Chapter 06
“That Woman Would Be Better”
The restrictions on Ebony became stricter starting the next day.
“It’s my father’s doing.”
Seeing even the Dominique Knights involved, it was clear Edward had given the order. He must have been worried about Ebony running away after rejecting the convent.
Although she wasn’t planning to escape, Ebony was preparing to leave the mansion, and this made things difficult.
“I can’t go out like this.”
If she tried to leave now, she’d have to drag a surveillance team with her. This made her plan to sneak into Evgenia and meet Diego impossible.
“I don’t want to delay this.”
The marriage to Diego was merely a stepping stone for her revenge. If delayed, everything else would be postponed too. And she couldn’t risk that when the plan’s success was already uncertain.
“…Should I contact Leon?”
As Ebony mulled over her options, one person came to mind: her eldest brother, Leonhardt Dominique, who lived in the Evgenia Empire.
Leon, six years her senior, was the only one in the family who accepted her as a member. He took care of her as best he could after their parents’ absence.
When Ebony turned eight, he left for the Evgenia Empire to learn swordsmanship.
There, Leon met Helene, his frail fiancée, and decided to settle in Evgenia, where he served in the Imperial Knights.
Because of the distance, the siblings only met about once a year. Though they exchanged letters, the correspondence dwindled over time.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to keep in touch anymore.”
A year before Helene passed away, even their shallow exchanges came to a halt.
Now, however, that hadn’t happened yet. Contacting him wasn’t entirely out of the question—it was just the emotional wound from before that made her hesitate.
“But this seems like the most practical solution…”
Reluctantly, Ebony took out a pen and began writing a letter.
To my brother Leon,
I hope you’ve been well. It’s been a long time since we’ve spoken.
I’d like to visit you in Evgenia. Would you allow me to? I need a change of pace.
I promise to stay quiet and not cause any trouble.
Leon’s approval might even persuade the Duke to let her leave.
As she prepared to send the letter, Ebony suddenly paused.
“I need at least one ally in this house.”
In a place where everyone was her enemy, it was essential to have someone on her side.
The easiest targets were Irene’s people. Unlike Edward or Hermann’s men, they were likely motivated by money.
And the maid in front of her—Amy—was probably one of Irene’s.
Amy frequently attended to Ebony and paid close attention to her well-being. In her past life, Ebony had suspected Amy of being the one who informed Irene about her powers.
If Amy was Irene’s closest subordinate, so much the better.
“Don’t tell your mistress about this letter,” Ebony said, gauging Amy’s reaction.
Most people would ask what she meant, but Amy froze. Her grip slackened, and the envelope slipped from her hand.
Her reaction confirmed Ebony’s suspicions.
“Let’s keep it a secret between us, Amy.”
“I… I don’t understand what you mean…” Amy stammered, avoiding Ebony’s gaze.
Ebony gently placed a hand on Amy’s tense shoulder and said with a soft yet commanding tone, “I’m giving you a chance, Amy.”
“…”
“A chance to be forgiven for betraying your master. Do you understand how generous that is?”
“I… I don’t…”
“Make the right choice, Amy.”
The kindness in Ebony’s voice somehow made her words even more intimidating.
Amy, visibly shaken, sank to the floor, her face pale with fear. She knew that if Ebony exposed her betrayal, Irene wouldn’t save her.
“What… what should I do?” Amy finally whispered, desperate.
Ebony crouched down and held out her hand.
“It’s simple. Choose the right master.”
“…”
“Whatever Irene is paying you, I’ll pay double. Stay by her side, but from now on, you’re my person.”
To seal the deal, Ebony removed a bracelet from her wrist and placed it in Amy’s trembling hands.
“You’re smart enough to understand what this means, aren’t you?”
In Evgenia, Diego Magnus impatiently tapped the armrest of the couch, his irritation growing with each passing second.
“You’re reading a letter in front of your guest?”
Leonhardt, startled, quickly put the letter down and poured more tea.
“Sorry, it’s just that my little sister wrote to me for the first time in ages.”
“You have a sister?”
Diego’s indifferent question left Leon momentarily speechless. He wasn’t surprised by Diego’s apathy—this was a man who didn’t even know Irene existed despite her years of pursuit.
“I have two. The one who wrote is Ebony.”
The name stirred a faint memory in Diego. A woman who shone like the sun yet seemed to draw all the darkness of the world toward her.
“Ebony says she wants to visit me in Evgenia.”
“And you’re willing to play babysitter during such a busy time?”
“She’s my sister. I can’t just ignore her request.”
Diego sighed. “Fine, but can we move on to the main topic?”
Leon’s expression grew serious. “The Emperor brought up marriage again.”
“That old man never gets tired, does he?”
Leon ignored Diego’s irreverence. “You’re past the right age, Diego. It’s time to settle down.”
“I’ll marry when I feel like it. If it comes to that, I’ll just marry a princess from the Neohr Empire to end the talk.”
“Diego!”
Leon groaned, massaging his temples.
“Seriously, when do you plan on marrying? Do you intend to spend your life-fighting monsters and swinging a sword?”
“I’d rather do that.”
“Sooner or later, all your potential matches will disappear.”
The comment didn’t faze Diego, but when Leon added, “If you don’t find someone this year, the Emperor plans to push for the princess,” Diego’s composed demeanor faltered.
Marrying the princess would be a disaster, but the alternatives weren’t appealing either.
As Diego brooded over the issue, his thoughts drifted to someone else. A quiet woman with striking green eyes he’d met once at a chaotic gathering.
“That woman would be better,” he mused.
