Chapter 30: Lilith and Alistair's "Brilliant" Plan
The next day, rumors of the Harvest Festival Ball were still swirling. Among the grand tales of elegant dances and lively banter, two things stood out: Tiara and Chris's "secret engagement" and Lilith's failed attempts to charm Chris.
Unfazed by her previous humiliation, Lilith sat in her luxurious chamber, plotting alongside Alistair.
"This time, we'll execute the perfect plan," Lilith declared, pacing the room with exaggerated determination.
Alistair lounged on a plush chair, inspecting his nails. "Your last 'perfect plan' resulted in you nearly stepping on Chris's cape and being ignored all night. Bravo."
Lilith glared at him. "You're not exactly making progress with Tiara, either. She practically roasted you at the festival!"
"That was strategy," Alistair replied, unfazed. "A slow burn to make her intrigued."
Lilith rolled her eyes. "Slow burn? She looked about two seconds from kicking you out of the ballroom!"
Alistair smirked. "Exactly. I'm keeping her on edge. Now, what's this 'brilliant' plan of yours?"
Lilith placed a rolled-up parchment on the table between them. "We're going to plant false evidence of Tiara's involvement in a 'scandal.' Something subtle but effective."
Alistair leaned forward, intrigued. "Scandal? Do tell."
Lilith grinned maliciously. "A letter. We'll forge one, making it look like Tiara has been secretly corresponding with someone scandalousâa mercenary or a rogue knight. The nobility loves drama."
Alistair raised an eyebrow. "Not bad. But what's the backup plan when this inevitably fails?"
Lilith scowled. "It won't fail."
"It will," Alistair said, smirking. "Your plans always do."
Meanwhile, at the Ducal Mansion
Tiara sat in the garden, sipping tea with Mia while Lily arranged fresh flowers on a nearby table. The morning was serene, but Tiara couldn't shake the nagging feeling that chaos was lurking just around the corner.
"Chris hasn't annoyed me yet today," Tiara said, setting her teacup down. "It feels... suspicious."
Mia laughed. "Maybe he's giving you a break?"
"Unlikely," Tiara replied. "That man thrives on being insufferable."
As if summoned by her words, a familiar voice called out from behind her.
"Talking about me again, Tiara?" Chris strode into the garden, looking as smug as ever.
Tiara sighed. "Speak of the devil."
"Careful," Chris teased, taking a seat beside her. "Keep calling me names, and people might think you're obsessed with me."
"Obsessed?" Tiara shot back, raising an eyebrow. "You wish."
Mia giggled, watching their exchange like it was her favorite play.
Lilith's Plan in Action
Unbeknownst to them, Lilith's forged letter was being delivered to the duke's mansion. Disguised as a common servant, one of her lackeys slipped the parchment into Tiara's study, tucked under a stack of correspondence.
"It's done," the lackey reported to Lilith later that day.
"Perfect," Lilith purred. "Now we wait for the chaos to unfold."
The 'Chaos' Unfolds
That afternoon, Tiara sat in her study, sorting through letters with Lily by her side.
"This one's from the Countess of Bellwater," Lily said, handing her a sealed envelope.
"And this one..." Tiara trailed off as she picked up the forged letter. The handwriting was unfamiliar, and the contents made her eyebrows shoot up.
'Dearest Tiara,
I eagerly await the day we can escape together. Your beauty has ensnared me, and I can no longer resist the thought of claiming you as mine.'
Tiara blinked. Then blinked again.
"Lily," she said slowly, holding up the letter. "Am I... secretly in a romance novel?"
Lily glanced at the letter and gasped. "What on earth is this?!"
Tiara's lips twitched, struggling to suppress a laugh. "It's either the worst attempt at romance or the best attempt at slander."
Lily frowned. "Should I call Felix? He'll want to investigate."
"No need," Tiara said, smirking. "I already know who's behind this."
Confronting Lilith
That evening, Tiara and Chris "coincidentally" found themselves near Lilith at another palace event. Tiara, ever the picture of grace, approached with a polite smile.
"Lady Lilith," she said sweetly.
Lilith turned, startled. "Lady Tiara! What a pleasure."
"Likewise," Tiara replied. "I couldn't help but notice something odd earlier." She pulled out the forged letter, waving it delicately. "I received this... intriguing correspondence. Do you know anything about it?"
Lilith's smile faltered. "W-Why would I?"
Chris, standing beside Tiara, leaned in to read the letter. His lips twitched. "This is... bold."
Tiara tilted her head, her smile sharpening. "It is, isn't it? Almost as if someone was trying to frame me. But who would be foolish enough to think this would work?"
Lilith stammered, "I-I wouldn't know!"
Chris chuckled. "Relax, Lady Lilith. Tiara has too much class to be caught up in something so... dramatic."
Tiara nodded. "Indeed. Perhaps next time, whoever is behind this should try a little harder." With that, she tucked the letter away and walked off, leaving Lilith fuming.
As they left, Chris murmured to Tiara, "You handled that well."
"Of course," Tiara replied, smirking. "I'm a ducal lady, after all."
"And yet, you still manage to step on my toes when we dance."
"Don't push your luck, Chris."