Amid Twisted Chaos by H.E. Bauman

Author:H.E. Bauman [Bauman, H.E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-02-19T00:00:00+00:00

Although Astrea had been eager to head straight for Ysabel’s office, showing up covered in sweat and dirt hadn’t seemed prudent. Ysabel was already hesitant; she might take that kind of interruption as disrespectful.

Instead, Astrea had showered off with Jin, then gotten changed into the black pleated skirt and plum blouse Ysabel had gifted Astrea upon their arrival in Talmaris. Jin, too, had worn one of his Novarian-provided outfits, just black slacks and a forest green shirt. Ysabel had agreed to meet them in her office, and they were on their way there with Eliana, Nicos, and Commander Lucian.

“Crown Prince Veiko spoke to me not long ago,” Lucian said, his voice low as they passed several guards heading in the opposite direction. “For what it’s worth, Your Imperial Highnesses, I support the plan. I’ll be telling the grand duchess as much.”

Astrea hadn’t expected Lucian to disagree, but hearing that he was on their side was still reassuring.

They entered Ysabel’s office with little fanfare. Prince Veiko was already there, a confident smile lighting up his face.

“Eliana, Varojin,” Ysabel said. She didn’t stand from her seat. “Commander.”

“Thank you for agreeing to talk again today,” Eliana said. “I had an idea that I think you’re going to appreciate. It will help Jin go to Kalama to do what he needs to do, and it will also give you and me the opportunity to gather information.”

One of Ysabel’s narrow eyebrows arched. “Oh?” She motioned to the two chairs in front of her desk. “Let’s hear it.”

Eliana gathered her crimson skirt, then sat down with practiced grace. “Well . . .”

As Eliana began explaining the plan, Ysabel’s already hard-to-read features turned stony. Not good. Astrea wasn’t exactly sure why she’d been invited to this meeting, but it hadn’t seemed appropriate to ask, and now certainly wasn’t the time to interject herself into the discussion. Eliana, notably, left out the plans to pull their families out of the capital.

“Not only do you want to go back to Kalama,” Ysabel said once Eliana had finished, “but now you want to place not just yourself but me in your father’s path?”

“Consider it,” Eliana said. “You know my father can’t have that book, Ysabel. If you and I invite him north for a conversation, that creates an opening for Jin and his team. It’s one less obstacle standing in the way of the book, and it’s one more opportunity for us to actually try to get information from my father.”

“And what if your brother fails?” Ysabel asked. “I mean no offense, Varojin, but if you get caught and your father connects the timing of everything—which I’m sure he will—then what? I’ve already opened my country up to possible conflict with the Helosian Empire. Trying to distract Emperor Aelius while you all break into his capital city seems like a very bad idea.”

“We’ll be in his path regardless, Aunt Ysabel,” Veiko said. “I know he’s given Eliana and Varojin the choice to stay in Novaria undisturbed, but let’s be realistic.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.