Chapter 21: Lilith and Alistair's Master Plan (That Always Fails)
Lilith and Alistair sat in a lavish tea room at the palace, the tension between them palpable as they discussed their latest scheme.
"This is unacceptable," Lilith hissed, slamming her teacup onto its saucer. "Tiara Everhart is stealing all the attention! Even His Highness Chris favors her now. How is that lowly duke's daughter gaining more recognition than me?"
Alistair raised an eyebrow. "Lowly duke's daughter? Lilith, her father controls half the empire's army. Perhaps you should revise your vocabulary."
Lilith scowled. "You know what I mean. She doesn't deserve it!"
Alistair smirked, twirling his wine glass. "And yet, Chris seems intrigued by her. I can't have him diverting his attention from my plans."
"Plans?" Lilith said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, you mean your ridiculous fantasy of becoming emperor?"
Alistair's pleasant expression darkened, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Careful, Lilith. Even allies have limits."
Lilith sighed dramatically, waving her hand dismissively. "Fine. What's your plan to deal with Lady Tiara, then?"
Alistair leaned forward, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Simple. We'll create chaos at the Everhart mansion. If we can rattle Tiara and her family, she'll lose face in society. Chris will have no choice but to distance himself from her."
Lilith's eyes sparkled with malicious glee. "Ooh, I like it. What's the plan?"
"We'll infiltrate the mansion," Alistair said confidently.
Lilith stared at him. "Infiltrate the Everhart mansion? Are you insane? That place is guarded like a fortress!"
Alistair waved her concerns away. "Relax. I have a contact who knows the layout. All we need is a distraction to slip in."
---
Two Nights Later â Everhart Mansion
The ducal mansion was bustling with activity as preparations for an upcoming banquet were in full swing. Servants rushed about, knights patrolled the grounds, and Tiara was in the library, blissfully unaware of the brewing chaos.
Alistair and Lilith stood hidden in the shadows outside the mansion, dressed in dark cloaks.
"Are you sure about this?" Lilith whispered, glancing nervously at the knights stationed by the gates.
"Of course," Alistair said, smirking. "Just follow my lead."
He signaled his contact, a nervous-looking man who approached the gate with a cart of vegetables.
"This is our distraction?" Lilith whispered incredulously.
"Trust the process," Alistair muttered.
The contact began arguing with the guards, loudly claiming he was delivering fresh produce for that has been ordered by mansion's chefs . While the guards were distracted, Alistair and Lilith slipped through a side entrance.
They had barely made it past the servants' quarters when a booming voice stopped them in their tracks.
"Halt!"
Both froze as Felix, Tiara's personal knight, stepped out of the shadows, his grey eyes glinting like steel.
"Identify yourselves," Felix commanded, drawing his sword.
Lilith panicked. "We're... um... lost?"
Alistair, refusing to look defeated, straightened his posture. "We're here on official palace business."
Felix raised an eyebrow. "Palace business, you say? And yet, you've entered without permission, through the servants' wing. Interesting approach."
Before Alistair could respond, the mansion's butler arrived, flanked by a group of knights.
"Lord Alistair? Lady Lilith?" the butler said, his tone polite but icy. "What an unexpected visit. Might I ask why you're trespassing on ducal grounds?"
Lilith tugged on Alistair's cloak. "Abort mission," she hissed.
Alistair gritted his teeth. "We were... inspecting security measures."
Felix smirked. "How kind of you. Shall I escort you to the exit so you can complete your inspection outside?"
Defeated, Alistair and Lilith were promptly escorted off the premises under the watchful eyes of the knights.
---
The Next Day
Tiara was having tea with Mia in the garden when Felix approached, looking amused.
"Milady," he said, bowing slightly, "you'll be pleased to know we apprehended two intruders last night."
Tiara raised an eyebrow. "Intruders? Who?"
Felix hesitated, clearly holding back laughter. "Lord Alistair and Lady Lilith."
Mia gasped. "What? Why would they break into your mansion?"
Tiara set her teacup down, her lips twitching into a smirk. "Clearly, they were up to no good. I hope they enjoyed their stay in our servant wing."
Felix chuckled. "Oh, they didn't stay long. I made sure of that."
Tiara shook her head, her smirk growing. "Honestly, what were they thinking? Breaking into a duke's mansion? They're either incredibly bold or incredibly stupid."
"Probably both," Mia said, giggling.
Tiara leaned back in her chair, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Let them try again. I could use some entertainment."
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