A night earlier to that day, Ingrid sat on her plush bed, staring at the tray of sweetened biscuits a maid had brought her. She clicked her tongue. That was for children.
Well, not that she disliked it. And then, she took a bite.
"Hm," she hummed, "creamy I see–"
"Your Majesty!"
Her eyes went to her door, at the sudden interruption, "Yes?"
"Her Majesty, Queen Sibyl is here," the guard announced.
Ingrid's look flattened. What did she want?
"Okay," she said with an exhale, grabbing another biscuit, "let her in."
The doors then swung open, and a heavily pregnant adorned lady walked in.
Sibyl had a polite innocent smile on her face, but that had little to no effect on Ingrid whose expression didn't change.
"My Queen," Sibyl bowed.
"Sibyl," she acknowledged with a small nod.
The short woman raised her head, then she looked around, before her eyes went back to the staring ones of Ingrid.
"I heard you are awake. So, I decided to come see you," Sibyl walked closer and then sat beside her.
"How are you now? Hope you aren't burning up anymore? And oh, have you eaten?"
Ingrid just kept mute, watching her.
Sibyl blinked, noticing she seemed to be the only one speaking as if she was talking to air.
"My Queen, are you too wea–"
"Why are you here, Sibyl?" Ingrid cut in with no hesitation. She knew Sibyl and Euphemia were both scheming snakes. They didn't like her, and they could go swallow a knife for all she cared.
Sibyl's lips pursed, and then, her eyes narrowed. "Isn't that quite rude? I came here to see how you are faring, after watching over you for a night, and this is what I get in return?"
Ingrid's brows subtly raised, then lowered again. "My apologies, then. That was insensitive of me."
Sibyl nodded stiffly, "It's alri—"
"Well, now that you have seen I'm alive and well, you can leave."
Sibyl blinked, then she scoffed. "I can't believe it. Why are you so cold? You don't have to push people away, you know. I mean…aren't you lonely enough? Your husband doesn't even look at you anymore…and then, no kids…"
Sibyl's words thinned as Ingrid's gaze on her sharpened. She looked away, faking a cough.
Ingrid inwardly chuckled. She knew all these games. And she knew…that Sibyl was far from innocent.
"And can I also tell you…", Sibyl turned to her, "that you don't need to pretend?"
Her brows creased, "What do you mean by that?"
"Oh drop the act, Sibyl," Ingrid waved her hand in the air, and then stood up.
Sibyl watched as she walked to her windows.
"I know," she continued, her gaze fixed on the glass windows, "that you were the one…that told Damon."
Sibyl's eyes widened in shock, but immediately schooled her expression.
"W-what? What are you saying, tell His Majesty what?"
Ingrid turned to her slowly with a serene smile, "Hypocrisy tends to make me want to throw up, so please just stop."
"Well, excuse you," Sibyl snapped, "You can't just speak to me that way when I did—"
"Did you or did you not tell Damon about my cause of illness?"
Sibyl froze. Ingrid eyed her, her smile widening.
"Now, interesting isn't it?"
"H-How did you…" her voice trailed and she looked away in shame.
"How did I?" Ingrid now walked closer to her, "Well because I know Euphemia is a dunce," Sibyl slowly looked at her, "I know she dislikes me, but all she knows how to do is parade herself and spread her legs like a whore, so she can't be the suspect."
Sibyl gulped.
"You, on the other hand, Dear co-wife, is a smarter one. Your father knows much about magic, so I'm pretty sure you would learn a thing or two, not leaving out the fact that you always tend to hover around me," her gaze hardened.
"Well…you may be wrong, it may be a ser—"
"I know it's you, so let's drop all these and speed up our hatred, no?" Ingrid grinned.
Sibyl hastily stood up, "I think I'll take my leave immediately."
"What I've been saying all these while," Ingrid chimed, her grin intact.
Sibyl gave her a stiff bow and Ingrid nodded subtly in response. And in the next second, Sibyl sprinted off.
Ingrid chuckled, turning back to her bed, then sitting back again. It was so satisfying, making people squirm.
Then, a soft knock sounded behind her. She blinked. She knew that rhythm, it was Lena.
"Enter."
Lena slipped into the room, her steps quiet and her posture respectful. She stopped a few feet from the Queen and bowed low.
"Your Majesty."
"Did you complete the task?" Ingrid asked, her voice steady even though her heart was not.
"Yes," Lena replied. "The garments were delivered. The scarf too, and the letter."
Ingrid turned, her eyes fixed on Lena with sharp focus.
"Did anyone see you?"
"No, Your Majesty. I made sure to keep the exchange discreet."
"And Nyssa?"
"She received everything. She looked confused… but she took them."
A faint breath left Ingrid's lips. "Good."
Lena hesitated. "Your Majesty… forgive me for asking, but… is this truly wise? Maybe I could change your –"
Ingrid's gaze hardened slightly. "You are loyal, Lena. That is why you are alive. But do not ask questions that will only bring you danger."
Lena shook, then bowed. "Of course."
"You may leave."
Lena did so quickly, though her heart pounded. As she closed the door, Ingrid was left alone once more with her thoughts.
The plan had begun. Yet the most dangerous part was still ahead.
Hours passed slowly and the palace finally settled into sleep, though Ingrid remained awake. She sat by her desk, staring at a map of the palace grounds, tracing secret corridors and forgotten passages that only a royal and the architects ever truly knew.
One time , she had tried to escape, but was caught by a guard and she gave up. And as more years passed, even the zeal to start life over somewhere dissipated and the idea of running away fizzled in her mind.
But now, she could help someone, who had so much ahead of her.
"Hmm," she hummed. That was good, and content for her, especially since her life was just hanging by a thread.
When it was near midnight, Ingrid rose.
She wrapped herself in a dark cloak and slipped quietly from her chamber.
No guards stopped her. They never did, as she had turned fearful.
She moved through the corridors, past servants' quarters and unused wings, until she reached a small, grim hallway at the lowest level of the palace. The air here was colder, heavy with damp stone and silent suffering.
It was the punishment quarters.
Only one lantern glowed, its light weak and trembling.
Inside one of the small rooms sat a young maid named Yna. She was no more than nineteen, with trembling hands and tear-stained cheeks. Her punishment had been harsh, though her crime had been small. She had failed to report a spilled tray in time, and that alone had been enough to place her here, stripped of her duties by the head maid, awaiting dismissal.
The Kingdom of Askye was harsh to the lower classes.
When the door opened, Yna sprang to her feet.
"Y-Your Majesty!"
Ingrid stepped inside and closed the door gently behind her.
"Do not kneel," Ingrid said calmly. "I am not here to humiliate you."
Yna obeyed, though fear still clung to her face.
"Do you know why you were punished?" Ingrid asked.
"Yes," Yna whispered. "I was... careless. I'm so sorry, My—"
"You were human," Ingrid corrected. "And humans make mistakes."
Yna's eyes widened, and then they softened with hope.
"I am offering you a second chance," Ingrid said. "Your job in the palace and your dignity, as well."
Yna nearly collapsed from relief. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will never fail you again."
"You will, someday," Ingrid replied flatly. "But tomorrow, you must not."
Yna frowned slightly.
"There is something I need you to do," Ingrid continued. "A task that will decide whether two people live or die."
Yna froze. "Two… people?"
Ingrid nodded. "Yes, the Trontine Princess is among."
Yna gasped. "But she is to be executed—"
"Not if you do your job."
Yna's breathing became shallow. Wasn't this even more riskier than losing her job? But if she didn't do this…her eyes met the Queen's cold ones and she gulped. The Queen will have her head!
"W-what must I do?"
"You will go to their cell at dawn. You will open the door. You will lead them through the palace, through tunnels only I know. When you reach the exit, you will tell them to run."
"Tunnels?...and... What about the keys?"
Ingrid grinned. "I studied the locks of the cell. My late mother was skilled in stuff like that. And I drew the key, exactly how it's shaped. And then instructed one of the servants to make a key for that lock."
Yna's jaw fell. Something like that was possible?
"But the guards—"
"They will not question you," Ingrid said. "You will wear a palace escort's uniform. Anyone who doubts you will be dealt with by me."
Yna swallowed. "I...I know I cannot question Her Majesty's orders but...what is all these about? And… Why are you getting involved?"
Ingrid's eyes darkened. "I am going to take Nyssa's place."
Yna stared. "You… you mean..."
"Yes. There will be an exchange."
Yna looked at her as if she had grown two heads.
"Why?" Yna whispered. What was the Queen planning?
"I have no obligation to answer to you, but well, if you really need an answer...it's because my husband has lost his soul," Ingrid said. "Not that he ever had, and I want to prove to him that sometimes, not everything goes as planned," a grin broke out on her lips.
Yna nodded slowly, as fear gripped her insides. "Okay, My Queen. I will do it. I just...I just want to be guaranteed –"
"You will be safe, don't worry," Ingrid assured her and she gave a small nod.
"You will not hesitate," Ingrid said quietly. "And you will not betray them. Is that clear?"
"Yes, My Queen. I swear to you."
A wide smile spread across Ingrid's face, "Good."