Chapter 9: The Conspiracy to End All Conspiracies

After the loyalty ceremony was completed, the knights dispersed. Almost all the knights in the earldom of Gloucester pledged allegiance to John during this ceremony.

As night gradually fell, John returned to the castle. Due to England's high latitude, winter nights were quite long. John couldn't sleep through the whole night, so he had to find something to occupy himself.

"It is now November 7, 1183, just a few days, and it feels like the whole world has changed..." John recorded his life in his journal, much like he did during his days in Oxford. Just as he finished documenting the events of the past few days and was about to write down some of his thoughts, there was a knock at the door.

"Your Highness, the Countess wishes to see you." William's voice came from outside, prompting John to set down his quill.

"Let her in." John opened the door and saw Isabella.

Isabella was still dressed in formal attire, her golden hair cascading down like a waterfall, her delicate face reflecting her privileged upbringing.

"It's an honor to meet you, Prince." Isabella's demeanor exuded a noble air, in stark contrast to John's roguish demeanor.

But John wasn't intimidated at all. He naturally reached out and took Isabella's hand.

"The honor is mine to meet you, Countess Isabella." John made a courteous remark before getting straight to the point. "So, what brings you here at this late hour?"

Isabella's response was direct. "Are you really going to send my sister to the convent?"

John looked at Isabella's face, trying to discern something from her expression. He was surprised by the girl's emotionless demeanor, but he felt that a twelve-year-old girl couldn't hide any conspiracies.

"Yes." John stated his thoughts bluntly. "Although your sister is not clever, there could be danger if someone were to use her to try to seize your land."

Isabella listened attentively to John's words, even though she seemed to have some difficulty understanding.

"It's better to eliminate all risks before they happen, rather than waiting for trouble to come knocking." 

While these words sounded harsh, they were indeed the wisest course of action, at least in John's opinion, for dealing with Meuberl.

He had expected Isabella to show some emotional fluctuation, but unexpectedly, she remained composed. She nodded, giving the impression that she understood, which greatly surprised John.

"That's your sister. Don't you have any thoughts?" John frowned, deliberately pretending to be displeased.

No matter how mature Isabella appeared, she was still just a child. As John's displeasure gradually surfaced, she began to feel a bit uneasy.

So, the girl stumbled and said, "I, I do have thoughts, I just feel, I feel..."

"Hmm?" John teased, looking at Isabella as if waiting for her explanation. This made Isabella even more anxious, and she found herself at a loss for words.

After a long pause, Isabella finally said, "My sister and I are not very close."

This statement confirmed the rumors among the knights and confirmed John's suspicions — there was discord among the family members.

As a noblewoman, Isabella's speech was certainly subtle. Even if she and her sister were not close, she would usually say that their relationship was good. So, the fact that she admitted they weren't close meant their relationship was not so good.

"Well, I think I understand. You do care about your sister," John said comfortingly, then waited for Isabella to continue the conversation.

But Isabella clearly didn't have any other topics in mind. She hesitated and stammered for a while without saying much.

Seeing the conversation becoming increasingly awkward, John decided to take the initiative.

"Tomorrow, I'm going back to Oxford to see the King. Remember to come with me."

"Ah?" Isabella looked surprised. "Your Highness, are we... going tomorrow?"

John thought for a moment, then said, "If you need time to prepare, we can go the day after tomorrow."

Seeing John's willingness to compromise, Isabella could only nod reluctantly.

"If there's nothing else, you should rest, Isabella," John said with apparent concern, though in reality, he was dismissing her. Isabella might not have realized it, but her servant did.

The old servant bowed with Isabella and then left the room, leaving John alone to brood.

...

Count Richard de Clare of Bedford was similarly lost in thought.

He stared at the moon hanging high in the sky, his mind racing. Prince Richard's olive branch had been difficult to refuse, but why was there still no word from Gloucester?

That Edmund, he really wasn't adept at handling things, was he?

"Dong, dong, dong."

The servant in the room was just about to open the door when he was stopped by his master.

"Why would someone come at this hour?" Richard was puzzled. "Go and see who it is."

The servant nodded and was about to inquire when the door was suddenly pushed open with force. The frail servant was instantly knocked over by the door. Several fully armed knights walked into the room, their eyes fixed on Richard.

His wife, Amicia, woke up in alarm, clutching her husband's arm with fear in her eyes.

The lead knight spoke in a deep, resonant voice, "My lord Earl, His Majesty the King wishes to summon you."

Richard's expression remained unchanged, as if he already knew his fate. But in reality, only he knew that his mind was blank, and he was completely stunned.

"You all get out! This is the Earl's castle!" Lady Amicia shouted, her demeanor reminiscent of her sister, Meubelle.

Seeing Richard's lack of reaction, the knights approached and lifted him off the bed.

After they lifted Richard up, the knights seemed to smell something unusual. When they looked down, they saw a ridiculous scene.

Count Richard de Clare had lost control of his bladder.

A large puddle of yellow liquid soaked his pants, the sheets, and the bed, with some brown stains mixed in.

"Even as a relative of Longbow Richard, you've brought shame upon your family," the lead knight said disdainfully, urging his men to take the trembling Richard away.

After watching the terrified Richard being dragged away, the lead knight bowed to Amicia.

"I apologize, madam. Your husband has committed treason, and His Majesty the King summons him to Oxford for trial." The knight's tone was polite but firm, leaving no room for argument.

Amicia shook her head, as if unable to accept the reality. She walked toward the knight in despair, murmuring something under her breath.

The knight reached out and stopped her. "Don't struggle in vain, madam. Until a verdict is reached, your husband is safe. It's best not to get involved any further."

With that, the knight left the room, closing the door behind him, leaving Amicia and the old servant staring at each other in the room.