Chapter 79: The Elf Conspiracy (6)

“A wedding?” Elaine’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Our wedding?”

“If I ask Lauriane to be my witness, I don’t think she would deny me for the world,” Simon promised. “She wouldn’t miss such a big milestone in my life. This would let us lure her out of the Goetia Research Facility for a day, maybe two.”

“She cares for you that much?” Lady Justine mused, her mischievous gaze turning to her own brother. “Doesn’t that remind you of better times, Patriate?”

“I never missed your weddings,” her brother replied sharply, his hands clasping. “Assuming that Lord Simon is correct, we indeed have a unique opportunity. We could capture Princess Lauriane and hold her hostage—temporarily,” he quickly added when Simon glared at him, “until we deal with Prince Louis.”

“The Goetia Research Facility would be left leaderless and in shambles, easy prey for a surprise attack,” Duke Flauros said. “We may not even need an army. A small sabotage team could cripple Crestone production and achieve the same result if they manage to slip in.”

“You said your sister invited you to visit her at the Goetia Research Facility,” Elaine reminded Simon. “Do you think you could invite us as your future in-laws?”

“I think so, but…” Simon pretended to think this through. “She won’t let a large group in.”

“Yes, she will likely grow suspicious if the entire family shows up on her doorstep,” Lady Justine mused. “You are not that charming, Simon.”

“My daughter and I should be enough,” Patriate Malphas suggested. “I would not look out of place in my capacity as her father, doubly so if I voiced my interest in aligning with the War Party now that my daughter and her future husband would live inside their territory.”

And here I thought I would have to suggest it myself, Simon thought. He briefly glanced at Belzemine, who had been waiting for any signal from him.

“I will come as well,” Belzemine said. “For your safety.”

“Milady, you’ve just escaped the Magnos’ captivity!” Lady Anselma protested. “You should board the first ship to Illusea and return to your homeland.”

“There’s a risk Lady Lauriane won’t let you leave the Goetia Research Facility,” Patriate added, “And if she notices your lack of brand…”

“I will cover my missing slave brands with false ones,” Belzemine replied. “It would be strange if His Highness didn’t show up with me at his side, and Lady Lauriane will not dare to try anything in my presence. I cannot abandon you at such a critical time.”

Simon noticed Lady Justine narrow her eyes at Belzemine from behind her fan. Did she sense deceit, or did her sudden display of confidence arouse her suspicion? Whatever the case, she kept her thoughts to herself while the rest of the conspirators extended their misplaced trust to Belzemine. The White Unicorn movement wanted to believe she was a martyr who couldn’t wait to fight back after regaining her freedom, rather than a slave so thoroughly broken she would rather live with her chains than without.

“Very well,” Lord Patriate said. “When can a visit be arranged, Lord Simon?”

“As soon as I send Lauriane a message,” he replied. “It’s up to you.”

“We shouldn’t wait too long,” Lord Robert said. “The Goddess’ Judgement will strike within weeks, and Princess Lauriane will be on her guard afterwards.”

“I concur,” Lord Patriate agreed. “We will announce my daughter’s betrothal to Lord Simon tonight once the ball concludes. The news would reach Princess Lauriane within days and justify our delegation.”

“Are you okay with this, Elaine?” Simon inquired. “We’ll have to play the part of betrothed.”

“We shall,” she replied without hesitation, a thin smile on her lips, “I have prepared for such a role for a very long time.”

So did Simon. His thoughts turned towards another, to spring a trap long in the making.

“Shabram, I need you to contact someone for me.” Simon took a deep breath. “And send in the clown.”

The ball petered out at seven in the morning, with the mystery of the Overlord impostor remaining on everyone’s lips by then. It would remain a secret for most and a source of gossip for weeks to come. Heralds publicly announced Simon and Elaine’s engagement during the party’s closing hour, which should ensure that Lauriane heard about it in the coming days. Leonard and Meredith had apparently spent the entire ball together, which made Simon wonder if they would end growing closer than usual during this reign…

All was more or less going according to Simon’s plan, with one worrying exception.

“You wish to return to Telluria?” Simon couldn’t believe what he heard. “While Vouivre is still active?”

“One of Lord Patriate’s allies in Valendre, Lord Albert, suggested that I go there undercover with an escort to introduce the White Unicorn to shifter tribes sympathetic to their cause,” Eole replied, a frown forming on her face. “You said the Rider would keep Vouivre occupied and expel her from Telluria.”

“Eventually.” Not to mention that he remembered Dassein being forced back south to help the War Party confront the Church of Light in reigns where the Goddess’ Judgment struck Frightwall, which allowed Vouivre to conquer Telluria. “This is too risky, Eole, for you and everyone else.”

Eole bit her lip, then switched from Elvish to Kish. “Why didn’t you tell them?”

She doesn’t want us to be overheard, Simon thought as he switched to her birth language. “About the archfiend?”

“About your prophecies,” Eole clarified. “These people believe in the Oracle; they will believe in you, too.”

Would they? Lady Justine at least expressed doubts about the Oracle, though she did trust in Simon’s visions. His issue was that the elves probably knew more about foresight and predictions than anyone in the world and might poke holes in Simon’s foreknowledge. His entire plan revolved around them underestimating him, and new prophets were always treated carefully.

“I fear some events may not happen if I tell them about them,” Simon half-lied. “I do not understand how my foresight will interact with the Oracle. If our visions clash, which one will come true?”

Eole bit her lip. “There is something else you’re not telling me. A burden that weighs heavily on your mind.”

Simon took a deep breath. “Don’t go to Telluria, Eole,” he implored her. “Believe me, it won’t end well for you or your people. I have seen it in my dreams, and I don’t want to see it in reality.”

Eole hesitated a moment, but the sincerity in his gaze seemed to convince her. “I… very well,” she decided, albeit reluctantly. “I will stick to advising Lord Albert on whom to contact and how. I will argue that a kish’s presence might be wrongly interpreted, especially since shifter tribes surrendered me to the empire already.”

“I’m sorry, Eole,” Simon apologized. “I know you want to help the shifter tribes, but I wouldn’t be so insistent if the risk wasn’t real.”

“No, no, I understand.” She beamed with joy and affection. “So many at this gathering were quick to advocate for war and conflict, but you were one of the few to advocate for a more peaceful solution that would avoid shedding innocent blood. You truly do care.”

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She meant it as a compliment, but it still felt like a stab to the heart. “I do,” he replied, his voice a little weaker than before. “I seek a path that will preserve the most lives, but it’s… it’s hard, Eole. So few of us would rather talk than fight.”

“Yes, I have learned this to my detriment… but it makes our struggle all the more important.” Eole plucked a feather from her wing. “Here, I would like you to have this.”

“So we may find each other again?” Simon mused upon taking the feather, to her surprise. “Sorry, it’s getting harder and harder to surprise me.”

“I do not know whether that is a blessing or a curse.” Eole smiled sweetly at him. “Did you see my people’s Sanctuary in your dreams? Its waterfalls and flying temples?”

“No, I did not,” Simon confessed. “I only foresaw the archfiend bringing destruction to your home.”

“So you have only seen the ugliness of my homeland, but not its beauty.” She nodded to herself. “Good. This gives you something to look forward to.”

“I hope to visit it one day.” And I will. “Take good care of yourself, Eole.”

Eole bowed to him, then left his quarters to join Lord Albert and prepare for the shifter revolution. Simon wished her well, even though he knew this would likely end in disaster once he brought down the hammer on the conspiracy.

I am going to disappoint her so much. Simon could feel it in his bones, and that alone briefly made him doubt his path… but that moment of guilt passed swiftly. I’ll make everything right one day.

Now alone in his bedroom, Simon was about to go to sleep when he heard a knock on his door. “Enter,” he said, with Elaine stepping in. “Did you forget something?”

“No, but you did forget me,” she replied, sitting at his bed’s edge. “If we are to convince your sister and the world of this betrothal, then we will need to start sharing a bedroom.”

“Shouldn’t we wait for the wedding first?”