Chapter 3
I didn't go to any of my estates. I headed straight for Chewina Avenue, the most bustling street in Coriatwin.
Finally, the carriage stopped in front of a huge estate in the center of the city.
On the wall were some large characters: [Sterling Manor.]
This was no ordinary manor. It was the Sterling family's residence, whose members were influential merchants whom nobles had to respect.
Before the carriage stopped, the gate opened. A young man in blue hurried out, clearly happy to see me but also worried.
A group of servants followed behind him, all standing with respectful expressions.
It was my brother, Edward Sterling, the Deputy Director of the Royal Revenue Office.
"Edward." With Rose helping me down from the carriage, I gave him a gentle smile.
Edward walked up quickly and looked me over carefully.
"You look tired." He frowned. He reached out like he wanted to touch my face, then stopped and pulled his hand back. "So, you've finally decided to come home."
"Yeah, I finally made up my mind," I nodded. "I'm not leaving again."
"Good." Edward's eyes grew teary as he said. "I'm so glad you're back. Anyone who dares mess with you is going to regret it."
He waved his hand, and the butler stepped forward. "Miss Sterling, Jellwain House has been kept ready. It's cleaned every day, and everything inside is set up the way you like. You can move in whenever you want."
I smiled and nodded. "Thanks."
Edward and I walked in together.
Behind us, the servants carefully carried in all sixteen trunks.
At the corner of the street, a man who had been lurking and watching went pale at the sight and immediately turned to flee. It was one of Richard's spies.
*****
Meanwhile, after smashing up his study in a fit of rage, Richard finally managed to calm down. He sat amid the wreckage, but that sense of panic in his gut only grew stronger.
Something was wrong. My reaction had slipped beyond his expectations.
I felt like a stranger he had never truly known.
He had always believed I was nothing more than a merchant's daughter, defined only by wealth and nothing else of substance.
He thought I loved him so much that I couldn't live without him.
However, now, I left without a second thought.
He thought, 'What gives her the right to do this?'
"Guard," Richard barked.
One of his personal guards immediately entered and bowed.
Richard said, "Find out where Catherine went after leaving. I want to know what that so-called home of hers actually is."
Only then did he realize he'd never once bothered to find out where my home in Coriatwin actually was.
He only knew I was a Sterling and that my family was rich. That was it.
*****
An hour later, the guard came back, looking terrified, like he'd seen something impossible.
He bowed, his voice trembling uncontrollably. "General Baldwin, I found it."
"Say it."
"Miss Sterling went straight to Sterling Manor on Chewina Avenue."
"Which Sterling Manor?" Richard's heart skipped a beat, a terrible premonition creeping in.
The guard swallowed hard, struggling to get the words out. "It's the Sterling family, the one that controls major trade networks, dominates the Lareth silk trade, and is favored by the king. And—"
"And what?" Richard snapped.
"The person who came out to greet Miss Sterling in person was Edward Sterling, the Deputy Director of the Royal Revenue Office," the guard whispered, barely able to get the words out. "And he called her his sister."