The Failed Assassin

Jealousy Kills

Opal was not one to allow herself to ever get the short end of thestick. Ever since she discovered her abilities as a Maker she hadseen that she could get away from her surroundings. She was theyoungest daughter of a merchant, so she always got the worse things.She got her older sister's clothing, she got her older sister andolder brother's old toys, she got the last pick of what dessert theywould have their one servant, Nellie, make. She had to do what theysaid. Then when she became a Maker she had gotten to suddenly be thefavorite instead of the throw away.

It was no longer this is my son Nicholas he is amazing at fencing,the best in the entire territory! No longer, this is my daughterAmber, isn't she the loveliest maiden you've ever seen? That all Opalcould hope for was the she was adorable, would be beautiful one day.No. Now This is Opal, my youngest, she is a Maker.

Of course when she was offered to the castle Opal didn't hesitate.There were the offer to her family but she didn't bother asking formore for her family, or sending any of the fine furs and velvet andsilk to her family. Why should she bother? They should have beenbetter to her.

When they put her on the pedestal, it was too little too late.

And she was not going to be second place to anyone. Especially notthis other Maker. She would not be put on the shelf. There would beno 'oh this is Natalie-or Natasha or Shisha or whoever!-she is anamazing Maker, and this is Princess Opal, the prince's wife,she is a Maker to.' She knew it would still be her who was theprincess and later queen, the fact the other Maker had tried to killPrince Wilhelm assured her of that. But she would not be in hershadow. She would not be in anyone's shadow.

- - -

It was easy enough to find the steaming quiche and the eggs that werewaiting. Scrambled. Perfect. Opal stopped for just a moment wonderingif this was the right plate, quiche was something that would not beavailable for a prisoner. Still, the plates made it obvious itwouldn't be anyone important. Opal had Belladonna berries she hadgrown up around. She still remembered the nursery rhyme

Berries black as night

Tasting sweet and bright

Do not swallow the blight

For that will be your last night.

The sweet elderberry looking nightshade that would kill you. It wasperfect for the girl. She knew she had little bit of time for itbefore Wilhelm would be coming to drop off the food for her. Opalhadn't slept yet but smiling she dropped a few drops from the vialshe had hidden in her pocket tied around her waist.

She grabbed the shredded cheese, it was not yet put on top of theeggs, she'd do it for them. Soon this annoyance would be gone and outof her way.

Innocent heads would roll for this. The spies who had the poison thatshe had snuck in and taken the vial, the kitchen staff who cookedthis, even the people wherever she will throw this vial later. Rightnow she has to head out, she can claim she is going to relieveherself if anyone sees her. She is wearing her silken home gown,wrapped around over her night dress and wrapped with a large wovensash to keep it closed.