Strateira's POV
"My princess you called?" Atlas opened the door and gently closed it. I dropped my comb and placed my crown back.
Ahh, right where i belong.
"Yes, i need more information. More information on what happened inside the palace." I said and stood up meet him. I dropped down a small pouch full of coins and smiled at him.
"The King is furious about Roxana and Margaux's fight. I still don't understand yet the reason of this fight but one thing is for sure. Parysatis initiated the fight." He started.
"Parysatis?" I asked. Parysatis.. isn't she the good for nothing jealous cousin of the princess who want to have what Roxana has? She's a great threat and I'm not allowing her to seduce my man. The crown and land is mine.
"Yes, Parysatis." Atlas confirmed.
I nodded, "Hmm, does she like my future hubby?" I asked.
"By the looks of it, a little bit. I'm still debating on who Parysatis really like, the King or the Chiliarach. Me and Magnus are sorting this out so that we'll know who we should spy on." He explained.
I nodded my head once again. Atlas and Magnus are the most loyal ally our family have. We sent them more than a month before our departure from Macedon to keep an eye to our future husbands. Well more on mine since the King's promise on Drypetis could either be marrying to him or the Chiliarach. Drypetis is looking forward to the Chiliarach though.
At first we only have one problem, that is the Queen. Then suddenly there is Margaux who seems to be as attracted to the Chiliarach as Drypetis is. This infuriates her but that's her problem.
"How about Roxana? How is she coping up?" I asked. Roxana is easy to manipulate in her worst, it would be really great if I'm close to her but no. Margaux keeps getting in the way. She seems to be aware of our moves, her eyes looking at us like she knew who we are at first sight. Teasing about her title on the first meeting was a total wreck, we shouldn't have done that. Now we have an additional problem.
"Her location is far beyond my reach my princess for only the royal guards and maids are allowed to enter her chamber." He answered. I closed my eyes and cussed. I took a couple of breaths and then opened my eyes.
"Atlas do your best, for all i know that Princess Roxana is planning something to stop the wedding. I will not allow her to do that." I gritted my teeth.
"Ofcourse princess, as you wish."
I looked outside my window and saw the carriage that is specifically made for Parysatis.
"Hmm i want to know more about this puny princess and her whereabouts. I feel like we can use her as a puppet inside the palace, since we are really not that welcome. With her in our hands, we can use her to know Roxana's plans over us so that we can counter it. And then when the time comes when a person is to blame? The blame will fall on her." I laughed and sat down my bed.
"Finally something great entered my ears. Anyways i have both, good news and bad news." My sister, Drypetis, entered my room with an annoyed face. I raised my brows at her sudden interuption.
I looked behind her and there is a maid and then Magnus.
Hmm, this can't be good. "And what is that dear sister?"
"Margaux sister, Margaux.."
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Drypetis's POV
"She talked to us and wanted us to spy on you two whenever you are around the palace so I'm afraid your moves inside the palace is limited." Minerva continued. I stomped my feet and walked back and forth.
"Is there something else?" I asked.
"The Queen divided us into groups. One to spy and one to make you two live a miserable life whenever you step inside the palace." She spoke.
"Is that so?" I stopped walking. Looked outside the window where i can see the busy life of Bactrian people.
"Yes my Queen, plus i was there when the fight is starting.. atleast." She continued. The fight?
"Hmm really?" I asked paying more attention. I'm still un aware of the events. Roxana truly is great at hiding important stuff.
"Yes my princess, after telling us what to do, Parysatis entered and accused Margaux of cheating. Her accusations came with proofs, proofs of witnesses i might add." She spoke softly.
"Proofs of witnesses meaning? Wait who's she cheating with?" I asked in confusion.
"Proofs that Margaux and the King are having an affair behind her Queen's back." She explained.
"No.. you can't be serious." I said and waited for her to take back what she said. After a minute she didn't speak a thing.. that means it's true..
"Hmm Margaux and Alexander, my sister is gonna blow. Margaux isn't under my problems now," i smirked a rush of relief flooded my tensed nerves.
"I'm afraid she still is my princess," Magnus spoke up. I looked at him with a questioning face.
"Huh? She is? How so?" I asked.
"You forgot about how inlove the Chiliarach is with her. With this feelings you stand no chance against her." He reminded me.
"Love? That's impossible! It's a mere attraction! A flavor of the month!" I stomped my feet. I know that the Chiliarach is always by Margaux but i am sure it will eventually fade after a couple more months.
"I'm afraid so not my princess. When i entered the camp, rumors of Hephaestion and Margaux already filled the air." He whispered.
"What are they talking about?" I asked, afraid of the answer.
"They are talking about how the Chiliarach is willing to marry her-"
"Ahh!" I didn't wait for him to finish. I grabbed the nearest thing i could hold and threw it in the wall.
"My princess-"
"No! I can't! This can't happen! He's mine! He's mine!" I roared. Magnus stepped up and held my hands behind my back.
"Shh now. Breath in.. Breath out." He clamed me down. I listened to him and did a couple of those before relaxing.
Sensing my calmness he let go of my hands and stood before me.
"Come let's go to Strateira. Tell her your findings. She'll find a way out of this for sure. And if it comes to the conclusion of killing that wretched witch? I will kill her wholeheartedly." I clenched my fists amd walked out of the room.
Magnus and Minerva looked at each other and shrugged. They both followed me towards Strateira's room. I held the door knob when i heard my sister speak.
"-and her whereabouts. I feel like we can use her as a puppet inside the palace, since we are really not that welcome. With her in our grips, we can use her to know Roxana's plans for us so that we can counter it. And then when the time comes when a person is to blame? The blame will fall on her." My sister laughed hysterically. Is she talking about Parysatis? I smiled in response. Yes, she'll know what to do.
"Finally something great entered my ears. Anyways i have both, good news and bad news." I entered her room, kicking the door open while Minerva and Magnus came inside after me.
She has her brows raised at me. "And what is that dear sister?" She asked.
"Margaux sister, Margaux." I wanyed to puke as i speak of her name. I walked towards her bed and laid there.
"Hmm? And what about her? Drypetis this better be good. Is she connected to my problems? I thought we both agreed to look after our own problems, Roxana herself is already a tough one. Especially since she is the original." She raised her brows once again.
"Ugh stop with that face, you look ugly. Anyways dear sweet sister, allow me to introduce Minerva, my paid spy." I rolled my eyes and made Minerva step forward.
"Hello my princess." She spoke softly.
"You got a spy? Without telling me?" She crossed her arms.
I made a 'psh' sound. "It started when we made that stupid rule but set that aside let her talk. You'll find this interesting, Minerva?"
"Well the Queen Roxana wants us to make your life miserable whenever you step into the palace, she also parted us into groups and one of them is spying on you two." She started.
Strateira rolled her eyes, "That is already expected-"
"-that's not all your highness. I'm sure you heard about the fight?" She continued.
Strateira's face turned from gloomy into a brightened one. "You? You know something about this?" She asked.
Minerva nodded. "I was there when Parysatis was trying to tell her highness her accusations. Well for the first part only since Roxana got mad and went straight to where Alexander and Margaux are."
Strateira gave me an amused smile. "Tell me what are they fighting over about?"
"Well Parysatis is accusing Margaux with Adultery. She's cheating with Alexander my princess and apparently she has proofs to prove her point." She said.
Strateira looked at me shocked and i nodded.
"Margaux.."
"See? She's your problem too you know." I scoffed.
"Is.. is the proofs believable?" She asked. Minerva nodded making my sister ready to burst into anger.
"Hmm very well, we need to find a way to make contact with Parysatis, we have to know her side." She said with finality, her voice trembled with anger.
I clapped in agreement. Oh my, oh my, Margaux your in doom..
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Parysatis's POV
I can't believe it! She actually believed me! I jumped with joy as i recall the events. After a while my joy faded after i remembered Alexander and Hephaestion's reaction..
"Stop! Stop! Stop this instant!" Alexander voice roared through the hallway. His heavy footsteps including Heph's and the other soldiers filled the room.
The guards standing in the doorway made way for the king as Alex entered with an angry face.
Hephaestion who is behind him instantly pulled Margaux away from Roxana then hugged her figure to protect her.
Lucky witch.
"Roxana explain yourself!" Alexander shouted while Roxana scoff. She stood up from the ground and fixed her ruined dress.
I was ready to make another lie to pin Margaux down and make her look more bad when Roxana held my hand.
I looked at her in confusion. "Parysatis let's go." Roxana pulled me out of the room.
Margaux gave me a mocking face until they all disappeared behind the wall.
"Roxana! You can't tell me that you are not kicking Margaux away after what you heard!" I debated.
Roxana looked at me, dead shot in the face. "Hmm and do you really want Alexander to know that i know?" She asked.
That took me back. Right, the King is powerful, if he knows that i said something bad about him I'm in terrible position, especially since it was all a lie, well.. not everything. Some aren't like the fact that one caught them both in the same room but all the stories i made up are believable. I made sure that it was accurate. Oh no.. Alexander must not know about this.
"Roxana, do you think Margaux will speak up about this?" I asked as fear consumes me. Maybe i haven't really thought about this through.
"Nah, Margaux will not talk about it. I'm sure." She said confidently. We walked in the long halway where her own room, her chamber, is located at the very end.
"How sure are you exactly?" I asked.
"Parysatis where did your mind go? If she speaks against me her life will be in grave danger. Word spread fast, especially when it comes to me. The people are loyal to their princess, and to their Queen. And since Margaux is a commoner, a mistress, a person that has no title killing her isn't that big of a deal. She doesn't have much under her nose. Plus she is not stupid. Relax." She smiled and opened her door.
I stepped inside and looked at her. Okay.. that's one way to go..
I took the aiding kit from the maid following us and sent her off after. I closed the door and cleaned Roxana's bruises myself.
I'm going to get what i want..
"Margaux, Margaux.. what exactly do you have that i lack?" I whispered.
"Charm i guess." I heard a voice from my back. I turned around and saw the two siblings Roxana has been plotting evil about.
Hmm, what are they doing here?
"Good afternoon. What brings you to my home?" I asked politely. I looked at them and they are wearing the same fake smile. After a minute Drypetis frowned making me smirk inwardly.
"Drop the act Parysatis." Drypetis rolled her eyes.
"Yeah listen to her. Is it true? Margaux and Alexander? Are they both cheating with each other?" Strateira dropped her fake smile too and started questioning me.
Ahh, so they want answers? It's fine, they can have them but i have to use them in return..
"How about My Hephaestion? What is his reaction? Is he doing fine?" Drypetis added. I allowed them to ask questions continually until they decided to stop talking.
After the princesses stopped talking did i speak. "Tea?" I asked. Both the princesses looked at each other.
"Well-" Drypetis is ready to throw a banter but Strateira just stopped her. She pulled her and placed her behind her.
"Whatever makes you spill the 'tea'" Strateira answered in an annoyed expression.
Ahh, so Strateira is the brains. I laughed and led them all the way to my tea table.
"Firstly your highnesses, going against the King has great consequences. Even though you spoke of the truth he can easily manipulate things, and that is what makes him our king." I started. I sat on the other side of the table while Drypetis and Strateira sat opposite to mine.
Some maids opened the curtains andade the place feel welcoming while some maids placed down a cups in our fronts before pouring us tea.
"Your saying that Hephaestion and Alexander are unaware of the events? How about your witnesses?" Strateira asked.
"Bravo! Wow, a simple sentence yet you managed to decode it. You're quite the brainy sister." I teased.
Drypetis looked at me in disbelief. "So you're saying that-"
"The people inside the room, aside from Margaux and her handsome brother are my allies, they won't speak a thing against me. Plus I'm sure that Margaux will not speak a thing about it too. It will not only ruin me but also ruin her image if she will. It's Roxana she's going to attack if ever she decides to speak." I grunted cutting off Drypetis.
"Hmm, your right.. you have a point.." Strateira whispered while Drypetis kept her mouth shut. I smiled triumphantly at that. Now i can expand my plan..
"Strateira, Drypetis.. i heard about your actions. I'm not aware what your reasonings are but one thing is for sure." I started and took a small sip from my tea. As expected, i got Strateira and Drypetis's attention almost immediately.
"And what is that?" Drypetis asked.
"Margaux is all our enemy." I pointed out. Strateira kept her mouth shut and took a sip in her tea too while Drypetis wasn't ready to drop the topic without answer.
"Hmm, and what makes you think that we'll participate?" Drypetis raised her brows.
"Won't you? I hold Roxana right in the neck. Something that you're incapable of. You two seek love and power while i seek power alone. We have alot of things in common, are you sure you don't want to work things out?" I asked.
Strateira and Drypetis shared a knowing look, both having huge smile in their faces.
"Do you have a plan?"
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Roxana's POV
"Hey sweetie," i smiled at her. She smiled back at me and sat down besides me. It's the middle of the night, and she's the only one i trust about my thoughts. She comes here every night and cleans my bruises, fixes my hair before i sleep.
"Hey, how's your day?" She asked.
"Hmm, just fine. I did get a few bruises but nothing I can't manage." I joked. She looked at me plainly and shook her head.
"Aren't you getting tired? It's been a week. A continuous week of this fight." She asked worriedly.
"As i said it's just fine. The scheduled wedding is near. I have to continue this so that my plan can work." I shrugged.
"I heard that they started to get closer and closer."
"Ha! They still don't stand a chance. My plan lured them in and anytime soon they'll be under my soles, me crushing then into pieces." I said angrily.
"Mm-hmm, Eliminating all of them, your vision still haven't changed." She chuckled.
I held her face and made her look at me.
"Sweetie it's for the both of us. It's not only about power, it's what's claiming what is ours."
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Up Next: CHAPTER 27; Advantage
Ps.
Hephaestion or Alexander?