Midnight had finally arrived, casting the mansion in an eerie glow from the few candles lining the hallways. Her heart pounded wildly in her ears, feeling as if it might burst from her chest. Taking a deep breath, she slid out of bed, leaving the black dress and laced-up boots behind.
Vivian gathered her bag, double-checking she had the small funds she'd accumulated and a lantern to guide her through the darkness. "I'll head towards the town for the night and get a room," she whispered.Swinging her bag over her shoulder, she tiptoed out of the room at the end of the hall. The servants would be sleeping at this hour, and the madam, the master, and their daughter were upstairs. The dimly lit hallways sent a chill down her spine.
"This is either going to be the bravest thing I've ever done or a suicide mission."
Gathering all her courage, she continued on her mission. None had stepped in to save her in her previous life, and none would do it now. She refused to wait around like a lamb for slaughter. She walked to the kitchen, checking her surroundings as she went. A sharp blade was necessary for self defense, the city could be a danngerous place she knew. On the balls of her feet, she crept over to the drawer containing the sharpest knives. Opening it, she withdrew a knife she knew Thomas wouldn't miss too much. Wrapping it in cloth, she put it in her bag.Avoiding the creaky boards, she stealthily walked towards the foyer, quietly opened the door, and slipped through the crack. After closing the door behind her, she turned on her lantern and headed to the back of the house.
Looking up to ensure no shadows could be seen through the windows, she crossed the grass to the line with linens hanging. She plucked a few items from the clothing line, planning to take servants' clothes that wouldn't be missed.Opening her bag, she stuffed inside a pair of wool trousers and a shirt. After some thought, she also grabbed a cloth to cover her chest.This was it. There was no turning back now. The only way to get her revenge on the man who had used and discarded her was to get close to the royal palace. The madam would surely give her a reference if she'd just intended to work as a maid, but she needed to be more than that to exact her revenge.As far as the high-ranking nobles were concerned, she'd still be a woman, meaning her thoughts were as good as useless to anyone with the authority to punish Edgar.
Her only apparent solution was going to the capital and entering their ranks as an upcoming member.At the end of two years, if she couldn't outsmart the man who had taken her life, she'd become strong enough to repay his malfeasance with her own hands.
Though women were not allowed to join the royal army, she knew she could pose as a thin man with her tall figure and small chest.She tied her bag and threw it over her shoulder when she heard footsteps behind her."What do you think you're doing?"Vivian's heart dropped, and so did her bag.