The maids whispers of the princes arrival reached Karis ears. Everything was prepared, but she was still hesitating. The choice she would make today, would determine her future forever. If she stood by Acacias side, she would gain glory, but could loose her son if not careful. On the other hand if she chose to side with Lola, she would keep her son safe, but definitely fail the given mission. With one glance Kari could see that Lola was weak and lacking in every aspect when compared to Acacia. This was a fight she would never survive, let alone win. This was Karis last chance. If failed, her had would roll. So a Mother decided to gamble with her child's life, to save her own. She opened the little pink bottle and poured it evenly into two silver cups of jasmine tee. There was no smell, color, or taste to this rare and priceless potion. So even something as mild as jasmine could cover up its existence. As it was not a poison it would not turn silver black either and alert anyone. Kari placed them both neatly on the tray next to some snacks and cake and gave it to the palace maid. "Make sure you do not make any mistakes. A prince of our great country is visiting princess Lola. Bring this inside and serve them according to our palace etiquette. Do not forget your instructions and you will get payed handsomely. "I will be sure to do as you say." Said the maid and left the kitchen. Haer and Shali were standing at both sides of the parlor door.
When Shali saw the maid walking towards the door, she signaled with her hand and stopped her. "The Princess has company. No one is to disturb them."
"Yes I have heard. I have brought tee and some refreshments for our distinguished guest. So dictates the palace etiquette."
Shali looked at Haer and signaled her with her head to go in and ask. Haer knocked on the door.
"You may enter." Lolas voice said from the inside. Haer opened the door and bowed her head. "The palace maid has arrived with some refreshments. " the maid was standing outside and could only hear there conversation. It was amazing how sweet the princesses voice sounded when you were not focused on her vail and the ugliness it hid behind it. It could shake anyone's heart.
"Yes, please do." Haer bowed again and opened the door widely. "Come in."
The maid entered and bowed respectfully. She placed one cup in front of the princess and the other in front of the prince, as Kari had instructed. If she had any notion of what she had just done, she would have died right then and there from the shock. Kari was maybe not to smart, but still a vary careful spy. The maid was told only what she needed to know. Now only one thing was left to do. She leaned in and whispered in the princesses ear. "My lady, I apologize for whispering in your ear, but I do not wish to alert the prince. There was an intruder who was caught at the back door. There are only kitchen stuff and some maids in the Palace at the moment. Can I ask for lady Haer to come down and interrogate him on your behalf?" Lola frowned. Was this some kind of sham strung together by Acacia, or was it real. She looked at the prince sitting in front of her. No there was no gain for that little which to act in front of him. As long as he was here she should not make her move. She turned to the maid. "Yes tell her to do so."
As the maid exited she turned to Haer. "Princess Lola asked you both to go down and interrogate an intruder who sneaked in from the back door, without alerting the prince. She said she would keep his highness company and distract him. I guess she should be safe with him here. "
Haer of course did not trust her, so she immediately knocked on the door and after bowing asked. "Your highness, the maid has relayed your order about me being dismissed from the guards duty to attend to some other matters downstairs."
"Yes that is accurate. You may take your leave and be sure to be throughout with your assignment."
Haer bowed again and closed the door behind her. Lola was more then capable of protecting herself if need be and if worse came to worse, she could always give them a signal to return. "Lead the way." The maid went ahead and both of the lady's in waiting followed her behind. There at the back door was a man tied up and bloody. Kari really had arranged for a man to brake in and get caught. He was a soldier with no official papers. Acacia had his family taken hostage, so that he would not say a word and silently die today. The interrogation would be a long one and that would leave the prince and the princess undisturbed for a while. Innocent man was being beaten half to death, while Kari was smiling in the corner. Everything was going according to the plan.
When princess Lola heard of the princes arrival, she was a little surprised. For the past four months he had only visited her residence once. So what was he doing here now? Of course she new the answer, but still gave him the benefit of the doubt. Valentine was sitting in the chair opposite of hers and seeping the jasmine tee. She never drank or eat anything without it being tasted first, but since he had already taken a seep, it would be rude of her not to. Besides even if Kari was not to be trusted, she would never do anything in front of Valentine. It was so vary unfortunate that Lola did not take her stupidity into account. Still to be sure Lola had secretly switched hers and Valentines cups. They were both drinking the tee in silence.
"So..." Muttered Valentine. "How have you been princess Lola?"
What a dumb question. She chuckled to herself. "Perfect. Isolated and alone without being allowed to go outside. How could I have any complaints?"
Valentine was little taking aback. He did not care about her, but the treatment a princess was receiving was still over the board. Looking around everything in the room was old and worn out. Was she really not getting the money he sand her every month, or was she simply lying. Even the tee and snacks on the table were worthy of peasants. Could Acacias words be wrong? No! This was definitely one of Lolas shams. He would not fall for it. Not again. He had an open mind and trusted her once on the first day of there meeting, but what did she do in return? Push down his most important person to the ground, hurting and humiliating her. She was vicious and ugly. He cleared his throat and said. "I know we have had our differences. You have treated Acacia horribly and because of that I may have been a bit to harsh on you. As long as you can look past this one thing, we will put this bad blood behind us. Acacia is pregnant. Yes I know we had an agreement and I really did not mean to brake it, but it just happened. I can not let my child be born as a bastard. Please be understanding. Even if she becomes my mistress she would still be of lower standing than you. As long as you treat her and our child fairly, I will give you all the authority you desire and grant you the seat on a throne next to me."
Lola could not believe the words this man was saying. How could anyone be this shameless. There was no reasoning with him. She stood up abruptly. "O, I do wish you all the happiness in the world prince Valentine. You truly suite each other perfectly and that is in no way a compliment. Now please take your leave and of course the engagement is off." She walked towards the door. Valentines face got pale. He could not let her leave like this. He stood up knocking over the only candle in the room and suddenly he felt so vary hot inside. His whole body was tingling and in need of something urgent. He rushed over and grabbed Lolas hand, banging her hard across the door in fron of her. "Ah" she screamed out from the sudden pain. He tightened his grip and pressed behind her with his whole body. The pain turned to pleasure and a sudden moan escaped her mouth - "Ah".