"By the way, how much longer will you be staying in Green Lake City? The negotiation meetings have been intermittent all week, and the newspapers haven't published a recent schedule. I've noticed Galina hasn't attended as often as before, either. Didn't The Church decide to have the delegation leave this place so they could focus entirely on dealing with Green Lake?"
Shade asked. The Duchess nodded.
"The Church's arrangements have already begun.
Tomorrow night, a grand banquet will be held at this manor. Everyone involved in these negotiations, including Kasonlik's representatives, will attend. Afterward, I'll invite Margaret Anjou to stay the night.
The day after tomorrow, which is Sunday, Margaret Anjou and I will be involved in a major 'accident' together, forcing the negotiations to come to a halt. I already have the plan, Shade. Remember to attend the banquet tomorrow. Also, if something happens to me, don't step in to rescue me. Everything has been arranged."
After saying that, she worried Shade might not understand.
"The day after tomorrow, Margaret Anjou and I will take a carriage from Rose Manor to City Hall. A great many citizens will be watching along the route. When I reach out the window to say hello, someone will shoot me."
"Why does that sound so familiar? Last summer..."
The young ladies in the room all laughed. Last summer, Queen Diana had encountered a similar assassination attempt. Shade had raced through several streets to shield her from that fatal bullet.
"Margaret was invited because neither country truly wants a war to break out over this. If we are attacked together, it will be much easier to blame a third party rather than claim that Kasonlik's Gray Gloves planned the incident."
Leisha explained. As for why it had to be Margaret rather than someone else,