Mervyln straightened, her face hardening as she spoke. "Matron Isolde, do you have any evidence to support this grave accusation?"
Isolde nodded. "Two days ago, I was invited by Matron Valeria. During our meeting, she let slip some disturbing information. She seemed strangely determined to free Damaris, even to the point of asking for my cooperation." Isolde cast a glance at Mervyln with a slight smile before continuing, "To her, Damaris is the only person capable of protecting our kingdom against the threat of the empire. Whether it is mere opinion or fervent belief, she was quite resolute."
The tension in the room heightened. Almera leaned forward slightly, her eyes gleaming with renewed interest.
"I find you far too audacious, Matron Isolde," Neralda interjected in her icy voice. She crossed her arms, her cold gaze fixed on Isolde. "It seems to me, Matron Isolde, that your boldness dangerously exposes you. Are you not complicit with Matron Valeria?"
A murmur of approval rippled through the matrons. Ysora, her eyes narrowed with suspicion, spoke next. "Matron Isolde, do you have any tangible proof of your accusations?"
Isolde, still calm, shook her head slightly. "The fact that Valeria is absent today should suffice."
Neralda's frown deepened. "You are playing a dangerous game, Matron Isolde. Do not think you can continue to provoke us without consequence. Why do you bring this to our attention only now?"
Zesstra, seizing the moment, added with a hint of accusation in her voice, "Perhaps the true traitor here is you, Matron Isolde. Perhaps you took advantage of Matron Valeria's absence or disposed of her to conceal your own deeds."
All eyes turned to Isolde, awaiting her response. But Isolde, unperturbed, smiled slightly before fixing Zesstra with a piercing gaze. "And if that were the case, Matron Zesstra, what would you do?"
Zesstra straightened, her face hardening with anger. Her silver hair began to float in the air, despite the absence of wind, betraying her growing power. "If that is the case," she said in a thunderous voice, "you will not leave this room alive."
Then, a soft chuckle broke the tension in the room.
It was Almera.
"I find you much more talkative than usual, Matron Isolde. And, to be honest, rather irritating."
Ysora, her face red with anger, abruptly turned to Almera. "And what do you find so amusing, Matron Almera?"
Almera shrugged with a mocking smile. "Your lack of wisdom, Matron Ysora." Ysora opened her mouth to retort, but Almera cut her off. "Do you really think the House of Varyon would engage in such a tedious and risky endeavor for so little gain?"
Selene nodded, her gaze fixed on Isolde. "It is indeed against their nature. The Varyon are much more reserved than that."
Zesstra, still seething with anger, intervened impatiently. "I want to understand, then."
Almera straightened, her expression more serious. "It is highly likely that Isolde rejected Valeria's offer. As for why she kept the information until now, it is very probable that another compromise was made between them, one that greatly benefits the Varyon, enough for them to keep silent." She turned to Isolde, a smirk on her face. "Am I wrong?"
Isolde sighed, a flash of irritation in her eyes. "Your logical reasoning has always annoyed me, Almera." She took a deep breath before continuing. "But no, it would be disadvantageous and counterproductive to hide the truth now."
Isolde took a deep breath. "Matron Almera is right. I refused to support Matron Valeria in her endeavor. But Matron Valeria made a most astonishing offer. I admit I was surprised by her boldness."
Ismara raised an eyebrow, impatient. "Could you get to the point, Isolde?"
Isolde turned to Ismara, an enigmatic smile on her lips. "Tell me, Ismara, what would you do if one of us gave you the keys to her house?"
The question left Ismara speechless. Neralda's eyes widened for a brief moment before she murmured, "Valeria, you are far more reckless than I thought."
Almera, meanwhile, burst into laughter. Zesstra, however, grew more agitated. "Why would Matron Valeria give away her house to save Damaris?"
Isolde straightened, her eyes gleaming with a mischievous light. "Matron Valeria believes that Damaris is the only one capable of protecting our kingdom from the empire's threat. To her, it is an investment, an insurance for the future. She was willing to sacrifice everything for this cause, even her own house."
Selene spoke, her tone more measured. "But why would she offer that to you, Isolde? What would be the interest for you and the Varyon?"
Isolde smiled softly. "I don't know why she chose me, but the fact is that the offer to take possession of a house like Drakos was too good to pass up. Especially since what she asked in return was negligible in my eyes."
Murmurs of astonishment rippled through the room. Almera narrowed her eyes at Isolde. "Negligible, you say? What exactly was her request?"
Isolde's expression grew serious. "She simply wanted my silence and for me to do nothing to hinder her efforts to free Damaris. In exchange, she ceded the Drakos house to me."
Nerys shook her head, incredulous. "That's absurd. Why would she sacrifice so much for a simple alliance?"
Isolde sighed. "That's precisely what troubled me. Giving up her house to free Damaris... It goes beyond mere strategic alliance. It borders on fanaticism."
Zesstra, her gaze still filled with anger, spoke in a rough voice. "And you accepted. Why?"
Isolde looked at Zesstra with unwavering calm. "I accepted because refusing such an offer would have been foolish. The Varyon house is greatly strengthened by possessing the Drakos house. Moreover, there are other ways to counter Matron Valeria's actions without her knowing."
Selene nodded slowly, absorbing Isolde's words. "So, in exchange for your silence and inaction, you gained a powerful house."
Isolde simply smiled slightly.
Ysora, still skeptical, intervened. "And if Matron Valeria anticipated this and your inaction leads to something far worse?"
"That's a calculated risk. I prefer to strengthen my position while monitoring the movements of Valeria and Damaris. If their actions harm Ayeros, we still have the resources to intervene. Also, this allows us to avoid wasting time searching for a conspirator."
Almera spoke, her gaze hard. "Is it really wise to play such a game, Matron Isolde? If we fail to capture Damaris because of this alliance, the consequences could be disastrous."
Isolde responded calmly. "I understand your concerns, but sometimes risks must be taken to achieve great benefits. Moreover, have no fear, I have no intention of playing your political games." She then added in a lower tone, "At least, not for the moment..."