Chapter 171 - 170: The Suspicious Fellow!

They hadn’t made it far from the greenhouse before Azriel spoke again, his earlier composure giving way to something more pointed.

"So," he said, tone deceptively casual, "a spy. In the family greenhouse. That you just happened to be chasing alone."

"That’s what I said."

"Mm." He glanced sideways at her, something skeptical flickering behind his expression. "And you didn’t think to call for anyone? A knight, a maid, servent, literally anyone who wasn’t you running headfirst into a hedge maze after a stranger?"

"It happened quickly. I reacted."

"Recklessly."

"I wasn’t reckless, I was—"

"Chasing a supposed spy alone through a garden with poor visibility and dozens of blind corners," Azriel cut in, voice sharpening now. "Forgive me if I find the story a little difficult to swallow."

Eleanore stopped walking, turning to face him fully, something hot and sharp rising in her chest. "You think I’m lying."

"I think," Azriel said slowly, deliberately, "that you have a habit of finding convenient stories for whatever benefits you in the moment. This wouldn’t be the first time."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

"Azriel." The new voice cut in sharply from behind them, and Eleanore turned to find Laurent approaching, arms crossed, his expression carrying none of its usual easy humor. "Enough."

"I’m simply asking questions," Azriel said, though something in his posture stiffened at Laurent’s tone.

"You’re doing considerably more than that, and you know it." Laurent came to a stop beside them, glancing briefly at Eleanore with a look that was almost apologetic before turning his full attention back to Azriel. "You’ve had it out for her since the day she arrived. I don’t know what that’s about, and frankly I’ve stopped trying to figure it out, but I’m done watching you pick apart everything she says looking for a reason to be right about whatever grudge you’re carrying."

"This isn’t about a grudge."

"It isn’t?" Laurent’s voice stayed level, but there was an edge underneath it now that Eleanore hadn’t heard from him before. "There have been actual sightings reported. Victor’s involved. This isn’t some story she invented for attention, and even if you can’t stand her, the least you owe her is not calling her a liar over something that might genuinely put her in danger."

Azriel’s jaw tightened, something flickering behind his eyes that he didn’t let surface into words. For a long moment he said nothing at all, and Eleanore found herself watching the exchange with a strange, distant sort of numbness, the earlier fear from the greenhouse now curdling into something quieter and more tired.

"Fine," Azriel said finally, clipped and short. "Believe her, then. I hope you’re right." He turned without another word and walked off in the opposite direction, leaving a silence behind him that neither Laurent nor Eleanore immediately moved to fill.

"I’m sorry about that," Laurent said eventually, softer now, the sharp edge from a moment ago gone. "He’s not usually that blunt about it. Or maybe he is, and I’ve just gotten used to tuning it out."

"It’s fine," Eleanore said, though it came out more tired than convincing.

"It’s not, really. But I’ll let you have the lie if you want it." Laurent offered a small, apologetic smile. "Go on. I’ll deal with him."

She didn’t have the energy left to argue, simply nodding once before turning and making her way back toward the house, the whole strange, unsettling afternoon sitting heavy in her chest by the time she finally reached her room.

---

Eleanore pushed the door open, already anticipating nothing more than a few quiet minutes to herself, and stopped short at the sight of Adena sitting cross-legged in the middle of her bed, surrounded by what appeared to be at least four different fabric samples and a notebook covered in scribbled color combinations.

"There you are!" Adena said, entirely unbothered by the fact that she was, once again, somewhere she hadn’t been invited. "I need your final opinion on the centerpieces before I lose my mind."

Eleanore stared at her for a long moment, the events of the last hour still sitting heavy and unresolved in her chest, and found she simply didn’t have it in her to summon the usual exasperation.

"Lady Adena," she said instead, quiet and worn, "not right now."

Something in her tone must have registered, because Adena’s expression shifted immediately, the enthusiasm draining into concern as she took in Eleanore’s face properly for the first time since she’d walked in. "Hey — what happened? You look like you saw a ghost."

"Something like that," Eleanore murmured, sinking down onto the edge of the bed, suddenly feeling every bit as exhausted as the day had actually been.

Adena remains in the room quietly without moving. As if even she knew this was not the right time.

|| Mission 1, Phase 1: Change Caelestis Destiny. Has been successfully completed.

Phase 2: The Rebels

The Kingdom of Seraphine has been plagued by this organisation called Rebel. They are after the crown and want to kill the royal family, so that they can attain a complete dictatorship. These rebel groups also involve some of the nobles of the empire, who harbour hatred against the royal family of Seraphine.

In their madness for the throne, many innocents die, including you. Your death triggers Caelestis’ fate falling into darkness again and Hael turning against his dear friend again.

Chapter 1: The Woman Named Barbra

Barbra was known to be a very gentle and kind woman of the kingdom. She was always quiet and had no enemy. Until she fell for the wrong person and tried to win him over only to be trampled on completely by the queen of the social circle, Eleanore Sinclair (You)

Quest 1: Death Case Of Lady Barbra Fein

Task 1: Collect information on the relationship between Eleanore Sinclair (you) and Lady Barbra Fein

Do you accept the task?

Yes/No

Note: Reward: + 100,000 reputation

Penalty: -200,000 coins

Total Reputation: -100,000

Total Coins: +90,100||