Page 23 of Cursed By Gold

“Thank you! How did you know?” I ask eagerly.

He shrugs as if it’s no big deal. “You know me. I have connections everywhere, even at court. Word travels quickly when something like this happens. Anyway, I’m here on Fairy Godmother’s behalf. She wanted me to deliver this message to you directly.”

I wait for him to hand me a letter or really anything, but he doesn’t. Arms crossed, I huff, “Where is it?”

He laughs and shakes his head, “You’re too easy.” He leans forward and whispers in my ear, “You’re not the only GGG member competing for the crown. She sent in another girl too.”

“What?!” I yell before remembering I don’t want to draw my family’s attention to the kitchen. “What do you mean, another girl?” I mutter angrily.

“To be fair, you’ve missed your opportunity twice. Perhaps you can work together and accomplish the job.”

“I can’t do that! You know I need the full payment for this job. Who is she sending?”

With a twinkle in his eye, he shakes his head no, “You know I don’t have those details. Even if I did, do you really think I would tell you?”

I kick the toe of my shoe into the stone floor, frustrated. “That does sound like something you would do.”

“One more thing,” he adds as he reaches into his pocket. “Fairy Godmother asked me to give you these.” He goes into another pocket and pulls out a small pouch containing two items—a silver needle to test for poisons and a small throwing dart.

A smile spreads across my face. If she is sending these to me, she expects this to turn deadly.

“Anything else?” I ask.

“She is offering help.”

“What kind of help?”

“Someone to fill in your role here while you are busy elsewhere.”

I don’t know quite how to react to that. On the one hand, it would make things much easier. I could focus entirely on the trial. On the other, would stepmother allow it?

“In exchange for what?”

“I don’t know. She didn’t say.”

“Fine, I accept.”

“Don’t act so pleased.”

I roll my eyes. “You have no idea what that will mean for whoever she hires.”

“Who said anything about hiring? I heard it’s an inside job.”

Eyes wide, I stare at him, not entirely sure what he means. “An inside job? You mean someone already in the guild?”

Lucius nods. “That’s what I heard. But don’t ask me for details. I don’t know who it is.”

I can’t help but feel a little uneasy about this. Who could Fairy Godmother have possibly found to fill in for me? And what did they want in exchange for their help? But with the tournament looming, I don’t have time to dwell on it. I have to focus on winning, no matter what it takes.

“Thank you for passing on the message,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm. “And for the gifts. I’ll be sure to use them well”

Lucius grins. “I have no doubt you will. Good luck, Scarlet.”

With that, he slips out the kitchen door and disappears into the night. I turn back to the kitchen, my head buzzing with everything that has just transpired.

Deep breaths, Scarlet. Dinner first. Plotting can be saved for later. I need to focus on the immediate tasks at hand despite feeling uneasy about Fairy Godmother finding someone to fill in for me

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