Chapter 179 - Don’t Be Late (1/2)
Elena accepted the envelopes Mary held out, opened the top letter and began reading carefully.
[Hello Mary. It’s been a while. It may seem shameless for me to contact you all of a sudden, but you’re the only one I can turn to. I hope you will listen to me for old times’ sake.]
Tilda’s letter began with the story of how Sophie tricked her into betraying Elena, and detailed information of her work as a maid. Elena’s eyes skimmed over the page as she read.
[Helen has a terrible temper and has cut off Sophie’s tongue. Please tell Lady Elena that I need her help. I secretly overheard a scheme Helen is planning at the party…]
The letter included the scheme Tilda overheard, included a plea for Elena to remove her from the Selby household.
After Elena finished reading the first letter, she looked up at Mary. The kindly maid was the type who was easily taken advantage of because of her caring personality. Elena was surprised that Mary had been unswayed by Tilda’s words, and had given the letters to Elena instead.
“You didn’t tell me about this first letter because you thought it might be a trick?”
“Yes, My Lady. I was afraid Sophie might have leaked fake information to me, because she sent a letter just like this to Tilda.”
Mary was not wrong, and even if she had immediately brought the first letter to Elena, the latter would have still been suspicious. However, from Mary’s point of view, she was reluctant to let Elena know that they were in communication. Now that Mary brought the second letter, however, it probably meant that it contained more convincing content. Elena opened the second envelope and began reading.
[Mary, I haven’t heard from you yet, so I’m sending you another letter. Sophie was recently expelled out of the Selby mansion and taken somewhere. Now I can’t sleep because I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’ll write down more of what I’ve been hearing in case you don’t believe me.]
If the first letter had been briefly commented on Helen’s scheme at the party, the second letter was much more detailed about it. It was also consistent with what Elena had recently heard from Margaret.
In summary, Helen planned to obtain an aphrodisiac with Sarah’s help. Tilda’s second letter spoke more specifically how they went about doing so. The plan was so brazen as to be ridiculous, but if it succeeded, Helen would get the results she wanted.
Elena deemed these letters unlikely to be a trap. The context fit, and there was no reason for Helen to benefit by informing Elena this. However, she could not draw a conclusion on this alone.
“I’ll have to investigate myself to see if what the letter says is true.”
“Yes, I think you should, too.”
“It must have been difficult to ignore the letter Tilda sent to you.”
“No. It’s true that Tilda’s situation is pitiable, but…but I can’t betray you.”
Elena smiled at Mary’s loyal answer.
“Thank you.”
Elena kept Mary around because she had a good heart, but Elena was always worried that she was weak and easily influenced by others. The maid seemed to have matured a little without even realizing it. To Elena, Mary now seemed a younger version of her nanny.
“I came to the Imperial Palace as your maid, and I have to lend you my strength.”
“If this letter turns out to be true, I’ll get Tilda out of the Selby family.”
“R-really?”
It was obvious that Mary felt sorry for Tilda. Elena offered Mary a faint smile.
“Of course. When have you seen me lie?”
“No, you wouldn’t lie, Your Highness. Thank you so much!”
“You can tell Tilda later that it’s all because of you, Mary.”
“Yes, Tilda will be very grateful when she hears this.”
“Until I’ve confirmed what’s on the letters, you can’t tell anyone about this, understand?”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Mary gave an enthusiastic reply.
Elena immediately went about planning. Not long ago, she had made an agreement with Log to join hands. This would be an ideal opportunity to test the power of their leader Astar. Normally Elena would communicate periodically to them, but she knew what to do when she needed help immediately.
Elena turned towards Mary.
“Mary, I need you to do something.”
“Anything.”
“Go to the market and find a place called the Nei Store. I want you to find a man named Isaac and take him here to the Imperial Palace.”
“A man named Isaac?”
“Yes. If you tell him I sent you, he’ll know. Say to him that I want spring flowers.”
“I see.”
Mary nodded. It was a strange order, but she trusted Elena without hesitation. In turn, Elena had asked Mary to do this task because she trusted in the maid’s loyalty.
With Astar, there was a unique power available to Elena. She thought it would be a good opportunity to see their skills and decide how to use them in the future. She looked down at Tilda’s letter again.
‘If Lady Selby obtained an aphrodisiac, I can’t let her use it.’
Elena imagined what would happen if Helen’s plan was successful and she spent a passionate night with Carlisle. A murderous red glint flashed in Elena’s eyes. Perhaps someday there will be a second wife depending on their needs, but…not yet…
Not yet…
*
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*
The next day, Mary found the man named Isaac at the Nei store, and brought him to the Crown Prince’s palace away from any spying eyes. It was Elena’s and Isaac’s first time meeting each other, having only heard of each other through Log. The coarse-mannered man came in with his usual rough stride, but when he faced Elena he bowed to her politely.