Linus spent the day methodically inspecting the mayor's lesser-known properties, each location offering a different glimpse into the mayor's extensive web of influence. He was determined to uncover anything related to the Phoenix Blade.

By the time the sun set, Linus returned to his manor with mixed feelings. He had seized properties and uncovered a network of corruption, but the Phoenix Blade remained elusive. While his wealth would grow as he planned to use Eliza as a pawn, he still felt frustrated that he had not found what he wanted. Sitting with a glass of wine, he reviewed the day’s findings. Although the day had been fruitful in many ways, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.

A knock at the door interrupted Linus’s thoughts. Marcus stepped inside, his expression tight, betraying the weight of the news he carried. "Master Linus," he began seriously. "We’ve uncovered a hidden torture chamber beneath one of the smaller properties. It seems to have been recently disturbed. One of the young servants assigned to monitor the property has gone missing. And there’s more—there was a commotion at the prison earlier today. Someone attempted an infiltration. The mayor is still there, and nothing appears stolen, but security measures are being tightened."

Linus’s jaw tightened, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest of his chair. He leaned forward, his piercing gaze locking onto Marcus. "An infiltration, you say? Intriguing. Whoever attempted it is either bold or desperate. We’ll need to handle this delicately." He paused, his voice sharpening. "Order a thorough search of the chamber and its surroundings. Ensure it is sealed off and guarded—quietly. I will inspect it myself later today. As for the missing servant, find out what happened. Leave no stone unturned. Someone is making moves, and I want to know who."

Marcus nodded, his expression grim but resolute. "Understood, sir."

Linus leaned back slightly as his mind worked through the implications. He gestured for Marcus to continue, sensing there was more.

"There’s one other matter," Marcus added, his tone softening slightly. "Priestess Athena visited earlier today. She came seeking aid for the orphanage she manages. The Princess turned her away, citing insufficient resources."

Linus’s lips curled into a smile as an idea sparked. "Perfect," he murmured, more to himself than to Marcus. After a moment, he focused on his Marcus. "Arrange for the priestess to meet Eliza at the mayor’s manor tomorrow. This will be an excellent opportunity for Eliza to win favor among the townspeople. Compassion has uses, and the Priestess’s goodwill is a currency worth investing in."

Marcus inclined his head. "I’ll make the arrangements immediately, Master Linus."

Linus stood, clasping his hands behind his back, and began to pace the room, his mind a flurry of thoughts. The pieces were beginning to shift, yet some remained frustratingly out of place. The missing servant, the infiltration, the torture chamber—all signs pointed to forces stirring beneath the surface.

He turned back to Marcus. "Continue monitoring the mayor’s associates. We cannot afford for them to meddle or disrupt our plans. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir," Marcus replied with a curt nod.

Linus watched him for a long moment, and finally, he dismissed him with a wave.

Later, Linus made his way to the mayor's manor. As he approached, he noted the bustling activity of reinstated servants, with a few of his loyal men discreetly mingling among them. The manor's exterior seemed to reflect a semblance of normalcy, but Linus knew the real work lay within.

Linus stepped into the manor, scanning the grand hall immediately. His eyes settled on Eliza, seated in a dimly lit corner. Her posture slumped, and her face vacant. She looked burdened as if the world rested on her shoulders. Her hands clasped loosely in her lap, fingers idly twisting the edge of her dress.

"Eliza," Linus began smoothly, his voice steady and calm. Her eyes flickered with apprehension as she met his gaze. Linus offered a reassuring smile, though it did little to quell the tension radiating from her. "we have something important to discuss. But before that, there’s something I want to show you."

Eliza’s brows furrowed in confusion, but she nodded hesitantly. Without elaborating, Linus turned and gestured for her to follow. She trailed behind him, her curiosity and unease growing with each step as he led her through the darkening grounds behind the manor.

After several minutes, they arrived at an unassuming stone building some distance from the Mayor's manor. Two of Linus’s men stood guard at the entrance, straightening as he approached. They opened the heavy iron door without a word, and Linus moved inside, motioning for Eliza to follow.

The air inside was cold and damp, carrying the faint, acrid smell of old blood and mildew. Flickering torches lined the walls, casting eerie shadows across the room. As Eliza’s eyes adjusted to the dim light, she saw the unmistakable signs of a torture chamber: chains hanging from the walls, a rusted rack in the corner, and a table strewn with cruel-looking implements.

Eliza gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "What is this place?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Linus walked forward slowly, his boots echoing ominously on the stone floor. He gestured toward the marks on the walls, faded but undeniable signs of bloodstains, and the worn grooves in the floor where someone had struggled.

"This," Linus said calmly, "is what we found when we looked at his properties. We believe it was a personal project of his—a place where he conducted his... private interrogations."

Eliza’s knees wobbled, and she gripped the edge of the table for support. "Interrogations?" she echoed, her voice barely audible.

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Linus turned to her, his face unreadable. "Maybe. Or perhaps something darker. We don’t know for certain. But it’s clear that many people suffered here." He lingered, his voice softening into a dangerous whisper. "Some of them might have even died."

Eliza shuddered, her eyes darting around the room as if she could feel the ghosts of those who had once been held here. Linus moved closer, observing her. "It makes you wonder, doesn’t it?" he mused. "Who were they? Were they criminals? Innocents? Someone who dared to cross your husband?"

Her head snapped toward him, her eyes wide with horror. "I-I didn’t know about this," she stammered. "I swear I didn’t."

Linus tilted his head with a smile. "Perhaps. But it raises some interesting questions, doesn’t it? About who your husband truly was. What he was capable of."

He stepped back, giving her space to breathe, though his words lingered in the air. "Whatever the truth is, Eliza, this is a part of the world you now inherit. A part of the legacy you must take responsibility for."

Her gaze fell to the ground, her entire body shaking. Linus observed her, his satisfaction hidden behind a mask of stoic calm. "Come," he said at last. "There’s still much to discuss."

Eliza nodded weakly, her legs unsteady as she followed him out of the chamber. The crisp night air hit her face as they emerged, but it did little to clear the storm of thoughts swirling in her mind.

When they reached the manor’s entrance, Linus strode inside, gesturing for her to follow. "Eliza," he began smoothly, his voice steady and calm. Let's go to the study room."

Eliza's body visibly tensed at the mention of the study, and her hesitation was palpable. The memories of their last encounter there clearly weighed on her, making her reluctant to return. Linus’s eyes narrowed slightly as he noted her reaction and a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

Linus had already sat at the edge of her bed, testing its comfort with a light air of nonchalance. He leaned back a little, one hand braced against the mattress, his smirk subtle but present. The silence between them stretched for a moment before he spoke.

"Starting tomorrow," he said, calm but unyielding, "you’ll assist Princess Mara. She’s going to be the new mayor."

Eliza blinked, her breath catching. "Me? Linus, I don’t think—I mean, I’m not a noblewoman. I don’t have the skills for something like that."

He tilted his head slightly, his countenance softening but his tone firm. "You can, Eliza. And you will. Listen to me—your life is changing, whether you like it or not. People will come for everything you have because of your husband's crimes. His wealth, his name, his reputation—they’ll use any excuse to tear it all away."

She opened her mouth to protest, but he leaned forward, his sharp gaze pinning her in place. "But if you show them you’re different—strong, independent—you can hold onto all of this. Your home, your position. But it has to come from you."

Eliza swallowed hard, her pulse thundering in her ears. "How? I don’t know where to start. I’m not ready for this."

"You’ll learn," Linus said, his voice steady and measured. "Tomorrow, the Priestess Athena will visit. That’s your chance to make an impression. You’ll need to show them you’re compassionate but also capable. Let them see the leader you can be."

Her eyes widened, doubt swirling in her mind. "Athena? She’s one of the most respected figures in the entire region. What if I say the wrong thing? What if—"

Linus rose from the bed and moved closer, his presence commanding yet steadying. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch firm but not unkind. "You won’t fail, Eliza. Not if you listen and trust yourself. I’ll be here to guide you, but you need to rise to the occasion."

His words hung in the air, weighty and undeniable. Eliza nodded slowly, her uncertainty still present but tempered by the spark of determination he had ignited. "I’ll try," she murmured, her voice soft but sincere.

Linus paused, letting the gravity of the moment sink in, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made Eliza’s breath catch in her throat. Linus’s lips curved into a smile, approval flickering in his eyes. "Good. That’s all you need to start."

He slowly got up from the bed and deliberately began to circle around her. His eyes never left her form, and he soaked in every flicker of doubt and fear in her reactions.

"You were in a dungeon yesterday," he began, his voice low and edged with a dangerous softness. "Chained, helpless, and staring death in the face. Do you remember that? You thought you’d lose everything, didn’t you?"

Eliza’s breathing quickened. She didn’t need to respond—he already knew the answer.

Linus continued, his tone shifting, threading taunting cruelty with a hint of reassurance. "But look at you now." He stopped behind her, his voice close enough that she felt it as much as she heard it. "You’re standing here, not as a prisoner, not as a victim, but as a woman who tomorrow will command the attention of this town. And the wealth?" He paused, letting the silence stretch before delivering the blow. "It’s not your husband’s anymore. It’s yours."

He moved to her side, his presence looming over her as she stood rigid in the middle of the room, her pulse hammering in her ears. "You see, Eliza," he said, his voice dropping to an almost seductive whisper, "I did that. I saved you. I pulled you from that cell, from that life of fear and uncertainty." He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "And I’ve given you something far better than you thought possible. A life, wealth, power—all of it. I’ve shown you that I can protect you. That I will protect you."

Her body trembled, caught between fear and something else—something darker, something she couldn’t name. She knew every word he spoke was laced with a promise and a threat.

Linus circled in front of her now, his eyes narrowing as he stopped directly before her before he spoke again. "But now, Eliza, it’s your turn." He momentarily let the words hang in the air, allowing their weight to press down on her. "Now, it's your turn to prove yourself to me."

Eliza stood there, feeling his presence bore down on her. She wore a blue dress that hugged her figure in all the right places. Linus's eyes traveled slowly over her, taking in every detail. He had seen what the dress hides, and he knew that dress doesn't do justice to what's inside.

As he circled her, his gaze grew more intense, almost hungry. He stopped directly behind her, his breath warm against her ear. "You look stunning, Eliza," he whispered, his voice dripping with lust. "Like a piece of candy just waiting to be unwrapped."

Eliza's breath hitched, and her heart pounded in her chest. She felt a mixture of fear and anticipation, and memories of their previous encounters flooded back. She knew what he wanted, and she felt a strange, conflicted urge to comply, to please him.

Linus moved closer, his hands resting lightly on her shoulders. He could feel her trembling beneath his touch, her skin warm and soft. Slowly, he slid his hands down her arms, savoring the sensation. "I can trust you, right, Eliza?" he murmured, his lips brushing against her ear.

She nodded her voice barely a whisper. "Yes, Linus."

His hands continued their journey, tracing the contours of her waist and feeling the curve of her hips. "Good," he said softly. Now, let's see what you will do for your well-wisher."