Suspicious

Jamie's POV

Just as the woman left my house, I got up and headed for Thomas's house where I found that he had gathered a new team, hand-picking individuals known for their ruthlessness and expertise. 

I found them training rigorously, preparing for the mission that would determine their fate. 

I watched from a distance, observing their progress, my heart torn between doubt and anticipation.

"What are you doing here?" Thomas said behind me which startled me half to death as unturned around to slap him. 

"I'm so sorry!" I yelled in apologies. "It was just that you came out of nowhere and scared me and I just reacted."

"It's fine." His eyes fell upon the few people he was training. "So… what do you think of the people I'm training?"

I shrugged. "To be honest, they're not that bad. I just hope they won't disappoint me."

"They won't."

"I do hope so," I sighed. "I already had a terrible day with lady Trina today. She does not seem to like the fact we are delaying Jane's demise. We need to act now."

"We do anything dangerous without being prepared and we would have to deal with the prince himself. Don't let that pretty face he has fool you. Trust me, he can handle a weapon. Let me train my people and when they are ready I'll have them head over to the palace and tear down Jane without even thinking about it."

I had no choice but to listen to him. After all, he was a pro in this game.

***

Trina's POV

I got back to the palace and instead of getting to my room I headed to the lush garden to lay in.

I needed to clear my head after what I had witnessed that morning.

The scent of blooming flowers filled the air, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

The new maid who had recently arrived at the palace was strange and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off about her. 

It was almost like she didn't belong to this world.

She was being chased but every time she came out alive for some reason.

Why? What was going on and why wouldn't she die?

And she was using her blindness to get close to the prince. What a clever girl. I couldn't do anything to her directly so it meant that I needed to be very careful with what I did to her.

Lost in my thoughts, I was suddenly joined by an elder man, his wrinkled face filled with wisdom and experience. 

His presence startled me, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of suspicion.

"Good day, my lady," the old man greeted me with a warm smile, his voice gentle and soothing. "May I join you?"

I nodded hesitantly, gesturing for him to take a seat beside me on the stone bench. "Of course, please."

I hated having my thoughts interrupted but I couldn't just tell the old man to get lost. I had to be calm.

The old man settled himself, his eyes scanning the garden before turning to me with a knowing look. "My dear lady, forgive my intrusion, but I couldn't help but overhear your concerns regarding the new maid."

I stiffened, my heart pounding in my chest. How could he possibly know about my worries? I had been careful to keep them hidden away, locked deep within the deepest parts of my mind.

Was it my own maids who had exposed me? Oh I would have their heads for this.

But I was sure he couldn't possibly know anything. He was only bluffing.

If I acted like I knew what he was talking about then he was right. If I didn't then he would leave me and wander off.

"I... I'm not sure what you're talking about," I stammered, attempting to maintain a composed feature.

The elder chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "Oh, my dear, there's no need to play lies with me. I am well aware of your intentions towards this maid."

I felt a mix of fear and curiosity coursing through my veins. Who was this man and how did he know my secret desires? Did he have the power to expose me?

"Having some of my fellow elders conduct a poison test to see if she is blind?" He chuckled. "If the king had heard of that poison test he would have lost his mind and trust me you would have been the one drinking it. I would have instead believed the prince when he said she was blind instead of going that extreme to prove your point to her being able to see."

"What do you want from me?" I asked, my voice covered with fear of the unknown.

If this man exposed me, my entire reputation I had built over the years would be ruined. I had to be very careful about what I said or did from now on or risk losing Kirigan.

The old man leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can help you, my dear lady. I can show you how to get rid of this maid, to ensure she is no longer a threat to your happiness."

His words sent a surge of hope coursing through me. If there was a way to remove her from the palace, to protect my relationship with Prince Kirigan, I would grasp it with both hands. I leaned in, my eyes locked with the old man's, desperate for his guidance.

"Tell me," I urged, my voice filled with urgency. "How can I make her leave, without the prince suspecting a thing?"

The old man's smile widened, revealing a row of yellowed teeth. "Ah, my dear lady, there are many ways to deal with such matters. You see, sometimes a gentle push is all it takes."

He proceeded to share with me a series of tricks and tactics, methods to subtly maltreat the maid, to make her life unbearable without raising suspicion.