Free Web NovelThe ancestral home of the Schwartz Family was located in the aristocratic district in the west of Victoria.
It was an ancient three-story building with dark gray stone exterior walls covered in ivy.
The leaves of the vines had already turned yellow and withered in the winter, yet they still clung tightly to the walls like some sort of stubborn obsession.
The architectural style was typical Imperial Classical—towering spires, narrow windows, and window frames carved with intricate patterns.
The main entrance consisted of heavy double oak doors inlaid with brass decorations, and at the center was the Schwartz Family crest: a black rose entwined in thorns, with three drops of blood on its petals.
Pavela stood before the door.
She looked up at the building.
She had lived in Victoria for quite some time now.
But this was the first time she had ever come to the Schwartz Family's ancestral home.
Previously, Eleanor had taken her to live in a manor that Eleanor had purchased herself.
That place was more modern, more comfortable, and more... private.
But this place was different.
This was the true heart of the Schwartz Family.
It was where the foundation of this family had resided for centuries.
The door was pushed open.
An elderly butler stood inside the door, wearing an impeccable black tailcoat, his hair combed neatly, his face devoid of any unnecessary expression.
“Miss Eleanor, Miss Pavela.”
He bowed slightly.
“The Marquise is waiting for you.”
Pavela followed Eleanor inside.
The foyer was very spacious.
The floor was black and white marble, polished so well it could reflect one's shadow.
Oil paintings hung on the walls on both sides, all of them portraits of the successive heads of the Schwartz Family.
The frames were heavy gilded wood, reflecting a dull luster under the light of the gas lamps.
There was a particular scent in the air.
Beeswax, wood, and a certain ancient smell that had settled over time.
Well, from Pavela's perspective, it smelled a bit like mold.
A... moldy smell that felt very historical.
Pavela's gaze swept over those portraits.
The people in every painting wore clothing from different eras.
But their eyes were all the same.
Ice-blue.
Cold, sharp, carrying a certain unquestionable majesty.
The eyes of the Schwartz Family.
She thought of Eleanor's eyes.
They were also this color.
But in Eleanor's eyes, besides coldness, there was often something else.
“Miss, this way please.”
The butler's voice interrupted her thoughts.
They crossed the foyer and walked up the stairs.
The stairs were made of dark oak, the handrails carved with patterns of vines and roses.
Every step would let out a slight creak when stepped upon.
The corridor on the second floor was even deeper and more secluded.
The gas lamps on the wall were spaced far apart, the light dim, casting circles of warm yellow halos on the carpet.
The butler stopped before a door.
He knocked on the door.
“Marquise, Miss Eleanor and Miss Pavela have arrived.”
“Come in.”
A voice came from inside the room.
Calm, majestic, and unquestionable.
The butler pushed open the door and stepped aside.
Pavela followed Eleanor inside.
This was a study.
It was very large.
Three walls were bookshelves, extending from the floor all the way to the ceiling, filled with books.
The covers of some books had already faded, and dust had accumulated on some of the spines, but every single one was neatly arranged. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
The fourth wall was a massive floor-to-ceiling window.
Outside the window was the garden of the Schwartz Family.
In winter, most of the plants in the garden had withered, leaving only bare branches and grayish-brown earth.
A wide desk was placed in front of the window.
Made of dark wood, its surface was as smooth as a mirror.
On the desk sat a kerosene lamp, several documents, and an ink bottle inlaid with gemstones.
Marquise Schwartz sat behind the desk.
She wore a deep purple gown, with black lace trimming the collar and cuffs.
Her hair was wound into an exquisite bun, adorned with pearls and silver ornaments.
Almost no wrinkles could be seen on her face; she was extremely well-maintained.
But those eyes.
Ice-blue eyes.
At this moment, they were even sharper than Eleanor's.
“Eleanor.”
She spoke.
Her voice was calm.
“Sit.”
Eleanor sat in the chair opposite the desk.
Pavela stood beside her.
The Marquise's gaze lingered on Pavela for a second.
Then it moved back to Eleanor.
“The Army General Staff wants you to report for duty.”
She said.
It wasn't a question.
It was a statement.
“Yes, Mother.”
Eleanor nodded.
“They will give you a new mission.”
The Marquise continued.
“It is likely to be investigating the cause of Dr. Lovelace's death.”
“Or tracking down the whereabouts of the Soul-Eater Sword.”
“Or perhaps—”
She paused for a moment.
“Hunting down the so-called ghost of caldberg.”
Eleanor did not speak.
She just listened quietly.
“Regardless of what mission they give you.”
The Marquise said.
“You are to accept it.”
“However—”
Her tone grew slightly heavier.
“You must remember one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Maintain your sense of propriety and posture.”
The Marquise said.
“Although in principle, the stance of the Schwartz Family is consistent with the Army General Staff.”
“We support the pro-peace faction.”
“We support ending this war.”
“However—”
Her finger tapped lightly on the desk.
“We will not sacrifice the family's interests for the sake of so-called peace.”
Eleanor nodded.
“I ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) understand.”
“It's good that you understand.”
The Marquise said.
“The situation is very complex right now.”
“The Pro-war faction lost Duchess Erwina, but they have instead gained a strong hand of cards.”
“The pro-peace faction still has the advantage in parliament, but they have lost Dr. Lovelace and crucial evidence.”
“Both sides are currently in a state of balance.”
“Whoever breaks the balance first will win.”
She paused.
“So you must be careful.”
“Extremely careful.”
“Do not give the Pro-war faction any opportunities.”
“And do not let the Army General Staff make any foolish decisions.”
The corner of Eleanor's mouth twitched.
“Mother, are you asking me to both follow the orders of the General Staff and supervise them at the same time?”
“Exactly.”
The Marquise said.
There was no hint of a joke in her tone.
“You are a member of the Schwartz Family.”
“In necessary circumstances, the family will provide you with all the support you need.”
“Enough for you to influence their thinking.”
Eleanor was silent for a moment.
Then she nodded.
“I will.”
“Very good.”
The Marquise said.
Then her gaze turned toward Pavela.
“Pavela.”
She said.
Pavela looked up.
She met those ice-blue eyes.
“Yes, Mother.”
“You stay.”
The Marquise said.
“I have something to say to you alone.”
Eleanor's body stiffened slightly.
She turned her head and looked at Pavela.
A trace of hesitation flashed through her ice-blue eyes.
“Mother—”
She spoke.
“Eleanor.”
The Marquise interrupted her.
Her tone was still calm, but it carried an unquestionable majesty.
“I only wish to talk to Pavela about family matters.”
“It won't be long.”
Eleanor looked at Pavela.
Her eyes held an inquiry.
Pavela gave her a small smile.
“It's fine, Sister.”
She said.
“I'll come find you after I'm done talking with Mother.”
Eleanor's brow furrowed.
Her fingers tapped lightly on the armrest.
Hesitation.
Obvious hesitation.
“Eleanor.”
The Marquise said once more.
This time, her tone was even more firm.
“The generals at the Army General Staff are waiting for you.”
“Do not keep them waiting for long.”
Pavela gently squeezed Eleanor's hand.
“Go on.”
She said.
“I'm really okay.”
Eleanor looked at her.
She looked for a long time.
Then she let out a sigh.
She stood up.
“Then I'll head to the General Staff first.”
She said.
There was a trace of reluctance in her voice.
“I'll come back to pick you up tonight.”
“Mm.”
Eleanor walked to the door.
She paused for a moment.
She turned her head and gave Pavela another look.
Then she pushed open the door.
And walked out.
The door was gently closed.
Only Pavela and the Marquise remained in the study.
The Marquise did not speak immediately.
She just looked at Pavela.
That gaze was very calm.
But beneath the calmness, there was a sharp scrutiny hidden.
Pavela did not shy away.
She also looked at the Marquise.
Her expression was calm.
The silence lasted for about ten seconds.
Then the Marquise spoke.
“Sit.”
She said.
Pavela sat down in the chair.
The Marquise's gaze lingered on her for a moment.
Then she picked up a document from the desk.
She flipped it open.
“I have heard everything about the events in Eisenburg.”
She said.
“The fire in the Old City.”
“Your association organized students to conduct rescue operations.”
She looked up and gazed at Pavela.
“This matter was done very well.”
Pavela was momentarily stunned.
“Thank you, Mother.”
She said.
“And the defensive battle in the Underground Storage Area.”
The Marquise continued.
“You alone repelled fifty-seven enemies.”
“You protected the sleeper.”
“And you also protected Eleanor.”
Her finger tapped lightly on the document.
“Someone stated in the report that the combat strength you displayed far exceeded expectations.”
She paused.
“I am very satisfied.”
Pavela did not speak.
She just listened quietly.
“The Schwartz Family does not keep useless people.”
The Marquise said.
“That is our family rule.”
“But you—”
Her tone softened slightly.
“You have proven your worth.”
“Not just as Eleanor's sister.”
“But as a member of the Schwartz Family.”
She closed the document.
And set it aside.
“Therefore, I am now going to give you a more important mission.”
She said.
Pavela's expression also became serious.
“What mission?”
The Marquise did not answer immediately.
She stood up.
She walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.
Her back was to Pavela.
“Do you know Victoria von Hohenheim?”
She asked.
Pavela nodded.
“I do.”
“She is my friend.”
“She has gone missing.”
The Marquise said.
Pavela's pupils contracted slightly.
“What?”
The Marquise turned around.
She looked at her.
“Your mission is to find her location at the fastest possible speed and rescue her.”
