The next morning, Evelyne stood by the frosted window of her chamber, her silver hair reflecting the pale northern light. The view stretched out endlessly—jagged peaks dusted with snow and forests that seemed to hold whispers. Compared to the bustling avenues and towering structures of her central homeland, where factories hummed with life and the skyline shimmered with glass and stone, the North felt vast and untamed. Even the patches of green that peeked through the snow seemed subdued, as though yielding to the relentless frost.
Cristina is someone who would have painted the silence of these woods into a melody, Evelyne thought. The memory stirred a pang of longing before a soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
Evelyne smoothed the fabric of her nightgown, assuming the poise expected of her station.
"Enter," she called, her voice steady.
A maid stepped in, her uniform crisp and demeanor composed. "My lady, the Margrave asked me to serve you this morning. What would you like for breakfast?"
Evelyne studied the maid—polite, well-trained, adhering perfectly to the code of noble households. But behind the professionalism, Evelyne sensed the subtle wariness that lingered among the staff. A stranger's presence in the Ardane estate had not gone unnoticed.
"Very well," Evelyne said. "Please inform the Margrave that I would like an audience with him at his earliest convenience."
The maid offered a deep bow before silently withdrawing from the room.
Not wanting to appear impatient, Evelyne requested a simple breakfast. A hot cup of northern coffee, honeyed cookies, specialties of the northern region, were brought to her promptly. She ate in silence, savoring the foreign flavors with an air of practiced grace, even as urgency prickled beneath her composure.
When the last sip of coffee warmed her throat, she rose and prepared to face the Margrave.
Margrave Aldric Ardane greeted her with a measured smile as she entered his study. The room bore the scent of parchment and aged wood, the faint crackle of the hearth breaking the stillness.
"Lady Evelyne," he began, motioning toward the seat opposite him. "To what do I owe the honor of this early visit?"
He leaned back slightly, his sapphire blue eyes sharp despite the warmth in his tone. Evelyne noted how his fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest, a subtle habit betraying his attentiveness.
She inhaled deeply, the sound almost audible in the quiet room. Then, with practiced precision, she met his gaze.
"I wished to speak about my situation, Your Excellency."
Aldric inclined his head, silently encouraging her to continue.
"My sister and I were at home when a fire broke out. It destroyed the Vargas estate entirely," Evelyne said, her voice steady though a flicker of hesitation crossed her features. "We were fortunate to escape, but the factories tied to our family's trade were also lost."
Aldric's expression darkened, his features hardening as though weighing her words carefully. "The news of the Vargas tragedy has reached even the North. I regret that we must meet under such unfortunate circumstances."
Evelyne nodded. "After the fire, I considered seeking refuge with my mother's family in Carmen County, but..." She paused, glancing away for a heartbeat before continuing. "Given the state of my family's affairs, my presence would have been more of a burden than benefit."
Her words slowed as she approached the next confession.
"My sister's talent in music would undoubtedly aid them, but I... I felt my path should differ."
Aldric's gaze sharpened, his earlier warmth hardening into something more calculating. "And you came here instead."
"Yes."
A long pause followed before Aldric leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk.
"Tell me, Lady Evelyne, was the fire an accident?"
The sudden intensity in his question made Evelyne falter. She clenched her hands in her lap to still her trembling.
"I... I don't know," she admitted. "My sister was frantic. She said something, but between the fire and my grief..." She exhaled sharply, the memory slicing through her defenses. "I couldn't make sense of it."
The Margrave studied her in silence. When he finally spoke, his voice softened.
"Losing both your parents and your grandparents so suddenly... It is an unimaginable loss. You have my sincerest sympathies."
Evelyne looked away briefly, her throat tightening. She forced herself to regain composure, lowering her gaze as though searching for strength.
"Thank you, Your Excellency," she said softly, her tone measured. 'This should suffice for the pretense,' she thought, her mind sharpening with purpose. Rising gracefully, she stepped toward his desk with deliberate poise, each movement precise, calculated.
When she met Aldric's unflinching gaze, Evelyne paused, steadying herself. Though her heart raced beneath the veneer of calm, she allowed none of it to show. Instead, her voice emerged firm, layered with a quiet resolve.
"Your Excellency," she began, "I wish to repay your generosity not as a mere guest, but as one who can contribute to your house."
Aldric arched a brow, his fingers stilling on the desk. "Go on."
She stepped forward, her poise unbroken. "The chamber of commerce under your name could be expanded into a force unmatched in the North. Allow me to oversee its growth. I have spent my life immersed in the art of negotiation and the science of trade. I can serve your house, not as a Vargas, but as someone who understands the weight of duty."
A pause stretched between them. Evelyne felt the silence like a blade but refused to waver. Finally, Aldric leaned back, his expression unreadable.
"You are bold, Lady Evelyne," he said, his tone both measured and curious. "Few would offer their labor when they have lost so much."
Evelyne inclined her head, her composure firm. "It is because I have lost so much that I must act. To languish is to fail the legacy of both our houses."
His blue eyes studied her for a moment longer before he nodded, a faint smile curving his lips. "Then prove yourself as Vice-Supervisor. Show me that your words hold weight."
Evelyne left the study with deliberate steps, her composure masking the flicker of satisfaction in her gaze. Aldric's challenge echoed in her mind, but it was no burden—it was the very outcome she had anticipated. His decision to test her was as predictable as it was useful, aligning perfectly with her plans. 'Just as I expected', she thought, a flicker of satisfaction crossing her features.
She glanced toward the frost-covered windows, her resolve as unyielding as the icy landscape beyond. 'One year,' she thought, her lips curving into the faintest smile. 'I'll rise to the top within one year.'