"What do you wish to gain from this information?" the Duke asked, his tone calm but sharp as ever.
Celestira took a slow sip of her tea before setting the cup down. A faint smile played on her lips.
"I would like to manage the ducal household's finances, Your Grace."
The Duke raised a brow. "So you wish to take control of the ducal household?" He flipped through the account book, each page rustling like judgment.
Celestira tilted her head innocently. "Oh my! Of course not. I only wish to be of help to this household." Her voice carried a quiet determination that didn't match her gentle smile.
The Duke continued scanning the pages. "I knew about the embezzlement soon after it began."
Celestira froze. Her eyes flickered with surprise. "Then why did you not do anything about it?"
"I had no proof," he said flatly. "I hadn't checked the account book myself. I didn't think she would be foolish enough to leave such obvious trails."
Celestira chuckled softly. "Sometimes the people we think are smart turn out to be the most foolish."
The Duke finally shut the book with a quiet thud.
"That might be the case."
Celestira rose gracefully and performed a curt bow. "I shall take my leave, Your Grace."
Before stepping out, she turned slightly, her tone calm but firm.
"Oh—and please keep it a secret that it was I who reported the embezzlement."
The Duke gave a single nod.
The door clicked shut, and silence filled the study once more.
The Duke leaned back in his chair, exhaling softly.
She's changed.
Walking toward the window, he thought,
Usually, she'd cry or beg for forgiveness… but this time, she used her tears as a weapon.
He sighed.
She's growing up. But even so, she can't escape the fate of being a pawn... her pawn.
---
Celestira walked briskly through the corridor toward the Duchess's chambers.
Loud shouting echoed from within.
Half the soldiers were tearing through the room; the other half were restraining the Duchess. Alicia sat in a corner, crying helplessly.
It was pure chaos.
Celestira hid behind a marble pillar, quietly watching the scene unfold.
"Madam, please cooperate," one soldier said, struggling to hold the Duchess still.
"We have orders to place you under arrest by the Duke's command."
"I am not Madam! I am Your Grace! And I will not be going to the dun—"
"WE FOUND IT!" a soldier yelled from inside.
Alicia ran in, her face pale, and collapsed as she saw the piles of gold and letters of exchange scattered across the floor.
Moments later, Sir Joseph—the Captain of the Knights—strode in, his golden hair glinting in the sunlight, blue eyes cold and commanding.
"Take her away," he ordered.
Sir Joseph... Celestira thought. If I remember correctly, he was the one who saved me from the fire at the greenhouse, rose told me
She took one last glance at the chaos—the Duchess screaming, the soldiers dragging her away, Alicia sobbing—and turned on her heel.
Elfonso, she thought with a smirk, our next step in revenge is-
To be continued...