All For Love

Chapter 15

Zoè paced back and forth in the chamber that had formally been occupied by Princess Kagami. She knew that because the Princess had left behind most of her monogrammed luggage which Lila had stacked neatly into the corner. There was an uneasiness that had settled in Zoè's stomach since she had arrived at the Palace, and she was beginning to wish she had listened to Nathaniel and not come.

When Zoè had finally been given the news that she was to come to the palace, she was expecting a brief audience with the Regent, perhaps a deal for honey to be signed and then be on her way. That was four days ago and she was yet to see the Regent Barbot at all. In fact the only person she had seen was Lila who was assigned to look after her. She couldn't quite figure what to make of Lila. At first she had been quite aloof and looked like she would rather be anywhere else than there, but over the last day Lila had softened up somewhat and seemed almost concerned.

Looking out over the courtyard, Zoè saw more troops marching through. There had been a steady increase in troops over the last 24hrs, many of them bearing the bee signet of the House of Bourgeois, not the butterfly of DuPont. News was already circling that an alliance was being formed, and still there was no sign of the Prince. She thought he would have made it to the Capital by now and the delay was making her worry.

There was also a rumour that there was a prisoner from the resistance who was being held in the dungeon, although no one seemed to have known who he was.

Lost in her thoughts, Zoè was startled by a knock on her chamber door. When it opened, Lila stuck her head in.

"Forgive the intrusion Lady Lee. I have someone here to see you." She said, before opening it more to reveal a certain redhead.

"Nate!" Zoé exclaimed, running into his relieved arms. "What are you doing here? What about the village?"

"Oh little bee, I was so worried about you." Nate replied, patting her hair as Zoè clung onto him. "The village is in no danger and I couldn't just keep sitting around wondering what had happened to you, not after hearing about Master Fu being taken."

"He was taken?" Zoè gasped. "By who?"

Lila then stepped into the room and closed the door. "He is being held in the dungeon below this palace." She explained, her voice low and clearly on edge. "Lord Barbot has the Miracle Box and is planning on forcing the Jade Turtle to lift the spell that is preventing the Miraculous from reaching its full power."

Zoè covered her mouth while Nate kept a supportive arm around her shoulders. He looked Lila up and down suspiciously. "No offense Miss, but that's quite a wild story. Besides, how is a handmaiden privvy to such information?"

Lila cast her eyes to the floor. "Forgive me Sir Kurtzberg, I did not introduce myself properly before." She looked back up at the two curious faces. "I am Lady Lila Rossi. Lord Barbot is my Uncle, but I am no longer his ally."

Nate gave Zoè a worried look before focusing back on Lila.

"So that means you were his ally before?" Nate prodded, still unsure if she could be trusted. Lila nodded slowly.

"Yes, but under false pretenses. I knew nothing of the Miraculous or the Miracle box until a day ago. Now my Uncle is threatening the life of someone I care for very much. I want no part of my Uncle's power hungry scemes. Lady Sancour and I are trying to find a way to warn the Prince that my Uncle has set a trap for him here to kill him and take his Miraculous... and his wife."

"So he knows about them then?"

Lila nodded. "He has had them watched for some time. There was a secret courier and..."

"So your Uncle knows about the wish?" Zoè cut her off, her voice shaking a little.

Lila could sense the gravity of this development. "Apparently yes. Lady Sancour has explained everything to me and I understand how detrimental the wish can be. There is more though." She paused, listening out for any approaching footsteps. "I don't have much time, my Uncle is keeping a close watch on me. I'm sure you saw the troops marching into the Palace. Lord and Lady Bourgeois have arrived with their daughter Chloè. I've been instructed to tell you to join my Uncle and the Bourgeois in the dining hall tonight. You as well Sir Kurtzburg. I don't believe my Uncle is about to let you leave any time soon."