NOVEL NEXT Chapter 123: Gift
While immersing herself in the ornate carving adorned the ceiling, Elaine weighed her options. Given the event's significance, she would need to tread carefully. Although the order of events appeared jagged, the players and timeline stayed aligned. She considered her alliance with Alexander and decided against informing him despite holding crucial information. It was not yet time for him and the male protagonist to confront the House of Croix and trigger her demise. Elaine's goal remained the primary priority. For now, it would benefit her more to be a participant in Gerard's scheme rather than an informant.
Elaine returned to Estella's routine the next couple of days, leaving Agnes' brother under the head maid's management. Despite her reservations about the man's usefulness, the head maid kept him busy by assigning him several menial tasks around the manor. Elaine did not worry about Paraveas returning to his original form and revealing his identity. After all, before entering the estate, she had already supplied him with enough magician's powder to sustain his pseudo-appearance for a week.
The nervous and scared Paraveas often attempted to approach Elaine, desperate to know when he could return home. However, he always retreated at the last moment, cowed by the intimidating gazes of those surrounding her. Agnes' brother realized that he currently resided inside a monster's den, and his only path to freedom rested on the whim of the den's beautiful yet ruthless young mistress.
Elaine watched the man's despondent figure withdrawing from sight and sighed in her mind. She, too, had no desire to separate him from his daughter for longer than necessary. Like a ravenous whirlpool, the Croix estate's inner conflicts engulfed those venturing too close to its vortex. Individuals unable to escape its gravitational pull would eventually pay the ultimate price, like Paraveas' sister, Agnes Rossi. However, as one of the main characters in her play, Elaine would only allow the man's departure after the performance concluded.
Elaine's day proceeded as usual, and when she returned to her quarters from her lessons, she discovered a folded piece of paper on the writing desk. After reading its contents, she crumbled and destroyed the paper in the fire. Elaine then shifted her attention to the blond-haired young man standing guard in the antechamber's corner. She motioned for him to approach her and pulled a small object from the desk's drawer. When he reached her, she ordered, "Show me your hand, Sir Ascania."
Cecil complied, extending his left hand.
She smiled and dropped a small silver ring into his palm. "Keep this with you from now on."
In contrast to its less-than-ordinary appearance, with no embedded gemstones or unique carving, upon closer inspection, one would notice the glowing incantation emerged and then disappeared from its interior. It was an enchanted ring. Elaine's experiences with danger had propelled her to seek ways to protect herself. Enchanted objects were a method she discovered to secure her safety further. She summoned the magicians and contracted them to imbue several items with protection magic for an exorbitant fee—enough to purchase a medium-sized city. The ring was part of the first batch of orders, with many more finished products to be delivered later. Elaine originally planned to wear it herself. However, after consideration, she decided to bestow upon Cecil the ring.
"I am unworthy of your generosity, milady." The blond-haired young man attempted to return the precious object.
However, Elaine's hands pushed back, forcing his palm to close. "Do not diminish yourself, Sir Ascania. You have saved and protected me from numerous perilous situations. This ring is but a small token of my gratitude to you." And a birthday gift, she added in her mind. Though Elaine spoke the truth, her reasons were not entirely selfless. As her guard, Cecil was her shield. The more formidable he became, the better he could guarantee her safety. It was a mutually beneficial exchange. "I will not accept 'no' for an answer," she playfully declared, yet underneath the lighthearted tone was an implied command, not tolerating further objection.
Cecil stayed silent for a few seconds, his lowered gaze studying the valuable object in his palm. "Thank you, Lady Estella." He retracted his hand and inclined his body, finally accepting the ring.
"Good," Elaine beamed. Her eyes met his when he lifted his head. "Remember, Sir Ascania, I am on your side, and you are on mine."
"I understand, milady." The blond-haired young man held her gaze and slightly nodded.
After achieving her objective, Elaine dismissed Cecil and called the maids to prepare her for bed. She needed the early rest, for tomorrow would be a long day.
The following morning, Elaine summoned the carriage to the Summer Manor. "Tell the truth, and you shall reunite with your daughter," she told the trembling, stubby young man sitting across from her inside the carriage.
"Y, yes, milady." Agnes' brother bobbed his head. He had shed his disguise and returned to his original appearance. Paraveas opened his mouth and closed it again, trying to speak yet too afraid to produce an audible sound.
"Speak," Elaine noticed his hesitation and ordered with absolute authority in her voice.
The stubby young man flinched. "I, I, I," he stuttered.
"Take a deep breath, then speak slowly." Elaine sighed. She worried if he could articulate coherent sentences when the time arrived.
Paraveas followed Elaine's instructions and then repeated his efforts. "W, what will h, hap, happen to my daugh, daughter and me af, after this, milady?" He exhaled, relieved that he could finally ask his pressing question.
"Ease your trouble," she chuckled. "Everything is already arranged. Perform your duty as we agreed, and I will guarantee your family's safety."
