208 Splitting Up

Seeing all of this play out made Vy and Lycster laugh. To get everyone back on track, Sylvy cleared her throat to get everyone's attention. 

"Ramas is right. Our people value tradition above everything else. When I appear again, they will submit to me," Sylvy declared. 

She might have said it with confidence, but Sylvy was worried about the plan. Without proper backup, the plan could crumble and falter. But thinking back to the allies she had, Sylvy knew that there was someone she could trust. 

After some thought, she turned to Tinee and whispered into her ear a set of instructions. Her lady-in-waiting listened intently, she understood what she must do. 

"But shouldn't I go with you, your Majesty?" Tinee asked. 

Sylvy smiled as she shook her head, "You need to be here, to make things look less suspicious. And, I trust you to bring the message to Grand Priestess Alfin."

With that, Sylvy turned over to Ramas and said, "Sir Ramas can accompany me to the Mothyleks."

With that settled, they made the rest of the plans on how to proceed. After that, Vy and Lycster took their leave and headed out of the castle. Vy and Lycter needed to get to the Mothyleks to ensure that their plan could work accordingly. 

But before they were able to make it out, someone stopped the Blackfire siblings from leaving. 

It was Eskyl and his entourage. 

Realising on the spot that she would not be able to get the message to Leader Atlas about the meetup, Vy sends a mental message to Aether, so that he could go on her behalf. 

-Very well, don't get into trouble while I'm gone.- Aether hissed. 

Seeing the snobby look on Eskyl's face, Vy replied to him with a grin. - I make no promises.-

Aether silently slithered off Vy's hand and disappeared into the air. He had carefully cloaked himself so that no one could see or detect him. Eskyl stepped forward to greet them. Ramas had disappeared from their side, just to keep things less suspicious. 

"Ah, my apologies Negotiator. We were not aware that you've already arrived in Papillion," Eskyl said as he bowed. 

Putting on the best smile she could muster, Vy spoke, "That's quite alright…"

But before she could finish her sentence, Eskyl cut her a cold hard glare. 

"What does a woman have anything to say about official matters such as this?" he said as he turned to Lycster, "Am I right, negotiator?"

When he realised that the Grand Advisor was speaking to him, Lycster was in shock. The dark expression on his sister's face was enough to send shivers down his spine. She was fuming in anger by Eskyl's disrespect. But before Lycster could correct Eskyl, his sister's voice chimed in his mind. 

-Play along with them.- she said with a sly smile. 

-What?- Lycster asked as sweat trickled down his brow. 

All eyes were on him, waiting for his reply. 

Lycster gulped. He was not ready for such an important task! But he was not about to back down either. His heart was palpitating, his hands were shaking. Lycster Blackfire was just a young boy! He did not have his sister's talents or her intelligence in dealing with such scenarios. 

But that does not mean he cannot try. 

"Ha ha… indeed. Are you the King of Papillion?" Lycster asked awkwardly. 

As soon as those words escaped his mouth, the young boy immediately regretted everything. 

This was two in a row today! Why was he having such bad luck?! But seeing the change in Eskyl's expression, made him heave a sigh of relief internally. Eskyl was flattered by the remarks, he could not hide the grin on his face. 

Feigning sadness, Eskyl replied, "Alas I am not. I am the Grand Advisor to the King. The King is… busy with other matters of the court at the moment. Hence his Majesty has sent for me and our entourage to greet you."

"Shall we?" Eskyl continued as he stood to the side to guide them into the castle. 

-Follow him.- Vy instructed. 

Nodding his head, they followed Eskyl and his men back into the castle, towards a different wing. He brought them into a large room with a long table with chairs lined on both sides. At the head of the table was a grand looking seat, different from all the others. 

The grand looking seat had the emblem of a crown surrounded by butterflies stitched onto it. Eskyl walked right up to it and sat down. Before he could rest easy on it, Vy could not let her golden opportunity go to waste. 

"Isn't that seat for the King?" Vy asked as she pulled out a seat for Lycster. 

Hearing her question ring loud and clear throughout the room almost made Eskyl fall over. Lycster immediately turned to face the other side to stifle his laughter. The Grand Advisor glared at Vy with rage but she did not return his gaze. 

She ensured that Lycster was seated while she herself stood next to him. Seeing as all eyes were on him, Eskyl did not dare to make another move. 

He laughed it off, "Well as the Grand Advisor, I represent the King in his absence. As such I sit here, at the head of the table."

Faking a smile, Vy nodded as she listened to his feeble reply. Once all in attendance were seated, they got straight to the matter at hand. Using telepathy, Vy guided Lycster along on what he needed to say and ask. 

While it was an unforeseen turn of events, it was a good opportunity for them to see what Eskyl truly had in mind. From the way Vy saw it, he simply wanted to consolidate power over the crown. 

In her previous conversations with King Sylvy, Vy knew that while King changed every 12 years as per their tradition in Papillion; the Grand Advisor does not. Unless it is upon the request of the appointed crown. 

Eskyl Flutterheart had become the Grand Advisor about two years after Sylvy took the throne, much to her reluctance. Ever since then, he had expanded his influence all over the court, carefully picking allies to give them seats of power. 

Sylvy, unfortunately, was powerless to do much of anything.