floor. The soft murmur of the household staff echoed faintly beyond the door, but her focus was inward. Her ha

life, her body unscarred by time, her face unlined by the burdens of the betrayals she would face.

uasive. That voice had once been a comfort, a melody she had cherished. Now, it was a jagged shard

lightly. "You've been hard to find t

him five years before her death-charming, confident, and utterly duplicitous. His dark eye

trading routes to the western provinces have been yieldin

t trading empire never rests, does it? You work too hard, Elain

of how he had wormed his way into her trust the first time, convin

ied, her voice sweet but firm. "But s

wore a gown of deep emerald green, her golden hair perfectly coiffed. Her beauty was m

rated warmth, crossing the room to embrace her. "Yo

e, her face an unreadable mask. "I've been preocc

xchange between them did not go unnoticed by Elaine. They were already conspiring,

with feigned admiration. "But don't forget to enjoy yourself.

right, as always. Perhaps I'll

the calculation behind his eyes. "That would

charade, the effort it took to smile and converse with the very people who had plot

Her family's wealth and influence were rooted in their ability to control the flow of goods between provinces and beyond. But the poli

to sow discord and seize power. Elaine realized she needed to solidify her al

merchant named Gérard Lefevre. Gérard had always been loyal, though she had often dismisse

nd inquisitive. "Lady Elaine," he said wit

reviewing our trade agreements and noticed some discrepancies

The southern routes have always been profitable, but there have

y-it had been orchestrated by Edmond and Lúcia as part of thei

curity on the southern routes and investigate any

ion thoughtful. "You've changed, my lady

I've learned the cost of hesitation, Géra

rategy pressing down on her. The banquet was a perfect opportunity to observe her enemies

both elegance and authority, she felt the eyes of the guests upon her. Edmond and Lúc

ation. She spoke with Lord Alaric, a powerful ally who had remained loyal to her family in her past

uests had arrived, their leader a rugged man with sharp features and a commanding presence. Elaine r

l it landed on her. He smiled, a predator sizing up his prey. "Lady Elaine," he said,

nd was racing. "Not at all, Captain

the D'Armont empire and wanted to see it for

her voice steady despit

a, noting every glance, every whispered word. The pieces of the puzzle were f

strategy as she navigated this web of deceit. The road ahead was f

pawn in their game. She would