I waited for Dia in my garden. It’s been over an hour already, and I was beginning to think the Princess might have played .
Great. After all the work I have put into this. I even bribed Lucan with food for just a few hours alone, and I sent Osha away, too.
I knew I shouldn’t be alone with a Lycan that might be hostile toward , but I figured if this were to work, we needed to be alone. After all, I’m trying to convince Dia in place of the princess.
That little brat. Only the gods knew how I would be able to do such a thing.
I chewed my nails nervously. No, no. I shouldn’t give up just yet.
Suddenly, I heard approaching footsteps. I peeked to find Dia walking down the aisle. She had her inky dark hair packed in two buns, and her clothing was different. It looked identical to Lina, the princess’s other handmaid.
Dia ambled up the stairs, and I noticed so freckles at the bridge of her nose spreading over to her cheeks.
She looked so different, I could barely recognise her if I hadn’t seen her before.
Dia smirked, folding her arms like the brat she was. "This is unfortunate. Who’d have thought we would et again, like this?"
"I never knew you were the princess’s handmaid," I conceded.
"Would you have treated differently then, human?"
"No," I said bluntly. "That does not excuse your behavior."
She glared, sitting at the other end of the table. "You wouldn’t have known I was the princess’s handmaid."
"True."
"Since your arrival in the empire, I was instructed to find out every detail about the human bride her brother dared marry."
I froze at her words. "Are you saying you have been watching ?"
"Yes," she replied with little to no guilt. "Sotis. When you’re out of that room, you confine yourself in like a shivering mouse." She took a cookie from the plate and bit down on it.
So that familiar gaze of soone watching ca from her?
"So this is what you really look like, then?" I asked, eyeing how different she looked.
"Yes, I used makeup to cover my freckles and wore the attire to blend in."
"Huh..." I murmured.
Dia tensed and smiled nervously. "W-What?"
"Nothing," I said, taking a sip from my tea.
For now, I’ll go with this. There was sothing suspicious about this handmaid that I couldn’t shake off.
"The reason why I called you here is—"
"There is no need to lie or try to trick . I can see through your sches," she cut off with a smug expression.
"Oh, do you?"
"I never knew the human was a charlatan. I was listening behind closed doors during your visit with the princess. She might have slipped when you used your tricks, but I assure you, I won’t. There is a reason she sent in her stead. I’m not simple-minded."
Here I thought she was simply a little brat, but she looked far more today. This representation must be getting to her head.
I grinned maliciously. Sothing Dia didn’t expect after she had stripped of my ploy. But I was shedding the mask already.
"I don’t need to beat around the bush, then? I must say I’m glad you represent the Princess. She’s too stiff," I whispered in the last part. "I don’t an this as offensive. You’ve served her for years, so you must know what I an."
I noticed a hint of anger on her face, but she quickly masked it, forcing a smile on her lips. "She’s the princess and has a certain image to uphold. She must act with dignity and grace, worthy of her position."
"I’m sure she does. I guess you know why she’s being confined?" I tested the waters, hoping I could get the truth.
"Hehe, nice try. Anything concerning the princess’s activities is confidential. Do you think I would rant to a human?"
Tsk! I tried, though.
I placed my teacup on my saucer and morphed up a serious expression. "I have co to ask sothing of the princess."
"Oh... that sounds intriguing," she amused, biting on another cookie. "What does this human need? It better be juicy. The princess is known for getting bored easily."
"I would like to request a share in the Princess’ court. I’m the monarch’s wife, so I think a partnership should be made. Ladies to ladies."
Dia broke into wild laugh, so hard that she clutched her lower abdon.
"Have I said sothing funny?"
"Obviously," she amused, wiping a lone tear from the corner of her eye. "That request sounds like a dog hungry for a bone."
I gritted my teeth. This brat! I tried to compose myself, but it was hard to; my annoyance was plastered on my face like a storm.
"And not the only dog," she said, pouring so tea into her cup. She took a sip and sighed, appreciating the taste.
"What do you an by that?" I asked.
"Sloane."
My blood ran cold. Sloane? She ca to the princess, too? That poker face wants the princess court, doesn’t she? Was hers not enough?
"And she made an appealing offer. You ca hungry for the bone. While Sloane ca hungry and prepared."
I frowned. "Sloane is a shrewd person, and you of all people know that too, if you have been by the princess’s side for long."
"You’re a shrewd person as well," she countered. "Eloise, you’ve co to the princess with nothing to offer. That is unwise."
I didn’t think that far, which was a mistake on my part. But how could I have known that Sloane would beat to the chase? Judging by the way Dia spoke, Sloane must have co to her recently.
Why? For more power?
I placed a hand beneath my chin. This could only an that she had so plan brewing. I was right not to stay still after threatening her.
"Eloise, what do you offer?"
"I have nothing," I confessed. "Perhaps you need sothing from . That is the only reason you would ask such a question from a lone human."
On cue, Dia smiled, dropping her teacup, and leaned toward . "Get a divorce."
Huh?
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