Waiting in her office within the Freybrook mansion, Scarlett’s gaze was fixed on the large painting adorning the wall behind her desk. ‘The Field of Broken Pacts’ was the title The Gentleman had called it by. The artwork depicted an expansive battlefield from some bygone era, painted in excruciatingly exact and lifelike detail by whoever the creator was. Despite how long she’d had it now, it still drew her attention whenever she entered the room.

Receiving it as a gift was odd, considering she didn’t know anything about its history and the battle it portrayed. But she doubted it was pointless. The Gentleman didn’t do pointless things.

And presumably, he would be visiting again in the near future.

A knock at the entrance signaled the arrival of a guest. Scarlett announced they could enter. Her connection with the Loci had already told her who it was. The door opened, followed by footsteps crossing the wooden floor.

“What are you doing?” Evelyne’s curious voice chimed out from behind.

Scarlett turned to face her, watching as the younger woman took a seat in the chair positioned in front of the desk.

It had been over a week, almost two, since they last saw each other. Scarlett had been away due to the Sanctuary heist, while Evelyne had been occupied with her own affairs. Not much seemed to have changed with the woman since then, except for her slightly longer hair, where the tips now reached the back of her shoulders. She was dressed in a fitted doublet of deep green velvet with silver accents around the collar.

“I was simply reflecting on some matters,” Scarlett replied, pushing aside her thoughts about the painting. “Nothing that you need concern yourself with.”

“All right. If you say so.” Evelyne’s gaze seemed to linger on the painting behind Scarlett as well. “Actually.. I’ve been meaning to ask for a while now, but where did you get that? It looks like the work of a master, yet I don’t recognize it. I haven’t seen any recent records suggesting its purchase in the accounts either.”

“It was a gift.”

“A gift?”

Scarlett nodded. “Yes.”

Evelyne seemed to examine the artwork closer. “From who?”

“The Gentleman.”

“That doesn’t tell me much.”

“That is unfortunate, then. There is not much more to say.”

Evelyne furrowed her brows. “What do you mean? How can there not be—”

Scarlett raised her hand, signaling for Evelyne to stop. “I ask that you do not press me today, Evelyne. There truly is not much more to tell. He is simply known only as The Gentleman. I am not being purposefully obtuse.”

The woman stared at her for a few seconds, then lowered her head as if accepting her words. Scarlett offered a nod of appreciation in return. While she usually did a good enough job of containing her emotions in the younger woman’s presence, she didn’t want to test her self-control unnecessarily, considering recent events.

“Leaving that aside,” Scarlett said, redirecting the conversation. “I was not aware that you would be at the mansion today. Is there something you wished to discuss with me?”

“Several things, actually. So much that I’m not sure we’ll have time to cover it all right now. But before that…” Evelyne shifted in her seat, pointing toward the door behind her. “I saw a black cat sitting on the windowsill outside for some reason. It is yours? I didn’t think you liked cats.”

Scarlett frowned. This was the third time someone had mentioned seeing the cat, Empress, outside her office. First, it was Rosa. Then Marlon, the head servant, mentioned it earlier this morning. And now Evelyne.

At first, she thought it indicated The Gentleman would show up any second now, but a couple of days had passed since Rosa’s first sighting. Scarlett hadn’t seen the cat for herself, since Empress was already gone every time she made it out of the office, but she trusted in the others’ words. Even the Loci seemed incapable of detecting the cat’s presence, which was a disconcerting realization in itself. Scarlett hoped that was an exception—it wouldn’t surprise her if it was—but she might have to ask Fynn to be more vigilant in the future, in case the Loci’s detection wasn’t as reliable as she had believed.

Whatever Empress’ reasons for showing up were, the cat at least seemed to be enjoying itself. Perhaps Scarlett should have the servants prepare plates of hot milk at all times of the day, just in case.

“What’s wrong?” Evelyne asked, studying her.

Scarlett dismissed the frown on her face and waved her hand. “I do not mind cats that much. Even if I did, I suspect I would not have much choice but to consider this one the exception. If you see it again, I would recommend that you show proper respect to the best of your ability.”

The woman raised both eyebrows, looking as if she was unsure if that was a joke or not. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“Of course.”

“…Do I even want to know why?”

“If I am to be frank, I suspect you do not.”

Evelyne stared at her for a few moments, then shook her head slowly. “I swear. Things just keep getting stranger and stranger around you the more time passes. I have enough on my mind right now, so I’ll take your word for it.”

“I will admit to some admiration at the stride with which you are taking it all,” Scarlett remarked.

“I don’t feel like I have much choice.”

“No, I suppose you do not.”

“Setting that aside.” Evelyne leaned forward, a slightly worried expression appearing on her face. “I wanted to ask what’s been going on here in the mansion. When I arrived earlier, it felt like all the servants were walking on eggshells for some reason. Did something happen?”

Scarlett had to restrain herself from frowning again. “…I am to blame for that, unfortunately.”

Since her return from Freymeadow, she had gotten a little better control over her emotions, making it easier to prevent the mansion’s staff from sensing it in the air through her connection with the loci. However, most of them still seemed somewhat wary.

Evelyne looked at her, as if expecting that answer. Scarlett was grateful that the woman appeared to consider her words before speaking. “What…exactly did you do?”

“…Some unsettling news related to an acquaintance of mine caused me to temporarily lose control of my temper. That, in turn, affected the rest of the estate due to my link with the Loci.”

Evelyne stared at her. “…Your mood affects the whole mansion?”

“Apparently, yes.”

“I thought you said this ‘Loci’ artifact was harmless,” Evelyne exclaimed, almost leaning forward onto the desk before catching herself and settling back in her chair with an awkward expression.

Scarlett observed her for a moment before responding. “Comparatively so, yes. There does indeed appear to be some side-effects that I did not predict, but they are negligible, and I am still learning how to handle the artifact.”

For the time being, she was still only using the Loci to watch over the estate. However, when both she and the Loci had become more familiar with things, she was planning to experiment further with its capabilities.

“I’m not sure if scaring all the servants half to death should be considered a ‘side-effect’…” Evelyne muttered.

“That is an exaggeration,” Scarlett said. “And they will soon learn that there is no danger involved. I will, however, endeavour to avoid any such occurrences in the future to lessen the stress on the staff.”

The younger woman didn’t seem entirely convinced by her words, but there wasn’t much Scarlett could do about that at the moment.

“…Can I ask what it was that made you mad?” Evelyne asked. “Other than just ‘unsettling news’ related to this acquaintance of yours.”

Scarlett paused, looking at her for a few seconds. “Unfortunately, that is related to the guest who stayed here previously, and whose identity I could not reveal.”

“You’ve been using that excuse a lot lately.”

“It has been relevant on more than one occasion.”

Both of them locked eyes, and Scarlett tapped her finger against the desk for a brief moment before continuing.

“I cannot delve into the specifics, but that individual has gone…missing. While I was aiding them in locating one of their relatives, there was an attempt on their life. Since then, I have been considering how to find them and ensure their safety.”

Evelyne’s eyes widened. “Someone tried to kill them?”

Scarlett nodded. “Yes.”

A troubled expression appeared on the woman’s face. “What are you involved with here, Scarlett?”

“What I must involve myself with. I can assure you that it will not have a detrimental effect on the barony.”

“Can you be sure about that?”

“I can do my best to ensure it, at the very least.”

Evelyne looked doubtful.

Scarlett shook her head. “The empire is entering a volatile period, Evelyne. Worse than it has perhaps ever been before. I know this better than anyone, though you may still have your doubts. I am doing what I can to ensure the safety of myself and those under me, which includes the barony as a whole.”

“Is that really your priority?”

“It is. If you do not believe me, you can ask Garside. He was with me when I was away this last time.”

They continued maintaining eye contact, but eventually, Evelyne turned away first. “…Don’t blame me if I do later.”

“I will not.”

Scarlett didn’t expect Garside to reveal too much.

During her fight with Gaven, the old butler had somehow seen the flames and come running through the forest. She didn’t know how he did it, considering his age, but he had arrived not long after she finished dealing with Gaven. At the time, she hadn’t been in the right state of mind to explain things clearly, but that hadn’t stopped Garside from helping her clean up some of the mess and leave the area.

If it weren’t for him, she might have almost forgotten about retrieving the [Memory of the Covenant] and the other items Gaven had on him that had survived the flames. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the rogue had more inside his spatial ring than Scarlett had requested, though there was nothing she had immediate use for.

After the incident, she had shared more details with Garside, explaining briefly what had happened and why. He had agreed without hesitation to keep it all to himself. Even if he cared about Evelyne and had often told the younger woman information about Scarlett before—which he had openly admitted once when asked—he was unlikely to share this. He knew just as well as Scarlett what would happen if news of their involvement in this heist got out.

She cleared her throat. “I presume there was more you wished to speak about?”

Evelyne stared at her, blinking as if she had already forgotten the reason for her visit. “Right, I was going to talk to you about the Tyndall Ball. It’s only four days off. Since both of us have been so busy this last week, I wasn’t sure how much progress you’ve made with the preparations.”

“You have already arranged for the passage to Windgrove and back, correct?”

“Yes, I have. We’ll arrive in the late afternoon and attend the ball in the evening, then we’ll participate in the gathering the next morning before returning to Freybrook. We should be back around the same time we left, provided there are no complications.”

“Good.” Scarlett opened a drawer on her desk and retrieved a light-green letter that had fancy gilding and a wax seal bearing the insignia of a stag. “My attendance should pose no issue. Beldon Tyndall sent this to me earlier this week.”

To convince the man to cooperate, she had shared information about rivaling information guilds and their safe-houses. It meant she had fewer bargaining chips that were directly related to him and his guild for the future. She had also made requests for help in finding the Countess lately, so if they continued doing business like this, she might have to become an actual client of Mirage and pay normal commissions. It wasn’t like she was lacking the money now, but it might be hard to convince them to do certain things using only that.

“It still surprises me you could convince him so easily,” Evelyne commented as she inspected the letter.

“We have an amicable business relationship.”

The woman gave her an interrogating look. “Is that all?”

Scarlett narrowed her eyes. “Yes. That is all.”

A flash of embarrassment crossed Evelyne’s face, and she placed the letter back on the desk. “I was in contact with the tailor earlier, and they said the dresses you ordered for the ball will be finished tomorrow. My own outfits were already complete, as well.”

“I will have Garside send someone to pick them up in the morning, then.”

Scarlett had arranged for a tailor to fit new dresses specifically for the ball. While these probably weren’t as extravagant as some of the other pieces in her wardrobe, they had still cost a pretty penny. She wasn’t aiming at making a grand impression at the event, but she also didn’t want to stand out because she was wearing something ‘cheap’ either.

“When we’re in Windgrove...” Evelyne began, but hesitated for a moment. “Actually, did Sir Leon say anything about whether he was going to attend or not?”

“From what he told me, it seemed uncertain,” Scarlett replied. “It would depend on whether the Imperial Solar Knights were preoccupied at the time or not.”

“Then, if he’s not there… How are you going to handle the Delmons?”

She looked at Evelyne. “Handle them?”

“I feel like there’s a good chance they might cause a scene if you met with them, considering our families’ current relationship.”

“They may say whatever they want. I see no need to heed their words or let it affect me.”

“But it could still affect our house, no matter what you feel. You seemed on better terms with Sir Leon—if that’s even the right word—so I thought there was a chance he could help if something happened.”

Scarlett pressed her lips together. Saying they were on good terms wasn’t entirely true, but she supposed they weren’t on the worst terms either. Still…

“I am not sure it will matter for much longer,” she said. “I have been considering ending the betrothal and cutting any ties we have with them.”

Evelyne stared at her. “You were serious about that?”

“Of course. I had also promised Sir Leon that I would consider the matter. It is not as if we are currently relying on the Delmons for any affairs connected to the barony.”

From what Scarlett had heard, whatever business ties they did have with the Delmons had already been severed.

“No, it’s just that…” Evelyne studied her for another moment. “I thought there was a specific reason for that engagement that meant you didn’t want to end it.”

“There was, presumably.”

“What?”

Scarlett leaned down in her seat, reaching for another drawer on the desk and opening it. She pulled out a thin pile of papers and handed them to Evelyne.

The younger woman’s brows creased as she received them. “What’s this?”

“The documents related to the agreement that was struck between me and Marquis Gerhard Delmon when we originally settled on the betrothal.”

Scarlett had found those papers during the week before the heist. They were inside a safe hidden in her bedroom, along with other objects that she suspected were connected to some of the original’s more illicit activities. At the time, she had been too busy with the heist matter to pay much attention to these papers, but now that was over.

As Evelyne read through the documents, her eyes grew wider and wider. Eventually, she looked up at Scarlett in disbelief. “How did you get them to agree to this?”

“I cannot remember,” Scarlett answered.

Covering her forehead with her palm, Evelyne stared down at the papers. “But they essentially promised Sir Leon to you—which is barely legal—along with far more collateral if they went back on their word than they should ever have had reason to. This is insane. I can’t imagine a marquisate ever doing something like this for a mere barony. Some of these terms even make it sound as if they were getting ready to support you in… “ she trailed off, glancing up at Scarlett again.

“Yes?”

“…Scarlett, were you aiming to advance your title?”

“What makes you say that?”

“From what’s written here, the Delmons are basically promising to put everything they have into supporting you and the barony after the engagement with Leon is finished. Not only that, but you were promised several hundred acres of land near the Voneinan border. They also explicitly state they will back you in the Chamber Court and the Imperial Chancellery if there were to be any border disputes due to your new land in the future.”

Scarlett nodded. She had read through those documents more than once, and she understood why Evelyne was reacting this way.

“Scarlett, this makes it look like you were conspiring with the Delmons to usurp the land of the minor nobles around Count Knottley’s domain. There are no reasons there would be any disputes otherwise. The land the Delmons are offering would already triple the size of our fief, but that still wasn’t enough?”

“It would appear not, judging from what those papers say. I do not recall negotiating those particular agreements, but it does indeed seem like something I might have been tempted to do.”

Not only would the original Scarlett have gained a significant amount of new land with this engagement to Leon—most of which would be in the southwestern part of the empire between the Delmon family’s domain and Count Knottley’s domain—but much of it held important strongholds and fortresses that bordered the Voneia Kingdom.

The Delmon Marquisate was already one of the most strategically valuable pieces of land in the western parts of the empire, but if Scarlett married Leon and succeeded in annexing much of the land belonging to the nobles south of the Marquisate, the Delmons would control almost the entire border by proxy. If a war were to break out with the kingdom sometime in the future, Scarlett would have much of the frontline in her domain. That conferred a lot of responsibility upon her, but also a lot of legitimacy. Such an important individual was unlikely to remain a mere baroness.

Not to mention how she would also be married to the vice-captain, possibly even the captain, of the strongest knight order in the empire.

In return for helping Scarlett achieve all of this, the Delmons would have a powerful ally to the south, connected to them through marriage and owing them a considerable debt. It would give them a significant advantage in future power plays within the empire.

She wasn’t sure who had approached the other party first—the original Scarlett or the Delmons—but it all felt very noble-like, scheming and maneuvering politically for power like this. There was little concern for things like ‘feelings’ or the lives of those affected by these plans. The focus was solely on the promised possibilities.

To be fair, border disputes within the empire were often minor and resulted in little bloodshed. Any actual warring between nobles was considered an affront to the emperor’s authority and was practically illegal. A scheme like this wouldn’t immediately impact people outside of the aristocracy — unless one considered that the original Scarlett likely lacked the experience in governing border territories that the nobles whose lands she was gunning for had. But Scarlett had studied enough of the legal workings and history of this nation to know that experience and capability weren’t always the most critical factors when it came to who got to govern what.

The specifics of how Scarlett and the Delmons had planned to usurp other nobles’ lands were, of course, left unsaid, but there were only so many possibilities. Legal challenges concerning de jure land and legitimacy were unlikely to work, but nothing was stopping them from using political connections to undermine their targets’ authority and pressure them to relinquish lands through threats and other means. While some might frown upon a marquis engaging in such actions against minor nobles, it would be more accepted if Scarlett did it.

In front of her, Evelyne ran a hand through her hair, as if processing all the implications. “This explains why the Delmons were so desperate to end the betrothal after what happened at the Proclamation. It would be too risky for them to proceed with the engagement after you practically declared your intent in front of the emperor. Or at least, that’s how it would appear to them.”

“You know that was not my intent at the time, however,” Scarlett said.

“I do, yes.” Evelyne actually let out a laugh. “Ittar’s light. The Delmons must have panicked when you said that out loud. To them, it would either look like you were being far too arrogant and hasty or had just decided to betray them. But because they had already bet everything on this, it was too late for them to just back out without incurring unnecessary costs.”

“It is an amusing thought, is it not?”

“I don’t know why you find it funny. Even if you don’t remember it, this is still your plan that failed. The Delmons probably won’t ever want anything to do with us ever again, and you’ve painted a large target on your back.” Evelyne paused, a nonplussed expression on her face as she touched her forehead. “I don’t understand how I’m so calm about it either, honestly. Normally, this would be the kind of thing that sets our house on the path to ruin.”

“I do not particularly fear the Delmons, and I do not think you have to either,” Scarlett said. “If they choose to act against us beyond what they have already done, it will be out of nothing but petty vengeance. I am more inclined to believe they would prefer it all to be quietly swept under the rug. If they were to try anything, however, it is either destined to fail or take far too long to have any significant effect.”

The Delmons wouldn’t be able to kill her, and any action they took within the legal framework of the empire would likely take months or even years to fully execute. Scarlett had enough time to react, given the timeframe she was working with.

If anything were to cause her downfall, it wouldn’t be the Delmons.

Evelyne eyed her for a moment. “That really shouldn’t reassure me, but it does.”

“That is good. It implies you are beginning to trust me more than before.”

“Doesn’t that scare you?”

Scarlett tilted her head to the side. “Why should it?”

Evelyne stared at her, then shook her head. “Just… Never mind. Let’s get back to these papers. I still have over a dozen questions that it would be good if we could try to figure out the answers to before we get to anything else.”

Scarlett simply gestured for her to continue, and the two of them started to further discuss the details of the matter together.