Chapter 79

Leaving the garden, I turned to Andrew. "Buy the best roses and send them to her room," I instructed as we walked out of the garden and into the hallway. My fiancée had made a simple request, but in return, I had given her a challenging task. After all, in this era, there were no recorders or playlists, and music was usually performed by traveling bands.

"On it," Andrew quickly replied. Then, he looked at me with hopeful eyes and asked, "She didn't try to manipulate you, did she?"

"She's just acting," I responded, rolling my eyes. Andrew's disappointed gaze met mine. Even if I didn't have concrete evidence, I had a gut feeling that she was acting. There were no clear signs, but I could sense it, you know?

"There was no indication that she was acting," he insisted.

"That just means she's a good actor," I shrugged, shifting my focus to the hallway ahead. As I did, I noticed Elena walking toward us, carrying a couple of files in her hands.

"Morning, Master Lucas. I hope your date went well," Elena greeted us with a smile, glancing at both me and Andrew.

"It went great! It was love at first sight," I joked, but Andrew simply rolled his eyes.

"Master Lucas is suspicious of his fiance without any reasonable basis," Andrew explained to Elena. "If you ask me, I think he's afraid to love."

"I liked you more when you were stoic," I remarked, redirecting my attention back to Elena.

"So, what's going on?" I asked, looking at the files she was carrying—there were about four of them.

"Well, first, the military operations were unfruitful. We've hit a roadblock and haven't been able to find any more bases or any information on Judas," Elena began, her voice soft but maintaining her smile as she handed me the file. I had already read it earlier that morning.

"So, what do you propose?" I asked, flipping through the papers one more time.

"I think we should call off the military operations. It's costing a lot of money for little to no results. Instead, we can shift our focus to a different type of operation," Elena suggested, her smile widening. It was clear she already had a few ideas in mind.

"Hit me," I replied, turning my attention fully to her.

"We shift our focus into fanning the flames of conflict," she explained, grabbing another file and handing it to me. "The west is currently in turmoil due to the drug business. The population is addicted to our product. So, if we can create conflict in other regions, like the east, where a small revolt happens and the duke is asked to take care of it..."

"It would anger Duke Roger, since he'll be taken away from his main priority, causing a rift between him and the royal family," I finished her thought, my mind already considering the implications. The drug had become a huge hit in the western economy, with approximately 10% of the western population constantly addicted to it.

"What if they send Duke Vigar? That would basically ruin the plan, no?" I handed her back the file, awaiting her response.

"They would want to send you a message, and what better way to send a potentially revolutionary a statement than by effortlessly crushing a revolt?" she answered, a mischievous grin on her face. She had anticipated my main worries about this plan, and I was already starting to trust her judgment.

"So, you're banking on them hating me so much that they want to set an example? Not a bad idea," I said, smiling at her. "Set the plan in motion."

"Very well, Master Lucas," she nodded in acknowledgment. "The other bad news is about my brother. He hasn't really learned how to manage the city, and I'm afraid that if he doesn't, he won't be selected as the heir."

"Why does it matter if he knows or not? He'll still become the heir to Silverglade. It would be a waste for him to learn more," I replied, slightly perplexed.

"Just give him some policies that work and let him take the credit," Elena suggested. I didn't see the problem; the solution seemed straightforward.

"Wouldn't it be better if he learned how to? After all, he will take over a Marquis territory," she voiced her concerns.

"Your brother is a pawn. He will be the ruler of Silverglade in name only. We are the ones in control, remember?" I reminded her as we finally arrived at my room. Opening the door, I entered and took a seat at my desk, glancing back at them.

"The more he knows, the harder it will be for us to control him," I stated firmly, grabbing some files from my desk and organizing them.

"I'm sure my brother can be more useful to us," Elena insisted, her tone trying to convince me. However, I had no plans involving her brother other than using him as a pawn. He would never be more than that, and I had already made that decision.

"He isn't, and he won't be," I responded firmly, signaling the end of that topic. She sighed but quickly recomposed herself, handing me another file.

"I finally managed to gain a spy in the capital. It took me nearly two years," she revealed, and a smile spread across my face as I read the file.

"My spy is a maid, but she is on the outskirts of the estate, so she doesn't hear the main conversations, only rumors," Elena explained, taking the file back from me.

"Not bad. It's a start," I commented, looking at her. It was a relief to finally have some presence in the capital, even if it wasn't much.

"So, has she obtained any valuable information?" I asked, feeling a hint of hope, considering that the maid was somewhat distant from where the king resided.

"She has heard multiple rumors, but one stands out to me," Elena replied, handing me another file. "There is a rumor about a man called Frost being at odds with the chancellor. As of right now, I have no further information besides a name, and I took the liberty to send a messenger to the archbishop, who also had no additional information."

"Well, at least that's something," I responded, laying the file down on my desk, "Alright, if that's all, you can leave now," I said, looking at both Elena and Andrew.

Elena bowed and left the room, but Andrew stayed behind. "Do you have something to tell me?" I asked, curious about his lingering presence.

"Don't you want to go and get roses for your fiance yourself? After all, gifts mean more when they're chosen from the heart," he teased.

"No, I don't want to go. Besides, when did you become an expert in love?" I retorted.

"I'm no expert in love. I just don't want to see my master become a lonely, withered old man," he replied, pretending to express sorrow.

"Whatever, just leave, please," I said, rubbing my forehead in frustration as he exited the room with a mischievous smile. I glanced out of the window, noticing the sun beginning to set.

"I still have to talk to my father."