"Good," Isabella blurted, her face twitching, forming into a menacing grin. "What were they doing?" she asked, her fist curling into a ball.
"They were sitting in the gazebo and resting, your highness," Hannah responded.
"Your highness, you knew he would realise you are using sickness to pull him from Lady Elara's company."
"That is the intention: let them think I am petty, looking for small favours, and then they will basically think that is all I am capable of, just like the empress. It is such a great cover. The emperor will think I am petty, seeking favours, but never evil, capable of anything bad, because if I couldn't hide my petty jealousy, what can I hide from?" she said as Hannah nodded.
"Lady Elara will overlook me, and then I will creep up on her when she least expects it, just like I did to the empress," Isabella said.
"Is she being given the medication daily?" she asked.
"Yes, your highness. That is what Physician Paulo said."
