The Mad Princess and the Dying Prince novel Chapter 97

Alistair certainly knew they could not wait.

Not only was Aurelia's age becoming a concern, but the king had also long since begun scouting for potential brides for the Second Prince.

Had they not devised a scheme to delay the matter earlier, the Second Prince would have married someone else by now.

"The contract must be found. Without it, Consort Cordelia will never honor the agreement," Alistair said, slamming his hand onto the table.

"Consort Cordelia is kicking away the ladder she used to climb. Back then, when she was nearly banished to the forgotten towers, she was practically begging for a betrothal. Now that she has gained power, she acts as though she is entirely above us!" Lady Beaumont scoffed.

"Hold your tongue," Alistair snapped impatiently. "Is Consort Cordelia someone you can casually insult? That mouth of yours will bring disaster upon us sooner or later!"

He stood up. "I am going to the Jade Bloom Pavilion tonight."

With a sweep of his cloak, he strode out of the room.

"My lord! Come back!"

Lady Beaumont's face turned a sickly shade of green with anger.

Aliyah was truly a wretched seductress! Her daughter was already fourteen, and the woman herself was well past her prime, yet she still managed to lure the lord into her bedchamber every other night.

Aliyah was the Second Concubine of Beaumont Manor and the mother of Zella Beaumont.

Having secured her three hundred silver marks, Lucia handed ten to Celia and another ten to Bonnie, instructing them to buy new dresses and whatever else they needed with the rest.

Feeling a surge of recovered energy, she rose to craft more witch's marks.

Taking the Warding Charms they had purchased, she walked around the courtyard and buried them at specific points.

"My lady, what purpose does this serve?" Celia and Bonnie asked, thoroughly confused.

After buying those gem charms, Lucia had placed them atop a few hexed scrolls, claiming they needed to soak in the magic for two days before having the maids bury them in the earth.

"It is a Spirit-Gathering Formation."

The spell she cast gathered not only the earthly magic from the land but also the energy of wealth.

Alistair was quickly surrounded and bombarded by his peers at court.

He realized then that even the noble lords of the political realm were prone to idle gossip.

The thing they were most curious about was this:

"Lord Beaumont, we had never heard that you had another daughter raised in the countryside. If memory serves, was your second daughter not always in the capital? What was her name again? Oh, yes, Lucia."

Alistair cursed silently in his heart.

Why did this man even remember his daughter's name? This royal inspector was far too dedicated to other people's affairs!

"Lord Beaumont, how exactly did this country-raised daughter of yours become acquainted with Prince Jareth?"

Alistair furiously wished he knew the answer himself!

"Lord Beaumont, why is Prince Jareth still so cold toward you when he sees you? The two of you are to be father and son-in-law, after all."