{CoRW: Book 3} Chapter 100 [Part One]: An Alliance of Ambition *Rough Draft*

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Chapter 100 {Part One}: An Alliance of Ambition

“We cannot continue putting this off any longer,” Percy declared as he eyed the group of ice witch elders gathered around the Duchess, seated in his office chair. “My spies at the palace tell me that the Pope and his Witch Hunters have made themselves at home in Peony Palace. They’ve also taken over security for the other palaces and the fortress gate.”

The Earl exhaled as he stared down at the Duchess, seated comfortably behind the office desk of his study. It was strange to recall how she had treated him with the same nervous caution a mouse would observe an owl not so long ago. Yet now, she had taken command of his inner chambers as if such privilege naturally belonged to her.

“Madam Maylea warned us as much,” Kirsi replied as she surveyed the pile of blueprints taken from the Lily Palace. If the Pope would need to force Nicholas to his side to ensure a successful ambush at the ball tomorrow.”

“A puppet on the strings of our enemy is no different from our enemy,” Percy retorted as he glanced towards Viscount Linby and the other three ice witches who stood behind the Duchess.

“Liberating Lafeara’s covens from the inquisition of the Church and usurping its current ruler are two different matters, Lord Percy. Until King Nicholas makes himself my enemy, I will not discuss this topic further.” Kirsi pulled a large-scale map of the palace-fortress and beckoned the Viscount behind her, who stepped forward to observe the section of the fortress walls she indicated. “There is a secret passage just here that will lead you inside Rose Palace. Come first light, I want you to take a small group of elders and escort the Crown Princess and her servants to a location she shall give you.”

“You are taking Eleanora out of the palace?” Percy interjected sharply.

“Lord Alastair asked me to ensure her safety,” Kirsi replied accusingly. “Regardless of tomorrow's outcome, Eleanora has decided to divorce Nicholas. Given the Emperor himself pushed her into this marriage, she cannot return to Ventrayna, so I have arranged for one of Frost’s properties to be made available to her.”

“What? Don’t be ridiculous. My cousin will be safe enough here at Hawthorne Manor.”

“That was one of the options I gave her,” Kirsi interrupted with a note of reproach. “Along with residing with her parents. Eleanora has decided that what she needs now is some peace and quiet, and I will honor that request.”

‘That will complicate matters with Ventrayna later on.’The Earl’s smile tightened as he nodded in acquiescence. ‘Still, as long as Eleanora remains in Lafeara, she won’t be difficult to track down.’ His winter-grey eyes shifted to Marquess Winifred, who remained silent behind him. ‘But when did Alastair make such a request, and why now?’

“If the distance is not far, I can leave one of the elders with her to ensure Lady Eleanora’s security,” Linby said, breaking the awkward silence.

“That won’t be necessary,” Krisi murmured as she returned to the blueprint of Lily Palace. “Someone else has already volunteered to ensure her safety.” The ornate candelabra beside the desk illuminated her loosely braided snow-white hair in a soft glow as it framed her face and shoulders. The barely hidden shadows beneath her eyes and the tiredness urgency that always masked her features were nowhere to be seen. Neither was the faint dimple that used to appear between her brows nor the nervous habit of chewing her lip when worried or deep in thought.

‘How can she remain so calm in light of what tomorrow may bring?’ Percy marveled as he measured the steady beat of her heart from across the short distance. ‘How can Kirsi remain so confident when she has died at the hands of the Saint many times before?’

“Did your spy say whether Captain Beaumont made his return to Peony Palace?”

“Yes! They—” The Earl blinked and hastily dropped his gaze as the Duchess lifted her ice-blue eyes to regard him, cooly. “The Captain was seen entering Peony Palace nearly an hour ago, and nothing has been seen of him since.” When she arched a brow in confusion, he hastily added, “It would appear that some divine power is at work, preventing my crows from getting close enough to determine what is happening inside. So, more than that, I cannot say.”

Kirsi nodded and reached down to tap the bracelet on her left wrist with a thoughtful frown. “Beaumont said he would remain by Nicholas’s side as long as he believed there was a chance the King would side with us.”

‘Is that why you sent him back? And here I was hoping the Captain might prove tool beside the King tomorrow.’

“Perhaps your faith in the King’s bodyguard is simply misplaced,” Percy commented cynically as he leaned against the extra seat facing the desk. He bristled at the amused smile that played across the Duchess’s lips.

‘I may have been forced to give up pursuing you romantically, but that doesn’t mean I’ll tolerate you flirting with another man in front of me.’ It bothered him that Kirsi would trust someone uniquely placed to betray them. ‘If Captain Beaumont is released from the King’s service, he will be free to join the ranks of Bastiallano’s knights.’ The Earl’s grip tightened around the knobs of the chair. ‘No doubt he’ll try to position himself as close to the Duchess as possible.’

Percy unclenched his hands, then stepped closer, gesturing at the map between them. “Speaking of secret tunnels. We suspect these markings indicate there were similar tunnels beneath Lily Palace. However, it appears that they were filled shortly after the Saint’s rebellion that began the Havardur line of Kings.”

For a brief moment, Kirsi’s expression darkened as her gaze narrowed on the blueprint of the palace ballroom. “You would be correct. The damage was done by the Second Saint when he executed all but one member of the Isbrand line.” Her gaze grew uneasy as she tapped the bracelet with increasing urgency. “It’s possible that some of the Second Saint’s power remains attached to that room. Perhaps the Pope means to use that power to charge whatever offensive spells he’s prepared.”

“The only enchantments that half-witches can prepare strong enough to contend with a coven of witches are those made with earth runes,” Percy murmured thoughtfully as he watched her mouth expectantly. “If they are enhanced by the Saint’s power, then even a strong earth witch would struggle to break through them.”

“And our magic will be considerably weakened the moment we enter,” Linby interjected pointedly. “On a positive note, it will also affect the Witch Hunter’s magic.”

“Yes, but not their artifacts. However, the domain of magic nullification will likely be limited to the physical permitter of Lily Palace.” The Earl traced a finger around the palace diagram.

“Which means, if we can’t break the enchantments internally, then we must do so externally.”

“Correct. However—” Percy tapped the courtyard, “—there’s no way the Witch Hunter order hasn’t considered this. They will likely increase security from the outside as well.”

“So, they’re essentially building a cage and expect Krisi to just walk into it?”

“Not just Kirsi,” Marquess Winifred interjected grimly. “Every noble head of household is expected to present themselves before the King to renew their oath of allegiance.”

“Which will include the leading head of each coven and several of our most powerful members,” Percy added on grimly.

“Like moths to the flame.” Krisi sighed as she regarded the glowing candelabra beside her.

“Then we just have to break the magic nullification domain and catch them in their own trap,” Linby replied with a faint gleam of bloodlust.

“Not you, Lord Linby.”

“Your Grace!”

“The survival and appearance of the Ice Coven is a card I would like to hold off playing until necessary.”

“That is out of the question. Our very survival is contingent on your—"

“After you finish escorting the Crown Princess to safety, you will return to Rose Palace to secure it as a fallback point for the Covens.”

“That—” Marquess Winifred hesitated as he glanced between Linby and Kirsi, “—would certainly prove helpful should our plans be complicated by the appearance of the Saint.”

The Viscount did not look impressed as he stepped closer to kneel beside the Duchess. “At least let me remain at your side to ensure no harm comes to you, your Grace. That will reassure the rest of our coven elders.”

Kirsi grimaced faintly as she leaned back to avoid the pureblood’s pleading gaze. “Alright. You may act as my escort then, Lord Linby. Be sure to appoint a successor to lead the rest of the Coven in your absence.”

The Earl frowned as the Viscount beamed and rose to his feet.

“I would be honored to, your Grace.”

“That aside,” Percy interjected. “If we are successful tomorrow, we still have the Lord Commanding General and his army to contend with. They are waiting in Lothberg, Earl Coldwell’s territory. It would take them only a few hours to surround the capital once they are given the signal.”

“Which is why, with your approval, Earl Hawthorne,” Kirsi replied with a faint smile. “I would like to request permission to move my army through your territory tonight.”

Percy scoffed but smiled as he gave a nod of approval. “Of course, your Grace. I shall notify the relevant territories so that they won’t be alarmed.”

“You realize,” Marquess Winifred spoke up hesitantly, “That a battle is likely to break out should your two forces meet on the way to the Capital tomorrow.”

“I’m counting on it.” The Duchess’s smile twisted with a hint of cunning. “The longer we delay any attempt to rescue his Holiness, the less likely he is to slip out from beneath our grasp.”

“So, you have no qualms with killing the Divine Heir?” Percy pressed quizzically. “Even though he happens to be Hana’s brother?”

“He would not be the first brother I’ve killed.”

The Earl raised a brow at her cryptic answer but nodded as he returned his focus to the map. “Then I will select a squadron of the Covens’ purebloods to remain hidden close by. Should we need it, they can bring the palace roof down on the Pope and his dogs. That should damage the foundation of their enchantments enough to allow us to break free.”

“And a couple of storm witches outside should provide enough chaos to block any pursuit long enough for us to reach the Rose Palace,” Winifred replied in agreement.

“It might be better to focus any attack on the western balcony of the ballroom as a means of escape,” Kirsi replied, gesturing to the windowed section. “Less structural damage will result in lower numbers of civilian casualties.”

Percy sighed. “I’d say the fewer nobles we have to contend with after the battle, the better.”

The Duchess arched her brow with an expression of annoyance. “I’m aware of the tensions between the two factions, but you can’t wipe out a group of nobles just because their ambitions do not align with your own.”

“Well, at the very least, I can round up the ring leaders who acted as accomplices to the Church’s unsanctioned executions.”

“Arrest them if you want, but their trial will have to wait until the King is ready to determine a ruling.”

Percy smirked and bowed his head in response. ‘That will be me soon enough.’

“Well then, if our plans are complete, I suggest we head to the Coven meeting,” Winifred prompted with a quick glance at his pocket watch. “They’ve been waiting quite a while already.”

“The Covens?” The Duchess echoed with a frown.

“Yes,” Percy replied with a charismatic smile. “I summoned the Covens tonight so that they might meet you in person before we officially announce the alliance between our Covens.”

“Political alliance,” Kirsi corrected as she rose from her chair. “Still, presenting a united front before we set off to battle is a commendable suggestion.”

Percy kept his smile in check as he gestured towards the study door. ‘Do you have to draw a line at every opportunity?’

“It would also give us an opportunity to assess the strength of our allies,” Linby relented with a faint smirk as he moved subtly between the Earl and Duchess.

‘Bastard.’ Percy’s smile strained as he trailed behind Kirsi and her new watchdog. ‘He was all smiles and warmth when offering a friendly partnership while he evaluated Kirsi’s origins. Now that he and the Ice Coven have pledged themselves to the Duchess, this alliance is considered a privilege being offered to me.’

It wasn’t like Percy didn’t understand where the Viscount’s sudden confidence and change in behavior came from. Just standing this close to the Isbrand Witch allowed him to sense the power radiating from Krisi’s small figure. If Percy hadn’t experienced Maura’s humble beginning firsthand, he never would have believed such power belonged to a witch born from a mortal.

‘It’s not just her physical appearance that’s changed. The depth of her magic is nearly unfathomable. Whatever powers she inherited from Viktor, they may be the edge we’ll need to survive should the Saint make her appearance.’

Kirsi paused before the closed study door and turned to regard him with a faint frown. “Where is this coven meeting being held? In Hawthorne Forest?”

Percy and Winifred exchanged startled looks before the Earl nodded. “Yes. I have horses and an escort waiting for us outside.”

“That won’t be necessary.” The Duchess shifted her gaze to Linby and the three elders behind him. “You’ll travel much quicker by air.”

“Yes, but—”

“We shall meet you there.”

The Earl stammered to a halt as Kirsi disappeared in a flash of blinding cold magic. He spun on his heel and stared at the empty study, then turned to face the Marquess’s expression of astonishment.

“Did she—just use water magic to teleport?” Winifred stammered. “But how? With no water source? Is that even possible?”

‘And not just herself but the ice witch elders too?’ Percy shook his head, then opened the study door to find Russel waiting patiently outside. “Fetch the Marquess’s coat and hat and my own. We’ll be leaving shortly.”

“Of course, Master,” the butler replied with only a neutral glance at the empty study behind them. “And Captain Felix is waiting for you below.”

“Tell him to remain at the Manor,” Percy replied with a sigh of frustration that quickly shifted into a faint smirk. “I suppose there will be no need for pretenses after tomorrow.” He stroked the onyx signet ring on his right hand, issuing a silent summons as Russell headed downstairs.

Neera soon appeared and removed the hood of her cloak as she bowed before them. “You summoned me, your Grace.”

“Did Lieutenant Declan return from his trip to the palace?”

“No, your Grace. Should I follow up on the matter?”

“There’s no need. The pawn has played his part,” Percy replied dismissively. “What importance could a half-witch hold after all.” He stepped closer and placed a hand on Neera’s shoulder, securing their conversation behind a magic veil. “Please continue to watch over my mother until she can safely return to Hawthorne Manor.”

“With my life, your Grace.”

The Earl smiled at her briefly, then stepped out into the hall to accept his hat and cloak from the returning butler. “After we leave, you can head to bed, Russell. I shall return before the first morning light.”

“I shall be awaiting your return, Master.”