The Scoundrel's Daughters

Poison the rats

Tanya

A loud knocking soud woke us up. With a quick flicker of my hand I switched our appearances and woke Dina up to open the door.

- Who is it? - she asked. My big sister was tired and afraid, so I tried to sneakily caress her back to give her some courage.

- His Highness Prince Isaac sent me to give this to Lady Rankin. - the maid said handing Dina a letter. She nodded and as soon as the door was closed we opened the letter.

- Seriously? - Dina asked and I just grinned at my luck. I snatched the letter from my sister and waved it victoriously in the air.

- This Sissy! This little precious is our ticket to a better future! - Dina frowned but I kept smiling. It took me a few minutes to calm down before I called for a maid. I gave her a response and turned to Dina.

- Are you ready for the show? - she sighed and with a tired expression nodded. Not long after that discussion, I was already heading to the Empress's garden, where she held a lovely tea party for all the ladies around Dinara's age. She smiled mischievously as I bowed and took the only empty seat that was left. Far away from the Empress and her closest aids. Tea and cakes were served, but I was continuously left out of the conversation. Dina seemed frustrated by the way they treated the daughter of Duke Rankin. My sister's sense of pride was something inherent from dad. Luckily, my morals were more flexible. I simply enjoyed my tea and made sure to steel some cookies for Dina for later.

- Miss Rankin, how do you feel about the rumors circulating about your half sister and stepmother? - I looked up from my tea cup and smiled softly. The frustration of the Empress was almost visible as she didn't get the reaction she wanted.

- Which ones are you referring to Your Highness? There are plenty. - the ladies gasped and the Empress cleaned her throat.

- I'm referring to the one that says your stepmother was a witch!

- I'm afraid I don't know what you are talking about. I never had a stepmother. I had a Mom who died, here, between the walls of the royal castle, and the culprit hadn't been found since then. Instead of asking me about baseless rumors, shouldn't you take a better look around your own home Your Highness?

- Lady Rankin! How could you be so disrespectful?! - one of the ladies stood up hitting the table to cause more ruckus. I forced a few tears into my eyes and in a low worried voice said.

- Disrespectful? I'm just worried for her Highness! My mom was part of the Royal family and she died due to poisoning within these walls! Since the culprit hadn't been found, what makes any of you believe that the threat is over? - I stood up and cried while I said.

- What if it's someone who wants to eradicate the Royal family?! Because that must be the reason! - I turned to the Empress and looked into her eyes while Dina poured some tea for her over her shoulder. That old b***h was too distracted by my act to notice the unknown maid.

- Your Highness, that must be the reason am I right? If it's not, than, that could only mean someone from the royal family ordered the murder of Duchess Rankin. - I saw the Empress gripping the handle of her teacup with a bit of more force before she took a sip to calm her nerves.

- Are you accusing your own family of such dirty intentions?! - she asked and I shook my head.

- On contrary Your Highness, I'm just worried that... - at that moment the Empress started to cough. Many maids, Dina along them hurried to help her. But soon they screamed and rushed for a doctor, while the ladies jumped up from the table. The Empress was coughing up blood and her eyes got teary. I kneeled by her side trying to caress her aching back as she kept vomiting blood. Isaac soon arrived to his mother's side with the royal physician.

- Mother! What happened? - he asked holding his mother's hand but without taking his eyes off of me.

- I just told her that I'm worried!

- About?

- I just told her Highness that we still yet to know who gave the poison to my mother and she should be more careful. - I turned to the Empress and with a soft smile said.

- You could never know, who is behind the mask. It could be a friend or an enemy. - I knew my eyes flashed in purple and the Empress's widened in shock. The royal physician took her for examination and Isaac was giving me a handkerchief to wipe the blood of his mother off of my hands. He cleaned them delicately.

- Thank you Lady Rankin for trying to warn and save my mother. I'll personally investigate both her and your mother's incident. - He turned away to head back into the castle but I grabbed his hand. He turned back and looked into my eyes.

- Isaac, let me help you!

- I don't know Lady Rankin... Due to the rumors and suspicions about your family... - I batted my eyelashes.

- But Isaac... Those rumors were about the current Duchess and my half sister, I'm not blood related to her. Please, the Duchess was like a mother to me, and if she was a witch... I need to know! I feel like I can only trust you and my father now, but he is so far away and I'm... Very scared. - Isaac sighed and gave me a brief hug.

- Fine. - he turned to Dina.

- Help your Lady change and lead her to my office. - he ordered before leaving us alone. We walled back to our room and once inside Dina's knees gave up. She fall on the ground.

- Did I just kill her? - she asked with trembling hands. I kneeled in front of her and held her hands talking sternly.

- Dina, look at me.-she did and her now blue eyes filled with fear.

- Dina, you didn't kill her.

- But you asked me to... And now she.. - Dina mumbled and I released her hands to hold her face.

- You didn't kill the Empress. She isn't dead, yet.

- She was vomiting blood! - she said and I smiled.

- Ugly isn't it? But she won't die from that, only she'll turn into a conscious vegetable. She won't be able to talk or move, but she'll understand everything around her. So, calm down Dina. Everything goes according to the plan!

-You asked me if I could kill someone... I thought. - I shrugged.

- I changed my mind. This is going to be way funnier. Imagine that she'll see her family's downfall and unable to do anything against it. She has the power but not the capabilities to act. Also, I saw how troubled you were last night, if you can't do something, you must tell me.

- I wanted to help too.

- You are helping me! Let's move on the next phase. Get me out of this! - I said and Dina laughed while she peeled the dress drenched in blood off of me.

- What's next? - she asked while she tightened the corset on my back. I brushed my hair in the meantime and my black locks slowly turned blonde again. I turned to look into my sister's eyes.

- What do you mean? We will help Isaac catch the culprit... Hopefully before anyone else falls in victim of it!