Chapter 12

The tension in the drawing-room was thick enough to choke on as Baroness Meredith entered. Dim light from the fireplace cast long, grotesque shadows on the walls, further amplifying the sense of unease. The cloaked figure turned towards her, the heavy fabric finally revealing its occupant – Lord Archibald, the imposing Lord of the West.

With a graceful curtsy, she offered a sardonic smile. "Lord Archibald," she greeted, her voice laced with a hint of amusement. "What a pleasant surprise. To what do I owe the honor of this unexpected visit?"

Lord Archibald was one of the few in their circle that conspired against the crown,the king. He was blissfully aware of Aurelia, the daughter of Lord Oswald and Lady Amelia Crestwell, who had met their end by the king's blade.

Lord Archibald ignored the veiled sarcasm. His eyes, cold and calculating, burned into hers. "Spare me the pleasantries, Baroness Meredith," he spat, his voice dripping with contempt. "Tell me why your grand plan has failed so spectacularly."

Her smile faltered for a fleeting moment, a flicker of anger momentarily replacing her usual stoicism. The veiled accusation hung heavy in the air – a stark reminder of the burden she had placed upon Aurelia's young shoulders.

"My plan?" she countered, her voice regaining its icy edge. "Perhaps you overestimate my influence over a headstrong, impulsive child."

Lord Archibald's jaw clenched. "Don't play coy with me," he growled. "We both know you sent your niece on a suicide mission. She was supposed to eliminate the King, not blunder around and kill the wrong man!"

The revelation hung heavy in the air. Lord Archibald's blunt accusation confirmed the Baroness's worst fears – his ambition for the throne knew no bounds, and he saw Aurelia as a pawn in his deadly game.

"Lord Arnold's death was an unfortunate consequence," the Baroness admitted, her voice carefully measured.

A surge of anger flared within the Baroness. She wouldn't allow this arrogant man to belittle her, to use Aurelia's fate as a weapon against her. But she also knew unchecked anger would serve no purpose.

"She is alive," she declared, her voice firm. "We received a message. A message confirming her survival."

Lord Archibald's eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. He studied the Baroness for a moment, as if searching for any hint of deception.

"Alive, are you telling me the king had left her alive, she'd murdered his Lord for goodness sake" he said, a hint of grudging respect entering his voice. "Then perhaps there's still hope. But time is of the essence. We need to act swiftly before the King tightens his grip on her."

The Baroness's gaze held Lord Archibald's, a spark of dark possibility flickering between them. "If we can establish contact with Aurelia," she began, her voice low and measured, "there might be a way to… manipulate the situation from within the King's court."

Lord Archibald let out a low hum, a hint of grudging agreement in his expression. "The closer you are to the King, the better," he conceded, the gears of his own ambition turning. "His trust, his inner circle… that's where the true power lies."

"Indeed," the Baroness replied, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips. "And retrieving that trust, after this… incident, will require a delicate touch."

Lord Archibald leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with predatory interest. "So, how do you propose we reach out to this niece of yours? Surely, the King's dungeons aren't exactly known for their open communication channels."

The Baroness's smile vanished, replaced by a thoughtful frown. Reaching Aurelia wouldn't be easy. The King's paranoia was legendary, and his security measures were formidable. But the Baroness wasn't one to shy away from a challenge.

"I haven't formulated a complete plan yet, Lord Archibald," she admitted, her gaze flickering towards the crackling fire. "But rest assured, I will find a way. My niece may be impulsive, but she is also resourceful. She will leave a trail, a clue, something we can exploit."

Lord Archibald drummed his fingers on the armrest of his chair, a flicker of impatience crossing his features. "Time is of the essence, Baroness," he warned. "The King's fury is a volatile thing, and the longer this goes on, the more likely it is he'll strike out against your niece… permanently."

The Baroness's eyes narrowed. She understood the urgency of the situation. Aurelia's life hung in the balance, and their window of opportunity was rapidly shrinking.

"Then let us not waste any more time with idle speculation," she declared, her voice regaining its steely resolve. "We both have a stake in this game, Lord Archibald. Tell me, what resources can you offer to aid in this… operation?"

Lord Archibald's lips curled into a predatory grin. "More than you might expect, Baroness," he replied, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I have my own network of informants within the King's court. Eyes and ears that might prove invaluable in this endeavor."

The air crackled with a newfound tension. A fragile alliance, forged out of necessity and ambition, had taken root in the dimly lit drawing-room. The Baroness and Lord Archibald, two players with their own agendas, were now bound together by a shared objective: to reach Aurelia and manipulate the King from within.

Very well," he conceded, his voice laced with a hint of begrudging respect. "I am willing to listen to your plan. But remember, Baroness," he added, his eyes hardening, "failure is not an option. The stakes are too high."

She met his gaze unflinchingly. "Indeed, Lord Archibald," she agreed, her voice cold. "Failure is not an option. Not for either of us."