Chapter 68 - What?! (1/2)

I finally managed to track down Marcy by pretending to get lost on my way to visit Mariela about a week later, ending up in the servants' quarters. I didn't look like a princess in my baby blue sweater and white skirt embroidered with a simple flower on the hem and my hair down but by this point people knew my face.

”Princess Catherine, what are you doing here?” A kitchen worker I vaguely recognized dared to ask while giving me a deep curtsy.

I pretended to act sheepish. ”I got lost. I'm afraid I'm still getting used to the palace since I spent most of my time in the same general area.”

”I'll escort her back,” Marcy said firmly, appearing behind me. What luck! Just who I wanted to see.

”Thanks, Marcy!” I said cheerfully and we rounded the corner before I pulled her into what appeared to be an empty storage closet of some sort while no one was looking and walked her to the very back where no one could hear us through the door even if they tried.

She didn't seem surprised and ran a hand through her auburn locks ruefully. ”I wondered when you would try to come and find me. You're sharp as a tack.”

”Then you know why I'm here. How do you know about the spy network inside the castle?”

Marcy sighed. ”I know about it because I'm a part of it. My cousin Luke is one of the royal guards and is a core member of the network the second prince formed to combat his brother's. Based on the doc.u.ment you showed me, I assume you are too?”

I nodded despite my confusion. In the novel Sir Luken Marino joined up because of Marcy, not the other way around. So many things in this world didn't add up with the novel! At least I was finally getting some answers.

She continued her explanation.

”Life is going to get a lot worse for most of this kingdom's subjects if the crown prince takes the throne. Prince Franz brought me into the palace because Luke recommended me under the pretense of doing it for the second princess because she likes my pastries. My parents are merchants that work with Baron du Batts so I've always been well educated on matters that affect both lower nobles and commoners alike.”

No wonder she was able to come up with the representation plan originally! Her alarm when I presented her own plan to her suddenly made a lot more sense. She was already an informant and worried about the other side overhearing.

But wait a minute...how did this tie into the original story?

Marcy smiled at me angelically, not noticing my confusion.

”You've been a greater help than you realize. I had hoped to meet Prince Alpheus in order to get him on the second prince's side when I came here. Even though he doesn't have much power it would be better than if he stayed neutral or, heaven forbid, sided with the crown prince. I never would have imagined that you would do my job for me!”

What.

”I mean, two potential allies walking into the kitchen specifically looking for me? I was so thrilled I could hardly contain myself!” she gushed. Her entire countenance overflowed with excitement.

”I thought I would have to win you over somehow and was still trying to think of a way to bring it up when Luke told me he saw you hanging around with Princess Mariela as she worked. Weren't you the one who suggested Prince Franz utilize his wife's talents in the first place? You're amazing! The work has become so much more efficient since she joined us! I think we have a real chance now!”

WHAT?!

I blinked in shock, trying to process what I was hearing.

Marcy came to the palace with the intention to spy on the crown prince. She said she wanted to approach Al in order to get him involved in the family politics he tried so hard to stay out of but I did it first...did this mean she wasn't sincere in the novel?!