The heated exchange between Zephyrine and Zoltan continued to escalate, the air thick with unresolved tension. Zoltan, unable to reconcile his principles with the pragmatic approach advocated by his sister, felt the weight of frustration and anger welling within him.
"I cannot condone this deception, Zephyrine!" Zoltan's voice thundered, his fists clenched in frustration. "If this is the path you choose, then I want no part in it."
Without waiting for a response, Zoltan stormed out of the chamber, the echoes of his footsteps fading into the corridor. The resounding door closure punctuated the emotional rupture within the royal family.
Zephyrine, her resolve unshaken but her heart burdened by the division, turned to the Empress, who sat with a pained expression. "Mother, I know the burden is heavy, but we cannot afford to falter. Nexaryia's survival hinges on our ability to adapt."
Empress Venetia, torn between her children, sighed deeply. "Zephyrine, my dear, I fear the chasm widening between you and your brother. He is young, impassioned, and unwilling to compromise his ideals. It is a burden I share with him."
Mireille, the silent observer, finally spoke, her voice measured and calm. "Your Highness, the journey ahead is fraught with challenges. In war, decisions are seldom clear-cut, and sacrifices become inevitable."
Empress Venetia approached her daughter with a solemn face. "Mireille is right, Zephyrine." The Empress began, her voice tinged with urgency. "In war, there are no unwounded soldiers. I believe it is time to send Mireille to Prince Emrys as our spy. Time is of essence, and we cannot afford to delay any longer."
The Princess, her brow furrowed with concern and her thoughts clouded by concern for Mireille's safety, hesitated before responding. "Mother, I fear that my brother Zoltan may inadvertently reveal Mireille's true mission to brother Emrys. His sense of righteousness may lead him to speak the truth, even if it endangers our plans and our lives."
The Empress, her belief unwavering and confident in her son's integrity, countered her beloved daughter with conviction. "Zephyrine, you underestimate your brother's loyalty and love to our family. Zoltan is a loyal son and a skilled prince. He would not betray our trust or endanger Mireille's safety."
Zephyrine, though torn by her conflicting loyalties, held firm to her convictions. "Mother, I know Zoltan better than anyone. I know the amount of love he has for us and I know he is righteous, but his sense of honour could lead him to disclose Mireille's mission out of a misguided sense of duty. He might put us in grave danger."
The Empress, frustrated by her daughter's reluctance and disbelief in Zoltan, pressed the issue with increasing urgency. "Zephyrine, we cannot let fear dictate our actions. Mireille's mission is crucial to the safety of your brothers and the Empire. Trust in your brother's loyalty, as I do."
Yet, Zephyrine remained steadfast in her decision, her concern for Mireille's safety outweighing all other considerations. With a heavy heart, the Princess resolved to defy her mother's wishes. "No, mother, I will not compromise Mireille's safety at any cost."
The Empress, her frustration boiling over, turned away from the Princess. Her expression was a mask of disappointment and anger. Without another word, the Empress stormed away from the chamber.
With a heavy heart, Zephyrine watched as her mother stormed out of the chamber.
And then, Mireille stood before her with a determined expression, her plea echoing with urgency. "Your Highness, I implore you to reconsider. Time is of the essence, and we cannot afford to delay our mission any longer. We must send a spy to Prince Emrys's court to gather the intelligence we need."
Zephyrine listened intently to Mireille's plea, her brow furrowed in thought. The princess understood the gravity of the situation, yet she could not shake the lingering concern for her brother Zoltan.
"Mireille, I understand your concerns, but I fear that sending a spy to Prince Emrys's court may only exacerbate the situation," Zephyrine replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I know Zoltan very well. He does not agree with our methods. His righteousness will lead him to reveal our plans to Emrys and it will put all of us in grave danger."
Mireille nodded solemnly, acknowledging the validity of Zephyrine's concern. "I understand your concers about my safety, Your Highness. But we cannot afford to overlook the threat that Prince Emrys poses. We must act swiftly to gather the intelligence we need to thwart his plans before it is too late."
Zephyrine sighed and said, "You are right, Mireille. We cannot ignore the threat that Emrys poses. But we must proceed with caution."
"What do you have in your mind, Your Highness?"
Zephyrine paused, her gaze flickering with determination. "Contact your sister, Mireya. She will serve as our spy, but not to Prince Emrys."
Mireille, confused by the Princess's words, asked, "Not Prince Emrys? Then who will she be sent to, Your Highness?"
Zephyrine's expression grew solemn as she spoke. "Mireya is to be sent to serve Prince Zoltan as his concubine."
Mireille's eyes widened in surprise at Zephyrine's revelation, her mind struggling to grasp the implications of the Princess's words.
"As the time passes by, you will understand my worries, Mireille." Zephyrine spoke, her voice gentle yet firm. "I have need of your assistance. Bring your twin sister, Mireya, to the palace tomorrow at dawn."
Mireille nodded in acquiescence. "Of course, Your Highness."
***
As the sun cast its golden rays over the palace courtyard, Mireille and Mireya arrived, their presence bringing a sense of anticipation to the air. Princess Zephyrine, her expression resolute, greeted them with a nod of acknowledgment before issuing her command.
"Dorian," Ariana called out to the Head Eunuch of the harem, her voice echoing through the chamber, "Summon Duke Gideon of first rank to the palace at once. Tell him that Princess Zephyrine commands him to come right away."
"As you wish, Your Highness." With a swift bow, the eunuch scurried off to fulfil the princess's orders, leaving the trio to wait in quiet anticipation. Moments later, Duke Gideon entered the chamber, his presence commanding as he approached Princess Zephyrine with a respectful bow.
"Your Highness, you summoned me?" Duke Gideon inquired, his voice echoing with deference.
Zephyrine nodded in affirmation, her gaze steady as she introduced Mireya to the duke. "Duke Gideon, I present to you Mireya." she began, her voice ringing with authority. "She is to be sent to my elder brother, Prince Zoltan, as his concubine by your decree. On my brother's coming of age ceremony, which is a month away from now, Mireya will be sent to his chambers as a birthday gift from the esteemed Duke of first rank. I want you to take Mireya with you to your estate and in this one month, you have to teach her how to read and write. And also teach her the rules, manners and etiquette appropriate for a Prince's woman."
Duke Gideon's brow furrowed in surprise at the unexpected request, "But, Your Highness, you know that our Prince hates these kinds of gifts. He is modest and just and never uses women to entertain himself. Then why do you want to send a woman to our Prince? What is it that you wish to achieve by doing this, Your Highness?"
Princess Zephyrine met the duke's gaze with a calm demeanour, her expression composed despite the gravity of his inquiry. "Duke Gideon, I understand your reservations," she replied with a smile, her voice steady and unwavering. "But rest assured, my intentions are purely strategic."
Duke Gideon's brow furrowed deeper in contemplation as he absorbed her words. "Strategic, you say?" he echoed, his tone skeptical yet curious. "And what, pray tell, is the nature of this strategy, huh?"
The Princess chuckled at the Duke's words. "Duke Gideon," she replied evenly, her tone carrying a note of authority, "I appreciate your concern. However, it is not your place to question my decisions."
The duke's brow furrowed deeper in contemplation as he absorbed her words, a mixture of surprise and respect flickering across his features. "Your Highness, I only seek to understand your intent-" he began, but Princess Zephyrine had already interrupted him with a raised hand.
"You need not understand, Duke Gideon," she continued, her voice unwavering. "The only one who has the right to question my actions is my father, the Emperor and as far as I remember, you, Duke Gideon, are neither my father nor the Emperor of our Empire."
There was a moment of tense silence as Duke Gideon processed her words, his expression reflecting a grudging acceptance of her authority. "Of course, my Princess," he finally conceded, his tone respectful. "I really meant no disrespect. I shall refrain from further inquiry. It is merely that the welfare of our dynasty and the Empire weighs heavily on my mind."
Zephyrine inclined her head in acknowledgment, her gaze softening with understanding. "I appreciate your concern, Duke Gideon," she replied, her voice tempered with gratitude. "Rest assured, every decision I make is made with the utmost care and consideration for the well-being of our dynasty and Nexaryia."
With that, Duke Gideon bowed respectfully and took his leave with Mireya following behind him.