His Highness's Second Wife
His Highness’s Second Wife Chapter 92

“I’m glad to see you alive and well, Your Highness,” Raena said as she curtsied. She could feel Yulien watching her, but he said nothing, and she dared not raise her head. Pretending to be stupid in front of him was one thing, but now that her cards were on the table, she wasn’t sure what to expect.

“Rise,” Yulien said in a warm, soothing voice, and Raena straightened her back. She forced herself to look at him – the crown prince was sitting leisurely behind a decorative garden table set in one of the pavilions in the Imperial garden, his head tilted to the side as he studied her. He gave no signs of distress or tension as he watched them, as if everything that happened last night and what happening now, was just as he planned. But the fact that they had met so many soldiers along the way and there were even more in the garden, told her a different story. “Blaine, go take a walk. I plan to entertain my dear sister-in-law by myself.”

Blaine hesitated, but when Yulien switched his attention to him, he tensed. “She’ll be fine. “I’ll call tor you once we’re done.”

Blaine shot her a glance, then turned, walking away with a heavy stride and stiff shoulders. Yulien raised his hand and the soldiers that had escorted her left after Kassian’s aide – only the crown prince’s bodyguard remained standing on the opposite side of the pavilion, his hand and head bandaged, but his eyes looking around sharply.

“Sit,” Yulien said, motioning towards the chair by his side. Raena strode to it and sunk into the big, comfortable cushion without looking away from his eyes. “How’s my brother?”

“Injured and locked in a dungeon,” Raena said with a forced smile. “I’d say he’ll feel much better when we get him out of there.”

Yulien chuckled, rubbing his finger over his lips before reaching out and tapping the edge of the chessboard that was lying on the table next to him. The figures had already been moved like he had been playing with someone, and judging by their position, the two sides were in a stalemate.

“Would you join me in a game of chess, Raena?” He asked, his dark eyes moving to her again. Raena could almost hear the cogs in his head turning, even though she had barely said a word. She wasn’t sure she could win against him – or that she should even try. But most of all, she didn’t have time to play game.

“No, thank you.” She said politely, looking away from the chessboard. Yulien’s smile widened.

“Didn’t take you for a coward with all the bold moves you’ve been pulling. Afraid you will lose this time?” He asked, eyes flashing with a dangerous glint.

“With some opponents, the only way you can win is not to play their game at all,” Raena replied, holding his gaze. Genuine amusement appeared on Yulien’s face for a moment, then he sighed, pushing the chessboard away and intertwining his fingers in his lap.

“Alright, no games then. What is your plan? I assume you have one if you dared come here considering Madam Lydia’s predicament.” He asked, his smile dropping and his face turning serious in an instant. For a moment, Raena wondered if she looked the same to Kara when she finished playing the dim-witted noblewoman and switched to her normal self. It was unsettling seeing it from the side.

“It’s about Madam Lydia, actually.” She said, taking a deep breath. She had considered all options on the quiet ride to the palace – anything she could do to help, any additional information she could give them that could help exonerate Kassian.

But she had already given them all she had gathered, and she didn’t have much power beyond that. She only had one thing left. “Let’s make Madam Lydia the villain” Yulien stared at her with a blank expression, blinking a few times as if to make sure he heard correctly. She almost smiled at the thought of taking him by surprise.

“Explain.” He said simply.

“Madam Lydia is already a wanted person for the part she played in last night’s attack. And while we know it’s all a setup, there is no way we can clear her name without revealing the truth.

Because of my negligence and naivety, they have set me up real good. Several weeks ago l had Kara go over the books at the restaurant- previously I had Davin, one of the Craidal slaves, help me with them since he is very good with those things. She found a lot of mismatches and money gone missing. In any other situation, I would have thought somebody was filling their pockets at the restaurant’s expense, but considering the circumstances, I think I might have funded the rebels.” Yulien continued to watch her silently despite the pause she made for him to make a comment, so she licked her lips and continued.

Many people have also seen Zen at the restaurant and a lot more know Madam Lydia’s connection to him – if it becomes known that he is from Craidal, that’s another nail in the coffin. And if I am outed as Madam Lydia, it wouldn’t be just my head that goes off.”

“So what is it that you think you can do about that?” Yulien asked. There was absolutely no change in his expression, so even after everything she had said, she wasn’t sure what he was thinking.

“Control the narrative,” Raena said, raising her chin. “Paint her as a lying, manipulative, unscrupulous person who not only helped fund a rebellion under everybody’s nose, threatened and controlled the wife of the third prince by installing agents around her, but also worked with the second prince in scheming to assassinate you and the Emperor. Draw a clear line between Madam Lydia and Raena Magrath and set them against each other.”

“And who is going to paint her like that? You? With what evidence?”

“We don’t need evidence,” Raena said. “All the evidence around Kassian’s charges is circumstantial. The nobles need someone to blame for what happened, and he is the only one available. All we need to give them is another option – if they decide to dig into Madam Lydia, they will find more even more suspicious things. And it’s easier to blame it on a commoner than a royal.”

Yulien licked his lips, smiling, then bent forward, leaning his hands on his knees.

“How far can you go to convince the Emperor and everyone else of your story, Raena?” He asked quietly, his pupils so big, he almost looked like a cat that was about to attack an unsuspecting bird. “I know you can lie and pretend. But are you able to cry? To beg? Can you fall to your knees in front of everyone? Can you keep it together if things go wrong and the Emperor orders your own death along with my brother’s? Because all of this can happen in an instant and I might not be able to do anything to save you.” Raena swallowed the lump in her throat, licking her lips.

“Yes,” she said clearly, holding his gaze. Yulien’s smile widened.

“How amusing.” He laughed suddenly, leaning back in his chair. “You and my brother are well matched.” Raena frowned in confusion, but he just chuckled, waving with his hand. “Your plan still has one major flaw, though. Even if you make Rissen into a villain, he is still dead and Kassian is still his suspected murderer. Even if you claim my brother killed Rissen because of him committing treason, he still killed him without trial. There are witnesses saying so. It’s going to be your word against theirs and you weren’t even at the party.”

Raena opened her mouth to say she hadn’t figured that part yet, so he was welcome to help when a loud thud made them both turn to look at the source of the noise. Yulien’s bodyguard had dropped to the ground by the edge of the pavilion where he had been standing eyes wide with surprise and panic. There was something small, with tiny black feathers sticking from his exposed neck over the collar of his uniform.

“What the….” Yulien murmured, preparing to get up from the chair. Raena glanced at him instinctively, her eyes catching the sight of a figure standing behind him with a knife raised, as if preparing to stab him in the back. She hadn’t heard them approach at all and neither did the guard, considering how he ended up.

“Watch out!” Raena shouted in panic, reaching out and grabbing Yulien by the shirt. She yanked him towards her with all her might and they both tumbled to the ground while the blade cut through the air where his head used to be seconds ago. Raena’s eyes widened as she met Elene’s calm gaze. She was wearing an attendant uniform, her hair pulled into a bun on the back of her head, revealing a face with a nasty bruise on the cheek and several cuts on her neck and hands. Her expression was one of pain, though. “Elene, no.

“Move,” Elene barked, pointing the dagger at Yulien, who was just trying to get to his feet. He helped Raena up and tried to push her behind him, but she dug her heels into the ground and spread her hands in front of him to shield him with her body.

“Stay behind me.” She said, not letting Elene out of her sight.

“Shouldn’t I be saying that?” Yulien said with a tense voice.

“No. She is here for you and she won’t hurt me.” Raena said confidently, taking a step back as Elene took one forward.

“Raena…” Yulien said and his hand touched her shoulder as if he was preparing to pull her back, even if it was against her will. She shrugged him off.

“They had many chances to kill me, but they keep trying to take me alive,” Raena said, a smile appearing on her lips. “You can’t hurt me, Elene. Zen wants me alive, doesn’t he? So lower your weapon before the guards come. Cooperate with us and I promise you, you won’t be harmed.”

The sound of concerned voices and hurried steps caried from the path leading towards their position, and Elene’s eyes darted in their direction before returning it to Raena.

“Your biggest problem has always been your unwavering conviction that you somehow know what is going to happen,” Elene said with a hoarse voice. A second later, she stepped forward, catching Raena’s arm and pulling her abruptly.

Raena sensed Yulien trying to grab on her shoulder, but his fingers slipped and she slammed into Elene’s body, losing her balance. Elene swirled her around, and a second later, the blade pressed against Raena’s neck. “That bastard definitely wants you alive. I, on the other hand, don’t particularly care if you live or die” The blade pressed harder against her skin and Raena instinctively rose to her toes, trying to put some more distance between her neck and the metal. “so I’d suggest you don’t move, Your Highness, or you’d be responsible for her death.”

Yulien raised his hands in surrender just as the small pavilion was surrounded by soldiers. He gave them a sign to stay still, his eyes still locked on Elene.

“You’re that fake shadow that tried to kill me last night.” He said, looking Elene over from head to toe while she kept retreating. “And Raena’s maid. You really must be desperate to come here so soon after your failed attempt.”

“Yeah. Very desperate.” Elene replied dryly.

“Tell your men to back away. We’re leaving.”

“You won’t be able to leave the palace with her.” Yulien pointed out, his face going back to its usual calm mask.

“Who knows? I shouldn’t have been able to get in with everyone being on high alert, but here I am” Elene scoffed. “But if you’re nice enough to remove your men before I lose my patience, I might let her go once we’re away from here. You owe her as much, don’t you think? She literally saved your neck today.”

Yulien’s eyes moved to Raena, and she forced herself to nod. His jaw tightened, but he gave a sign for the guards to lower their weapons. Elene kept retreating to the other end of the pavilion, pulling Raena along while holding her tightly, as if expecting her to fight. Raena let herself be dragged until the pavilion was almost out sight. She could feel Yulien and the guards’ eyes on them, but nobody moved long after they put a considerable distance between them.

When the trees and bushes of the garden hid them from view, Elene pulled the blade away from her neck and grabbed her forearm, forcing her into a run. For a moment Raena thought they were going back towards the palace, but the trees, flowers and ponds seem to be endless. Elene took another unexpected turn, yanking Raena’s hand and stepping among a bulge of cherry trees that were throwing a shade over a small clearing that would make a perfect picnic spot.

“Elene,” Raena called once her head started spinning so much, she felt like she will throw up. What is your plan, exactly? You couldn’t kill Yulien, so you’re taking me back as a consolation prize?”

Elene finally stopped, letting go of her hand. Raena forced herself to look up and meet her eyes. The clearing was quiet, but even with the b***d thumping in her ears, Raena could hear the sounds of guards shouting not too far away.

“l could never escape with a deadweight like you, stupid,” Elene said with a frown. Elene looked around as if to make sure there was no one coming, then sighed loudly. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Raena waited patiently, trying to focus on the woman’s hesitant expression. In the end, Elene took a deep breath and let it out, her face immediately smoothening.

“The guy they caught last night during the attack, he won’t talk no matter how much they torture him.” Elene suddenly said, locking eyes with Raena. “Not unless you tell him the trigger – Mistakes are paid in b***d and failure is paid in death” She said, sheathing her weapon. “He knows who you are. They all do. Use the power Zender gave you.” Elene took a step back, then another. “Consider this repayment for the kindness you showed me and my brother. I hope I never see you again, Raena, because if l do, it probably won’t end well for you.”

Raena opened her mouth to speak when Elene turned her back on her and sprinted between the trees. Raena took a step after her, but her tired leg buckled and she landed on her knees, breathing heavily. When she looked up again, she could no longer see Elene, but the voices of the guards sounded extremely close.

“Over here!”

The sound of feet made her turn just as a group of soldiers appeared behind her, their weapons drawn and ready. They stared at her for a moment, then spread around, a few of them disappearing in the direction Elene had taken.

Yulien arrived a couple of minutes later and she watched him as he crouched next to her in the grass.

“Are you alright? Did she hurt you?” He asked as his eyes inspected her from head to toe. He looked angry but also relieved, and as their eyes met, he looked away.

“No, I told you she wouldn’t,” Raena said, trying to get to her feet. Yulien offered her a hand, and she took it, allowing herself to be pulled up. She glanced at the trees again before turning to him and lowering her voice. “But she might have given us the missing piece we needed to make my plan work. Please let me see the fake shadow you captured last night. I think I can make him talk.