Alva's Point Of View (Gilbert's Spy)

The darkening skies outside the castle dim my already cold room in a bluish light. Even the faeries must be unhappy with this surrender for them to turn the sky like this on what should be an auspicious day in the minds of the traitors...

How did it come to this?

We surrender to a cruel enemy that uses the dead, our own new monarch is a monster that committed patricide and gets manipulated by the dead, and-

...Gil-sama is dead.

His life robbed by the hand of the one whom he wished happiness, together with the man Gil-sama decided for her... How could she cast away Gil-sama's gentle hand and turn against him so coldly?

...but Lady Lily was my responsibility. Even if not for long, I had watched over her during her time at Castle Tepet and I knew... I should have known what kind of person she was!

But why?! Why would she treat that coward Peony with far more compassion than she did Gil-sama! Why?! If she let that coward only lose his title then Gil-sama should die?!

I feel the tears welling up again and stare down at the grey windowsill that is bestrewn with my tears of frustration.

I should still have been there to stop her. Even if I couldn't stop her, I should have been there to take the blow that took his life so unfairly.

So why... WHY WAS I HERE?!

I slam my fist down against the windowsill, only to tremble as the pain jolts through my hand from my thoughtless anger. I rip my hand from the windowsill and hug it close to me.

I should have stayed in Ristaze even if Gil-sama ordered me to go to Headal!

I mutter out a curse under my breath, as I sink down to the cold stone floor with tear stained cheeks. I have been losing control ever since Lady Lily arrived here at castle Duvin. I put a hand to my stomach and grasp the dress tightly.

I'm even in this situation... it's beginning to get visible too.

Had I known it would turn out like this then I would have confessed all of my feelings for Gil-sama even if I had slept with her bodyguard... I would have begged Gil-sama to consider me even just for a moment, even if I probably never would have reached his heart... but if I did... if I did then just maybe he would still be alive.

Now I have nothing but this child of a man that I do not love.

I was sure... I was so sure that it would be fine. I let myself dream a small happy dream of false love since I couldn't receive Gil-sama's love... probably, no matter how I begged, he would never love me back.

I just wanted a night where I wouldn't have to think of the love I could never have. I didn't want to end up with child!

The moment I did I was expected of me to carry this through, but now Gil-sama isn't here, then what am I supposed to do with it?!... This child that isn't Gil-sama's.

I curl up and hug around my stomach as I sob quietly in my dark room.

Gil-sama did so much for all of them, and they're treating him like a villain! They are letting everything he built fall apart and condemning it!

May it fall! May it fall and be cursed!

May this stupid meeting fail!

...if someone important dies, will it fail?

I look up towards the door at that realization. There is still purpose to this child. If Gil-sama cannot have a long and happy life, then neither can his killer! This baby was meant for one thing, and it can still be used for that.

I get up, somewhat unsure on my legs, and head to the bag I brought along for the mission. It generally has what you would expect for a young lady, but most importantly...

I pick up an engraved hip flask and hold it up into the cold light from the window. I haven't used it or opened it during my short stay, but it's filled with potent poison. It was meant for for the Headal King, but no longer. It shall be used on those traitors instead.

I wipe my eyes and cheeks again and correct the maid uniform carefully.

Asher is generally known to be kind, and he is known for loving his family very dearly. There is no way he would abandon his own unborn child.

I grip the flask tightly and step out of my room into the quiet hallway. All the other servants are probably busy with the meeting and the party that follows.

The sound of my shoes echo through the quiet hallways, and my stomach knots up.

Let's not be rash.

If I fail then there won't be a second chance after all...

What if Asher refuses to poison Lily?

He drank the aphrodisiac so he might do the same with the poison... perhaps it is better that I lie. That I am angry she killed Gil and want her to drink something that makes her quite sick, and then I... and all the other remaining spies will leave her be.

That might work.

The sounds of the great hall begin to sound as I near the door to the great hall, and I stifle a breath.

What if he still refuses?

Wait, Magdalin Ruche was there as well. If he refuses to give it to Lily, then at the very least he should give in if it's her... actually, Magdalin might just accept anything I give her.

I put on the false smile as I reach the door and push it open... and it is like walking into a beautiful world of light and smiles. Their relief and joy buzzes through the room and hits me like a stone wall...

Their excitement... when they should be feeling guilty and regretful for what they have done is... nauseating.

Magdalin stands among a crowd of diplomats and although shyly she seems to do well with introductions. Asher is near her, acting like an escort as he talks with some of the castle knights that are all dressed up for the occasion.

The only worry left is the location of the two monsters.

I glance around the hall for Landon and Alstair's little sister... but don't find the two anywhere. The princess of Crinia and King of Semor is gone too. Jacques ex-fiancé isn't here either.

I look back to Asher and Magdalin.

Should I find a glass to give a part to Magdalin, and then the rest to Lily's bodyguard?

Even if Lily then survives or Asher intervenes, then the traitor will still see the friend she holds so dear die a long and painful death.

...yes, even if I can't kill her, she will at the very least suffer the same pain.

I look to the edge of the room and find the drink glasses. I'll start there. If I do it properly, then neither of the two monsters will arrive in time to stop this.

I step through the door and into the warmth of the great all... only to feel cold grasping hands of darkness pulling me back. They cover my mouth and roughly pull me away as shimmering see through hands close the door to the great hall.

I drop the flask and grip at the ethereal hands pulling me down the great hall, but even I know that these things cannot be killed without magic. I who specialize in sound and illusion, is mostly helpless.

A side door opens and the dead force me to my knees once they shove me to the room, then force me to look up... and the two monsters look at me quietly from each side of a table covered with bundles of papers and maps, and tens of ghosts stand around them, watching me as though they stare at an insect about to be executed.

"You are sure Asher didn't see anything?"

Jacques words out to one of the things holding me down.

"I am certain, your Majesty. As planned the knights were keeping him busy."

One of the beings put the hip flask on the table. Jacques only looks at it with disappointment.

"Are you sure it's Asher's?"

He asks Alstair's little sister, who gives a nod in return.

"Gilbert's other people confirmed that she hadn't done the naughty with other people."

...why does this matter?

"I see. Then, if you do not mind Emilia, I will take care of miss Alva until she gives birth."

...what? What do you mean by that?

I stare at Jacques, and then to Emilia.

"Of course. I apologize that a citizen of mine has caused such trouble."

They both look at me with their cold violet eyes.

"If she makes it to term, then I shall discuss my niece- or nephew's fate at that time, Emilia."

Jacques stares at me coldly. Nephew? What do you mean nephew?! That would mean that Asher is... Ashers is that monsters-

"You should just have given up and let Asher care for you and fallen in love with him, Alva. Ah well, at least you can't get in the way of our plans anymore."

Asher's Point of View

All the main actors of the meeting have left for separate meetings, abandoning Miss Magdalin and I here to the wolves, so to speak.

Once Lady Lily and Lord Lionel left, so did the other royals except King Jacques and Princess Emilia. Jacques kept giving me glances for a while until Princess Emilia pulled him off for negotiations... but I already know. Even if it had not been for the way he looks at me... I would have realized by the way the ghosts are looking at me and acting towards me. They are looking at me like grandparents do their grandchildren.

Still... none of them have mentioned anything. The ghosts at Castle Tepet probably told Emilia how I felt, and she told Jacques and the ghosts here... even if that is how it is, I am happy with that. Now where I am here I am even more certain that I don't want to become a part of high nobility.

I overheard Emilia and Jacques conversing via the ghosts while they were signing the treaty. When Emilia asked if they were alright about the treaty she wasn't just referring to the demands of Ristaze. Apparently the treaty contains no demands between the other countries... and after Jacques said that everything is the way things are supposed to be, his ghost advisor added:

"Mutual peace demands between any other parties was deemed unneeded by Crinia and Semor, and of course we agreed," with a saying smile.

Honestly, their unheard conversation only became darker from there... be it about what will happen from now on, or about what happened between Lady Lily and King Landon.

I'm worried for her, but Lionel is taking care of it. No matter how bitter it is, I have to wait out here.

Meanwhile Magdalin is taking full advantage of all the attention she is getting from the foreign nobles. Once she was made the center of attention she seemed to step out from Lily's shadow and bloomed. Somehow, she adjusts a little bit depending on the person she is talking with.

Still, those introductions of hers end up getting her pretty much what she wants.

Just look, there comes another target. They start out by introducing themselves, to which she replies:

"It is an honor to meet you, my name is Magdalin and I am Lady Lily's lady in waiting."

She smiles sweetly. As you might have noticed, something is missing, which of course catches the attention of nobles, that need to know her full name to be able to use her as a contact, causing them to ask, "Which house do you come from?"

To which Magdalin suddenly looks bitter or guilty.

"Ruche, sir..."

"Is there a problem?" They'll then ask.

"No... it's just that... it seems my family have been spreading rumors that I am a changeling, so I am not certain how much longer I will be able to keep that name."

Now, this could break down any desire to make connections, but they also know that as Lily's Lady in waiting this just means that Magdalin will be married off soon. There is no way a Lady as powerful as Lily would let her lady in waiting lose her status as a noble, especially since they are childhood friends... which of course the nobles ask about to confirm their effort will not be in vain.

...in short, the one spreading the changeling rumors is Magdalin herself. All the while she is creating connections here and there.

I wonder what expression Lady Lily would make if she knew that Magdalin was the one spreading the vicious rumor. Of course I know why this is happening, but it still seems quite reckless.