The Alliance

Chapter 20: Jasmine’s plan

Jasmine stands by the window of her small chamber, the soft moonlight illuminating her anxious face. Her fingers brush against the edge of the locket Prince Phillip had given her, the one she hasn’t been able to part with since their meeting. Her mind churns with worry, not only for herself but for her mother, Morgan, who is still in Eldermere. She has sent a raven earlier, urging her mother to flee and warning her of the danger Bianca poses, but the weight of what she must do next sits heavily in her heart.

A sharp knock on the door startles her. Before she can respond, Bianca sweeps in, the silk hem of her emerald gown trailing behind her like a storm. She carries a bundle of pristine white fabric in her arms—the wedding dress.

“Jasmine,” Bianca commands, her voice cold and clipped, “put this on. Now.”

Jasmine hesitates, her hands gripping the edges of her dress. “Why? The wedding isn’t until tomorrow.”

Bianca’s icy blue eyes narrows. “I need to make sure it fits you perfectly. You’re going to represent me, and there is no room for error. The prince must see perfection tomorrow—nothing less.”

Jasmine clenches her fists but obeys, knowing resistance would only provoke Bianca further. As she begins to change, Bianca pace the room, her sharp gaze scrutinizing Jasmine like a sculptor inspecting her work.

“You’ve improved quickly,” Bianca remarks, her voice dripping with a twisted sense of pride. “Your curtsies, your posture… even the way you speak. I’ve turned you into someone passable enough to fool a prince.”

Jasmine remains silent as she slips into the elegant wedding gown, the soft fabric enveloping her like a second skin. The dress is exquisite, with intricate embroidery and pearls that caught the candlelight. It fit her perfectly, almost too perfectly, and she feels like a stranger in her own body.

Bianca approach her, adjusting the veil that will once again conceal her face. “It’s remarkable, really,” Bianca continues, a smug smile tugging at her lips. “You’ve gone from a nobody to a princess in just days. Thankfully, your mother taught you to read and write. That’s one less thing I had to deal with.”

Jasmine stiffens at the mention of her mother. She turns to face Bianca, her voice steady despite the storm brewing inside her. “Why are you doing this, Bianca? You don’t love the prince. You just want to run away with Sir Dorian.”

Bianca’s smile falters for a moment, her face burns in fury and her eyebrows narrows in curiosity and disbelief. “Have you been spying on me?”

“Well the other night, I saw you riding into the woods and I got curious—-“

“You’re chewing more than you can swallow Jasmine. Your knack for spying on me will put you in grave danger.!”

“I’m already in grave danger Your Highness. There’s nothing left to lose.” Jasmine looks at her face—the rashes are not longer visible but it left a trail of dark spots and roughness. Unable to stomach the sight of her, Jasmine averts her gaze to the door.

Bianca stops and stares at her for a while, examining every inch of her face. She lets out a scoff, indicating her lack of fear or remorse.

“ You forget your place Jasmine. You’re nothing but a wretched servant who’s at my mercy so you’d best watch your tone! Do not cross me or follow me ever again!”

“ But I—“ Jasmine tries to protest.

“Enough! I will entertain no more of your insolence.”

“The prince will never forgive us for this, your father will hang I and my family for treason, Mercia will wage a war against Eldermere for what we’re about to do. Your lies and deception will turn both kingdom against each other. Do you really want to sacrifice it all for love?”

“And what do you care? You’ll do as I say, or your precious mother will pay the price. You don’t want her blood on your hands, do you?”

The threat is like a dagger to Jasmine’s heart, but she refuses to let her fear show. She looks at her reflection in the mirror, at the princess she is being forced to become.

Bianca leans in close, her voice a low hiss. “Tomorrow, you’ll walk down that aisle, and you’ll marry the prince in my place. And you’ll keep your mouth shut. Do you understand me?”

Jasmine nods, her head bowed, but her mind is already working on her plan. She cannot keep this charade going. She cannot lie to the prince, not anymore.

As soon as Bianca leaves the room, satisfied with the dress, Jasmine sits on the edge of her bed, her heart pounding. The prince deserves the truth, and she cannot live with herself if she doesn’t tell him.

She takes a deep breath, her decision solidifying in her mind. Tonight, she will sneak into Prince Phillip’s chambers and tell him everything—about Bianca, about herself, and about the dangers lurking in Eldermere.

She glance at the locket around her neck, her fingers brushing over its golden surface. For the first time in days, she allows herself to think about the prince, about the warmth in his eyes and the kindness in his smile. She realizes, with a pang of longing, that she has fallen in love with him.

Tears prick her eyes, but she wipes them away, steeling herself for what she has to do. “You deserve the truth,” she whispers to the locket, as if speaking to him directly.

With trembling hands, she writes a short note, tucks it into a pouch, and slips it around the raven’s leg. She whispers a prayer as she sends the bird into the night, carrying her message to her mother.

Once the raven disappears into the darkness, Jasmine stands, her resolve unshakable. She will face the prince, and she will face whatever consequences comes after. She refuse to be a pawn in Bianca’s twisted game any longer.