7 days layer

Over a week had passed since our last meeting, and I knew it was time to take some decisive actions. After breakfast, I gathered everyone for a joint discussion on our next steps.

I turned to Beatrice and asked if she had any information about the spies from the Duke or any suspicious individuals who had been monitoring us. Beatrice informed me that she had conducted her investigation and discovered three teams of people constantly keeping an eye on us.

The first team consists of the maids and workers in the castle. Beatrice began. "They report everything they see and hear to the head butler. The second group monitoring us are the guards set up by the Duke. However, they lack skill in this type of work and are often careless, as we saw with the incident involving the attribute stone. Lastly, there's a secret group composed of six individuals. I'm not sure who they work for, but they seemed like trained Assassins from the dark guild when I observed them."

I thanked Beatrice for her thorough report and asked if she had discovered anything else. She nodded and continued, "Yes, young master. I found out that Jeffrey, the leader of the guards who have been watching us, is the son-in-law of the grand Chamberlain. He attained his position with the help of the grand Chamberlain's influence. However, he has been cheating on his wife for the past two years and even has a child with a woman named Jonah in the next town. The grand Chamberlain's daughter is unaware of this."

Satisfied with the information. I turned to Agnes and asked if she had written the letters as I had requested. Agnes nodded and assured me that she had already completed the task.

I gathered everyone's attention, my voice filled with a calculated determination. "Listen carefully, everyone. We must keep a close eye on the workers and servants within the castle. They lack the skills for effective information gathering, and their understanding of what constitutes valuable intelligence is limited. However, this can work to our advantage. They can be manipulated to serve our purposes in reverse. Since we rarely share our true views and ideas with them, they pose the least immediate threat.

My gaze shifted to the topic of the guards, their incompetence and intrusive behavior causing frustrations. "As for the guards, their spying capabilities are abysmal, but their constant interference and harassment can pose a significant obstacle to our plans. However, we cannot simply remove them without raising suspicion from the Duke. We must find a way to change their allegiance or at the very least render them neutral. This will allow us to proceed with our future activities without their unwarranted interference."

My voice carried a sense of caution as I addressed the dangerous Assassin group.

"I have reasons to believe that the assassin group monitoring us is closely connected to the first madam. However, we cannot simply confront them head-on. We must devise a plan that not only eliminates them but also ensures that we are perceived as innocent victims.I am pretty sure that the head butler and the duke already knew about these shadowy figures and since they have kept their silence it means they acquiesced it ."

My mind raced with possibilities as I continued, "Our approach must be meticulous and strategic. We will strike when the odds are in our favor, catching them off guard and utilizing the element of surprise. By eliminating this threat ourselves, we maintain control over the situation and minimize the risk of exposing our true intentions."

"Each step we take must be calculated and executed flawlessly. We will not leave any loose ends, ensuring that our actions cannot be traced back to us. We must emerge from this encounter as both victors and victims, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind about our innocence."

A resolute expression settled on my face as I addressed the matter of the secret Assassin group. "Tommorow Night, we shall take action against the Assassins. Their presence threatens our safety and compromises our mission. It is imperative that we eliminate this threat swiftly and decisively. Their removal will ensure our security and allow us to operate without the constant shadow of danger."

Then, I turned my attention back to Beatrice and gave her a specific task. "Beatrice, I want you to do something for me," I said, with a determined look in my eyes.

I asked Beatrice about Jeffrey's activities and his daily routine. She explained that he often left the castle to go drinking during the day time.

Due to his status as the grand Chamberlain's son-in-law, no one reprimanded him, assuming nothing would happen even if he drank during duty hours and since we are powerless in the eyes of guards spying on us seems to be worthless from their perspective.

With this information in mind, I instructed Beatrice, "Very well, Beatrice. I want you to show me the restaurant that Jeffrey frequents in the afternoon but before that Eleanor and Matilda I have a task for both of you".

Matilda's Pov

I entered the kitchen with Eleanor, carrying Arthur's instructions in my mind. The sight of various dishes being prepared for the duke by head chef Mark caught my attention.

Approaching the head chef with determination, I fixed him with an inquisitive gaze. "Mark, why do our provisions seem to be dwindling day by day?" I asked, my voice laced with frustration.

Mark seemed taken aback by my directness, his words stumbling out in response. "Oh, Miss Matilda, I apologize, but we are currently facing a shortage of resources."His answer didn't sit right with me.

I looked around the kitchen, taking in the abundance of ingredients and supplies. It was clear that there were no shortages.

Anger bubbled up within me. "What nonsense are you spouting, Mark? It's evident that we have more than enough resources right here in this well-stocked kitchen."

Eleanor, standing by my side,. Her voice joined mine. "Why are you lying, Mark? We can all see that there are no shortages. We simply wanted to create something special to uplift our young master's spirits."

Mark's defensiveness grew, and he retorted, "Miss Eleanor, if you have any concerns or issues, I suggest you take them up with the head butler. I am unable to assist you in this matter."

My patience wore thin, and I exchanged a determined glance with Eleanor. "Let's go, Eleanor," I said firmly. "We won't find what we need in this kitchen. We'll take matters into our own hands and ensure that our young master receives the care he deserves."