Synthetic Magic

The Plan

A servant girl walked quickly through the dimly lit hallways of the palace. In her hands was a tray containing the meals of councilwomen Celeste and Ana. She slowed as she got closer to their room keeping her head low and footsteps silent until she stood in front of their chamber door. She knocked once before the door quickly swung open and she was ushered inside.

The room exuded comfort and decadence. Large fluffy pillows in every color littered the floor which was covered in a soft intricately designed rug from the faraway continent of Asin racked with sandstorms but containing beautiful landscapes beyond imagining. Their room was decorated every year to reflect whatever culture inspired the two councilwomen most that year.

"You don't have to make yourself look quite so plain you know Michael" Celeste assessed my plain short brown hair and bland facial features before walked to a large orange pillow and sitting down cross-legged.

"I don't know dear I think he looks quite adorable like that" I turned to see Ana step out from behind pink silky curtains that separated their bedroom from the rest of the room. She gave me a teasing smile before sitting down next to her wife.

I rolled my eyes at her comment before shifting back to look like myself. I handed them their meals before sitting down across from them on my own overly fluffy pillow. I missed being able to sit down on a chair when I visited their room.

"So what happened?" I asked leaning forward.

"I'm afraid Bella Nordin has found herself in the council's crosshairs" Ana responded seriously all traces of teasing gone from her voice.

My fist clenched and my heart rate increased as they explained everything that was discussed in the council's latest clandestine meeting.

"We can't keep slowly gathering evidence as we have been we need to go to my father now, an innocent woman's life is at stake!" My voice raised in desperation.

Celeste frowned at me "we've discussed this Michael, the council is clever and won't easily be taken down, we need all the evidence we can get to succeed in bringing them down, I have a spy within Rose's testing facility that needs more time to get close enough to Rose to access her files, when she does we'll finally have the evidence we need"

"So we're just supposed to let her die for the council's crimes?" I asked angrily.

"We never said that" Celeste smiled.

"We have a plan" Ana finished for her.

Hope rose in my chest I couldn't lose Seraphina a second time.

"Leave the castle as soon as possible, I'm sure your father wouldn't mind an excuse for you to leave when there's the threat of you losing your abilities" Ana instructed

"But why?" I tilted my head in confusion.

"By leaving you won't be implicated in her escape" Celeste took a bite of her food before continuing. "The council wasn't lying when they said they would investigate her and if they discover you two are associated in any way they will be suspicious".

"Alright but wait how did you know she and I knew each other?" I questioned trying to recall if I had said anything.

Celeste raised an eyebrow at me "As much as I'd like to think you would, I know you wouldn't risk months of careful planning for just anyone it's obvious you care for this girl".

I stayed silent.

Celeste glanced at Ana before continuing to explain their plan.

"I can pay for Mr. Rixton to stay away for the next five days in the meantime we will orchestrate her escape and you will find someone you trust to meet her in a secret location and lead her to one of our safe houses where she'll  be safe from the council".

"Ok" I nodded satisfied with the plan "To be honest, I'm not sure I trust anyone but myself to take care of S-Bella". I admitted nearly stumbling over her new name.

"What about Tyro you two have been friends for nearly a decade now surely you can trust him to do something as simple as deliver the girl to a safe house unharmed" Ana reasoned.

I thought about the loveable oaf that became my friend soon after Seraphina disappeared. He was the only one who didn't pretend like Seraphina never existed in the first place and listened to me reminisce about our adventures for hours until my tears stopped. He never saw the regal prince that everyone was supposed to see to him I was just Mike, his best friend and partner in crime whenever I could steal away from my princely duties.

"I guess I could trust him with Bella" I breathed out after a moment of thought.

We sat there for a few more minutes discussing the fine details of the plan before I stood up to leave.

Ana grabbed my arm before I could leave. "Michael I know you care for this girl but please remember that your country comes first, if things don't go as planned you can't allow yourself to be exposed in any way or the council will find a way to hurt you do you understand"?

"I do" I responded looking her in her eyes.

She released my arm and I shifted into my previous disguise before silently slipping out of the room into the dark palace hallways.