A plan in motion

We had to rush to set things in motion. Christian sent a messenger to get word for my Aunt and Uncle to hurry to Cameron. Luckily it was a relatively short distance and only took around two hours on horseback.

My biggest job was to ensure that Isabella would say yes to her proposal. I wasn't sure how I was going to face her knowing the truth, but I reminded myself it wasn't her that deceived me. She was only a baby when I was discovered.

I walked into the room as Isabella was having a bath drawn. "Oh good, I was hoping you would arrive soon. Can you tell them what scents I prefer in my bath? I can never remember and you know me so well."

I muttered under my breath, "but how well do you know me?"

"What was that?" She questioned.

"Oh, nothing, just talking to myself." I turned to the servant, "She prefers two parts rose oil, and one part each lavender, and jasmine oils."

"Have you heard the rumors about tonight? What do you think about the mystery marriages? I can't believe Christian is so anxious to propose that he would change the course of the entire weekend's events."

"I know isn't it just the most romantic thing you have ever heard?" I gushed the enthusiasm made me sick to my stomach. I had to remind myself that this was all part of the plan. We needed to lock her into the marriage proposal before we revealed our plan.

"Do you think he is just doing it because we have the two most powerful kingdoms and allying would guarantee both kingdoms prosper?" She looked sullen as she spoke.

I walked over to her and kneeled by the tub. I lifted her chin so she was looking directly into my eyes. "As powerful as his kingdom is, he is already prosperous with or without our kingdom. I can't imagine he is simply that greedy. You must have been amazingly charming and dazzled him with your beauty. It is not the political alliance he is lusting after but his alliance with you."

I laid it on thick and she ate it up. Blabbering on about how smart I was and how lucky he was going to be to have her as his bride. Until she realized that if she was to be married tonight there is a possibility that it was very likely she would not be sleeping alone tonight.

"Do you think he will want to wait until we leave for Saldonia? Or will he want to return to my chambers, or his? I need to have a trunk packed prepared for any option. Will you help the maid pack my things?"

"Isabella, I wasn't sure if I was going to tell you this or not, I was sworn to secrecy, but I think you should be prepared."

She interrupted grabbing my arm abruptly splashing water as her arm flung out of the tub. "You must tell me. Please, I need to know."

"Alright, but you need to act surprised." She nodded earnestly at me so I continued, "I may or may not have had a little rendezvous with my own mystery man earlier today. He let it slip the preparations they were making for the Prince to have a lady visitor tonight. Flowers, food, drinks, a maid on hand to fulfill any last-minute requests."

"Ehhh," the excited high-pitched shrill cry that escaped her lips made my ears bleed. Things were going exactly as planned. Although, we assumed this would be the easy part. Isabella was easily fooled and so desperate to be with Christian it wasn't hard to trick her.

I forced a worried expression on my face, "I do have one concern though."

"What, what is it?" Her eyes were wide with fear.

"Do you think your parents will even allow you to agree to the mystery proposal? I mean we all know just how overprotective your father is of his little princess. What if he tries to stand in the way?"

"Your right! I will not have him ruin this for me. Can you send for my mother? I know she will be able to convince him this is the right thing to do. I just know Christian is not only perfect for me, but perfect for our kingdom. I know there is some ancient history but my father is just going to have to get over that."

I was trying to make my smile look sincere but I was worried she might notice the devious twinkle in my eye. Everything was working out just as I had hoped. "Of course Isabella, don't you worry about a thing. Just worry about getting dressed and I will go fetch your mother personally."

"You are the best," she called after me as I hurried out of the room.

I went down to the Queen's suite and knocked. When the door opened I curtsied and asked if I could pass along a personal message from her daughter. She shooed away several of her attendants in the room and asked me what I needed to say.

"Your Highness, as you may have heard there has been a slight change to this evening's events. Isabella was hoping to have your help to assure she may proceed with her desires without interference from her father.

"I'm listening," she turned to look at me directly. "What is it that you suppose I should do about the situation?"

"My Queen, you know as well as I do your husband will listen to your requests. Isabella is head over heels for Christian her 'mystery' suitor. As the prince of Saldonia that would make a wonderful alliance for both kingdoms to grow stronger. Our army, with their resources, is a fantastic, smart match. She is just hoping you remind the King about that so he doesn't interfere with his daughter's wishes."

She pondered my words before answering. "Hmm, you make an excellent point. I will do my best, although, you do know just how protective he is over his kingdom and daughter."

"That is all she asks is you help ease his fears." I smiled as large and genuine as I could, "Thank you for listening. I will let you be now and finish preparing Isabella for this evening."

Honestly, I began to wonder, am I just this smart, or are these people just this easily manipulated? Either way, this evening was looking like it would go off without a hitch! I couldn't wait to tell Christian that things had gone perfectly as planned on my end.