CHAPTER 221: FALL OF VALTAIR [17]

Selene’s hands came down and rested in her lap.

She straightened slightly. Trying to pull herself together.

"Yeah. When I told her about this, she snapped." Her voice came steadier now. "Thought I had considered—"

"Marrying her off?" Alaric tilted his head.

"No." Selene looked at him directly. "She thought I was considering... using my own body. To solve this."

She swallowed hard.

"I would never put my daughter in that situation. Never. I’d sell everything we own. Do anything before I let her be used that way."

Her jaw set.

"But Elina... she doesn’t understand that I’d do the same for myself. That I wouldn’t sacrifice my own dignity either. She just heard their ’suggestions’ and assumed I was actually considering them."

Alaric moved closer, around the desk until he stood directly in front of her chair.

"You’re not in any condition to handle this right now. Get some rest first."

"No. I need to—" She started to stand, protesting.

Alaric’s finger pressed against her lips. Gentle but stopping the words.

"Rest." He repeated. "You need it, the work can wait."

His hands moved to her arms. Helped her stand properly. Steadied her when she swayed slightly.

Then guided her toward the small door at the back of the study. The one that led to her private chambers.

"Alaric, I can’t just—"

"You can and you will."

He pushed the door open. Led her through into the bedroom beyond.

The bed was made. Undisturbed. She hadn’t slept here last night. Probably worked straight through.

He guided her to sit on the edge. Then gently pushed her shoulders until she lay back.

"I don’t have time—"

"You have nothing but time." His hands pulled the sheets over her. Tucked them around her shoulders. "Because you’re useless to anyone running on no sleep and panic."

She opened her mouth to argue again.

But he leaned down and pressed his lips against her forehead.

"Rest, Selene." His voice came softer now. "I’ll handle things while you do."

Her eyes were already closing despite her protests. Exhaustion finally winning.

"But..."

"I’ll handle it." He straightened. Adjusted the sheets one more time. "Sleep. That’s an order."

A small smile flickered across her lips. Too tired to even call him out on giving her orders.

"Bossy..." The word came out slurred. Already half-asleep.

Her breathing evened out. Finally surrendering to sleep.

Alaric stood there for a moment. Watching her face relax. The tension bleeding away as unconsciousness claimed her.

His jaw tightened and then he turned. Closed the door behind him with a soft click.

Then his eyes fell on the scattered papers across her desk. and he moved to the desk, sat in her chair. Started reading.

Let’s see what you missed.

His crimson eyes gleamed in the lamplight.

Alaric’s fingers found a blank piece of parchment among the scattered papers.

He pulled it toward him, dipped the quill in ink, and began writing with quick strokes.

He signed it with a flourish, then set the quill down.

"Sari."

The name fell into the silence like a stone into still water.

Then the shadows in the corner rippled and suddenly a figure in a black cloak stood beside his chair.

She tilted her head. "You knew I would be here?"

Alaric leaned back in the chair. A smile knowing smile tugged at his lips.

"No. Just figured." He gestured vaguely at the room. "You’re always hovering around Selene anyway."

Sari’s posture shifted, just slightly. Not quite offense. Maybe acknowledgment.

He held out the folded letter.

"Take this and deliver it after the dawn of next day."

Her gloved hand emerged from the cloak’s folds, taking the parchment with careful fingers. She turned it over once, studying the seal, the address written.

Her brow raised. "If you don’t mind... May I ask what’s inside?"

Alaric said nothing for a moment. Just looked at her with those crimson eyes that gave away exactly as much as he wanted them to.

Then...

"I’m giving up our entire mining contracts to Count Valtair."

Sari went still.

Completely, utterly still.

"What?" The words came sharp and disbelieving. "Why would you—"

"Just do as I said." His tone didn’t change. Didn’t harden or soften. Simply stated fact. "I know what I’m doing."

She stared at him. Her jaw worked for a moment. Conflicted, torn between duty and the clear instinct that this was a terrible idea.

But finally, she nodded.

"As you wish."

The shadows folded around her like wings closing.

And she was gone.

Alaric sat there for another moment, listening to the silence settle back into the room. His fingers drummed once against the desk’s edge, then stilled.

His gaze shifted to the scattered papers across Selene’s desk. He pulled a fresh stack of parchment toward him.

Let’s see how clever you really are.

The quill found ink again. He began writing with the same decisive strokes, but this time, there was something deliberate in the way he paused between letters, tilting his head as if listening to a conversation only he could hear.

The first letter flowed onto paper and he signed it.

Then he started the second letter.

Similar opening. Same apologetic tone. But the details shifted.

The quill scratched. Paused. Continued.

Third letter. Fourth. Fifth.

Each one was subtly different from others. Small variations in wording, in promises implied but never quite stated.

A phrase added here. A detail omitted there.

He smiled, which never quite reached his eyes as he worked.

He fabricated figures. Adjusted timelines. When he finally set the quill down, six letters lay spread before him, each sealed, each addressed, each a small spark waiting to ignite.

He leaned back in the chair and exhaled slowly.

That should do it.

Then suddenly...

Knock!

A soft knock at the door broke the silence.

"Enter."

The door opened to reveal a maid which stepped inside, hands folded at her waist, and dipped into a practiced curtsy.

"My lord?"

Alaric gathered the letters into a neat stack and held them out.

"Have these delivered by evening. Each one goes to the address written on the seal."

The maid took the letters.

"Of course, my lord. It will be done."

She bowed, deeper this time and turned toward the door which clicked shut behind her, her footsteps fading down the corridor beyond.

Alaric remained seated for a moment longer, staring at the empty desk where chaos had been carefully packaged and sent into the world.

Then he stood, stretched his arms overhead until his spine popped, and allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.

He reached the main entrance. Pushed through.

Outside, morning had fully arrived. Sun climbing higher, the manor grounds active with daily routines.

He moved toward the gates. Gestured to the guards.

"I’m heading into town. Don’t wait up."

"Yes, young master. Should we prepare a carriage?"

"No. I’ll walk."

They opened the gates without further question.

Alaric stepped through. Started down the road toward Gramwell’s market district.

His mind worked through possibilities. New angles and different approaches.

Few minutes later, he reached the market’s edge. The noise and chaos welcoming him like an old friend.

He adjusted his coat. Pulled up his collar slightly. Then dove into the crowd.

His eyes tracked everything. Found the familiar side street. The modest storefront where Delphine and Teryn operated.

The stall was open.

Delphine stood outside arranging goods. Her brown hair pulled back, face focused on work.

She looked up as he approached and her face flushed immediately.

But she composed herself. "My lord." She nodded respectfully. "We weren’t expecting you."

Alaric stopped in front of the stall. Glanced at the displayed goods. "Where’s your brother?"

"Inside. Working on... documents."

"I need to talk to both of you.."

She nodded and gestured toward the door. "This way."

They moved inside.

Teryn looked up from the desk.

"Lord Alaric. I thought you’d be heading back to the academy today?"

"The break been extended." Alaric moved to lean against the workbench.

He looked between them.

"And new problems that need solving."

Delphine closed the door. Then turned to face him fully.

"What kind of problems?"

Alaric’s lips curved.

He pulled out a mental list. Started organizing thoughts into actionable steps.

"Here’s what I need. First—Teryn, you’re going to the docks. Again. But different reason this time."

He looked at the younger man.

"I need to know who’s been moving unusual amounts of money recently. What nobles or merchant houses have been more active than normal. Who’s been hiring extra security or couriers."

Then turned to Delphine.

"You’re forging auction documents. Mining rights. Make them look official."

Her brow furrowed, but she nodded.

He straightened and walked to the side, examining the documents placed there.

"While you two handle that, make sure to be careful than before and do more what you usually do, like selling good and all, and stop your other side work that you used to do illegally."

Both of them looked at each other and then nodded.