Chapter 4

The night was deep and heavy.

A shadow materialized in my room, like a phantom, utterly silent.

The figure wore coarse, simple clothes, looking petite and easily overlooked.

It was Luna.

She stood before me, her voice raspy with age.

"Long time no see, madam," Luna said.

I reached out to her.

My hand gently touched her arm.

[If you're in danger, madam, I'd risk my life for you.]

[Who dares to harm you and Edward?]

[I'll rip them apart!]

Her heart overflowed with fierce loyalty and murderous rage.

My heart warmed.

She was mine. In this heartless estate, she was the only one I could ever entrust my life to.

I released her arm, and the voice faded from my mind.

"Take a seat, Luna," I said.

My voice was calm. "I'm facing some trouble."

Luna looked up, and for a moment, her cloudy eyes flashed with chilling sharpness.

"Just give me the order, madam," she said.

I said, "I need you to dig up two things for me.

"First, I need you to investigate someone.

"Is there a woman named Charlotte by Richard's side?"

Her eyes narrowed with focus.

"Do you mean Charlotte Monroe, Lord Chancellor's sister?" she asked.

I didn't expect her to know that.

"You know her?" I asked.

Luna nodded, her voice dropping even lower. "I've heard some things. Word is, she never left to marry someone down south.

"Instead, her husband's family was disgraced years ago, leaving her a widow. She's been keeping a low profile on the outskirts of the city ever since.

"And in the past six months, it seems she's gotten very close to Mr. Palmer."

My heart sank.

So much for "married off to the south".

What a so-called close friend.

So they'd been hiding this from me all this time.

"Investigate," I said.

"Find out every detail about her and Richard. The more thorough, the better.

"Where they meet, how often, what they talk about, what they do together. I want every single detail."

"Yes, madam," Luna answered without a second thought.

"There's one more thing," I said.

My tone turned icy. "Richard is planning to bring someone in to testify against me.

"He's going to accuse Edward of not being his real son."

Luna's face went ghostly pale.

Her lips trembled, her eyes filled with disbelief and a fury that threatened to spill over.

"H-How dare he!" she stammered.

"Of course he dares," I replied, my voice icy.

I gave a cold, mocking laugh.

I said, "It was years ago. There aren't many people left who could actually testify about what happened.

"It would have to be one of the old servants who were around me back then, the midwife who delivered Edward, or the doctor who examined me after I gave birth to Edward.

"My mother carefully handpicked everyone who served me at that time. Each one is utterly loyal.

"The midwife fell into the water and died the year after Edward was born.

"So the only one left is the doctor from back then."

I looked at Luna.

"Do you remember the name of the doctor who examined me back then?" I asked.

Luna's eyes flashed with recognition, then she replied with certainty, "Andrew Lewis. He went back home after retiring three years ago."

"Good," I said.

A cold smile tugged at my lips.

"Find him," I ordered. "Bring him to me, alive. Remember, be quick, keep it quiet, and don't let anyone find out."

A flash of lethal intent passed through Luna's eyes.

"Understood, madam," she replied.

"Should I bring him straight to you, or..." She left the rest unsaid, her meaning clear.

She made a slitting motion across her throat.

I shook my head.

"No, I want him alive," I told her.

"A dead man is worthless," I added.

"Only a living witness can become the weapon I use to strike back," I said.

Luna gave a resolute nod. "I'll see to it at once, madam."

With that, she slipped back into the shadows of the night.

The room was quiet, and I was alone again.

I went to the window and opened it.

A cold night breeze swept across my face.

The chill cleared my mind, sharpening my senses.

Richard, Charlotte, you really thought a retired doctor could be the key to taking me down?

You underestimated me.

You underestimated the network I'd been building in the shadows for 22 years as the Duchess.

This net was originally woven for Edward's future.

But now, I'd turn it on you first.

Let's see how you like digging your own grave.

There were three days left.

*****

The next day, I went about my day as usual. I went to pay my respects to Richard's mother.

Then, I took care of the household business.

In the evening, I spent some time talking with Edward and Emily.

On the surface, everything looked perfectly calm.

I held Emily's hand, fussing over her and making sure she was comfortable.

[She's such a good actress. Even with the end staring her in the face, she's still playing it cool.]

[Richard's already set the stage. All that's left is to watch the fireworks in three days.]

[I can't wait to see her stripped of her status and kicked out.]

[The nicer she pretends to be now, the more thrilled I'll be when she's humiliated.]

I smiled as I listened to her vicious thoughts.

My smile grew even warmer and more loving.

I said gently, "Emily, you've only just married into the family. There's still a lot you don't know.

"Just keep your eyes open and learn as much as you can.

"Sooner or later, everything in this household will be handed over to you."

For a split second, greed and smug satisfaction flashed across Emily's eyes.

But she hid it behind a perfect mask.

"I'll do whatever you say," she replied.

I laughed coldly to myself.

She really thought she'd get her hands on this estate?

She could keep dreaming.

She might not live to see it.

I glanced over at Edward.

He was gazing at his new wife with such tenderness and love.

His eyes and heart were overflowing with happiness.

My foolish son. He had no clue that the woman he treasured was secretly scheming to ruin him.

My heart ached again, but I couldn't say a word. I had to hold it in until the very last moment.

I'd hit them with the most deadly blow when it mattered most.

That night, Luna slipped into my room again.

She brought news. "Madam, Andrew has been found. He's at an estate about thirty miles outside the city. Richard sent four bodyguards to watch him around the clock."

My gaze turned razor-sharp.

"Watch him?" I echoed, my voice icy.

"Looks like he's really putting a lot of effort into protecting this witness."

"Madam, shall I make a move?" Luna asked.

"I've already figured out everything about their setup. I'm confident I can extract him, no matter how tight their security is," she added.

I paused, thinking it over.

I said, "Don't rush. "If we try to snatch him by force, we'll only tip them off.

"I want him to step out on his own and come to me himself."

Luna furrowed her brows, clearly confused.

I let a slow smile curl across my lips.

There was a chilling edge to that smile, almost predatory.

I said, "Everyone has a weakness.

"Why did Andrew choose to stay on the outskirts instead of returning to his hometown after retiring?

"Investigate his family, especially the family member he values most."

Her eyes sparkled with understanding.

"Got it, madam," Luna said.

"Go for the jugular," I added.

"Understood," she replied.

I nodded. "Richard will use his family as leverage against him, and so will I. Let's see whose tactics are superior."