Free Web NovelChapter 64: Ace Is So Worried
If the plot was discovered, all the evidence pointed directly to Baron Snow, effectively cleansing the Alvarez name of her toxic family while Isabella remained the untouchable female general.
[System Analysis: Target Isabella identified as the probable true mastermind behind the assassination attempt.]
[Current Status: Target Isabella possesses great loyalty from the Northern high council. Publicly exposing her with only Lila’s testimony will result in a backlash and a 40% loss in global influence due to lack of hard physical evidence.]
The System’s analysis merely confirmed what Evelina had already deduced.
And it was not like she was going to expose Isabella impulsively.
If she walked into the council hall and accused the celebrated female general based on the word of a low-ranking maid and a ring that belonged to her own father, the nobility would laugh her out of the room.
They would say that she was hysterically fabricating things out of jealousy. Ace himself would probably be caught in an impossible crossfire.
So, for now, Evelina would just bide her time.
Thinking of that, she looked down at the weeping Lila.
Evelina pulled out a thick stack of gold voucher and slid it across, letting it drop right in front of the maid’s tear-stained face.
"This is the amount of your brother’s debt, plus a substantial surplus," Evelina said coldly, "You will take this money to the underground ring tomorrow, pay off the debt, and then return to whoever delivered that powder to you. You will then tell them... that the poison failed only because I didn’t drink enough, but that I am currently feeling unwell and bedridden in my quarters."
Lila stopped crying, her eyes widening to the size of saucers as she stared at the glittering gold voucher.
She looked up at Evelina, completely shocked by the turn of events,"Y-Your Grace? You are... you are paying my debt?"
"I can get you hanged right away but there is no profit in that for the both of us. Since you seem well trained enough to try to poison me, I think using you would be for the best," Evelina stated calmly.
"Starting today, your salary is doubled. But you no longer work for the House of Alvarez. You work for me. You will report every letter and every single contact that Lady Isabella’s camp attempts to make within this manor. You will be my eyes in the servants’ quarters,’’ Evelina added.
"L-Lady Isabella?" The maid stammered, visibly in disbelief.
Evelina leaned down, her fingers catching the maid’s chin, forcing her head up, "Do not mistake my lack of a punishment for mercy, Lila. If you betray me a second time, there won’t be a debt to pay anymore. Do you understand?"
The young maid shivered.
"I... I understand. I swear on my life, Your Grace! I will be completely loyal..." Lila cried out.
In a world where nobles treated servants like disposable pawns, Evelina had looked past her crime, solved her family’s ruin, and given her a purpose. There was no way she could betray a master like this... because that would only lead to her death.
[System Notification!]
[Hidden objective completed: Subvert the Spy] frёewebηovel.cѳm
[Unlocked Feature: The Silk Web; Private Intelligence Network.]
Evelina watched as the maid scrambled to her feet, clutching the gold voucher to her chest as if it were a holy relic, bowing so low her forehead nearly touched the floor before scurrying away to clean up the shattered porcelain.
Left alone in the quiet morning nook, Evelina leaned back on the chair, with a myriad of deep thoughts swirling in her eyes.
...
In the master bedroom, Ace stood with his hands clasped tightly behind his back.
At this moment, the door to his room swung open. But he still did not move an inch.
He had spent the last four hours in the training courtyard, his broadsword striking the iron-weighted dummies until his knuckles bled under his leather gloves, yet the gruelling physical exertion had done absolutely nothing to numb the storm raging in his chest.
The memory of the previous night continued twisting in his heart like a dagger.
Evelina’s words and her indifference replayed in his mind like a mockery. He had tried everything to break through her walls and get a small reaction out of her; he had allowed Isabella to be paraded around the manor, he had publicly handed over domestic authority, he had stood by as the council minimized Evelina’s efforts.
And she still did not bother to complain to him or even look for him.
Hearing the footsteps approaching closer and a familiar fragrance envelop him, Ace turned around slowly.
"You summoned me, Your Grace?" she asked calmly, her voice had gone even more professional than how it was days ago.
She stood exactly three feet away from the mahogany desk, maintaining that cold distance that kept him completely at arm’s length.
Ace’s chest tightened, a familiar ache flaring behind his ribs.
He stepped away from the window, his long strides carrying him toward her. He looked haggard, the dark circles under his eyes contrasting sharply with the silver embroidery of his tunic.
"Is it true?" Ace asked suddenly.
Evelina raised a brow.
"The matter about the poison..." Even as hespoke, Ace’s eyes kept scanning her from head to toe as if he was scared that she would hide if she was unwell, "I heard about it... You... Was it true?"
Ace’s fingers curled into a fist, a tremble accompanying his voice as he questioned her.
Evelina’s emerald eyes flicked to him, "There is no need to worry. I have handled the situation. I don’t need any help from you."
So, it was true...
Ace avoided her aloof words, letting the meaning sink into his heart. It was true. She was almost poisoned.
She...
Ace stepped towards her.
Evelina took a small step back, still fully composed.
Helpless and hurt, Ace stopped in his tracks, biting his bottom lips, "Are you... Are you fine...?"
"As you can see," As if to prove her point, Evelina even did a little twirl.
