It's been few days since that incident. So far now, Timothy has ordered everyone to look into the death of Alex's nanny. There has been no improvement regarding that incident. The culprit, who had killed the nanny, has yet to be found. The royal prison is a restricted area where people can't enter easily. It has to be a highly trained assassin or someone within the royal knights. But the question is why would someone go so far to kill a nanny, risking their lives? The answer would be very simple. They want to hide— more like demolish the vital secrets which the person knew.
Although I already know it is most certainly sir Gilbert. If he can kill Grace in front of the whole crowd without any mercy, killing a mere nanny is nothing to him. He can also get into the royal prison as he is well acquainted with that place. There were no evidence which can prove his crime. But no matter how much you try to hide your misdeeds, one will always leave a clue behind.
Thanks to my sixth sense I was able to detect the connection between Gilbert and Eleanor. With that being said, Sir Joseph, my loyal knight did a check up on them, following their every single move. Without being astonished, I heard his report after the week of his observation.
" I have kept my eyes on these two and it turns out that they are in a relationship, a very intimate one."
" You saw them getting physical?"
" Yes your highness."
" Ha! That's a great news to hear. Now I have to show her true nature to the world, especially to my dear husband."
I was happy to find the real nature of Eleanor. She has been making Lucinda's life hell since the day she stepped her foot here. Finally after all these years, I can fight back and take the revenge on her.
" There's another thing you ought to know, your highness. I have heard their private conversation and they are planning to kill the emperor."
What? Killing Timothy? But as far I know, Eleanor doesn't have a strong background or support like mine. Her father owns a small territory and their land is mostly barren. Which is why they produce low amount of harvest. They earn money from selling different types of handcrafted items and clothes made of silk and cotton. Eleanor came here as a concubine to help their region.
" That's a bold decision. One wouldn't dare to think of it, one who has no power or status." I stated boldly.
" Gilbert is the son emperor's aunt. Which is why he has royal blood. If the emperor dies now, Sir Gilbert will obtain the throne since prince Alex is young." Holy mother of god! Gilbert is related to Timothy? That's a big news. Even Lucinda didn't know about it. It seems that Gilbert and Eleanor were together from the very beginning.
" It looks like they were scheming on this topic from a long time. Of course it's not an easy task to kill the emperor. They are searching for a way to get rid of him."
" Exactly."
" Sir Joseph, I thank you for the information you gave me just now. Keep your eyes on them. I think, I have an idea for my new step." A smirk has appeared on my face as I was thinking about my plan. Sir Joseph left and I went to meet my husband. I have to ask for a favour.
After two days, I called all the concubines to gather at one place. I have to inform them about the new arrangements that I have made.
" May the blessings be upon Her highness."
All the concubines greeted me, bowing down their heads, as I entered into the room. They were looking lost and confused wondering why I had called them here.
" Raise your heads. I have gathered everyone here to announce a notice." The ladies raised their heads up and fixed their gaze at me.
" From today on ward, I shall take care of the budget for household management. All of you have to ask me for your expenses. I have looked into the account book of previous years which made me realise how much wealth you people are wasting. Therefore, I stepped forward to stop it."
Yes, the shock and contention was visible on all of their faces. They were literally huffing with anger and disgust. The job was originally mine but thanks to miss Eleanor I lost my authority over it.
That vile snake, she pretended to be a kind lady in front of Lucinda to gain the ownership of the household budget. These two days, I checked all the records of previous expenses and it showed that most of the money was not correctly mentioned.
She deliberately changed the account books to hide the money she took from the household budget. Although it's not an easy task. Someone had helped her in this, if I'm not wrong Gilbert can be a part of it. Or someone else perhaps?
There is another suspect which is Eleanor's personal maid. Unlike me, Eleanor is smart enough to keep five maids with her. In that way no one can tell, which one is well acquainted with Eleanor. But sir Joseph had told me that, he had seen only one maid with her when Eleanor came to check the budget last week.
" What is the meaning of this, your highness? Are you saying that the money we spend for our well-being is unnecessary?" Eleanor objected with a sharp tone. The other ladies changed their facial expressions which had fear and contempt before. They were looking happy as Eleanor took the first step to slander me in front of the nasty crowd of those women.
Of course she had to speak up first. Our miss Eleanor, who is preparing to be the next empress along side with her dear lover—— sir Gilbert, it is her duty to take a stand for her followers. But if I'm going to prevent her from saving more cash, it will only destroy her dreams.
The money she steals from the budget, it is most likely to be used to buy the feudal lords and important members of the royal council. After all when the current emperor dies, they still need the consent and favour of those councils members. So miss Eleanor is doing this only for herself.
" Exactly. I'll decide what is needed and what is not. Therefore you don't have to lecture me or are you looking for a fight?" Roaring like an lioness, I glared at them with my eyes, which was enough to drop off the smirks and smiles of their faces. They never saw Lucinda to take a stand for herself. She always let people do what they wanted. But I will show them who is the true empress here. I will regain all my authority that Lucinda had lost.
" Pardon my rudeness your highness. I just stated my thoughts."
Eleanor backed down for now. She was smart enough to get the fact that if we argue now, I will completely dominate her. The whole crowd will witness the badass side of Lucinda which will make them loose their trust from Eleanor. They only follow Eleanor because they think that Eleanor holds all the power in the palace. But I already made up with Timothy. Our bond is stronger than before. Hah! It took me few days to warp him around my fingers. In fact, when I told him that I want to start taking care of the household budget he instantly replied yes. His trust in me was restored once again.
What an easy task!
" Well then. You guys can go back to your palaces." All the ladies started to walk out from the room with a gloomy face. They knew that from today on ward, they shall not receive unnecessary wealth without my permission. I have accomplished my first step to attain the lost authority which was snatched away from me.
The room was empty now although one person stayed back. It was Eleanor. Her other minion—— Martha was also gone. Only Eleanor's maid was standing with her.
" Is there anything you need Lady Eleanor?"
" Why did you suddenly decide to manage the household budget?" Woah! Back to being bitch already? Well I am not surprised though. She was holding back her anger from the very beginning.
" It's my right. I had left it in your care for so long but after all I can't just depend on someone else." Pressing my lips together in a evil smile I replied back. The hint of evilness was clearly noticeable.
" Don't be so cocky. You have been acting bold these days. Did you get your courage after visiting your father?" Eleanor huffed in anger.
" I'm not obligated to inform that you whore."
" What did you say!" It made her extremely furious. She was flaming with hot fire.
" I said ' You whore get the fuck out of here'" I quoted my own words sarcastically.
" How dare you speak to me in such filthy manner! I'll.... I will-" Eleanor could not finish her speech as I stopped her in the mid way.
" You will what? Tell Timothy? Yeah yeah go ahead. I don't give a flying fuck."
" Just because you two are on good terms it won't give you any authority to speak to me in such way! How dare you call me whore!"
" Whore." I said again.
" You bitch! I will show you where you belong." Eleanor shouted out with anguish and hatred.
" Yeah yeah. Whore."
" Fine. Be as cocky you want. When I will tell every thing to your highness, you will be begging for mercy." Like that will ever happen. You and your emperor, both are dumbass. I can easily manipulate him. Fell free to nag about me I won't even bat an eye for it.
" Sure. W. H. O. R. E." Finally Eleanor left from the room. Let's see what she can prepare for me. I will happily give her the return gift. Her time has come. I have the biggest secret of hers that will ruin—— even take her life. Only not having enough evidence is keeping me on hold. Soon I'll gather up all my pawns to serve them justice.
~ to be continued