No, she has something much more valuable.

But you are not fooled by her feeble attempt at seduction. You press the tip of your blade against her skin, drawing a drop of blood as a warning. "Do not think yourself clever by trying to fool me with such cheap tricks a second time," you sneer.

Her voice trembles as she protests, "But it is all I have to offer, my body and those of the women beneath me."

You lift her chin with your blade, revealing the fear in her eyes. "I am no fool to fall for the same trap twice. Your body holds nothing of true value compared to what I know you possess."

Panic flickers across her face as she scans the room for an escape.

In frustration, you strike her chin with your blade. "Enough thinking! It was your scheming that got us both into this predicament. Action is what will save you now!"

She whimpers and confesses, "My handmaid."

Intrigued, you demand to know more. "What about her?"

The queen's voice falters as she reveals the truth. "She is my key informant in my network."

A wicked grin spreads across your face. "Bring her here now."

The queen's voice quivers as she calls out to her handmaid by name. To your surprise, the young woman enters through the balcony door instead of the main entrance, which she had left through moments before. "Yes, Your Majesty?"

The queen's voice trembles as she issues her orders. "Follow our new king's instructions for the network."

The handmaid bows respectfully but hesitates. "Are you certain, my Queen?"

With a fierce glare, the queen warns, "If you wish your Queen to keep her head, then yes!"

The handmaid turns you and bows. "My Queen has granted you access to her network. So what is it that you wish?"

You ask, "What is that you can do?"

The handmaid's answer was Calm and collected: "I can only relay your instruction to the appropriate member of her network."

You clench the pummel of your sword, your frustration mounting at the handmaid's deliberate evasion of your question. "Fine, then let me be more specific. What can the network do?"

The handmaid gracefully walks around you and takes her place next to her Queen as she answers, "That is beyond my knowledge. It is my job to relay the wishes of my master to the appropriate person. And before you ask, my master, the Queen, does not even know the capabilities of her network. It is designed to grow and evolve without any one member of the group knowing that it has changed."

Your frustration grows at her answers, but they haven't done anything to disobey your commands to incur your wrath. "Then next time you go meet one of your point of contact, bring me alone, so I can figure out what they are capable of."

The handmaid chuckles at your frustration, her amusement evident. "I fear that wouldn't work for you, as the network is designed to disperse if anyone ever shows up that doesn't match any requirement."

By now, you're almost boiling in rage, but your determination is unwavering. "Then tell them I will be replacing you."

The handmaid breaks out in full laughter. "That is not how it works. When it is time for a replacement, each of the eight points of contact picks a new trait, and then the Queen goes out and picks two people that meet those traits to be the new contact person."

You glance over at the trembling Queen in amazement. Even when you believe you have won, she has found a way to limit your control, a testament to her cunning and strategic thinking. You are left with no option but to play the game the way the Queen designed it to be played. "Fine, then. If I need anything, be sure to see it conveyed to them."

The handmaid grinds as she bows, "As you wish." before exiting back out the room's only door.

You then turn back towards the scared Queen and ask "So what orders is your network currently working on?"

The Queen slides back on her bed and asks, "Why didn't you ask the handmaid this?"

You point your blade back towards her. "Because I could tell she has no fear of dying if it was for your benefit. Thus, she would have lied and omitted it if she thought it would help you. You, on the other hand, do not wish to die. As such, you will not lie." You bring your blade right to her chin. "So, what order is the network currently working on."

Tears ran down her face as she panicked. "I don't know. They mostly work independently on anything they think might be of interest to me. But the last order I gave them was to ensure you can take reign of the nobles easily. And they are the ones that told me what you did with the noble women."

That explains why the front door of every manor and palisade was literally left open for you to march right in. But that also makes you even more concerned because no matter what you do, there will be this unknown organization working for what they think is in the Queen's best interest, which might be against your best interest. So you tilt the Queen's head with your blade. "Let me be clear because your life does depend on learning what is in your best interest and what is in your best interest. Understand?"

She quickly nods, and you say, "Good, now see to it."

You find Sir Detriet waiting for you outside the Queen's palace. "My King, how is the widow Queen."

You laugh, "Her usual conniving self."

Sir Detriet's face turns stone cold. "If that is the case, is it wise to leave her alone?"

You grin at him. "For the time being, she is too afraid to act. So, all we have to worry about is the plan she has already put in place."

Sir Detriet's face turns to a smile. "My King, that isn't too bad."

You reach up for your horse. "Oh, my dear friend, after what I just learned, I can attest that It is certainly bad. But I'll tell you about it when I think it is safe to share."

There are far too many unanswerable questions about the Queen's network for you to feel safe surrounded by anyone but your most trusted advisers, so you ride out to your encampment.