The Plan (1)

Anne’s voice was shaky as she said, “I’m not feeling well. I will go back.” She left quickly, leaving behind an uneasy silence. Although the Queen agreed to her request, her heart was very uneasy.

Once Anne was gone, Amir turned to his mother in frustration. “Mother, don’t send Charlotte Hart back. The girl is a devil—”

Before he could finish, his mother slapped him hard across the face. She was so angry that words could not cover it. “You fool! What were you thinking? You brought Nicholas Hart’s wife here? Of all people, why?”

Amir rubbed his cheek, still shocked by the slap. His relationship with his mother was always sore but not to the point of his mother using violence against him. He whispered, “She’s Belrose’s daughter.”

His mother’s eyes narrowed. “Do you really think I don’t know what you are trying to do?” She stepped closer, her voice filled with anger. “Amir, you need to learn your lesson before it’s too late. Belrose and her daughter are off-limits! I have been warning