Page 14 of If The Crown Fits
Lara
At first I thought he might be joking. But there wasn’t a hint of amusement on his face. “Pour the wine.” I gestured with my head to the empty cup. Lance appeared somewhat pleased and handed me some wine. Considering the fact that it had been served to a royal prince, I had an expectation that it would taste better than the wine back home. I was wrong.
“War can be such an unfortunate consequence of these sorts of circumstances. But once your work is done, Everness won’t ever have to worry about war again.”
I frowned. “You’re saying that stealing from Prince Cai is the key to everlasting peace for Everness? I must beg to differ, Your Highness.”
“Cai has something that belongs to my family and I want it back.” So, it was a specific object he wanted to steal.
“If he’s on his way here, it would be easiest to strike while he is travelling. I’ll attack the carriage and...”
“You will do no such thing, I’m afraid,” He interrupted me. “Though that was the original plan, upon meeting you I believe I have a much better idea. As this matter is of a more delicate kind than your usual scores. And besides, do you honestly believe me to be that stupid? You and I both know that once you get that object, you will run.”
He wasn’t entirely wrong. “So what is it that you have planned?”
“You’re not going to attack Prince Cai. You’re going to deceive him by pretending to be a princess.”
I almost choked on my wine. “Come again?”
“As previously mentioned, Prince Cai is already on his way to visit my sister at our summer manor. You will go in her place under the close observation of my guards and—”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “So you’re not yet going to tell me what I have to steal, then?”
“I can’t very well tell you if I don’t know what it is myself.”
I blinked at him in confusion.
“Cai has a family heirloom of sorts. It used to belong to the royal family of Everness, but it was stolen from us quite some time ago. If you can grow close to Prince Cai, close enough that he trusts you, I’m sure eventually the object will reveal itself.”
“You’re going through all this trouble to take back a family heirloom that you don’t even... know what it is?”
“I wouldn’t if it wasn’t important.” He bared his teeth in annoyance.
“As fantastic as your offer sounds—” I started to make my way towards the door. I was sure the guards were outside, waiting to take me back. In any case, I preferred my chances of escaping prison to this — “I’m fairly sure Prince Cai will recognise that I’m not his fiancée.”
“My sister and Cai have an arranged marriage. It is an alliance between our two kingdoms. They have never met before. Prince Cai hasn’t the faintest idea what my sister looks like. The only thing to recognise her by is...” He held up the string of jewels.
“The necklace,” I finished, and he nodded.
“If I do this, what do I get in return?”
Lance took a moment to respond. “You will get what you desire most. There’s a small stretch of land on the far western side of the kingdom. It borders some of the forest, but the title would be in your name. And then, of course, your freedom.”
I looked into his eyes. Looked for any signs of deception, but found none.
“You will be compensated for your cooperation and go where you please. A royal pardon.”
I dared to question him. “And if I don’t?”
“Then you will be hanged for treason. At dawn,” he said without any hesitation. “And that is nothing compared to what I will do to your little bandit family.”
I swallowed hard.
“I know all about your uncle and his band of traitors.” Lance took a sip from his wine. “Unfortunately, I have more important things to worry about than a few petty thieves, but don’t underestimate me, Lara. If you betray me, you will bring my wrath upon your family.”
I had been right. Prison was a trick. All of this was some messed-up scheme based on a royal feud. “Is this the King’s wish? That we are to betray our allies?” I wouldn’t put it past King Magnus, but no one knew the state of his illness.
“My father doesn’t know anything. Nor does he need to.” He tilted his head to the side. “It will be our little secret.”
