Princess Lola was lost for words. Still she felt some admiration towards a woman with blood on her lips from a firm slap on the face, lying in prince Valentine arms. How much commitment did she have to slap herself this hard.
"I did not... I came here by mistake and... I really had no idea about the improper relationship she had with you. Why would I..." Muttered Lola.
"Silence!" Shouted prince Valentine. "How dare you belittle her name like that. Acacia is an angel. There is nothing disgraceful about our relationship. We love each other and that is more then enough of a reason to be together. And you took a wrong turn and ended up here? In her courtyard? Really? Do you take me for a fool? I would never believe your words after what i just witnessed here. Leave now!"
Lola was furious. She looked at this hugging shameless couple and felt vary hurt. She immediately turned around and left. It did not matter what she said to prince Valentine, at this moment in time it would all seem like a lie. She was walking wary fast, almost running. The attendants were trying not to fall behind. Cool night breeze was caressing her cheeks. Lola finally calmed herself and now her thoughts were racing. It all looked planned. Acacia was obviously waiting for her arrival. It seemed that Kari was on her payroll. After all she was the one who suggested this short cut. From this moment on she was not to be trusted, but it didn't mean Kari was of no use. Prince Valentine had displayed his worst qualities as a man, but he was still defending his love so maybe it was not the time to right him of completely. As long as he bided by the rules and did not take in a mistress for two years after there marriage, this all could still be salvaged. Still she needed to know for sure he was the right choice, before there was no turning back. Also the relationship between the princes seemed vary tense. Lola needed to find out the reason behind this, otherwise it would threaten the plan B, should it ever be put into motion. There were only five months to make the preparations and make the final decision.
Kari was running after the princess and trying to hide her smile. Everything went splendidly. Acacia had given her to the prince as a trusted help, but in fact she was just a spy to monitor princes every action. She was the one who ordered Kari to bring the princess to the garden after the gala. Even so they could never have dreamed of the plan going any better than it already had. The princess would probably loose her trust in Kari after the incident, but it was all worth it. prince Valentine detested her now and Acacias position was secure. Yes she would be dismissed from her position, but it would only look worse in prince Valentine eyes. She was not only highly trusted by the prince, but also a gift from his lover.
When princess Lola reached the door of her room, she suddenly turned around and looked at Kari. "Here it comes" She thought to herself, but unexpectedly princess smiled at her and said. " Kari i am sorry for tonight. Prince Valentine will probably blame you for this as well, as you were our guide and only you new of the layout of the palace."
Kari was shocked. Yes if the prince Valentine really though about it, she would be the first one to be blamed. Was she trying to blackmail her? It would not work. Acacia would definitely defend her and as she was far more loved and trusted, her words would be the decider. Karis face looked tens from all this thoughts running through her mind.
Lola smiled. "You poor thing. Do not worry, I will defend you in every way I can. It is my foult for rushing you so and going into that courtyard. Well it dose not matter now anyway. Im sure Acacia will understand if I explain to her, that her behavior is unbecoming of a lady and that the prince is already engaged to be married. Still I must thank you for all your help. I will be sure to reward you accordingly."
Kari was shocked. Was the princess really this gullible? Well she most certainly did not display abundance of intelligence, but could she be this dumb? Yes she probably was. Why else would someone as ugly as her ever think she was a suitable match for the prince of everyones dream.
People tend to believe in what they wish to be the truth. It is human nature to think things from there perspective and always be right in there mind. So our own mind tends to be our worst enemy at times. Now as well, even though it was so blatantly obvious that Lola was trying to please her ego, Kari still believed all this to be true.
She smiled to herself at the future prospects the princesses stupidity offered for her. "How could I dare to ever put the blame on you your highness. Thank you for your kindhearted words. It means so much to this unworthy servant." Kari dropped to her knees to sell her act, though it was all in vain. Underneath her veil Lola was smiling coldly, at the fool at her feet. How could she really be so simpleminded to trust this treacherous, scheming woman ever again. Even so it was crucial to her plan that Kari believed her acting.
"Thank you for your understanding. Follow Haer and she will award you accordingly for your troubles."
It was already way passed midnight and the residents of the castle were resting in there quarters. Lola was sitting at the table and writing a letter. She was in her dressing gown, without the veil and her hair flowing down onto her shoulders. Suddenly Shali jumped in through the window. Princess Lolas quarters were situated on a fourth floor so the window was never guarded. Lola calmly turned around and looked at her. Shali was startled and her eyes widened. Princesses trusted ladies in waiting were allowed to see her appearance, so that she would not be covered with veil all day long, throughout this six months. Still, every single time Shali was shocked upon seeing it. She immediately dropped to her knees.
"I apologize your highness. I was not aware you were busy with other affairs."
Lola sight. "Calm down and get up. It is high time you got used to my appearance. Anyway it was I who told you to see me as soon as you got all the information. So i assume you have found something."
At the beginning of her second faze of Ujarmas Straightening, Lola had established a wide range of information networking throughout the continent. Dali was no exemption. She had many eyes and ears in the castle and outside of it. At first she did not wish to use them and poke around in the private affairs of the court of Dali, as a courtesy to the prince, her fiancé. This changed after todays events. She had no concerns about prince Valentines feelings right now. Ujarmas wise princess needed to be informed about every little thing that was happening in this country. Information was the best weapon one could wild and she was determined to be armed to the teeth.
"Yes, i have found something." Said Shali, as she got up and putt her hands behind her back. "I have contacted our source in the castle. It seems Acacia is the Daughter of the general of The Royal guards and the childhood friend of the two older princes. They both held feeling of affection toward her, but In the end she chose the second prince, even though he wasn't the first in line to the throne. That is why Prince Valentine loves her deeply. Even the king holds her in high regard and thinks she is a selfless, kind and innocent girl. They promised to marry each other, but were never officially engaged.
Even though they want you to be his wife, the king still promised to treat her right and to make her the princes mistress after the marriage."
"How considerate of him. They were never going to honor the two year promise. Vary well. Have you found out why the princes are acting so weird to one another?"
"Yes. They were all friendly with each other and had no complaints about the change in the line of succession, but that all changed on the night of the engagement announcement..."