NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 66 – Preparing For the End
Elana gracefully stepped past the guards at the doors, heading deeper into her family’s property. She flicked her hair and smiled slightly, stunning the surroundings with her beauty.
Or, at least, Elana tried to. She succeeded somewhat, sending the servants running in all directions in fright.
It wasn’t the result Elana had tried for, but it would do. It seemed Catarina’s rumour mill had reached this place as well. The looks she was getting had much more fear in them than before.
Which suited Elana just fine. She ran her palm over the plentiful dress her father had sent her. The constant chill on her naked back reminded her of what the purpose of dress-up was. She disliked the thing immensely.
But for now, Elana would play the good daughter she wasn’t. Not anymore. The old Elana listened to the Duke, but she?
Elana listened to Cinthia’s steps behind her. Her bodyguard was, for once, entirely serious in full battle gear. But most importantly, she had the ‘gift’ for her father in her hands.
Even without looking, Elana felt the nervousness radiating from her companion. “Relax.” Her smile sent more people running. “It is just alcohol. Precious and rare, but entirely innocent.”
Cinthia waited for a quieter spot before speaking. “Is it?” Her tone indicated she didn’t quite believe Elana’s words.
“Of course,” Elana wanted to skip. Soon, her father would be gone. Without him, she would be free to act as she wished. “It is just alcohol.” She repeated.
Not that Cinthia fully believed Elana. She knew her lady too well.
And rightfully so. Elana almost let her sinister smile bloom fully. The drink wasn’t dangerous. Not by itself. It was truly something rare and expensive.
Elana hadn’t cared about the details. She simply ‘informed’ Mary’s little friend of what she needed and let the alchemist sort out the rest.
The bottle of exotic alcohol from the Far East was just what Elana needed. Leina’s father had acquired it a few years ago, and it had sat in his residence, gathering dust in case the man needed to bribe someone.
Leina had simply stolen it and then ‘improved’ the contents with her own touch.
Elana didn’t understand what exactly was done - the explanation was too technical for her level of knowledge.
What mattered was that, while the drink was innocent by itself, upon mixing it with a few other ingredients…
Well. Then, it became an entirely different matter.
All Elana had to do was to make sure her father drank it, which wouldn’t be hard. He liked his hard drinks. She then turned her attention to the paintings along the corridor's walls while considering other matters.
For one, Moira had been awfully chipper upon returning from the meeting with the Prince of Lacking Brains. And she hadn’t told Elana why.
It was worrying. Elana didn’t know what to make of it. And the damned women of hers always knew where Elana was. How?
Elana suspected it was due to the bracelets, but she couldn’t figure out the method to achieve the same. Perhaps it had something to do with Moira’s status?
Before reaching a satisfying answer to her worries, Elana finally reached the Duke’s office.
In front of it stood the best guards money could buy. They started at Elana and Cinthia unflinching.
“That’s enough. Give me the gift. You won’t be allowed to step inside.” Elana received the packaged bottle, then passed the guards, stepping inside the tiger’s den.
There, the Duke was already waiting. He scrutinised Elana with a piercing stare before smiling slightly. “My favourite daughter.” He didn’t get up from his table and continued to go through papers. “How glad I am for your visit.” He lied.
The first struggle had been passed. Elana strolled towards the seat, and before sitting down, she handed the bottle to her ‘father’. “A small gift.” She curtsied. “In celebration.”
“Celebration, you say?” Vermont frowned, took the bottle and studied it. “After the mess you made?” He shook the bottle with suspicion.
Elana had suspected he wouldn’t drink it right away. Not unless someone else did as well. “Indeed. It was quite lucky the Prince decided to kill Kurt.” She smiled.
“Lucky?” Vermont finally took out a couple of glasses from a drawer. “It is a mess. And don’t think I haven’t heard about your hostility towards the Prince. You should be more careful.” He uncorked the bottle and took a deep breath of the strong smell.
From the slight smile forming on Vermont’s face, Elana judged he liked what she had brought. “I worked with what I had.” She didn’t show any regret. “The Idiot dared to openly flirt in front of me.”
“That-” The Duke poured the amber liquid into the glasses, then slid one of them towards Elana. “-Is true.” He hummed while waiting for his daughter to take the first sip. “You at least didn’t do shame to our name. Unlike…” He sighed.
Elana ignored the barb aimed at Mary. She felt a spike of anger but hid it by tasting the sour drink. Her father’s eyes didn’t leave her until she emptied the glass. “It is what it is.” She diplomatically noted. “More importantly, what are our plans now?”
“Our?” Vermont finally tasted the drink himself.
The dismissive note in his voice irked Elana. It only made her want to kill the man faster. “Our. I am not a foolish young girl anymore. I know what kind of role you have planned for me.” She slid her glass back towards the hateful man.
“Do you?” Vermont huffed in amusement. “Well, that-” He didn’t hesitate to refill the glass. “-Certainly makes things easier.” His piercing eyes judged Elana.
“So?”
“I want you to entertain the guest coming from ‘Palkon,” Vermont spoke openly, waiting for Elana’s response.
“I see,” Elana tried to recall everything she could about the Kingdom of Palkon. After all, they were the enemy from the game Moira was supposed to face against. “Tell me more.” She settled in her seat, preparing for a long afternoon.
