The decision had already been made.
Aveline did not waste time mourning paths she had known were never meant to remain open forever.
The Faylinn estate loomed behind her like a shadow she had long since learned to walk away from. In a matter of weeks, she would leave it entirely—not as a runaway, not as a forgotten daughter, but as a bride sent north by royal decree.
A political marriage.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
But that was only what the royals and the Eastern nobles thought. Aveline had other plans. This might be a political move for others, but for her, this was an opportunity. An opportunity to find out what happened to Alden, to help the North in his stead, and to get the power she needed to stir things up in this damn Empire.
Aveline had a rough plan in her head ready. She can't be sure how long it will take. Maybe years or a decade. But she knew what she had to do. She would have to dig through things herself to find out what happened to Alden. His death was mysterious, yes, but not competed inscrutable. Alden was vary of some people in the North, and the fact that he died not long after he started looking into them was a clue in of itself.
The second part could be tricky. From what Aveline learned from Alden, the North was never a welcoming place for foreigners. Plus, they were very superstitious people. Aveline doubts word of her being a cursed child wouldn't have already spread there. In that case, no one would be willing to directly accept her help. She could go on a more official route, but would the officials really let her help? She doubts they'd be too stupid not to see through the royal family's plan. For them, Aveline was nothing more than a spy.
I wonder if Caelum thinks the same. What she knew of her betrothed was the rumours that everyone would have heard, and the more precise knowledge she had of him was from Alden. But that was too long ago. People are bound to change. She couldn't possibly go up to him and say "Oh I knew your brother and he thought me how to wield a sword. Small world eh?"
So Aveline had to plan out a lot of the stuff after she goes North and see for herself.
Before that day arrived, there were threads that needed tying.
**********************************************
She walked the capital streets as Mistress Evora, her hood drawn low, her presence familiar yet unremarkable to the crowds that parted instinctively for her. Her mask had now become well known to the people. The white butterfly mask had become her identity.
At her workshops, looms hummed and needles flashed with practiced speed. Women worked with quiet confidence now—heads held higher than when she had first found them in the slums.
Aveline moved through the space, her steps measured. She spent a bit of time chatting with everyone, asking them how they were and how their children were faring, before gesturing to the manager to meet her in the office.
In the office, Aveline sat quietly behind the desk as the manager closed the door behind her.
"The shop is doing well. I also read your report on the other branches. Seems like everything is going smoothly." She commented. The manager, Eve, was one of the first seamstresses she had hired. Now, she not only manages the main branch of Atelier, but also receives reports from the sub branches.
"Yes, madam."
"Anyway, I'm not here just to check in, but because I have some news. I'll be away for some time," she told the overseer calmly.
The woman frowned. "How long, my lady?"
"Not sure, to be honest. I have some new ventures I want to explore, so I might be gone a while. I'll still keep in touch though. For now, Everett will be the one checking in on things so I'm sure nothing would go wrong."
Concern flickered—but not panic. That, more than anything, told Aveline she had succeeded.
"The operations will continue as planned," Aveline said. "Production quotas remain unchanged. Payments will arrive on schedule. If issues arise, you know who to contact."
"Yes, Mistress Evora."
She didn't ask why.
Aveline understood. She was not a young girl on the brink of getting sent of for marriage here. She was a business woman. She was a boss, an owner, and a successful one at that. They would not question her.
At another location, tailors bowed respectfully as she passed, merchants greeted her with careful politeness. Contracts were reviewed. Ledgers balanced. Instructions given with quiet authority.
She was not vanishing.
She was simply stepping away from the front.
****************************
The orphanage was last.
Haven's Hearth stood warm and alive, laughter spilling into the street even before she crossed the threshold. Children ran past her, nearly colliding before skidding to a stop.
"Miss Evora!"
She smiled before she could stop herself. She greeted each child, shaking hands, pinching cheeks, ruffling hair. Aveline loved children. Their innocence was healing.
Inside, the air smelled of bread and ink and clean linen. Caretakers moved with ease. Older children helped the younger ones without being asked.
She knelt beside a small boy struggling with his letters. "And what are you doing, Jonah?"
"I'm spelling." He said, eyes fixed on the paper. Aveline only smiled and got up. Her eyes landed on three other children, adults now. While they were once the very children who needed her help, they were now grown and learned enough to manage this place without her.
"Miss Evora!" Lina spoke cheerfully, walking up to her. "What a lovely surprise." Two boys followed behind her quietly.
"Hello, My Lady." Aaron spoke, getting an elbow to the ribs. The three children, the very first she ever saved, were much more perceptive than Aveline ever thought. Or rather it was Aveline who wasn't careful enough.
It was only a few months after they had joined the orphanage that they overheard Aveline and Everett talking, finding out her real identity. They did promise never to reveal it to anyone, but Aveline was still worried. Several years later, she realizes it was a needless one.
"I'll be away for a while," she said gently.
The three of them stared at her calmly, as if already aware. "We heard." Tomas spoke.
"How?"
"Jerry.. You know the red haired child we took in a year after we came here. Well he started working at the journalist's office and heard news about the young lady of the Faylinn territory getting married. And given that you're the only young lady of the Faylinn territory, it was pretty much an easy guess."
"Ah yes Jerry. It amazes me to think you kids are all grown up." she chuckled. All of them had really grown up well, bringing joy to her heart. Lina had grown and learned not only etiquettes, but also other household tasks.
Aveline was kind of disappointed at first, having seen a young girl to the typical leaning. But she found out later that the only reason Lina did that was because she wanted to work for Aveline in the future as her maid. Aveline did tell her that she didn't plan on having a maid in the future. "What's the point of all this money if you can't even hire someone to do stuff for you. And if you're hiring someone anyway, why not me" she said and ended the discussion.
Ever since they found out Aveline was a noble, their minds had been made on what they should do to stay besides her.
Tomas, on the other hand, had grown up as a fine swordsman. Everett was kind enough to find a skilled teacher for children interested in swordsmanship, and Tomas excelled in it. He was quite talented in swordsmanship, far more than Aveline. While Aveline also honed her skills over time, Tomas soon overtook her in that regard. While he was still at the early stages of speed enhancement, his growth was extraordinary.
And Aaron, the young lad at the brink of death when Aveline first thought of him, had grown to become a rather talented mage. With slight teachings from Aveline herself, he had soon reached the level of puppet incantations. He was also the first one Aveline taught her mana gathering method to.
Aveline was amazed at their growth. While she herself had reached the status of Ominage rather recently, and quite young for anyone, she did start really early on. She could read and understand books thanks to her mature mind, and was already equipped with the imaginary knowledge of her previous world. But then again, she didn't have a teacher like Aaron did. So she was pretty amazing too, she supposes.
"Anyway, I'm just here for final looks and just to say bye for now."
The kids' faces remained smiling. Thought they'd be a little upset but alright. She thought to herself.
She went on walking in the orphanage, until finally finding the head and explaining the situation to her and some of the upper staff.
"Everything continues as before. Funds are secured. Supplies will arrive monthly. If anything changes—anything at all—send word."
They nodded, understanding more than they asked.
As she turned to leave, she paused.
Her gaze lingered—not on the building, but on what it represented.
This will follow me north, she thought. In time.
********************
The carriage waited at the estate gates.
Everett stood beside it, hands clasped behind his back, expression carefully neutral in the way only someone trying very hard not to show emotion could manage. Her oldest brother and father didn't even care to send her off.
"You're certain about this?" he asked quietly.
"I am," Aveline replied.
He hesitated. "You didn't have to accept."
She met his eyes. "Running would have been easier. Not better."
Everett sighed, then smiled faintly. "You always choose the harder path."
"It tends to lead somewhere worthwhile."
He handed her a small pouch. "Funds. Liquid. Untraceable."
She accepted it without comment.
"I'll keep things running here," Everett said. "The businesses. The orphanage. Your… other plans."
"I know," she said. "That's why I can leave."
"I hope you don't mind. I also added some other luggage on the cart."
"Other luggage?"
The carriage door opened and three young adults walked out, smiling.
"You guys!" Aveline exclaimed, looking at Lina, Tomas, and Aaron jumping out of the carriage.
"You should have some of your own people with you there." Everett suggested. "Although this luggage was surprisingly annoying and kept pestering me to send them with you." He sighed.
"Pestering is a strong word. We asked you once and you said ok." Tomas replied, casual.
Everett walked up to the boy, "Listen here you little twerp. I only agreed to send Lina. Not a couple of annoying little boys playing knights and mages. The only reason I agreed was because you might have just a speck of usefulness, if nothing else than at least as a meat shield, you tiny sword humping litt-"
Aveline quickly covered her brother's mouth. "Okay that should be enough."
Aveline stood there looking at the four of them. "You can't come with. I'm not going to war or something that I'd need help with."
"But it'll still be better to have us." Tomas interjected. Lina continued, "You'll definitely need a maid, my lady." She said smiling, doing a courtesy. They taught her rather well, Aveline supposes.
"And a knight. Just for protection." Tomas added. "I hear the North has monsters and barbarians and stuff. This sword humping meat shield can come in handy." He says, sending a smirk to Everett.
"I might not be as good a mage as you are, but I'm sure I might be able to help you with something." The youngest of the bunch, Aaron, spoke.
Aveline stared at their eyes for a while, realizing they weren't going to budge. She then stared at Everett, who looked even more unyielding than them. "Fine." she finally sighed.
Aveline stepped inside, gathering her cloak around her, her posture composed even as the weight of everything she was leaving pressed against her chest.
Everett met her gaze one last time.
"Come back," he said.
She nodded once. "I intend to."
The door closed.
The carriage lurched forward, wheels turning, carrying her away from the capital—away from the South.
Toward the North.
Toward cold lands, political marriage, and a territory the Empire had long neglected.
Aveline rested her hands in her lap, eyes steady.
If the North is meant to be weakened by my presence, she thought, then they have chosen the wrong woman. Sending her off to the North would be the biggest mistake the King made.
The road stretched ahead.
And Aveline Faylinn—Mistress Evora—began planning how to make the North prosper.
I'm on my way now, Alden.