Chapter 174: The Noble Bribe

Lady Catherine spoke up, her nervous energy evident in the way she leaned forward slightly.

"That is exactly it, actually," Catherine said. "The Selection has been going on for weeks now, and still, we are no closer to understanding the kings’ intentions. Many of us have made significant sacrifices to be here. Sacrifices of time, of resources, of opportunity."

The bitterness beneath the words was barely concealed.

Lady Sophia, the quiet one, added her own comment in a voice so soft it almost got lost: "We wonder if the Selection is going to continue at all."

Morgana heard the fear beneath that statement. The worry that all of this had been for nothing.

Lady Margot took control of the conversation again, smoothing over the rawness that her companions’ words had revealed.

"What we mean to say is that there is uncertainty. And in uncertainty, people seek information. People seek allies. We thought perhaps you might help us understand what is happening. What the kings’ true intentions are regarding the Selection."

There it was. The real question beneath all the pleasantries.

Morgana understood now what this meeting was truly about. It was not social. It was not kind. It was desperation wearing the mask of civility, predators wearing the dress of ladies.

Morgana took her time responding.

She let the silence stretch, long enough to be uncomfortable, short enough to not seem like rudeness. When she finally spoke, her voice was calm and measured.

"I have no special knowledge about the kings’ plans," she said simply. "I am a ward of the throne, yes, but that does not make me privy to their strategic decisions."

Lady Margot’s expression did not change, but Morgana saw the calculation shift behind her eyes.

"Surely they must discuss some things with you," Margot pressed. "You live in the royal wing. You share meals with them. Surely there is some indication of their thinking."

"They are kind to me," Morgana said, which was true. "But they do not discuss state matters with me. I am not their advisor or their confidante. I am their ward, which is something quite different."

She paused, and then added, "And even if they did discuss such things with me, I would not be the sort of person to carry tales about private conversations."

The statement was gentle, but its implication was clear: do not ask me to betray confidence, do not assume I am the sort of person who would, and stop believing I have the access you think I have.

Lady Catherine looked as though she might argue, but Lady Margot held up a hand, silencing her with just that small gesture.

"Of course," Margot said, and now her voice carried an edge of something harder. "We would never ask you to betray confidence. We simply hoped you might... clarify things."

"There is nothing to clarify that I am aware of," Morgana replied. "The Selection proceeds as the kings determine it should proceed. Beyond that, I know nothing."

The noble daughters exchanged glances again. Morgana could see the frustration behind those looks. This approach was not working. Morgana was not being cooperative, was not providing the information they sought, was not positioning herself as someone they could manipulate through appeals to friendship or shared understanding.

Lady Margot settled back in her chair, and when she spoke again, her voice had shifted. The warmth was gone. What remained was a kind of careful precision.

"Very well," she said. "We understand your position. But perhaps we can discuss something more practical."

Lady Margot leaned forward slightly, and her voice became more intimate, as if she and Morgana were sharing a secret that the other girls in the room were not quite privy to.

"Morgana, we understand that life is complicated. We understand that your circumstances are unusual, that you come from modest beginnings, that you may not have had access to certain things that those of us born to privilege take for granted."

Morgana felt her stomach tighten. She knew where this was going.

"Your family....your mother is in Ashford, is she not?" Margot continued. "We understand she is not well. That she has been unwell for some time."

The fact that the noble daughters knew about her mother, had investigated her family, had gathered information about her circumstances, all of this was evident in the way Margot spoke. And it was unsettling.

"My mother’s health is her own concern," Morgana said quietly. "And it is not your business to investigate her."

But even as she said the words, she understood that they were too late. The noble daughters already knew. They already had their information gathered. This meeting was not the beginning of their knowledge, it was them using the knowledge they had already obtained.

Lady Margot’s expression did not change, but she continued as if Morgana had not spoken.

"My family has substantial holdings in and around Ashford," Margot said. "We have considerable resources. We could ensure that your mother receives the finest physicians. The best care available in the region. Money is not an obstacle for my family."

The bribe was being laid bare now, spoken plainly enough that there could be no misunderstanding.

"In exchange for what?" Morgana asked, her voice steady despite the anger beginning to build inside her.

"In exchange for your friendship," Lady Margot said smoothly. "Your alliance. Your willingness to... facilitate certain conversations with the kings. To perhaps encourage them toward particular decisions."

Lady Catherine spoke up, unable to contain herself any longer.

"The Selection should continue," she said, her voice carrying desperation barely concealed. "We came here with the understanding that the Selection would give us a fair chance to win the kings’ favor. We cannot leave without that chance. We have sacrificed too much."

Lady Sophia added quietly, "My family sold land to pay for my wardrobe for the Selection. They expect me to return married to a king, or at least with the kings’ favor secured."

Another noble daughter...the one whose name Morgana was not certain of, spoke as well.

"We could arrange for a villa to be prepared for your mother. Somewhere peaceful, quiet, with gardens and fresh air. Perfect for someone recovering from illness. Close enough to the capital that you could visit her regularly, but far enough away that she would have the tranquility she needs."