Chapter 113- Their Trap

Arabella Toussaint:

"Freedom? He promised her freedom? This is not good!"

"Yeah." Jasmine’s voice dropped. "I know. She said they have an agreement. Once she finds out who killed Anika, Lucien will let her walk away."

For several seconds, her mother said nothing. For some reason, her face seemed to go pale, or maybe I was imagining it.

What was their problem? If anything, that should have made Jasmine happy. I had made it clear to her that I wasn’t planning to stay. Isolde Smith crossed the distance between them. "Does Arabella know anything else?"

Jasmine shook her head. "I don’t think so." My frown deepened. Anything else? About what?

I took another step toward them. Her mother caught Jasmine’s arm. "You don’t think so, or you know she doesn’t?"

Jasmine pulled her arm free. "How am I supposed to know, Mom? I spoke to her for barely five minutes."

"Then find out, you fool." Something about the way she said it made the tiny hair along my arms rise. I moved closer until I was almost standing between them.

Jasmine stared at her mother. "And how exactly am I supposed to do that without making her suspicious?"

Her mother started shaking her head as if Jasmine were the stupidest person she had ever seen. She lowered her voice. "Be her friend, silly."

I blinked, then slowly turned my head toward Jasmine. You have got to be kidding me.

Her mother grabbed Jasmine by both shoulders. "Stop sitting here crying and use your head. Invite Arabella to the family dinner tomorrow. The royal dinner."

Jasmine looked at her as if the suggestion made no sense. "Why would I do that?"

"Because everyone will be there. Lucien, Theodora, the royal family." Her mother gave her shoulders a firm squeeze before letting go. "Let her sit at that table and see for herself where she stands."

I stared at the woman. What did she mean by where I stand? Wasn’t I the one trying to stay out of their relationship?

"Lucien is the King, but he is also your future husband," her mother continued. "He cannot keep behaving as though you are just another woman in this palace. Let Arabella watch how he treats you in front of everyone. Let her see who will be sitting beside him once you become the Queen of Lunaris."

Jasmine wiped the last traces of tears from her cheeks and sighed loudly.

"And if that isn’t enough," her mother added, "Theodora and the others will be there. Trust me, darling, you won’t have to remind Arabella of her place. The royal family will do it for you."

My mouth dropped open. I moved closer until I was standing right in front of her mother, glaring at a woman who had absolutely no idea I was there.

"I know my place perfectly well, thank you very much, you evil bitch! You think you people can insult me and walk away?"

God, this was frustrating. I could argue all I wanted and the woman couldn’t even hear me. Behind me, Jasmine finally spoke. "You really think inviting her is a good idea?"

Her mother turned back to her. "Of course. And I also think hiding in your room and crying over her is the worst one." I hated to admit it, but she had a point there.

I turned away and walked straight through the door this time without even hesitating. I had to admit, there was something oddly satisfying about passing through walls and doors while no one could see me.

But my thoughts were already on tomorrow’s dinner. If Jasmine invited me, I was going. Yesterday, I might have believed it was a friendly gesture. Not anymore. I had just heard the entire plan with my own ears. They wanted me at that table so Lucien and the royal family could remind me of my place?

Fine.

At least this time, I knew what I was walking into. And I was going to be ready for it.

***

The next morning, I woke up hungry and decided I wasn’t waiting around for another breakfast invitation.

After getting ready, I stepped out of my room and found an Omega walking down the corridor with a stack of fresh towels in her arms.

"Excuse me. Where can I get breakfast?"

She stopped immediately. "I can have it brought to your room, Lady Arabella."

"No, thank you." I had already spent enough time inside that room. "I’d rather eat somewhere outside. Is there a place where I can sit in the open?"

The Omega hesitated before reaching for her phone. "Let me check." She dialed a number and waited.

"Beta Bradley? Lady Arabella would like to have her breakfast outdoors." I waited and smiled when Bradley’s familiar voice came clearly through the phone.

"Of course. She’s a guest. Do whatever she asks."

Wow. It was nice to know someone around here remembered that. The Omega ended the call and gestured for me to follow. "There’s a breakfast terrace behind the guest building. I’ll have your meal served there."

"Perfect."

The terrace turned out to be much nicer than I expected. It opened toward the gardens, with small tables spread beneath a covered stone roof and enough sunlight reaching through to make the morning feel warm without being uncomfortable.

I chose the table that was placed near the railing. An Omega approached me as I took my seat. "What would you like for breakfast, Miss?"

"Umm... Coffee, toast, and eggs would be fine. Thank you."

"Scrambled eggs or fried?"

"Scrambled, please. Also, if possible, bring me chocolate croissants too."

She gave a small nod and left to place the order.

Breakfast arrived a few minutes later. Unfortunately, my thoughts went straight back to Jasmine and her mother. As I slowly stirred my coffee, their words kept coming back to me.

They wanted me at that dinner table to embarrass me. I took a bite of my toast and looked out over the gardens.

At least this time, I would be walking into their trap with my eyes open.