Anastasia and Finn both emerged from her room just before dinner. Liza was in the kitchen. The smell of what she was cooking hit Anastasia hard as she approached. This causes her to pick up her pace some and peek her head into the kitchen
“Liza that smells wonderful.”
“I am glad you like it. Hopefully it will taste just as good. I was just about to bring it out. Go have a seat. I will be there in a few seconds.”
Anastasia followed the instructions and sat at the table. She was quickly joined by Charlotte and Finn. Shortly after that Liza came in and started to pass out servings of the dinner she had prepared. It was herb chicken with potatoes and as side of greens.
“Wow this looks amazing Liza thank you, but when did you have time to get fresh chicken.”
“When Lilly brought your package earlier, she also provided the food. I think she wanted us to have a good meal in preparation for tomorrow.”
“That does sound like Lilly.”
Lilly had been one of the queen’s attendants for as long as Anastasia could remember. The woman was never not smiling. She always took extra time away from her duties to look out for Anastasia and Tashanna, even sometimes getting her in trouble. A few years ago, Lilly had just been assigned directly to Tashanna’s detail since it seemed like what she preferred.
Lisa remained as calm as ever as she spoke. “Princess, are you sure you want to go through with this? The plan Charlotte explained to me feels reckless.”
Anastasia took several deep breaths. Her face looking down at her plate in contemplation. She was looking for the nerve to keep moving forward.
“It is the best option we have to save everyone. I…no my family will never again trade anyone’s life for another’s. We are done playing the petty games of nobles.” Anastasia looked from her plate to Finn as she said this.
“I agree with your sentiment but to assault a full court gathering. I think you overestimate our abilities.” Liza objected.
“This will likely be the only time all the victims are in one place. It must be tomorrow. I understand I am asking a lot of you all. I cannot order anyone to follow me. I will be going no matter what.”
“I go where Princess Anastasia goes.” Charlotte spoke up not wanting Anastasia to feel like she must shoulder this burden alone.
Liza had been maintaining her normal even tone and facial expression, but inside she was worried. Normally Liza liked to have more time to prepare for a job like this. To craft strategies and counters to possible complications. The plan the princess had was the opposite of that. They had one plan and if it did not work a lot of people would die.
“Charlotte, you know what will happen if we fail tomorrow. If you really wish to protect Anastasia you should leave the capital tonight and take her far from here.” Liza's tone remained as cold and neutral as ever.
“Protecting Anastasia is one of my jobs, but it is not what I wish for.” A smile spread over Charlotte’s face as she was unable to hide the pride she felt now. “My wish is to see the world that Anastasia will create. I will do anything for that wish even if that means letting her put herself at risk.”
“How would that be any different from trading lives?” Liza’s cold tone cracking some.
“Liza don’t play dumb. You know full well that fighting for others is not the same as trading lives. I have no intention of letting any harm come to Anastasia, nor do I intend to allow myself to die. I cannot do much, but I will fight with these hands to see the future Anastasia will create.”
Liza’s expressionless face softened and morphed into a warm smiling one. “You are the same as the first day I met you… It will be an honor to fight by your side.”
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
“OH my gods we get it! Do you have to be so sappy” Finn said, reaching for some of the bread Liza had also put out.
Liza kicked Finn’s shin as hard as she could. “Do you have to cheapen everything?”
“Just staying true to me.”
Liza sighed heavily “Whatever. Princess, can you please go over the plan with all of us together. I want to ensure we are all on the same page.”
“I would be happy to. Victor is forcing my mother to make him prime minister in a full court ceremony tomorrow. This works in our favor as all nobles in the capital are required to attend. This will mean all the victims will be in the throne room, together. We just need to go there while everyone is gathered So I can cast the spell. The main complication is we will need the rune stone Victor is using to control the collars.”
“So why make such a show of this. Let’s just take the rune stone from Victor now.” Liza protested.
“Tashanna has said that Victor can control the collars without the stone, but only when near him. The stone is important to breaking the link the collars have, but if we just take it Victor can still kill his victims.”
“Fine, but we have a list of victims. Why not go to them each and cast your spell individually on them.” Liza continued to try to find a better, safer plan
“It all comes back to Victor’s claims on the powers of the collars. He claims if he dies anyone with a collar dies as well. He knew since they are still basically slave collars they could be dispelled. So, he also claimed if anyone’s collar was removed it would cause the others to die. We have no way to substantiate the claims he has made. His ability to control magic no one has seen before does lend weight to his claims.”
Liza looked deep in thought. Anastasia chose to push forward in the hopes of counter Liza next point before she could make it.
“With what we know in mind. The only option before us is one large spell to remove all collars at the same time. Therefore, I need all the victims gathered, and the only time that will happen is at a full court ceremony.”
“Victor is not going to just let you dispel the collars. It will be impossible to hide the fact you are casting such a mana intensive spell as you claimed this one would be. What is to stop him from killing victims?” Liza pointed out that Victor still held a lot of power.
“The game is going to stop him. He is still playing the game. We can use that against him. He will not want to tip his hand to the nobles. He will, when he thinks it’s his only choice. His own pride in his superiority should prevent him from jumping right to killing the victims in a room full of nobles.”
Liza rocked her head back. “The Queen is against this plan and Victor will use the leverage he has over the queen to force her to act for him. That is why we must consider her our adversary, she must go along with whatever he requests to prevent backing him into a corner.”
“That is the gist of the plan Tashanna outlined in her letter. It is a gamble to be sure, but all other options she could come up with would have to accept some level of sacrifice… That is not something I am willing to accept.” Anastasia's voice was clear and confident, it was hard to argue against.
“It is a great plan. The touch about Victor's own stupid idea, being what is allowing us this opportunity to take it all away from him is my favorite part.”
Everyone seems to agree with Finn’s sentiment, and they began to dig into the lovely dinner Liza had prepared. The group chatted about nothing in particular for the next few hours. Just sharing small anecdotes or stories of happy times. As the night wound down they finally retired so they could be well rested for the morning.
The next morning Finn and Liza were prepping their weapons and checking their gear. Over their leathers Finn and Liza had several pieces of metal armor covering vital parts of their bodies. They were helping secure it to each other, when Anastasia and Charlotte emerged from their room.
Both were draped in full body covering cloaks that looked brand new. It could easily be seen that both had many layers under the cloak. Finn approached Anastasia and reached for the cloak so he could see under it, but his hand was batted away.
“Come on, you both cannot be serious. We are headed into what could be a tough fight. You cannot wear that.”
“I am a princess of Galand. I cannot go to a full court ceremony in what I have been wearing.”
“Really Anna, what you are wearing should be practical for the plan.”
“This is practical. The main goal is to save Victor’s victims, but the crown still must function after this. I must participate in the trappings of noble society. It is what will allow me the power I need to see my ideals come to life.”
Anastasia held her head high and spoke commanding if not a little stiff as if she had practiced this response.
“Besides I can do whatever you can do, but in heels.”
Finn could not stop himself from laughing heavily. “That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. HAHAHA.”
Anastasia's face twists into a pout as her cheeks puff out. Finn cuts off whatever her comeback was going to be. “Besides, the dress goes all the way to the floor. Just wear boots.”
Anastasia opens her mouth but nothing comes out as Finn and Liza head outside.