20:The Puppeteer's Plan. Ophelia's Pov

The chilly weather made me think of Mason, snuggling into his arm on the bed, naked and under the duvet. But I was outside, with two maids, undercover, looking for where Fiona resided.

 To tame a Lion, you have to know the Lion's weakness. Fiona wasn't going to make my work easier in the Mansion and I was determined to break her wing, make her my puppet. Voila!

 A background check said Fiona lived in Taris, a small rural area inside Tadley, located at the outskirts of the town.

 Here I was in Taris, determined to know where Fiona lived. Amidst polluted air, purely rural areas, unfriendly faces that looked like they were going to gnaw at you. The ground was white with snowflakes. I wrapped myself better with my oxblood cloak as we prowled along the street.

 "Hello, I'm sorry but does Fiona live here?" I stopped a frail-looking young boy. His look was tired, I guessed he must be hungry.

 "Fiona? She's not around." He calmly replied.

 "Oh. But do you know where she lives? I'm a friend of hers."

 I was surprised when the boy looked at me as if I've uttered some ridiculous statements. I tilted my head in a questioning look.

 "Can I have some bread? I'm hungry ma'am." He asked, completely ignoring my question.

 "Oh. I've got no food with me." I tried to smile, apologetically.

 "Fiona has no friends here. Everyone is careful of her. She lives in the third corner street by your left, you'll see her house. But she isn't around, only her poor mother is."

 "Thank you."

 The boy made to leave, I stopped him and pressed some euro note into his hand. "Get food with this."

 He surveyed the money for a while, then gave a slight smile. "Thank you ma'am."

 After the boy departed, I followed his instructions to where Fiona lived.

 We were in front of a small cottage, old and creaky. It seemingly looked deserted. The only place not covered with bushes was the path we took. The house was literally covered in bushes. I was unsure to step inside but I had to find a way into Fiona's gut. I needed to do this.

 The floor board winced painfully as we stepped on the veranda. I made three quick knocks then waited for an answer.

 No answer.

 Another knock again, this time accompanied with my voice saying; "is anyone inside?"

 No reply.

 I tried to peep through the small window to check who might be inside. A small view gave an insight of a very rugged living room, an old curtain merely hanging around, two wooden stools standing in front of the kitchen counter, a very worn out sofa decorated by cobwebs. Dust plastered on everything it could settle on.

 I didn't need to think twice. Nobody lived here. It was deserted. Not a single soul had lived here for the past months. I presumed.

 I was beginning to wonder who was lying. Fiona or the boy. There was something awfully suspicious of that little boy. The way he hesitated before giving the answer to my question, the surprise gaze at me when I mentioned I was Fiona's friend. It was almost as if he knew I would be coming.

 But that wasn't possible. Fiona couldn't have possibly informed the whole village I would be coming?

 I turned to the other maids. "No one's here." I just announced casually and made to leave.

 Faint rustling behind me and I turned back. The plants were dancing as if someone was walking through. 

 "Hello?" I sounded.

 A cackling hen appeared in view looking at us like intruders that we were, later, it went away on its own, scavenging for food. I heaved in relief and made to go again but my eyes caught just a little hut, somewhere inside the bush.

 I bit my lips hard at my decision to go near there. What danger could this curiosity of mine cause? There was no bear in Tadley, well, except the forest. And this wasn't no forest.

 I sauntered towards the hut taking note of the surroundings and any possible danger. Now in front of the hut, the entrance was partially opened, a faint smoke rose up from the back and I went to check.

 A very frail looking woman struggled to get the fire started, she was worn out and had a tired expression like the look on the boy's face. I wondered why she chose to live in a place located inside bushes, away from other people.

 Hello ma'am." I started off politely.

 She didn't reply, but her look gave me an insight on what she might be thinking in her mind.

 "My name is Ophelia. Fiona's friend." I moved further with a friendly smile.

 I was beginning to think she was mute, she said nothing in response, then continued what she was doing.

 I was taken by surprise. If Fiona mentioned Taris as a place she currently resides in, does she think I won't stoop that low to go look for it? Petty wasn't enough words to describe my act.

 "Does Fiona live here?" I asked again. 

 No response.

 Maybe she was indeed mute, but can't be deaf. She definitely heard us coming from behind her, hence she looked back. It was the abrupt turn of her head, her curious gaze and fallen expression when I mentioned Fiona.

 "Are you Fiona's mother?" 

 She ignored me and continued setting the fire. I was pissed at this indignation but I maintained calm. Extracting information wasn't going to be easy in the first place.

 Honestly, when I set out of the Mansion, it was on a gossip intention against Fiona. I needed to remind her of her place,I needed to know how bad she wanted to leave her slum, her pathetic life. And I wanted to use that against her. I was going to give her a sneak peak of what Lila enjoyed, the power, the attention, the princess treatment. Then when she'd had a taste of everything, I'd suspend that life on a cliff, threatening to take it away from her if she didn't bow to my whims. 

 I wasn't sure how it would turn out but it wasn't going to be easy. Once I've gotten Fiona under my arm, everything else would flow smoothly.

 A distant shriek brought me back to reality. A voice was constantly shouting "mother." From afar. It was sonorous, deep and strongly familiar. I tried to connect the loop as it neared, my eyes went out into the bush. 

 Could that be…Mason?