(Lina)
I stroll back to my chambers, feeling lighter than I have in days. Who knew blackmail could be so... liberating? The old me—Lina Carter—might have thought twice about pulling something like that. But this princess's life is opening up new doors. If Nicholas and his little pet think they can walk all over me, well, they've got another thing coming.
I shut the door behind me and collapsed onto the bed, still chuckling. It's not like I've fully embraced being "Princess Isabella" yet—hell, I don't think I ever will—but if I'm stuck in this body, I'm going to make the most of it.
The silk sheets feel smooth under my fingers, and I sink back into the plush pillows as I think about everything. I can't help but replay Nicholas's face in my head, the way his smug expression crumbled the second he realized I wasn't going to play the part of his heartbroken, submissive wife. Too bad for him.
The screen flashes into existence again, floating just above my head.
Mission Complete: Confront Nicholas. Reward: 100 gold coins.
I snort. Coins? I shake my head, half amused. It's like I'm in some twisted fairy tale, and the system is playing the role of an annoying narrator. But hey, I won't turn down free money.
Another notification pops up.
New Mission: Investigate Prince Nicholas's connection to Lady Elara. Reward: 500 gold coins.
I sit up, frowning. Investigate? What's there to investigate? They're screwing around behind my—well, Isabella's—back. But the screen blinks insistently like it's challenging me. I sigh, brushing a strand of hair from my face.
"Alright, fine," I mutter. "Let's see what secrets they're hiding."
I glance toward the window. The sun is starting to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the room. It's almost peaceful—if I weren't trapped in the body of a dead princess with a cheating prince to deal with.
Pushing off the bed, I grab a cloak from the wardrobe. If I'm going to get answers, I'll need to do a little more than just watch Nicholas and Elara flirt. I need information. Dirt. Something I can use against them beyond a few snarky comments and threats.
I slip out of my room and into the long corridors of the palace. The place is massive, with more rooms than I'll ever be able to explore in one lifetime. But I've picked up a few things in my short time here. First rule: the servants know everything. They see things. Hear things. Lucky for me, they're pretty easy to manipulate.
I head down a narrow staircase that leads to the servants' quarters. It's quieter down here, and the air smells faintly of bread and wood smoke. As I round the corner, I spot one of the maids—Mira, I think her name is—tidying up a shelf of linens. She startles when she sees me, her eyes wide.
"Y-Your Highness!" She drops into a low curtsy, practically trembling. "I didn't expect—"
I wave her off, offering a small smile. "No need for all that. I need your help."
Her eyes widen even more, and she looks like she might faint. "M-my help?"
I step closer, lowering my voice. "Yes. You're always around the palace, right? You must see and hear things… things about Prince Nicholas."
Her face pales, and she glances around nervously. "I—uh, I'm not sure what you mean, Your Highness."
"Oh, come on, Mira." I give her a conspiratorial smile, leaning in just enough to make her feel like we're in this together. "I know you've seen him with Lady Elara. You've probably heard more than a few things, too."
She hesitates, wringing her hands. "I… I'm not supposed to talk about that."
I tilt my head, letting my smile fade just a little. "I understand. But if you help me… well, I can make sure you're rewarded for your loyalty." I pull a small pouch from my cloak and let the faint jingle of coins fill the silence.
Her eyes moved to the pouch, and I could practically see the war waging in her mind. After a moment, she swallows hard and nods. "Alright, Your Highness. What do you want to know?"
Bingo.
"Everything." I lean against the wall, crossing my arms. "What do you know about Nicholas and Lady Elara? And don't hold back."
Mira glances around one more time before stepping closer, her voice dropping to a whisper.
Her face paled as she glanced at the door as if Nicholas might burst in at any moment. When she meets my gaze again, her voice trembles. "It started a year ago, Your Highness. Prince Nicholas and Lady Elara… they've been meeting in secret ever since. At first, it was just whispers in the corridors, stolen glances when no one was looking, but then…"
She hesitates, swallowing hard as if the words physically hurt. "Then they got bolder. I saw them together one night in the garden. He kissed her and told her, you'd never find out. Said you didn't care, that you were too busy being the perfect princess to notice anything outside the palace walls."
My stomach turns, but I keep my face neutral, nodding for her to continue.
"They've been meeting at least once a week since then, always late at night when most of the palace is asleep. Sometimes in the garden, sometimes in his private study. Lady Elara acts like she's the one running things. She gives orders to the servants, and no one dares question it because she's the prince's… well, you know."
I clench my jaw but keep my voice calm. "And no one else knows? None of the other nobles have caught on?"
Mira shakes her head quickly. "Not that I know of, Your Highness. The prince is careful… but Lady Elara, she's starting to get careless. She flaunts the fact that she's with him now, always dropping hints to the other ladies about how much influence she has. She thinks she's untouchable."
The fire inside me burns hotter, but I force myself to smile. "You've done well, Mira. Very well."
I gave her the pouch, pressing it into her trembling hands. Her eyes widen at the weight of it, and she stammers, "Th-thank you, Your Highness."
"Keep this between us," I say softly but firmly, meeting her gaze. "No one can know we had this conversation. Understood?"
Mira nods vigorously, clutching the pouch to her chest. "Of course, Your Highness. I won't say a word."
"Good." I give her a reassuring nod before turning toward the door. "You've done a good job, Mira. Now, go back to your duties, and remember what we discussed."
As I left the servants' quarters and made my way back to my chambers, I couldn't stop myself from thinking about what Mira said. So, Nicholas thinks I'm too oblivious to notice his affair, does he? He and Lady Elara have gotten comfortable—too comfortable. But that's about to change.
If Nicholas thought I was a pushover before, he's in for a rude awakening.