“I still don’t understand trying to make the world’s most powerful presidents clash against each other when the world is going to end anyway,” Margaret had to say.
“I know what I am doing. Didn’t I say don’t question me? Besides, villains always do it in James Bond movies.” She stood on a high chair, checking out her beauty in a mirror. “Do you think I look good for the end of the world?”
“If you’re planning to take a photo with you to the afterlife,” Margaret mumbled.
“I heard you,” the Queen said. “Don’t you think I’m not planning to conquer the afterlife after I conquer the world, ugly duchess.”
Margaret shrugged, having no idea what to do. She had already been angry enough, hearing what the Pillar did to her investments in Columbia, but this wasn’t the right time to teach this hookah man a lesson. She needed to deal with this crazy Queen first. What did she know that Margaret didn’t?
It must have all happened in her conversation with Carolus. If the Queen’s guards would only let her meet with this man.
“I’m ready,” the Queen chirped. “Now, did you call Fabiola?”
“Yes. She didn’t recognize my voice. I told her I was a rebelling guard from Buckingham Palace who wished the Queen’s reign would end,” Margaret said. “I told her that you are taking Carolus to Geneva, and that she and Alice have to come and save the world by killing Carolus.”
“Fantastic. I bet she took the bait.”
“Like a starving fish,” Margaret said. “She is coming here in a while.”
“Great. That’s the deal between me and Carolus. He gave me what was left of the plague so I could put in the tea in exchange for handing him this Alice girl.”
“I thought he wanted the Lullaby pill.”
“He needed the pill when he had migraines. I gave him one to ease his pain, but his real plan was to lure Alice. He first asked me for the Pillar, because he knew that the easiest way to find Alice was through the Pillar, but I told him I have faster and easier ways to get her.”
“So this whole plague was to help him find Alice?”
“Some loon, right?” The Queen grinned. “He said he wasn’t sure who the Real Alice was. That the only way he’d find her is to threaten the world’s safety.”
“I’m not following, My Queen.”
“Think about it. The Real Alice will always stand up to save the world like we were told in that prophecy. Apparently, Carolus believes in it.”
“Strange way to find the Real Alice, but he has a point. Still, why does he wants to meet her so bad?”
“Maybe he wants to kill her, but don’t ask me why. All that matters is that I get the world’s presidents into a war. And it’s always good to get rid of any girl named Alice, in case she is the real one.” She rolled her eyes.
Margaret watched the Queen enter the meeting hall. She thought it was a good idea she’d also told Fabiola the Queen’s plan. Now maybe this annoying Alice would find a heroic way to stop the Queen from her executing her plan, and then she would die in Carolus’s hands.
Now that’s what they called two birds with one stone.
Chapter 93
Pillar’s Chopper on its way to Geneva
Fabiola changes into modern clothes inside the plane.
She comes to show her formal, businesswoman dress. And she looks rather shy, or confused.
“You look good,” I say. And she does. I don’t think she realizes she has an athletic feminine-looking body. Or maybe it’s me who just doesn’t know who she was before she became a nun.
“I haven’t changed my nun’s dress in years.” She’s almost blushing. “It’s a bit uncomfortable to me.”
“You’re always beautiful, White Queen,” the March says, although he should be trying to remember the exact incident with Carolus.
“You are,” I say.
“I don’t want to look beautiful,” she says. “I want to look convincing enough that we can get through the UN’s building gates.
“Don’t worry,” the chauffeur says. “I’ve taken care of that. The Pillar sent me fake invitations for the three of you.”
This doesn’t warm Fabiola toward him though.
“I think, as much of a mystery as he is, he still tries to help,” I say.
“You don’t know him, Alice,” she says. “He shouldn’t have killed more people. You think he solved the world’s drug problem? Tomorrow, another Executioner will be born.”
“I understand.”
“This is exactly what I was talking about when I told about you staring darkness in the eyes, and not getting stained with it.”
“I think I get it. I felt so much hate and anger in Columbia, I was about to go on a rampage, too.”
“The Pillar never got it. That’s why he isn’t a good man. He wants to fight fire with fire, not admitting that he likes it.”
“I have to say he does like it.” I stretch my arms. “But forget about him. You know what I like about this moment?”
“What?”
“The three of us are on a mission together. Three more and the Inklings will be complete.”