Her Best Offer

Her lips shut tight in a thin line as she refrained herself from taking out that dagger. You need this job. The child needs you. The last thought surprised her but she did not show it.

"You are the duke nonetheless and I am sure all the empire is awaiting news related to the new duke and rumors spread easily through servants these days. Don't you think rumors have a lot of power, your grace?" The smile on her face did not fade but it was infectious to bring a curve on his lips too.

"I too believe that, Mrs Brentwood." he took a step back as if he was concerned about her warning, "have a safe trip." He tipped his head like a true gentleman and went to wash the horse again which surprised her again.

The way he laughs wickedly, acts roguishly and reeks of alcohol who would have thought that he had any hobbies of a gentleman or kindness in him to wash a horse.

"You are not leaving. Are you waiting for me to continue then, Mrs Brentwood? I know a few dark places where the servants would not notice enough to gossip." his brow rose and for a second he looked terrifying when she shook her head and ran.. Ran for her sanity more than her life. 

What was she even thinking when she stared at him as if she was fascinated by his looks and actions.

It took Elara only a minute to find the servant's carriage. She showed the list and order and a coachman passed it to her bringing a wry smile. She had to drive it herself? As the maids of duke.. Forget it.

She shook her head as she knew that man was only trying to shirk his responsibilities on her like others. They all were running loose because the new duke did not care about running the palace perfectly. 

Thank goodness she had brought a cloak with her or the whole capital had noticed her today. Taking the carriage, she rode it perfectly as if she had done it all her life and left for the market.

She went to a few shops and bought things in the list. Her eyes scanned the area again and again but she had a shaking feeling that someone was watching her. She looked around, once, twice.. Thrice. But she could not find anyone suspicious.

After completing her shopping for the ingredients, she went to a tea house and took the last seat near the window. 

A man soon joined her. He was wearing a cloak like her but it was common in these kinds of shops where many come in exchange of information or gossip or do shady deals. So, no one paid much attention to their table.

"I was searching for you." the man complained in a low voice when she took out a parchment from her pocket and passed it to the man. But he did not take the initiative to take it as she was expecting. But his voice went cold as he added, "not only you were caught but you did quite a ruckus. The whole empire knows that someone stole from them and now they are looking for you. His majesty had offered a reward to catch you and the gang had sent several men that I have lost count."

Her hands went cold instantly. She was afraid that their group was looking for her but to think that she was wanted as a criminal by the empire. The parchment crumpled in her hands. 

"Where are you living El?" the man pressed when she stiffened. It was her new address, her post and her designation in the parchment she was pasing. But for some reason, she didn't want to do it anymore.

"Safe! I am hiding in an inn on the border of the empire where only prostitutes stay. They will not be able to find me." the man snickered at his confidence and finally looked at the parchment but she took it back making his eyes narrowed.

"What was that?" he did not act ignorant as she was expecting but she gulped.

"It was the list of their latest clients. But.. I will only offer it now when I am paid enough for it." she lied when the man snickered. He mumbled a curse and words of her under his breath as he took out a large pouch full of gold coins.

"This would be enough for hiding for a year. Now give that to me." She placed her hands in her pocket and took out another list and passed it to him.

He opened it at once and checked it. The name would bring havoc in the capital. 

"Christ! Elara.. It had names of the most reputed and noble families of the empire. Do you have proof that they were doing business with those criminals?" she was amazed at how he was able to keep his tone down when his whole body was shivering with excitement. The sheer joy that made them different.

While she was doing it so that no other orphan was forced to be a criminal and work for gangs. The count was doing it for power. He uses these letters to shake the position of higher nobles and gain more power from his majesty. He was aiming for the position of marques if not duke and a lot of rewards and other political power.

But.. he was the only way. If she went to his majesty, she would be thrown in the dungeon and then.. Her war for justice would end before it would even start. He was the best she could bargain for.

"I have ledgers and proof of the transfer of money." he nodded but then scowled.

"Why did you not bring it at once?"

"I was afraid of being followed. Even now.. I feel someone is watching us." the man stiffened at once at her words.

"Then leave, i will start the fire with this list but you must be prepared to come forward when the time comes."