The following day, Elaine resumed Estella's aristocratic studies. Though she persevered through other subjects, etiquette lessons never failed to drive her insane with boredom. Upon returning from classes on the second day, Elaine discovered two stacks of documents placed neatly on the antechamber's writing desk. Marked on each were Agnes' and Isabella's names.
Efficient, as expected, Elaine mused. Though it was the first time she utilized Croix's intelligence network, another special privilege available only to legitimate children, it impressed her. She picked up the documents and examined their contents.
Agnes Rossi had a younger male sibling still living in her hometown. Their parents were both deceased, and she had been sending him funds since her early employment with the House of Sabran. Elaine flipped through the following pages, noting the younger brother had a daughter and a gambling addiction, amassing an enormous debt. The last page ended abruptly, stating no one had seen the Rossi family members in the past few months.
She returned Agnes' report to the desk and moved to Isabella de Valois'. Isabella was the middle daughter of the House of Valois. Her family and the House of Sabran were business partners. Thus, she and Laeticia were close playmates and childhood friends. The remaining information on the mistress' upbringing was typical of a noblewoman—nothing stuck out of the ordinary. However, the report revealed Isabella's connection to Laeticia, explaining her motivation for protecting Azalea.
They played together and married the same man—a tragedy, in Elaine's opinion. She ripped the documents and threw them into the fireplace, disintegrating the evidence of her request.
In the next few weeks, she continued following Estella's regular schedule, slowly easing back into an aristocrat's mundane lifestyle. Every three to five days, Tasha would return to report on Laeticia's daughter's situation. Though the Summer Manor's residents were initially wary of Tasha, they soon realized the maid's lack of interest in interfering. And true to Elaine's prediction, Azalea's daily existence began its hellish descent. Long-held grudges against Laeticia or her daughter finally exploded like a bursting dam from the other mistresses and their children to the lowly servants. As a precaution, Elaine ordered Tasha to remove any male servants with vile thoughts and movements from the residence. She did not need unwanted actions to derail her plan.
Only two individuals assisted the little girl, Agnes and Isabella. However, Azalea now regarded the plump maid as an enemy and reacted viscerally to her presence. On the other hand, the Valois mistress received acceptance and reliance from Laeticia's daughter. Both outcomes were within Elaine's expectations.
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"Continue your observation," she directed after hearing Tasha's report. "And pay attention to the gossip and rumors."
"As you wish, milady." The maid bowed and returned to the Summer Manor.
After dismissing Tasha, Elaine proceeded to her bedchamber. Before reaching her destination, however, she encountered the head maid standing outside her door. The woman had been more agreeable since her retrieval from the dungeon.
"Milady, you received an invitation from the palace." The head maid inclined her body, raising both hands over her head. On her palms was a golden letter with a royal seal stamp.
"An invitation?" Elaine accepted the letter, examining the envelope.
"Yes, Lady Estella." The head maid nodded.
"Thank you. You may leave."
"As you wish, milady."
Elaine motioned the remaining servants to wait outside and entered the antechamber, strolling to her writing desk. She then sat down and unsealed the envelope. Inside was an invitation to the Third Prince's birthday celebration in one week.
Alexander's birthday. Elaine studied the adorned paper. Not every royal Prince's or Princess' celebrations received the same reception. However, similar to Estella's fiancé, the Third Prince's birthday party was an Étoile Empire's must-attend event, even for the House of Croix. He was influential within the aristocrats' circles and a beloved public figure in the capital—a status symbol the Crown Prince could never achieve.
Another significant reason propelling the aristocrats throughout the empire to fight for a spot on the invitation list was Alexander's maternal background. Though she lacked the Queen title, his mother hailed from the House of d'Amboise, a formidable clan comparable to the House of Croix. In the power struggle between the Duke of Geris and Lévis, the small and mid-level noble Houses often became the sacrificial lambs or unintended collateral damages—mostly from Gerard's ruthless schemes. The celebration was an opportunity for them to strengthen alliances or obtain protection.
I have yet to express my gratitude. Elaine pulled an empty bottle from a drawer and placed it on the desk. The tiny object saved her life. Without the medicinal liquid once filled its interior, she would have bled to death before Elias found her inside the Insidious Forest. The mere recollection of the godforsaken place caused shudders to travel through Elaine's body and accelerated her heartbeats. Even after weeks of recuperating and burying the memories, debilitating nightmares still plagued her dreams every couple of days—drenching her in sweat after waking up.
Tendrils of darkness crawled in the shadow and shrouded her mind. Their outstretched claws transformed into hideous monsters with deep crimson crescent-shaped mouths, whispering abhorrent threats and attempting to swallow her whole.
Elaine's hand clutched her chest, heaving laborious breaths. It took several minutes before her anxiety settled, and the panting ceased. She glanced at her trembling balled fist through blurred vision, still grasping the now crushed invitation, and exhaled.
"Notify my father that I will attend the Third Prince's birthday celebration," Elaine commanded, repressing the tremor in her voice.
"Yes, Lady Estella," a maid responded from behind the closed door.