“Some decisions may be dictated by weakness, but true talent lies in turning any weakness into a strength.”

  [ 01st Lumiran 1749 | Eltar | 18:49 | Lenford Estate ]

  As soon as the carriage stopped near the estate, I saw a familiar figure by the gate, clad in an elegant gray cloak, a plaid skirt, and a ladies’ hat. She held an umbrella in her hands and watched the carriage without a smile. She tried to avert her gaze, and her overall appearance making her appear years older than she truly was.

  “Isa Lern is here,” I said to Evelina in a low voice.

  “Don’t draw unnecessary attention. First, escort me into the estate, and then go to her,” Evelina replied calmly, then added with a smile, “We will discuss all the details in person once the matter with the rector’s granddaughter is resolved.”

  I nodded, and then we began to exit the carriage. I cast a cold glance at her, and she looked back at me with a faint smile but said nothing, likely satisfied that her disguise had seemingly fooled Evelina.

  I escorted Evelina to the second floor and, once we were alone, I took out the envelope given to me by Darin and handed it to her.

  “This is likely another important matter that requires your attention.”

  Evelina looked at me mysteriously.

  “What is this, Arta?!” she asked, her voice full of mistrust.

  “A letter from Darin Merivald,” I answered dryly. “I don’t know the exact details, the envelope is sealed, but from indirect hints, he is proposing some sort of alliance,” I added, to show that I could not possibly be aware of all the specifics.

  Evelina smiled faintly.

  “Sometimes you surprise me, Arta,” she said, shaking her head slightly. “Now run along, don’t keep the rector’s granddaughter waiting too long.”

  I gave a polite nod and went to Isa Lern. Meanwhile, a heavy rain had begun to fall outside, and I was destined to get soaked, so I didn’t hurry or run through the downpour, which was warm despite its intensity.

  “Artalis, you could have brought an umbrella,” Isa said instead of a greeting.

  “I didn’t bring an umbrella with me, and it felt awkward to ask the Lenfords for one,” i countered, feeling the heavy, cold dampness seep through the fabric to reach my skin.

  “I see.” She touched a finger to the edge of her lower lip. “I suppose offering you shelter under my umbrella is not rational,” she said with a slight giggle, then added in a more serious tone, “In the future, carry an umbrella with you. In Sumerenn, unlike your snowy Troysk, rain is not a rarity.” With those words, she raised her umbrella higher and invited me to join her.

  There was little point in it, but I still decided not to abuse such a kind gesture.

  When I stepped under the umbrella, which was being rapidly drummed by the rain, Isa looked at me with satisfaction.

  “You know, Artalis, you are always so different from the other students at the academy. There’s something mysterious and attractive about you,” she said with a smile.

  “Have you come to build bridges with me?” I asked calmly, looking her straight in the eye.

  “Ooh… You know, Artalis, there’s an entire cosmos hidden in your eyes.” She smiled. “But of course, I’m here on business. But why don’t we talk, just once, face to face? Without my grandfather or Catherine, who is always trailing at your heels?” There were hints of an analyst’s thoughtfulness in her gaze, but she was still too inexperienced for the role.

  “And what would you like to talk about, Isa?” I replied, trying to look friendly.

  “What about? About you, of course!” she said enthusiastically. “You know, most of the students are easy for me to read; they give away their emotions in various ways. But you… your face hasn’t even twitched once while I’ve been watching you. Explain to me why that is,” she asked, and her question held a note of challenge.

  “Isa, my upbringing was very strict from childhood. I can’t tell you everything, but…” I paused to seem uncertain. “But I will tell you a little about myself, and I hope this satisfies your curiosity.”

  Isa’s eyes lit up as if I were about to reveal the secret of the universe to her.

  “From childhood, my mother accustomed me to severity and a certain kind of asceticism… She saw in me a reflection of herself and wanted me to follow her path,” I continued.

  “Let’s assume so. But does that answer the question of how you manage to control your emotions so well?” she countered.

  “I understand, but were you ever restricted from interacting with others since childhood? And punished for the slightest display of emotion in public?” I retorted, forcing her to put herself in my position.

  “I see. So it’s childhood trauma…?” she asked, misinterpreting.

  “Yes, you could say that…” I replied, trying to look as vulnerable as possible.

  “Ah, I understand… I’m sorry I asked,” Isa said guiltily.

  “It’s alright, I don’t mind. I’m used to it…” I answered, still in that vulnerable voice.

  Isa took a breath.

  “Listen, now I feel awkward. Maybe you could ask me something too?” she asked, searching my eyes for a hint of understanding.

  “Isa, thank you, but there’s no need,” I said, trying to sound gentle. “Let’s move on to the reason you’re here,” I said, hinting at a shift to a more constructive topic.

  The rain intensified, turning the cobblestone streets into slick rivulets of mud that drained down the city’s slope toward the Luren River.

  Isa looked down at her boots and sighed with displeasure.

  “You know, it seems we’ll both have to take a warm bath so we don’t get sick.”

  “It seems so,” I replied with a soft smile.

  “So, what was I saying? Right, I’ve arranged the ‘safe house’ we need. My grandfather’s man is already there,” Isa said.

  “And what is the address of this place?” I inquired, finding her explanation too abstract.

  “The merchant quarter, Number 10, on the right side of the main square, in the basement. The entrance to the basement is on the right,” Isa replied.

  “Not very close to the Palace of the Two-Faced,” I said ironically.

  “I understand, Artalis, but finding anything reasonable in the Twins’ Quarter is impossible. There are expensive estates and the Palace of the Two-Faced there, you know that perfectly well,” Isa countered.

  “Yes, I understand. Now we just have to figure out how to lure our target there…” I replied, sighing and closing my eyes deliberately to show my disappointment.

  “Artalis, just don’t do anything foolish, alright?” she asked, and immediately added, “I mean, your education at the academy is not worth your honor.”

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  “Honor…” I said, so she would hear the word. “You know, Isa, honor is a concept invented by those who want to manipulate others.” I paused. “My path at the academy is one of the few choices that is truly my own, and I don’t want to sacrifice it for politics.”

  Isa sighed.

  “I understand your pain, Artalis. Considering your childhood, life at the academy must seem like a pleasant journey to you, but my grandfather… He…” She paused. “Sorry, I can’t say,” she added, clearly afraid to continue the sentence.

  “I understand,” I nodded.

  “Alright, Artalis, go to Evelina. If anyone asks, say you were talking to a friend from… Liranis. That’s where Catherine is from, right?” She smiled.

  “Alright, a friend from Liranis. I’ll see you later,” I replied calmly.

  “Yes, I’ll be waiting for you where the confidant is. I hope we come out of this unpleasant situation clean,” she said, and looking me in the eye, she added, “See you, Arta!”

  “See you, Isa,” I said, and stepped out from under her umbrella, slowly making my way to the Lenford estate in the pouring rain.

  『 ?? 』━━━???━━━『 ? 』

  [ 01st Lumiran 1749 | Eltar | 19:35 | Lenford Estate ]

  When I reached Evelina, she was sitting in an armchair by an open window, a torn envelope in her hands. Her expression was deeply thoughtful, but one could not say it was happy.

  I approached her and stood at a respectful distance, but she did not want to speak and just stared at the wall. Understanding that she was waiting for me to initiate the conversation, I asked:

  “Did the letter disappoint you in some way?”

  Evelina looked at me angrily.

  “In part, but it’s not entirely about the letter. It’s that Weir Merivald is inviting me to a personal meeting with him.” Evelina shook her head. “The letter was written too politely and respectfully and was intended for my mother.”

  “But if the letter was written for Her Highness Queen Margaret, then why did you conclude that you are the one being invited?” I asked, trying to look interested in the conversation and donning the convenient mask of a student who doesn’t fully grasp high politics.

  Evelina sighed, closing her eyes, and quoted:

  “‘If you wish to preserve the matriarchal dynasty in our country, I strongly recommend you contact Weir Lanricht Merivald.’” she recited casually, shifting her gaze to me.

  Hundreds of analytical scenarios flashed through my mind, and the most likely outcome was that in the letter, the Merivalds were offering the royal family a valuable alliance, but also a high price for their services.

  “They probably want the monarchy in Valtheim to become merely a formality,” I said in a calm voice to gauge Evelina’s reaction.

  “Very likely, Arta, but in that case, it would be an ultimatum, not an alliance. There’s something else here, which they will only tell me in person.” Evelina relaxed and set the letter on the side table. “I think going to them now would be too reckless. I believe that to feel safe, I should have not only you with me, but Nova as well.”

  I nodded, understanding that such talks could be unsafe for her; after all, it was unknown how the Merivalds would play this game.

  “And when is Nova supposed to return?” I asked, to get an approximate timeline for the operation.

  “Artalis, you’re rushing things,” Evelina replied with a sigh. “What makes you think I want to deal with this on this trip at all? Maybe I’ll want to take Catherine with me, and so as not to offend Nova, Reina as well…” She paused, letting me know that she did not want such a turn of events.

  I didn’t want to say anything about how Reina’s impulsiveness could hinder any mission due to the possible attention of CL, but I couldn’t leave the situation without comment.

  “I suppose testing the ‘Squad’ in the field could be useful.”

  “Testing the squad?” Evelina replied with a smirk. “Arta, understand this correctly, my real trust is only in you and Nova. As for Catherine, she has not yet earned my trust, but I promised that she would assist you.” Evelina’s gaze shifted to my eyes in search of hidden emotions, which I could not have. “Therefore, I believe she must prove herself. We will see how well she serves the crown.”

  “I believe Catherine will not disappoint you. I devote a great deal of time to her training,” I replied in a measured voice.

  “I’ve noticed…” Evelina said thoughtfully. “But answer me, what are you preparing her for? Why are you training her so persistently?”

  Evelina’s question struck at the very heart of my interactions with Catherine. Of course, I was preparing her for what was to come, and this “what was to come” had been hanging in the air for a long time, too long for me to even remain silent before Evelina.

  “There is a risk that the confrontation between the ‘Innovators’ and the ‘Traditionalists’ could go too far. Besides, you yourself have heard about the threat from Anix—their invasion is only a matter of time,” I stated coldly.

  “I see…” Evelina replied. “You are very perceptive, but answer me this: do you really think my brother Frederik is a lost cause?”

  “If the soul mage doesn’t help, then probably yes,” I replied, continuing to look her in the eye, which was literally scanning me, not finding what it needed.

  Evelina took a breath and looked at the cuckoo clock made of carved mahogany.

  “So, time is not infinite, and I must help you with the matter of my brother.” She shifted her gaze back to me. “So what about Isa Lern and Frederik? Is everything ready?”

  “Yes, Isa has prepared everything. Number 10, the merchant square.” I deliberately shook my head, then smiled ironically to appear more natural. “The easy part is left—luring Frederik, who is always with Vespera.”

  Evelina smiled.

  “Not always, Arta, not always. For example, every Entris he goes to the royal gambling house and there, surrounded by tobacco, alcohol, and his cronies, he gambles away money that doesn’t belong to him.”

  I deliberately smiled at Evelina.

  “So Frederik is a gambler?”

  Evelina looked at me as if she were surprised by my question, and then replied:

  “A damn good player, you know.” Then she fell silent for a moment. “You do know that you don’t have the slightest chance of getting into the Royal Gambling House, right?” Evelina shifted her gaze to the window and added, “It’s been about five years now that women have been forbidden to play at those tables.”

  “In that case, are you suggesting we lie in wait for him near the establishment and hit him over the head?” I asked in a deliberately ironic tone.

  Evelina laughed sincerely.

  “No, of course not. We have a few days until Entris. I’ll find a ‘player’ who, for example, will be your ‘brother,’ and you will just happen to be his assistant.” Evelina tilted her head slightly, then, narrowing her eyes, sighed, and her face became more serious. “Though, we’ll have to work on your appearance. You’re too conspicuous right now,” she stated, looking me up and down.

  “Am I?” I shook my head slightly. “To be honest, I’d rather not cut my hair,” I replied, knowing that I had been growing it since I was young.

  Evelina laughed again.

  “Artalis, don’t worry, we’ll braid your hair, and put a tall blonde wig over it. No one will even know you had such luxurious hair!” Evelina looked at me more closely. “And yes, I’ll choose a gown for you myself. I know Tarvarian fashion, and I’m not impressed.”

  Understanding that they planned to dress me up as a Valtheim noblewoman, I involuntarily thought of Catherine, who was so indignant about my style of dress. She would surely have appreciated Evelina’s idea and would have been the first to enthusiastically help pick out an outfit for me. The memories of Catherine gave rise to more thoughts, primarily about whether Reina was having a harmful influence on her and whether her will was strong enough. I would probably not get an answer to all these questions until I returned to the academy.

  Meanwhile, Evelina continued to speak:

  “Cassian Alvare, Valerian Greyhant, and his father Eriar Greyhant will surely be with Frederik.”

  “Is there anything I need to know about them?” I asked in an engaged voice.

  “Perhaps, yes,” Evelina replied, looking out the window. “Cassian is Frederik’s last and best childhood friend; the others are either dead or have fled to parts unknown.” Evelina shifted her gaze to me. “I hope you understand that that is not meant literally.”

  I nodded. Of course, I understood what she was talking about: CD had likely disposed of them in such a way that no one would ever hear of them again, and their remains would never be found.

  Evelina, seeing my reaction, blinked several times as if in approval.

  “Believe me, Cassian is not just Frederik’s friend; he has known him since childhood and survived. Now, he is probably acceptable to Vespera for some reasons of his own that I cannot yet understand.”

  Developing this idea, it was logical to assume that Cassian was a convenient tool for CD to show that Frederik was conditionally free. Understanding that I needed to keep the conversation going and learn about Frederik’s other companions, I asked the next question:

  “And what about the Greyhants? Do I need to know anything about them?”

  “Eriar…” Evelina grimaced, recalling details about him. “That grotesque glutton is the unofficial ideological leader of the ‘Innovator Movement’…” Evelina paused. “He was my father’s worst enemy, and that…” Evelina suppressed her anger, “beast was smiling at the funeral…”

  Evelina paused, steadying her breathing.

  “As for his whelp, he’s better than his father, but he’s too young, and Frederik interacts with him purely out of respect for Eriar.” Evelina paused again. “But, believe me, he’s just dying to curry favor with Frederik and is literally ready to lick his boots.” Finishing the sentence, Evelina wrinkled her nose slightly.

  “Understood. So I need to keep my ears open with all of them,” I replied, trying to sound both witty and humanly innocent.

  “Yes, Arta, exactly. And, I suppose, we need to get everything ready in the day and a half we have left…” Evelina shook her head. “I don’t think Frederik will miss his leisure time, even despite his father’s death…”

  I just remained silent, not commenting on the matter, trying not to look even stranger.

  “Oh yes, I almost forgot,” Evelina drawled quietly, as if it were an insignificant detail. “Frederik plays ‘Traitor’s Edge’—a favorite game in patriarchal circles, where entire fortunes are lost.” Evelina grunted, after which her body tensed, and then she leaned back in the armchair. “Study the rules, they will be useful.”

  I nodded obediently. Studying the rules of this game would not require any time for me—just an analysis of the best strategies and tactics, taken directly from the informational field of Illumora.

  “Am I needed anymore today?” I asked, to politely end the dialogue.

  “No, go and rest. I have an important conversation with the Lenfords soon and a couple more meetings over the next few days,” Evelina said, averting her gaze from me toward the window.

  “Very well, in that case, I will be in my room. If you need me, call for me at any time,” I said, and with a slight bow, I retired to my room.