as it sped down the road, almost sending them both off their seats.

That's when Summer met her gaze with a sad smile on her face. "I'm quite disappointed, Ruby. You were the last person I would think to betray us."

Ruby only shook her head. "I felt the same thing when I was thrown into the dungeon and spent time with Sasha. I understand how you feel."

"But you're going to maintain your innocence," said Summer. "What was it you told me? You were sent here on a mission?"

"Yes."

"And you found the injured Soldier?"

"I told you, yes."

"Ruby, you were also given the mission to finish off Sheridan Garmont. Which you did not do. In fact, the first thing you did when you learned I'm headed to the monastery is go after me. And now the woman is missing, along with your mother."

Her jaw tightened, and she bore her eyes into Summer's. "Gabrielle was there in Islefield. She told me to follow Robert Dior and I was just as surprised when he led me here. Garmont has contact with the man. If she was still indeed here, she would have asked for his help."

Summer looked at her for a long time. "We have not heard from Gabrielle for months, Ruby. She never returned to Belcourt since she left for her last mission."

"Well, she was in Islefield! I swear it!" she insisted, the truth genuine in her voice and eyes, giving Summer pause. When the woman made no comment, Ruby looked away. "The High Priestess always has plans we are not aware of. All missions are not open to everyone, especially that of the Soldiers. Gabrielle leading me here must be a part of a bigger plan by the High Priestess."

She did not look at Summer as she waited for the woman to speak. "Well, we might find out if you're telling the truth soon enough." Summer paused for a few breathless seconds before adding, "Once the injured Soldier regains consciousness."

Her heart went to her throat and she smiled through it. She faced Summer again and said, "I'm hoping she will."

"For the meantime, I hope you understand why we're treating you like a traitor, Ruby, dear."

"Of course, Summer."

She was a traitor to Belcourt. She knew that. But she was only a traitor to its ruler. Not the women, not the children. And definitely not her parents and Sheridan.

*****

Ellise stood in one corner of the room as Blackwood addressed everyone. She met her brother's disapproving gaze and looked away. The men and women inside the room were grouped. To the right were the Royals, looking unhappy to be sharing a room with the others. To the center of the room was the royal family, and to the left, in a small group, were the rest of the Vandenbergs—or at least the inner families. She could not help but notice one couple who kept throwing their son, August Shaw, the Earl of Ross, a look of disappointment and contempt. Were they thinking he was keeping his twin from them?

"The one thing we cannot have if we want to succeed in this mission is for one to betray the other," said Blackwood, looking at the king and his wife. "Which, of course, can happen anytime. Which is why we're taking collaterals. The floor is open to suggestions."

"Children," Ellise spoke before anyone could. All eyes snapped toward her and they were just as she expected. Outrage and disbelief. She smiled. "By everyone's reaction, I hope you see my point." She pulled away from the wall she was leaning against, folding her hands over her chest. Even West Blackwood threw her a scandalized look. "Not only will they be collaterals, we will also be keeping them safe. No one can touch them on the day of the mission, as they will be guarded. And, of course, no one would want to lose heirs." She lifted her brow at the crowd. "What? Do you think your manors will be enough collaterals? Everyone in this room can live without one or two of their estates. But not without their sons and daughters. Only those evil enough should be willing to pay such a high price."

She did not dare look at her brother because she could already feel his outrage across the room. Instead, she stared at the king as she asked, "All in favor, raise your hands."

She got more than half of the votes. With a satisfied smile, she said, "We'll place all the children on one ship off the coast of Sutherland, with equal numbers of Royals, Vandenbergs, and royal guards to watch over them."

No one said a word. Perhaps because everyone agreed that their children were best kept safe somewhere far.

Blackwood tore his eyes off her and faced everyone. "That shall be included in the agreement we'll all sign after." When no objection was voiced out, he threw the cloth on the wall a look. On it was the map of Belcourt. He turned to them again and he said, "Before we discuss the details of the mission, we have to agree on another thing."

The king shifted in his seat while the queen remained unmoving. The crown prince seemed amused. Leo, equally so as he sat in the back of the room with Reginald who was looking as scornful as the queen.

"And what is that?" one of the Vandenbergs asked.

"The future of the kingdom, of course," Blackwood said. "Who will rule it and how the new Belcourt shall work with it."

Ellise knew the royal family had already made a pact with Reginald and Leo. And she could only hope it would be enough for everyone else in the room.