I looked at Elise, and her fists were clenched; she looked like she was on the verge of tears. What was Mother thinking?
The murmurs in the room grew louder, but I tuned them out. I knew something bad was going to happen, but I didn't expect it to be this severe.
"Some members of House Tyrile were caught working for Vernin," Mother announced, and Elise turned to look at her. They made eye contact, but Mother looked away. Elise pleaded with her eyes, but was ignored.
"Your Grace, what's the meaning of this?" one of the bound individuals tried to speak, but was cut off.
"If you deny the charges, then explain these letters found in your office," Mother said, as the boy leading the knights threw some papers in front of him.
"Your… Your Grace, I…" he stammered. My mind was solely on the house master, who was also bound. Why had Mother arrested him too? He wouldn't do something like this, would he?
The man looked down, sighed, and then charged toward the front. He didn't get far before multiple swords were drawn at his neck.
"Lord Alphonso, I advise you refrain from doing anything rash," the boy leading the knights said, sheathing his sword. The old man fell to his knees and looked down.
"Do you accept these charges or would you like to defend yourself?" Mother asked.
"Your Grace," someone else stepped forward. "Please, our family has made a mistake and disgraced you. Allow us to punish them ourselves."
"No," Mother replied. "They will be detained until a final judgment is passed," she said, and Elise clenched her fists tighter. "Let this serve as a warning to you all. I still believe some of you harbor ill will toward the main branch, and I intend to find out who," she said, stepping down.
"Your Grace," someone among the bound people called, but Mother did not respond. "I'll confess everything, please, Your Grace," she pleaded, but was ignored. Alphonso glared at her, but she continued without stopping.
Reginald had been silent throughout, his gaze fixed on Elise as if trying to convey something with his eyes. That confirmed the nature of their relationship. But why would he take such a risk knowing how close Elise was to Mother? And why did Mother arrest him despite knowing it would affect Elise? None of it made sense.
"Let's go, Livi," Mother said, turning to leave. I quickly stood up and followed her.
We headed to the main building. I wanted to ask about Reginald but didn't know how to start.
"Mother," one of her sons called from behind us. She stopped and turned to look at them.
"Is this right? They betrayed Alden. Shouldn't you take this more seriously?" another son asked.
"Since when did you care about Alden and its affairs?" Mother asked, making them flinch. So they were involved as well. "Why don't you boys focus on being figureheads and leave Alden's business alone?" she said, though it was more of an order than a suggestion.
"Mother, those people betrayed you, and all you…"
"Hayes, are you questioning Her Grace's judgment?" Douglas said, stepping forward with Wolfe and Bella behind him.
"Know your place, Douglas," Hayes said, looking furious.
"What exactly is his place, young man?" Bella asked, making Hayes flinch a bit, though he quickly regained his composure and tried to retort. His brother intervened.
"You are all vassal families. How dare you speak to the main branch like that?" he said.
"I'm so sorry. I had no idea there were more members of the main branch. Power-hungry mongrels like you can't possibly be respected. Am I right, boy?" Bella replied with a mocking laugh. Was Bella always this mean?
"How rude," the last son said, turning to look at Mother. "You let your subordinates speak this way to your children and expect us to…"
"I expected nothing from you. Don't get things wrong," Mother replied. "Are you here to report?" she asked the three, and they nodded. "Dustin will be busy, so let's proceed without him," she said, turning to leave.
"I hope you don't expect to be in this meeting," Douglas said to the three. They frowned but left without saying a word.
"Let's go, my lady," Bella said, and I nodded, trying to keep my mouth from hanging open.
We walked into Mother's office, where she sat down, her head relaxed against the seat.
"Your Grace," Douglas called, and she raised her hand. Bella sat down and crossed her legs, staring at Mother.
"Go on," Mother said. I observed the casual demeanor and was slightly surprised. I took my seat and tried to relax, unsure why I was there.
"Well, everything is going as planned. I'm sure others will start revealing themselves now that we've exposed their accomplice," Douglas said.
"Your Grace, those children are obviously working with one of those families. Why do you insist on protecting them?" Bella asked.
"Because they are my children too," Mother replied.
"But…"
"Let it go, Bella," Wolfe said, and Bella sighed. "Should I report to you or to my employer?" he asked.
"Employer?" Douglas asked.
"Yes, I work for Faina now," Wolfe replied.
"Really?" Bella exclaimed. "That's interesting. How's the pay? I might want to work for her too."
"Bella, are you really saying that in my presence?" Mother asked with amusement.
"Your Grace, you are a great boss, but I need other options," Bella replied, making Mother laugh.
"Livi, you're stealing my people," she said.
"Anyway, when am I leaving?" Bella asked.
"Whenever you're ready. Teon is on his way back to the palace now, and after what happened, things will be worse. I need you in the south to ensure they don't change their minds," Mother said. What exactly does Bella do?
"I'll do my best," Bella said, standing up. "I'm not taking Ariel with me," she added.
"Wasn't she your perfect camouflage?" Douglas asked.
"People are dispensable, lad, but not my own twin. I told her to stay behind for this one. We've already made an enemy of the Rosens; I will not walk in there and put both of us in danger," Bella replied, walking toward the door.
"About Elise…" Wolfe started.
"Let her be for now," Douglas said.
"But…" Wolfe trailed off and sighed. "Better know what you're doing," he said.
"We do," Mother replied for Douglas.
"I'll take my leave now," Wolfe said. "Oh, and Your Grace, the Rosens are really desperate. Since news of Faina's businesses became public, they've been trying various means to get involved. It's exhausting," he sighed.
"Good job, Wolfe. Just keep refusing their help. I want to see what they do next. I need to figure out why they're after Livi exactly," Mother said, and he nodded before leaving.
"You can go, Livi," she said, and I stood up to leave.
"Goodbye, my lady," Douglas said, smiling at me. I felt a shiver run through my body.
I walked to my room, changed, and lay down. I still couldn't understand why Mother would do that to Elise. I wasn't too surprised by Reginald's attitude; people can be surprising and do things you least expect.
I wasn't close to him, barely seeing him throughout my time at the academy. I wasn't even sure of what his job was at some point, but I knew what he meant to Elise and how much she must be hurting.
Should I plead with Mother to release him? Will she even listen?