CHAPTER XVII: SECURITY AND PLANS

Summer is near. All students are already excited in preparing for their upcoming short vacation.

After the last letter from Lady Beatrice, it was true that Zeke never received any.

There is no malicious report from the spy that he planted to the Marquees' Estate. Lady Beatrice did not even attend any parties like she used to. However, hearing the report, that the evil woman with her maid went to the market wearing commoner's cloth, was indiscernible. And after that event, accordingly, the lady never shopped any expensive dress or accessory, rather, bought advanced books and foods. She also shared some to the people in their mansion.

Further, it came to his ears that the lady was supporting a foster house near at the Grande Forest, whom she personally visiting.

Reading the contents of the report, Zeke was flabbergasted. He can't believe what was happening. Is this a phenomenon for an upcoming disaster?

It was unbelievable to just accept that evil woman will just turn into a saint for just weeks.

In the end, he made a plan...

...A plan in order for him to determine the real intention of the lady.

****-------****

"Marielle, have you prepared everything?", she asked while looking at the books whom she planned to bring on her trip at Sister Mildred's House.

"Yes, My Lady. The kids will love the desserts that we brought for them.", Marielle happily announced.

"We will depart after lunch."

"Yes, My Lady. And also, the Marquees might not be able to join you for lunch. He is still on inspection at the training grounds.

"Is that so?"

"Yes, My Lady."

"By the way, Marielle, have you had anything to report about the young heir?", she asked.

It was near summer already, and it was an opportunity for the students to get back home for a vacation. It was the same also with her brother Ronald. Thinking about it, she was a little nervous, because it will be her first time to personally meet the said brother. Fortunately, she and Ronald were frequent in exchanging letters. She never missed to reply in every letter. She told about her little stroll in the market, and also, the children in the foster house.

She never had close relationship to any opposite sex with same age in her previous life, but Ronald is genuinely sweet and loving brother. In fact, the exchange letters made her more comfortable and feel at ease on him.

"Yes, My Lady. Based on the information that the informant gathered, the young heir of Duke Aland will go for a vacation at the north where his grandmother on his mother's side residing."

North? The distance of Duke Aland and Marquees Croix' territory from the North is vast.

"That's great!", Beatrice exhilaratingly responded.

"Yes, My Lady.", Marielle agreed.

Knowing the past obsession of the lady towards him, Marielle had a hard time to believe that the Lady learned to let go the young heir. But as time goes by, the lady never mentioned or never brought up any topic about the young heir. It was only her, who always mentioned him, but the lady's response was cold and uninterested. It was, then, that she already believed that her lady was serious about giving up.

However, she was confused when the Lady ordered her to hire an informant.

"My Lady? I am sorry to ask but did you perhaps— ". Marielle was trailed off.

"No. Marielle." Beatrice cut the questioning of her maid. She already knew what the maid is trying to say.

Beatrice shook her head. "I wanted to hire an informant, not to spy or stan the ML— ehem, I mean, the young heir. If I will know at first hand his whereabouts, that will be easy for me to avoid him."

"Is that so, My Lady. Then, I will heed your order." She answered with a bow.

On the other hand, Beatrice thought that if she wanted to live peacefully, and not having her throat to be cut in the near future, she should plot a direction for her plans.

1. Avoid the male lead at all cost. Never ever bother him. It is better to live in silence than facing death and distraction of her family in the future. "I will never allow that to happen";

2. Never bullied the Heroine. She will never act as the villainess of the story as she should be;

3. She will live her life together with the mob characters.

"If only I was born as one of the mob characters." Beatrice sighed. She added that it was also a good opportunity to be born as the heroine, but thinking about having a villainess at the side, mob character is the best choice.

As Lady Beatrice in deep thought again, Marielle, who is looking at her, tilted her head in confusion. The lady was not a person that can easily read.

****-------****

"Shister Bea!", both jubilantly greeted by the twins, Mike and Miles, on her way to the house. Marielle was behind her, and followed by Caville who was holding desserts that they brought.

They were planning to have a picnic at the back of the foster house.

Hearing the loud voice of the twins, Sister Mildred went outside to welcome them.

The foster house was already renovated to a proper house for the children, and the small field at the side of the house was oozing of different kinds of vegetables. It was properly taken care off.

"Good afternoon, Lady Beatrice.", Sister Mildred greeted her with a bow.

"Good afternoon too, Sister."

The twins, who are observing, stretched and fixed their garments, and imitated Sister Mildred.

"Good afternoon, Shister Bea", they both politely gave their greetings.

"Good afternoon, Mike and Miles."

Then, they went all inside.

The twins happily announced the squash that they both harvested in the morning.

"Shister Bea. Look. Big ishquash from the garden.", proudly said by Mike.

"Shister Lily shaid that it can give money.", added by Miles.

"Money?"

"Yesh!", both responded.

"You mean that Lily will sell it?"

Unknowingly by the twins, the vegetables harvested from the foster house were bought by the Croix Family.

"Slow down, Mike and Miles. Lady Beatrice is still tired from the travel. Let her rest first.", Sister Mildred interfered.

"But?", Miles objected, and Mike pout his lips as a response.

At that time, Marielle came in. "Mike and Miles, why not help Sister Marielle to prepare our picnic?"

"Yes, I will help.", Miles with natural pinky cheeks agreed.

Mike who was inexplicably attached to Beatrice, turned his gazed to her.

"It would be nice if the picnic is already set when Sister Lily and Brother Andrew came.", she said to Mike who looked at her. The latter then smiled and positively responded.

"Me too."

The twins and Marielle together with Caville, who had the basket of desserts and other things, headed outside.

"Lady Beatrice. Thank you for your frequent visit."

"By the way, I don't see Andrew and Lily. Where are they, Sister Mildred? She finally asked.

"They headed to the farm."

"Farm. What would they need to do there?", she asked.

----

MERRY CHRISMAS MY FAIRIES!!!!

I am very happy today! Finally, my most awaited order from abroad already came, my own TATAMI CHAIR. I really love to work on the bed that caused me to have back ache. hahaha (getting old XD?)

I am just happy to share it with you all, MY fairies.

I hope you all had enjoyed the christmas with your family or friends. God bless you all. muah <3

Lovelots,

Isaiah ^_^

NOTE: I am from the philippines so tatami chair is uncommon here so the delivery period was too long.