A contract (3)
His decision gave Elicia and the maids a shock for different reasons.
From the maids' perspective, the Northern Mines wasn't a place suitable for working. Though the salary was high, some people still feel reluctant to go due to danger and possible deaths, much less making it a punishment.
Winford's Northern Territory was famous for two things: its beautiful mountain sceneries, which was one of the Empire's famous tourist attractions, and rich aie mines with harsh terrains.
Similarly, there are two types of people that head to this place: rich tourists and poor people with nowhere else to go.
It was like heaven and hell co-existing in the same acre of land.
As the mines always suffered from manpower shortages, they accepted even the inexperienced. High salary, free hostage and food, frequent healthcare,…it was the dream job if one only looks at the benefits.
However, injuries ranging from medium to high also happened all the time.
This did not mean that working with your limbs intact was impossible. It was just because the risks were too high for the Empirians, whose nation had thrived and remained peaceful for nearly a thousand years, to take. As a result, only those who were pushed to a corner, in desperate need of money, or swallowed in debt would come here.
Or, in this case, it became the ultimate punishment for the servants who had committed unbelievable acts.
Yes, they would still receive money for their work, but what stupid idiot would trade their life for several gold coins?
As for why the duke did not simply execute them all? The Empire had already developed past that stage; according to the current Emperor's words, it was "We are no longer barbarians that slaughter our own countrymen like pigs."
What about cases like Linda's? Well, there's no need to explain why they could fabricate her death into a suicide.
'Power reigned above the rest, even in modern societies.'
Adelaide took a glance towards Linda's corpse while pondering the meaning behind Duke Charles' words. She knew he made the right judgment, but there was still something that did not feel right.
'All the maids except Susan….Isn't that similar to taking all of Elicia's minions away? He definitely knew these maids, including the newly-added ones, are like his wife's personal soldiers.'
'Wait, there's only around fifteen of them here, minus the corpse…the bitch's legion couldn't be this few. Her veterans aren't on the battlefield, thus remain safe. Don't tell me…'
Her eyes shone a bit at the head maid Susan's gloomy face.
'…a small warning. No, a warning to Susan, but a reminder to Elicia.'
It was obvious that Duke Charles did not want to upset his wife in any way. Duchess Elicia's face also recovered and gained back confidence after the duke whispered words into her ears.
'A couple of love-birds. Disgusting love-birds.'
Despite that, Adelaide knew she would not be troubled by maids anymore. Duchess Elicia had learned her lesson. Though it was a shame that she did not even receive one sentence of scolding, Adelaide had expected that from the start and thus was not disappointed.
She had her own plans, anyways. According to her own standards, she had no energy nor the responsibility to serve nonsense justice such as 'help the original soul exert revenge'. It was only a coincidence that the objectives happened to collide.
'I'll just let you dance as you like and focus on growing up first.'
Alfred did not react once when the scene unfolded. Adelaide did not know if he felt satisfied, but she knew something even more interesting would happen in closed doors when his business smile returned.
'Gotta keep my guard against this in the future.'
"Will you grant me a private audience, Your Grace? Just like we planned."
His tone took a polite turn all of a sudden. It was not like he wasn't respectful enough before, but the way he talked sounded like they really needed to get down to business and do impactful stuff where kinship should not get in the way.
The Duke clearly looked hesitant.
Adelaide also tried to reign in her curiosity. If it was something that had to do with her, then she would listen at all costs. Hell, she would be there regardless. Aside from the thirst to know what was going on, Adelaide was in desperate need of information. She needed to know whether the topic between them would affect her long-term plan or not.
As for a method to sneak past their eyes, Adelaide had her pride as a demi-human teleport station. Secrecy was never a problem.
"Sure. We will talk right after this."
"Thank you, Your Grace."
Duke Charles sighed and signaled the guards to move the maids slash dead statues away. Some of the knights would be assigned to 'deliver' them to the Northern Mines soon. Until then, they would have to keep a close eye on these people to prevent any attempts of running away.
Most maids would not do something so useless, especially when they were going up against one of the strongest households. However, you could never underestimate one's stupidity.
"Then let's call it a night."
"Yes, Your Grace."
Duke Charles helped Elicia get up from her chair while Alfred called one of the assistant butlers over to manage the cleaning. When the duke couple walked in their direction, Alfred pulled her over while the servants bowed.
Alfred's business smile was still maintained. Duchess Elicia glanced at Adelaide as they went across the siblings, expecting Adelaide to show her previous crazed-looking side, but she avoided the stepmother's intense gaze instead, like how a scared girl should be.
'The iconic stare. You think I'll fall for that?'
The only ones that remained intact after seeing her run around like a mental patient were Elicia and her head maid Susan, who did not dare look up the entire time after the duke and his heir arrived.
Adelaide thought acting all nice and obedient for public image was important, so unnecessary OOCs(*) were a big no-no.
(*OOC: out of character)
Whether that stepmother thought of it as a mental outburst, something taught to her by Alfred, or her as a cunning brat, it was none of Adelaide's concern. To Adelaide, when an obstacle appears and blocks one's path, there are only two valid solutions.
Either one jumps over and overcomes it, or gets rid of it completely to prevent future headaches. She could not be shilly-shallied, especially when she was in a completely new world with no idea how it worked.
Dreaming of living in a fairytale-like castle like a princess is unrealistic, at least in a house where maids were allowed to hit the young lady until a minute ago.
'If the obstacle possesses too many future uncertainties, then the only way to make your mind rest at ease is…'
Adelaide saw cold light emitting from her brother's eyes and knew – he must be up to something.
'We really are siblings, aren't we?'
"Samuel, escort Adelaide back to her room."
"Yes, young master."
Alfred called, and the young man with blonde hair walked out from between the knights. It was the man that stood guard behind her at dinner.
Duke Charles' eyebrows twitched as he gave Samuel an unexpected gaze, but the apprentice knight did not seem to care. He bowed respectfully, his expression remained calm despite the other knights' perplexed looks.
Similarly, Adelaide also felt quite confused. She did not understand why Alfred risked exposing such an important card. Would the benefit of exposing Samuel, a talented knight, outdo the disadvantages?
'I'm sure it has something to do with their upcoming conversation. Shit, I feel like a fan waiting anxiously for their favorite show to air.'
"Adelaide," Alfred called her as Samuel approached them with steady footsteps. "I'll be back soon, so sleep first, okay?"
"Yes, brother."
"Pardon my rudeness, my lady."
Adelaide gave her brother a knowing smile while Samuel bent down to pick her up. Being a small six-year-old allowed her to be carried, which suited her lazy personality quite well.
"Then I'll be going, young master."
Alfred nodded lightly at the knight's words. As the heir turned right and walked down the opposite corridor, Adelaide saw faint rays of moonlight land on his shoulders. Her eyes could not help but follow him until she could not see his slender silhouette anymore.
"I'll take you to Miss Rosaline to treat the wounds, my lady. They're shallow, so please do not worry about scars."
Miss Rosaline was one of Winford's exclusive doctors.
"Yes, thank you, Sir Samuel."
Adelaide was happy at Samuel's sincerity and his attempt of making her feel better, but as an easily-worried person, she had to think about her only ally, Alfred, as well.
She did not know what brilliant plan is forming inside Alfred's head, but she knew for sure there was a probability that he might get cold feet, or worse, hesitate while executing. Before that, what if he wasn't thinking of the same solution as her?
One must look out for oneself.
'Brother is clever, but he's only 14. Unlike me, he was born and raised here. Although it looks like he hates Duke Charles, who knows if he still has some lingering affections left? Kids in this kind of family can have father issues growing up.'
Duke Charles showed no love towards his children, and he was too incompetent for the Head position. It was no exaggeration to say that if Winford Corporation does not change its CEO in time, it would only continue to go downhill.
For the other board members' sake, someone must do the hard part.
According to the Empire's law, 17 should be considered mature. No one would dare raise voices if Alfred inherit the title by then.
Once Adelaide accepted that this is the new life that she must adapt to, she would not hesitate. Her father was truly a coward, but he was a coward with absolute power in the West.
Adelaide refused to live anxiously forever. She would rather endure for a couple of years and get rid of him for good.
'Since I am an innocent modern citizen who never committed a crime, this may bother my mentality a bit. It's a price I have to pay.'
Adelaide hummed lightly in her heart. She knew the hard days were far from over, and there were still four years until Alfred reaches seventeen, but she was happy with a specific goal in mind.