The week before the wedding gets intriguing

Several moments go by in complete silence. It is unlike Lady Vessa to hold her tongue when she has something to discuss with you, and the silence was growing more awkward every second. So you decide to break it, “Um… We’re in private now, Lady Vessa.”

It was soon after you felt the subtle static of what you believed to be sorcery by Vessa. The dust stopped falling, and the hum of the palace disappeared. Your body goes rigid in your chair, thinking that you might be in danger by a source only Vessa could see.

“Be calm, Your Majesty. I’m just making sure that nosy pussy isn’t listening in.” It did not take you long to understand that she was talking about Akina. The effect of the spell you were in made it so that no sound was heard but the voice of Vessa. There was no breathing, no heartbeat, nor footstep to be heard anymore. “The spell is just to ward off any unseen eyes or ears. I need true privacy for this matter.”

“Is… is something wrong?” Thankfully, your voice could still be heard too. You relax a bit, but not entirely, after witnessing the elf before you cast such a powerful spell without any invocation, somatics, or magic circles. You knew she was good, but…

“Yes, Your Majesty. It’s about your bride to be-”

You sigh, immediately thinking this to be a meager issue. “Vessa, you told be way back in Phebis that your concerns about her being my Queen were no longer an issue.”

“And they aren’t! Listen, boy!” Vessa stands gracefully and begins to pace deliberately around the large oak desk towards your direction, as if the spell she cast was not insurance enough to prevent eavesdroppers. Once next to you, she places her soft hand on your left shoulder and leans into your ear. Her perfumes wafting into your nostrils. “It’s about her life.” Vessa’s whisper was smooth like honey. “Evidence from my staff shows that there is someone out to end it before the wedding can take place.”

You immediately get up to stand, but are pushed back down with surprising strength from the hand Vessa had on your shoulder. Her lips touching your ear again.

“Relax, Bryce.” It was rare that she ever called you by name these days, “Think of the intrigue training you were raised on. It is likely the culprit has not shown their hand yet because of her frequent proximity to me, but I cannot be with her all the time.”

“Why haven’t you informed Akina about this yet?”

“Because I have not yet confirmed whether or not she’s the agent trying to kill her.”

“Akina would never-”

“Do not be so sure about what that floozy is capable of, Bryce. She knows as much as I do about Clara, and if my knowledge of Clara got out, many would try to stop this marriage, just out of morals.” Lady Vessa never spoke above a whisper, despite you talking at a normal volume.

“What does that mean?”

“What that means is not important right now. The life of Clara is what matters. Rest assured, that my staff and I will work diligently to root out this agent.” Her lips tickle your ear.

“You have my trust, Lady Vessa.” Suddenly, the dust motes that were stationary began to move again, and the hum of palace activity from the windows and walls came back to life. “Fascinating.”

“Flattery will not work on me, boy.” Vessa smiles, slowly circling the desk again.

“Have you told Clara?” You ask.

Vessa stops abruptly. She seems conflicted to keep talking about it now that the spell had worn off, but she keeps things vague. “I’ve grown to appreciate Princess Clara’s company, but she does not have the head of a Queen yet. She will do something that will make her ****.”

Vessa decides it would be better t leave the room, “I trust your judgment on how to proceed. Let me or my staff know if you require any assistance.”

With that comment, Vessa left the study. You sit there to ponder for just a moment. Who would want to kill Clara? Clara had been there beside you for the last nearly couple of years. She proved competent, if not always educated, on Itheria Court Politics. She was with you in Phebis when you had doubts about whether Magus and Vessa would make it in time to stop Eria’s siege. Even here in your palace at the Capitol, she allowed your infidelity with other court women to continue. All those facts still failed to answer the question plaguing your mind. Who would want to kill Clara?

It did not seem like Vessa outright suspected Akina, but she seemed to know something you did not know that would make her believe Akina capable of plotting Clara’s ****. Could it be Akina? No, you could not believe it. One of the dukes that were coming in then? Magus was pretty loyal to you, but could it be that he would want Clara dead for what you had him do in Phebis? It was not dishonorable in your mind, but perhaps it was too much for Magus to handle. There was Duchess Irene too. Despite being a prime candidate, she did not come of age until recently, and was not in the bidding to be your wife until after you had declared Clara your fiance. Perhaps she would remove Clara to get her chance as Queen? This was getting too complicated. With how much you were beginning to speculate, even the elven dignitary of Elileithel could be suspect, or perhaps Akina’s comment about Princess Fiona of Gaelica was correct.

All this pondering had you wander outside your study and eventually into your private chambers. When you closed the door facing in, a familiar voice snapped from behind you. “What did that witch do?”

The voice was Akina’s. It was not unlike her to sneak up on you, but with the thoughts on your mind, you reacted in a way that shown a little more fear and suspicion than usual. She must have picked up on it, and her expression and tone turned from casually inquisitive about how Vessa silenced her ears to openly hostile.

“What did she say to you?” Akina approached you. In the past, she may have backed you into the wall, but you stood your ground until she was looking up at you with her arms crossed. Her feline tail swaying impatiently for an answer behind her.

You were not expecting to be confronting Akina so soon, but it was time to decide if you should trust the catfolk, or determine if the risk was too great to Clara’s life.