Page 3 of Princess For All

A few of the nobles of my coven snickered or coughed to cover up their reactions. But a few chuckles slipped out and then one broke… Several more fell from there.

And it was the worst thing for someone like Lloyd who thrived on attention and people viewing him positively.

“So while more and more people are seeing you for who you really are as they get space and time from everything Safie-toxic, it’s not happening fast enough,” I said honestly. “And you really don’t do a fucking thing. It annoys me. You annoy me. Letting it go on any more like you’ve won something annoys me.”

“I vote that he has an accident,” Kristof grumbled.

“Still an option,” I chuckled darkly. “But no, for now, you’re going to have a special assignment, Lloyd. One where you can’t do any damage and will definitely die if you pull your normal bullshit.”

Matilda had the perfect timing walking in right then with two of her nobles… And a big smirk on her lips. We’d discussed this plan, and she was all for having some fun while probably breaking the sociopath.

“You’re going to be my liaison to my mother-in-law,” I announced sweetly. “She’s going to be traveling around to check in on all of my allies, see how the deals are going firsthand, and talk with them on matters that I can’t since I have to be here. And you’re going to be at her side the entire time. What anhonorI’m giving you, right?”

“You so much as step a toe out of line or have a thought of your own, I will end you, git,” Matilda warned.

And we honestly both hoped that he did and we had an excuse. At another court with witnesses that he misbehaved.

If that didn’t happen… We had a real plan while he worried about that.

Mostly we were going to be making it clear throughout my coven that I sent Lloyd off because he was too aggressive in his attentions. Others had seen it and whispers had started, especially after my knights had made it clear he was the reason that who was allowed at the castle was restricted. We were going to lean into that and see if we couldn’t change minds.

Because too many still believed he was a good person and someone they should listen to. Seriously, sometimes people were too dumb for their own good.

“It wasn’t nice knowing you, Lloyd,” I chuckled. “One of my few regrets was not killing you the night I did Safie and you threatened me. I should have listened to you then and who you were.”

“Wait, Inez, this isn’t the smart play to—” he tried to argue.

I flicked my wrist and slashed his face with my power. “You are seriously fucking insane to use my first name like we’re friends. I despise you and think you’re shit on everyone’s shoes, not just mine.” I glanced at Vitor. “Get him out of my sight.”

“Gladly, My Princess.”

“He needs to be dropped off a cliff,” Matilda grumbled before coming closer to me. She kissed my hair and cupped my cheek. “You’re going to be okay, love. I know it. You’re a strong one and making brave,smartmoves. You keep doing what you are, and all of us will handle the rest and help.”

“Thanks, Mom,” I whispered, squeezing her hand after I grabbed it.

She seemed touched by that and was a bit flustered, which was actually cute and maybe what she needed after all she’d been through as well.

I moved on to an early lunch meeting with food that had been brought in from all the different outposts and setups so there was variety. Lunch wasn’t going to be served at the castle anymore unless something was going on, so now the staff had more of a break.

But what I didn’t expect was extras to my meeting.

I blinked at a shifter and then Joi, the eldest of the Sisters of the Earth. She gave me a look to have patience and I swallowed a sigh, graciously inviting all of them to join us.

Which shocked the two women who were the ones I wanted the meeting with. They were the retired Sisters of the Earth who we’d asked to jump back into the game. I did ask the shifter to give us a bit and then he could join us as a guest. Everyone accepted that, and he stepped outside with Petre who was one of my guards.

I gave a sad smile to Eddie when he arrived with Branko.

Eddie blinked back tears, nodding that he was pretty sure why he was there.

“The barrier is up, my love,” Kristof assured me once everyone was there and we were seated.

“Aether made it clear to me last night that I need to take out Princesses Charlene, Ramona, and—”

“My mother,” Eddie whispered, his voice cracking slightly.

“Yes, I’m sorry,” I said gently, turning to him and hugging him when he lowered his head. “I’m sorry. It’s not even what she did with my mother and brother or that she planned to reactivate my conditioning. She’s planning to use that. She was telling people not to join the alliance because she would be adopting me. If this failed, she’s going to use her power to push I was broken.

“It’s not over, and she’s going to join with Keres to try and invoke the brainwashing. Tian said they can’t, but Aether doesn’t want them trying to break me and have this lead to Her brother winning. It’s—there’s more and—she’s put a hit on you.” I nodded when others gasped. “She wants to make an example of your betrayal and that she can get at someone close to me.”

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