CHAPTER 20

I HELD MY HANDS together on my lap as I sat silently. We were now in the sitting room with the rest of the Eveningstars. It seemed like the family carriage followed the Imperial Knights carriage on the way here. I sighed inwardly as I assessed the situation again.

If we start from the beginning, it all began after I had spotted Rin in the crowd. No, I mean, when Cassius approached me and right after that was the Emperor and the Second Prince's arrival. And then they announced Eilisha's presence.

The first meeting with the Emperor and Eilisha felt weird in a sense you could not explain. The emperor himself felt odd. Now that I think about it, it was like what Ebony said, the emperor didn't sound like himself, as if he was possessed or controlled.

And then that mana that bound Ebony in that room and controlled him in attacking Eilisha. Then I met the head butler outside when I arrived.

Ebony! Did you feel anything weird from the head butler?

I took the chance to communicate with Ebony while the elders were still busy discussing the reports.

"He met with someone through the back gate. And there's something weird about the bottle, master."

"Elisse, don't you really have any idea about Scarlet's whereabouts?" Eclipse asked, unconsciously cutting off Ebony's words.

I sighed softly. "Like I said, I gave her an order to send designs for my new dresses to the dressmaker earlier before we left for the ball. There's nothing weird around her, except that she has not arrived yet. What if she was being framed or used? What if she was kidnapped?" My voice wavered as I looked at him with tears brimming in my eyes.

Of course, it was an act needed to gain their sympathy. I couldn't act stubbornly, especially in front of a suspicious person here named Eilisha. Tch.

"You're being too rough on Elisse, brother. You have been acting like this since earlier. Do you think she would plan something like this when it was her first time officially meeting Eilisha?" Thanks to Kaiser, I have someone supporting my words.

Father could not do that since he is the head of the family. And the head needs to act fairly and just. So, he cannot show that he is being swayed by his daughter's frugal state.

I threw a glance at Eilisha and saw her menacing eyes glaring at me. Was she a hostile lady? But I heard from the servants before that she was a soft and gentle lady.

So why is she acting like this? Is it because she grew up away from her family? Does she see me as a threat?

"Everyone can go back now. I will fix this mess as the head of the family. No one needs to worry about this anymore."

I clenched my teeth as I looked at father. He looked haggard with all the stress quickly piling up in front of him.

Ebony. I need you to find all the information you can gain by tailing Eilisha and that butler. Be as discreet as possible and do not forget to pick up proofs if you can.

I felt him sucking up some of my mana, as if he were storing it in his tiny body.

"Yes, master." Then he disappeared from the waist part of my dress where he was clinging to just a while ago.

I sighed softly through clenched teeth as I headed out of the room. I didn't have time anymore to spare for them so I instinctively removed my presence, but others just couldn't stop bothering me.

"Elisse. Can we talk?" It was Kaiser and behind him were Eclipse and Caspian.

With a defeated sigh, I nodded my head and followed them. I saw Eilisha following me with her dagger-like stare as she was left in the sitting room with father and the knights.

I wasn't feeling that nervous, like earlier, since I somehow expected what this discussion might be. It must be about Eilisha, their favorite sister.

"Elisse, it would be best not to stay alone in one room with Eilisha. She seemed to hate you," Eclipse started.

I heard Caspian exhale sharply. He seemed frustrated at the sudden situation we are currently in. If I were him, I would feel the same way, whatever that was.

"Just stay away from her or better yet, make sure not to cross paths with her. That way, we can avoid any future conflicts between the two of you," Kaiser added.

I sighed as loudly as I could to express my frustration from their words.

"Sorry to burst your bubbles, but you don't have to tell me all these. I know that I shouldn't cross paths with her given how she can easily accuse me as a potential suspect of anything. Is that it? Can I go now?"

I wanted to talk as calmly as I can, but they annoy the hell out of me.

The look on their faces suggested how guilty they were of thinking something so unlike me, except for Caspian who only looked at me with irritation.

"We know you dislike that kind of situation. But this is only as a precaution. That lady, I mean, Eilisha, looked so sensitive that she might cry if she sees you around." And Caspian was not wrong.

"Yeah. I know that. She's the one you must warn, not me. Now if you'll excuse me. This day's quite exhausting for all of us, or just me," I uttered as I rolled my eyes.

All I needed to do was to not start a fight and maybe fight back when provoked. Whatever happens during and after that, I will make sure to gain a piece I can use to my advantage.

MORNING CAME IN A snap. My body felt heavier than before, maybe because of all the stress and pressure that surrounded me last night. Marina, as usual, helped me prepare for my morning routine.

Ebony came back late last night right after he personally planted himself in both Eilisha and Caesar's shadow. A servant knocked on my door while I was preparing and informed me about the breakfast invitation from father.

As I remembered last night's conversation with the punks, I hastily declined the invitation to join them and decided to eat on the balcony of my room.

Breakfast came quicker than I expected, and I felt reluctant to take even one bite from it. Well, the servant who served my meal was a resident servant of the mansion. Though, it was always Scarlet or Marina's job to prepare it.

"What if they added poison to my food?" I unconsciously said.

I could feel Marina's surprised reaction at the side while I remained still, staring intently at the food in front of me. I honestly felt that Eilisha would be capable enough of poisoning me, especially with the unknown heavy grudge she bears against me.

"I'll take a bite first to verify, my lady!" Marina suggested.

I shook my head. "No. I won't eat this, Marina. Leave this outside of my room. Come back quickly once you're done." I laid out my hand on the table and allowed Ebony to climb up to my shoulder.

Going outside would be dangerous, so I will have Marina do the task again. Aside from that, we must make haste for the preparations.

"What are your orders, master?" Ebony inquired.

Just focus on the first tasks I gave last night. I can handle the rest today.

Truthfully, I have been holding myself back to hide my ability since I didn't want to share it with this family. But because of this constant danger following me around, I had no other choice but to step up my game.

Once Marina was back, I handed her one of the magical stones I commissioned from the artisan store. It was crafted as a brooch with a flower engraved on it. I have already placed a spell on the brooches to avoid anyone from detecting its real purpose.

"This is for Marina. I promise to get you an exceptionally beautiful gift soon." I smiled genuinely at her.

Marina looked at me with teary eyes as she took the brooch. I can see her reluctance to take it at first, but in the end, she still received it with gratitude written on her face.

"This is quite enough, my lady. I'm thankful that you recognize my loyalty."

And then I handed another one to her. I leaned closer to level my lips to her ear. "Give this to her. And tell her not to make any movements. She can contact me through the brooch once she's healed."

Marina held the other brooch in her hand and nodded her head. "I understand, my lady."

I smiled at her and handed two envelopes to her, a white and black envelope. "I signed the contract," I said as I waved the white envelope in front of her. "Then assign the dressmaker and the guild to renovate this place. The blueprint they need to follow is inside the black envelope."

I went towards my cabinet and opened it. I took a black cloak hanging inside of it then handed it to her. "I imbued this with magic. Once you wear the hood of this cloak, your appearance will change. Use this to trick the ones who are trying to follow you."

Marina placed the things I gave to her in her sling bag, including the cloak. She's an expert in this kind of task, that's why I'm looking forward to a successful outcome.

"And when you meet the man we always see at the artisan store tell him this; letters or invitations aren't necessary. Just go through the front door and have tea with me."

It was like a code I learnt from high society's language, something to use when you're meeting someone at the same place you meet.

Marina left as soon as I dismissed her. I told her to use the reason that I was asking her for an errand regarding the dressmaker and Scarlet. That was the best excuse for her, so she won't be labeled as a suspicious person.

I want this situation to end now. This is extremely draining and annoying.