The Lady's Secret (School for Good and Evil)

Who were You Trying to Help?

Agatha played with the heap of spaghetti on her plate that Dot had insisted she eat.

She wasn't eating it.

"If you don't want it, just say so," the plump witch said. "I'll have it back."

So Agatha picked up her plate and dumped it back onto Dot's. Tedros looked at her, worried.

"What's wrong? I thought you loved spaghetti," he pointed out. He tried apologizing for snapping at her, but Agatha cut him off.

"I need to talk to you," she said, grabbing his wrist.

Everyone in the room turned their heads as the king and queen rose from the table. Agatha wasn't paying attention, but Tedros seemed to be embarrassed.

"Where are we going?" he asked as his face flushed with red.

Agatha didn't answer, instead pulling him out of the double doors and down a hallway. As soon as they stopped, she let go of his wrist and looked into his eyes, seeming to say 'I forgive you'. Tedros nodded understanding what she meant, but then looked at her with bewilderment when her face flashed with dread.

Agatha inhaled a deep breath. "Sophie brought the Snake back. She betrayed us," she said, almost in a whisper.

Tedros's eyes filled with rage. "What?" he growled.

"Sophie brought back Japeth," she said again. Then seeming to remember something she added. "And his father. I think she brought Rafal back too."

She wasn't sure Sophie had been the one to bring back the evil School Master, but if she could bring the Snake back, she could certainly bring back his father too.

"But... I thought she was good? Why would she do that?" Tedros gawked.

"I talked to her before I came to the dining hall, but all she said was 'I wasn't trying to help you'. She was playing dumb," Agatha told him.

Tedros was still staring at her, stunned. Then his face changed to fear. "Where is she?"

"Up in the guest room."

Tedros was already running, Agatha bounding behind him. They dashed up the stairs and around the corner to the largest guest room. Tedros stopped for breath, then slowly knocked.

They were surprised that Sophie opened it before the king could even bring his hand back down from the door. She looked at Tedros, seeming to ignore Agatha.

"Teddy! Come in," she chirped, pulling the door open wider for him to enter. Sophie started closing the door, but Agatha glided through before it could shut.

Tedros stared at Sophie.

Agatha was right, he thought. She was playing dumb.

She guided them inside, still not making eye contact with Agatha. Offering the king a seat, Sophie herself sat down on the end of her bed. Tedros sat down next to her, his queen still standing off to the side.

"Sophie-" Tedros started, but was soon cut off by the blonde.

"I know you're going to ask me why I did it, but I already told Agatha!" she hissed.

"Yeah, that you weren't trying to help her!" he roared, standing up.

Sophie stood up too, the tension building in the room. They faced each other and Tedros spoke next.

"Who were you trying to help? The Snake?" he baited.

"No I was trying to-" Sophie said, but this time the King cut her off.