I've overheard the Imperial Family planning my marriage to the Northern Empire's Crown Prince. Too many times. I need to hurry up my plan.
A year. That's all I have.
My first step: Buy an information guild. Creating one takes long. Setting the base, creating word of it. Too much to do, too little time. I have to find one that is on the verge of having its last breath in this breath-filled world.
I ring for my maid, Jenny.
Auburn hair with brown eyes. Plain enough that she won't be noticed. She should know at least a bit but will she help me?
I'm going to need some incentive to make this work.
"Jenny, find me an information guild on the brink of collapse and do it fast."
"Now, my lady, why should I do that?"
I need her to be on my side but I shouldn't let her get away with talking back to me. She'll value her greed above her pride. I need the point that I'll give her something to come out on top rather than scolding her on talking back to me. I'll have to make it subtle then.
"Why would I tell you to do that without giving you anything? You're my precious servant that will help me with anything I want. But I'm not so cruel to make you do things for me without an incentive."
"... Yes, my lady. But when should I expect this incentive... my lady?"
How fast her tune changed. She must be in dire need of money. Or she just might be a greedy person with no limits in sight. The exact person that I need.
"Whenever and whatever you want, it'll be there in my jewelry case." With a softer tone, I say,"Now, go and hurry. Find out as much as you can about the owner. Secrets. Death threats. Family. Tell me."
She quietly nods and leaves. But she doesn't forget to peek inside my jewelry case and take a necklace thats costs at least 10 gold.
The more she takes the better. If she keeps it out in the open all the better. The maids will ask her where she got it and she won't tell. Even if she does, it doesn't harm me at all. If the maids know that I'm kind, very kind with incentives, they might just help me more.
I even have a contingency plan.
I'll report the missing jewelry to my dear, 'loving' father. Watch his pride being beaten when he hears a thief breached his 'precious' daughter's quarters. I'll suggest the other maids might be involved. He'll either kill them or put them in the dungeon. Then I blame all of it on Jenny. After all, she will be my messenger. The bridge. Between me and the staff.
I've struck my move on this chessboard.
Now, it's up to the Imperial Family. We'll see how interesting they make this game of chess become.