Villains also get Second chance

Cassius pov

I walked to the physician's room with hasty footsteps. I wanted to send her in the carriage before she got her consciousness. Though it was a risky plan, it could bring best results. Not only nobles would think that she was forced by her father, she would be proved crazy too.

"Roselia, make sure that no one would see you in the carriage. They must think that you left after escorting her and she had ordered to go to the marquees palace by herself and then she had created a scene there.`` I instructed the girl who nodded her head and continued to follow me.

"How is her condition?" I asked the physician as I entered the room. 

Isabella was laying on the bed there. She was still looking unconscious. But I could not trust her, maybe it was just an act to get out of here.

"Your highness, the lady had taken strong drugs. Her mind is numb. But after some rest she would be fine." said the man and I nodded.

"It is better that we send her to marquess palace in case they would blame us later for not taking proper care of their daughter. Can she travel?" I asked back, the physician looked hesitant but nodded his head.

"Well, she is sleeping so there wouldn't be any problem if the carriage is comfortable enough for her rest." he replied as he looked at my sharp look that was boring holes into him.

"Good, then let me prepare for her departure." I replied and turned to leave. 

Roselia helped Isabella and took her to the carriage behind me.

I looked at the two knights that had come with her.

"Both of you, listen to me." I called them as Roselia helped in settling Isabella into the carriage. And came out as she stood in front of me. 

"Your mistress is sick and wants to go home. So Roselia has helped her.`` Then I looked at Roselia who nodded and left the ground. 

"Escort her well and take care of her health. But do not disturb her in the carriage." I ordered and they nodded, "Now go, why are you still standing here?" I rebuked them and they both left with hurried footsteps

After climbing their horses they signaled for the carriage to start.

I looked at the carriage which passed through the entrance. I just hope Roselia was in the carriage and did her mission properly.

"Your highness" 

"Yes, Ian?"

"Shall I take the duchess's duties for the meantime?" he asked, and I looked at him. He was behaving strangely since the day he had returned.

Firstly he developed a strong affinity from the chamber area and now her office.

"Sure, since I am busy. You would be the perfect candidate to handle her office." I nodded but he was still standing there hesitantly.

"Is there anything else?" I asked, raising a brow. The man who used to rub my mistakes on my face without batting an eyelid was hesitating! Interesting!

"Umm, since I am the one handling the office of her highness. I can order the staff to do their duties properly and manage them too. Right?" he asked the obvious and I frowned.

"Did any staff disrespect you or are they suspicious?" I asked in a grave tone but instead of replying he laughed awkwardly.

Looking at my sharp eyes he finally shook his head.

"There is nothing like that, your highness. I was just confirming what powers did I have!?" he said as he looked around. 

This was one of the few times that he did not look into my eyes and I knew that instant that he was hiding something. Yet I nodded and let the matter go. Doubting him was like doubting myself.

"Alright then, handle the matter wisely. And if you need any advice i am always here.'' I said to him finally and then left toward my office, leaving him right there.

"Francis"

"Yes, your highness"

"Did the diplomats say anything further?" I asked and he nodded his head.

"They continued gossiping about Marquees Wiltshire all the way to the carriage, your highness, '' he said in a low voice.

"Good, how much do our maids gossip?" I asked and he shook his head.

"How could that be? Our maids are efficient, your highness. They all are trusted ones. They would never disclose anything that happened in the palace." 

"Tsk.. then how would rumors catch fire? Make sure that most of the maids and servants who were there pass the conversation to the others. Send them out of the palace for menial work and let them talk there. If they did not mix your own people dressed as maids and let them spread the rumors.

I want the whole empire to talk about how Isabella insulted me and how Marquees Wiltshire is forcing her daughter into marriage so that she could take advantage of my post.

And when the fire spread well, the news about the letters and all the word deeds done by my marquess should spread too.

Not a single dirt should be left. Make sure that he would be covered with mud from head to toe.'' I said in an authoritative voice as the man wiped his sweat but nodded.

"I will make sure to do the task personally, your highness" he bowed his head and with that he left the office.

'You would not even be able to leave your palace marquees, I will make sure that the pressure would be so much that you would be summoned to the court and then we would see how you would be saved this time. 

The nobility you are so proud of, I would make sure that not a single noble would stand for you when you would be insulted by the whole empire.' I sighed as I looked at the portrait of Killian, he could be the only weakness of this whole plan. I would have to make sure that he would stay unscathed when the fire spreads around.