The bakery was dimly lit in the early morning, the scent of flour and cinnamon still lingering from the night before. The group sat around the back table — Colden, Marco, Francis, and Carmine's empty chair waiting like a silent promise.
A map of the palace grounds lay spread before them, dotted with notes and red markings.
Colden tapped the parchment. "We start with the kitchens. If I can get in through Marco's bakery connection, I'll have access to the lower halls."
Marco nodded. "My boss is always looking for extra hands. If I pitch you as a visiting cousin with a knack for pastries, he might take you on."
Francis leaned forward. "Good. While you two are inside, I'll begin phase one — thinning the security. Quietly. No alarms, no suspicion. Just a few guards reassigned, a few patrols rerouted."
Colden looked at him. "Can you do it without being noticed?"
Francis gave a faint smile. "I've done worse with less."
The room fell silent for a moment.
The weight of what they were about to do settled over them like dust.
Marco broke the silence. "Do you think we'll make it in time?"
No one answered right away.
Carmine finally entered, her cloak dusted with morning dew. "We have to."
She took her seat, eyes scanning the map. "I'll come in last. Once the palace is distracted, I'll slip in through the merchant's gate. I've already arranged a delivery route."
Francis nodded. "That's our window. Once the engagement ceremony begins, all eyes will be on the ballroom. But with diplomats from every nation attending, security will be suffocating."
Colden exhaled. "And Elaine…"
"She's strong," Carmine said. "But we can't leave her in that place."
Marco looked down. "Especially not with him."
The table fell quiet again.
Then Colden straightened. "We begin today. No more waiting."
Francis stood. "I'll start with the guard rotations."
Marco grabbed his apron. "I'll talk to my boss."
Carmine rolled up the map. "And I'll prepare the final route."
They each moved with purpose, but the tension clung to them like fog.
The plan had begun.
And the clock was ticking.
To be continued…