Chapter 12: Part Of The Plan (II)
"Someone from the Council is with us," another whispered. "High-ranking. We were told they’d delay the prince."
The air grew colder in the cell. Evelisse didn’t move, but her tone dropped, sharp as a dagger. "Council?" she echoed. "Since when do I share plans with the Council?"
Both men stiffened.
"The messenger said it was all part of the grander design," one muttered. "We thought it was from... you, sir. Through... other channels."
Evelisse folded her arms under the cloak. ’They really believe I’m this Arkrael guy... and now someone’s hijacked his—my—identity?’
"And what exactly did this messenger say?" she pressed.
The shorter man swallowed. "They wore Council robes. Full mask. Voice was distorted. They came to us three days ago. Said the plan had changed. That we weren’t to make the demand directly anymore."
"The original order was to kidnap the princess and demand the royal gemstones," the taller one interjected. "Mana-rich stones sealed in the castle vault. Only summonable by the whole royal line... it was perfect leverage. That’s what you—this master—wanted."
Evelisse’s stomach turned. ’What kind of plot was this Arkrael actually tangled in?!’
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"But then this messenger said," the shorter one continued, voice trembling, "that a better opportunity was rising. That we’d draw the royals out by letting ourselves get caught. And if we stayed quiet, stayed captured... we’d see results. Said our ’master’ was watching the kingdom shift from the shadows."