Chapter 8: An Unknown Scheme - remastered

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"Where have you been? I've been waiting here all night," a voice cut through the dimness, emanating from the desk tucked in the room's corner as the door groaned open.

The newcomer was cloaked, their features obscured by deep shadows in the single candle's weak glow.

"I was... occupied," the second voice replied.

A sigh drifted from behind the desk, followed by the sound of feet being propped up. "Phase one commences tomorrow. Are all the arrangements complete?"

"Affirmative."

"Excellent." A glint of metal flashed in the candlelight as a knife was tossed and caught with practiced ease. "You will claim the prince's life, I assure you. But our timing must be precise."

The figure continued standing there in silence, watching as the boss played with their knife.

"Have you heard anything from... her?"

The boss stopped throwing her knife and clenched it in her hand, gripping it so hard that the hilt might break.

"What she commands doesn't matter to you," the boss snapped. "You take orders from me!"

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. I won't question you again," the standing, cloaked person said, taking a hesitant step towards the door.

"I'm making contact with the Trithian prince."

"I'm...afraid I don't understand."

"I wouldn't expect you to. I haven't told you everything," the boss said. "Before this war began, I kidnapped his brother, Prince Flynn. He's here, rotting in a cage. When I approach Prince Darian, I will use his connection with his beloved brother as leverage to make him agree to marry me. Then I can become queen of Trithia, and once that happens and all the royals of Atalar are dead, I can take their throne too."

They stood there in silence, the standing figure in utter shock at their boss's master plan.

"As long as I get the final blow on Darian, you can be queen of whatever the hell you want."

The boss smirked from under her cloak.

"Do what I tell you, my faithful servant, and I shall grant you not only that, but a better world." 

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