Evangeline's Safety

Verdaselles Palace

Magdalene turned the corner and stopped short when she saw Richard standing in the hallway. Her cheeks flushed as she blinked in surprise. "Hello... Mr. Richard. Are you here to see Lady Evangeline?" she asked, her voice slightly unsteady.

Richard ran his fingers through his brown hair, glancing at her with a neutral expression. "No, just passing by," he replied coolly, his eyes flicking to the servant standing beside her with a food trolley. "I take it you're on your way to deliver this to Evangeline?"

Magdalene offered a soft smile, nodding. "Yes, it's for her. She's been so focused on work lately, more than usual," she replied. Pausing, she gestured for the servant to deliver the food trolley to Evangeline, hoping for a moment alone with Richard. "Would you like me to bring you some hot chocolate?" she offered shyly, recalling with a blush how much Richard liked it especially when it was milky.

Richard looked thoughtful for a moment before shaking his head. "I appreciate the offer, Lady Magdalene, but not right now." He turned his gaze to a nearby window, his profile highlighted by the soft light filtering through. He seemed distant, absorbed in his thoughts. Magdalene couldn't help but admire his sharp features, her heart fluttering as she took in his physique.

"But thank you for the tea you served me in the garden. It was... nice," he said, his lips curving into a slight smile as he turned to face her. The subtle warmth in his expression made Magdalene's cheeks grow even warmer, and she looked away, embarrassed.

"Oh, it's nothing… just part of my duties," she murmured, fidgeting with her fingers. Richard scoffed softly, clearly amused by her shyness, though he maintained his usual stoic demeanor.

As he observed her, Richard's mind wandered to what he had learned about her. "Magdalene Herwaman, around twenty-four years old... she was once the young mistress and heiress to the Herwaman estate, but like me, she lost everything during the war. After her family's fall, she worked for Edward Brusward before ending ties with him. Now, she serves as Evangeline's lady-in-waiting and head maid at Serenity Palace."

Richard studied Magdalene's expression as she bit her lip, still flushed from their exchange. "She's loyal to Evangeline, watches over her like a sister," he thought. "But is she here for something else? A spy, maybe? She reports everything about Evangeline to Azielle or Dominic. She could have her own mission, though she doesn't seem aware of why I'm really here."

He chuckled lightly, making Magdalene blush even more. "Perhaps I'll try that hot chocolate some other time," he said, enjoying the hint of color in her cheeks.

"Of course, Mr. Richard... anytime." She cleared her throat, attempting to regain her composure. "So, if you're just passing through, may I remind you this path leads to the East Wing? It's off-limits without Lady Evangeline's permission," she said, striving for a firm tone even as her voice softened under his gaze.

Richard glanced back down the hall, his jaw tightening. "I'm concerned about Evangeline, especially with Dominic around," he admitted, his voice barely above a murmur.

Magdalene's smile faded as she caught the tension in his stance and the way he clenched his fist. "What do you mean? Did... did something happen?" she asked, a hint of worry creeping into her voice.

Richard hesitated before answering, his gaze hardening slightly. "Evangeline drowned but.... Dominic just… saved her late," he said, forcing his tone to remain light. It was a lie, and he knew she might sense it, but he wasn't ready to reveal the truth.

Magdalene's brows knitted in concern. She tilted her head thoughtfully. "Lady Evangeline hasn't mentioned any incident to me. The other day, she seemed unusually determined, like she was hiding something… perhaps something happened between her and Dominic." Her voice softened. "Dominic may be a Brusward, but he's not like his brother Edward."

Richard studied her closely. "Perhaps," he replied with a neutral expression. "She trusts Dominic, even though she's aware of the Brusward reputation. But she doesn't know why I chose to serve Evangeline. Dominic's involvement is one of those reasons," he thought, narrowing his eyes. "And if Edward decides to reveal to her that I was hired by Evangeline, I can't risk her knowing everything."

Magdalene watched him, her chest tightening as she sensed the hidden tension. She didn't fully understand why Richard seemed so invested in Evangeline's safety, but part of her wished she could be someone he confided in. She smiled softly, masking her worry. "I'm sure it was just a small spat between husband and wife. Lady Evangeline is resilient, and I believe she'll be fine."

Richard shook his head, half-amused by her confidence in Dominic. "Perhaps you're right, Lady Magdalene," he replied, though his eyes betrayed a hint of doubt leaving her wondering what he was hiding.

"It doesn't matter... I understand you care for Lady Evangeline, but you should consider her safety as well ," Richard said softly, his voice wavering slightly. After all... she is married to a Brusward."He continued but Magdalene stared at him..."I Know that Richard... Dominic's a Brusward "She said

Richard raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms as he watched her intently. "And that's precisely why I'm here, Lady Magdalene," he replied firmly. "For Evangeline's safety." He paused, noting how she flushed and looked down, nervously gripping the hem of her dress.

"You brought me here as her lady-in-waiting, because she needed someone to protect her..." he said, his voice more assured but still tinged with unease. "And I am loyal to the Sarogaths, Master Richard. But... with how sensitive you are about the incident—how you reacted when she nearly drowned according to what you said—you might want to consider about not stepping foot at the East Wing, She's safe with her husband"

Richard's expression amused slightly as he studied her face, picking up on the genuine concern in her eyes. He took a step closer, his gaze unwavering. "Magdalene, Evangeline's marriage to Dominic may bring its own dangers. But she needs allies now more than ever." His tone gentled, and he gave a brief nod. "And for her sake, I'm glad that includes you."

Magdalene's cheeks deepened to a brighter shade of red, her fingers still gripping her dress as she mustered the courage to look him in the eye. "Thank you, Mr. Richard. I—" She hesitated, her heartbeat quickening under his gaze. "I'll do everything I can to protect her... even if that means working alongside you."

A subtle smirk appeared on Richard's lips as he noticed her flustered state, though he quickly concealed it with a nod. "Good. Just remember, Magdalene—there's more to this arrangement than meets the eye." He said , glancing over his shoulder with a faint smile. "And I'll be watching. For Evangeline's sake, of course."

Magdalene's eyes widened slightly, unsure whether his words were a promise or a warning.

Volen Estate, Verdaselles — The Home of the Hawricks

In his father's office, Eric paced back and forth with frustration etched across his face. His father, Honan, sat nearby, clenching his fists in anger.

"Father, we need to resolve this immediately. The Seldings won't let this slide easily," Eric fumed, slamming his fist into his palm. "Who would have thought that incapable woman could outsmart us?"

Honan's expression darkened as he took another gulp of his drink. "It's truly surprising that Lady Evangeline could involve herself in business. Everyone thought she'd be incapable... everyone except her husband, Dominic," he muttered bitterly.

"She really caught us off guard," Eric sneered, his eyes narrowing. "We need to get rid of her, and soon!"

Meanwhile, Dominic arrived at the outer gate of the Hawricks' manor. With a calculating glance, he noted a guard stationed by the entrance. "I need to get inside without raising suspicion," he thought, quickly formulating a plan. Just then, he spotted a man approaching the gate with a portfolio in hand, likely a visitor or servant.

Turning away from the gate, Dominic skillfully scaled the fence, moving with precision. He landed quietly on the other side, crouching low as nearby guards turned at the slight noise. Thankfully, they dismissed it as nothing more than a stray animal and returned to their posts.

However, unbeknownst to Dominic, one of Anthony's assassins—a woman posing as a servant—had been tracking his movements. She smirked to herself as she slipped on a dark mask, her eyes glinting with determination.

"I'll assist Mr. Brusward on this little venture," she thought, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "That stubborn gentleman has clearly overestimated himself."

With an agile leap, she scaled the fence on another side of the manor, landing silently like a shadow. Spotting several guards blocking her path, she spun her stiletto blades in her hands, moving with lethal grace. In a swift, calculated dance, she dispatched them with precision, their bodies collapsing silently to the ground as she strode past, leaving no witnesses.

Inside, Eric continued his rant to Honan, unaware of the events unfolding just outside. Evangeline's unexpected competence had shaken him deeply, and he couldn't fathom how she'd managed to get the upper hand.

"To think she'd be capable of outmaneuvering us, Father—it's embarrassing," Eric spat.

Dominic, meanwhile, slipped further into the estate, his sharp gaze mapping every detail, every guard rotation, calculating his next move.

Dominic moved with precision through the estate grounds, his eyes narrowing as he observed the layout and guard rotations.

"The manor is swarming with guards. Taking them all out one by one would waste precious time," he thought, calculating his next moves. Without hesitation, he slipped behind one of the guards standing by a post, pressing a nerve in the man's neck to render him instantly unconscious. As the guard's body began to slump, Dominic caught him and dragged him quietly into the shadows, ensuring no sound gave away his presence.

Moving swiftly, Dominic approached the second guard. With a swift, silent motion, he covered the guard's mouth with a cloth laced with a powerful sedative, holding it firmly until the guard's body went limp. Dominic quickly stripped the unconscious guard of his uniform, swapping his own attire for the disguise, then stashed the guard's body in a nearby bush, hidden from view. Adjusting the uniform with a practiced air of confidence, Dominic walked calmly into the premises, blending in seamlessly.

As he made his way deeper into the manor, servants passed by and offered polite greetings. Dominic nodded in response, masking his focus with an air of casual authority. A man with a portfolio approached him, bowing his head before holding out the leather-bound case.

"Please, deliver this to Mr. Hawrick. It's from the Seldings," the man said with an innocent smile before turning away. However, Dominic noted the subtle smirk that flickered across the man's face as he walked off. This portfolio, Dominic thought, could be a valuable tool. He decided to keep it close, saving it for a calculated strike against the Hawricks.

Continuing his advance, Dominic finally found the spot where he'd left his bag of equipment. He spotted two guards hunched over it, trying to pry it open, their backs turned and unaware of his approach. With a calm but swift motion, Dominic raised the portfolio and delivered a precise blow to each guard's head, one after the other. They crumpled soundlessly to the floor.

Satisfied, Dominic retrieved a small, round smoke bomb from his bag. His fingers moved deftly as he twisted the device, then tossed it into the hallway. With a quiet hiss, the smoke spread rapidly, filling the air with a faint, tranquilizing haze. Within seconds, the guards and servants within its range began to slump to the floor, one by one, succumbing to its sleep-inducing power.

Stepping through the mist and over the bodies, Dominic moved with practiced elegance, unfazed by the scene around him. His goal was clear: find Hawrick's office, plant the portfolio, and leave before anyone woke.

From the shadows of the estate, a figure watched him closely. The female assassin, sent by Anthony and disguised as a servant, held two sleeping bombs of her own. She tilted her head, a glimmer of admiration flickering in her eyes as she observed Dominic's flawless execution.

"So, he's clever enough to carry his own smoke bombs," she mused silently, impressed by his efficiency. Watching him stride confidently through the mist, she smirked. "Not bad, Mr. Brusward… not bad at all."

As Dominic slipped further into the manor, the assassin turned and vanished into the shadows, moving with predatory grace to handle her own targets. For now, she'd let Dominic do his work—but she would be ready to step in if needed.