Chapter 98 The Remnants of Night and Whispers Behind the Temple
The library door creaked open slowly. The loud screech of the hinges echoed through the silent corridor, making Ilse jump. She was still sitting on the floor, her back against the wall, and her legs felt as weak as jelly.
Julian stepped out first. He wasn't using his sword, but his hand stayed close to its hilt.
He looked at Ilse with an expression that was hard to decipher—a mix of surprise, confusion, and a hint of disbelief.
Behind him, Gisella followed, her face still damp with sweat, but her breathing much calmer.
"Is he gone?" Julian's voice broke the silence.
Ilse nodded once. "Yes. Don't ask me how. I don't want to remember."
Gisella knelt in front of Ilse. Her cold hand touched Ilse's shoulder. "Ilse... you were shouting about that Duke. I thought you'd lost your mind."
Ilse let out a small, hoarse laugh. She tried to stand, helped by Gisella's hand. "I nearly did. If I hadn't done that, he would have searched every corner of this house until he found you. That Duke's instincts are terrifying."
Julian sighed deeply, then leaned his back against the wall next to Ilse.
He looked much calmer now, though his shoulders were still tense.
"That was insane. I heard everything. I thought my life was over when he arrived. But when you started shouting about how handsome he was... I almost came out and laughed."
"Don't laugh," Ilse cut in flatly. "That was the most embarrassing act of my life. If anyone found out Lady Varannes screamed like a crazed fangirl on her own doorstep, I might be sent to a convent."
"But it worked," Gisella replied. A small smile began to form on her lips. "He really left. You were amazing, Ilse. I don't know how you think so fast."
Ilse glanced at Gisella, then at Julian. The three of them stood in front of the door. "I'm not amazing. I just wanted to save you. You're the most valuable assets I must protect from the stupidity of the palace people."
Julian snorted; a thin smile appeared on his face. "Assets, huh? Sounds like you're talking business."
"It is business," Ilse replied firmly. "The business of survival. Now, listen to me. You can't meet like this too often. Claus is probably already suspicious. He's not stupid. He'll come back to confirm his suspicions."
Their conversation flowed slowly. They started discussing technical details: escape routes, which servants could be trusted, and how to send messages without meeting directly.
The tense atmosphere began to melt, giving way to a more logical discussion.
Ilse took on the role of manager, while Julian offered input from a man's perspective, as someone who knew the terrain.
Gisella mostly listened, occasionally offering the most reasonable suggestions.
"You have to be careful, Julian," Ilse said, looking Julian straight in the eye. "Don't ever come to Gisela's house unless it's absolutely necessary."
Julian nodded. "I know. But we can't hide forever. One day, everything has to be out in the open."
"One day, but not today," Gisella interrupted softly. She reached for Julian's hand. "We've been lucky enough today. Let's not get greedy."
Ilse watched them. She checked the wall clock in the middle of the room.
Time kept moving, and they had to leave before the servants or her parents returned early.
"Time's up," Ilse said, her voice soft but firm.
"You have to go. Julian, use the back door. Gisella, change your dress. We need to make sure you get home before night really falls."
Silence enveloped them again, but this time it felt heavier. Julian looked at Ilse once more, then at Gisella. There was so much they wanted to say, but they knew words wouldn't change the situation. After that, they prepared to leave.
Julian reluctantly let go of Gisella's hand. He nodded at Ilse as a sign of thanks, without words, but enough for Ilse to understand.
"Take care of yourselves," Julian said before finally walking towards the secret door in the corner of the library.
Gisella could only watch Julian's back until he disappeared into the shadows. She didn't cry, but her eyes showed real exhaustion. Ilse put an arm around Gisella's shoulders, offering what little support she could.
"Come on," Ilse said. "We have one more task today: making sure you get home without anyone suspecting you've just met Julian in secret."
They walked toward the back door of the house. Their steps were unhurried but certain. Ilse felt her world had changed. She was no longer just an observer in this novel. She was now part of the problem, and she had no way out but to keep moving forward.
Outside, the sun was nearly set, leaving behind an orange sky slowly turning to dusk.
Ilse knew tomorrow would feel much longer, and she had to be ready to face everything again.
But for today, at least, she had done what needed to be done. Gisella was safe. Julian was safe. And that was enough. For now.
Elsewhere in the city, things were getting tense.
Lysandra stood behind a temple pillar. She was listening to the report of an old priest whose voice was hoarse. The priest had just returned from his routine prayer rounds in the noble district.
"Say that again." Lysandra's voice was low, sharp as a scalpel.
"Duke d'Alen?on, Your Grace," whispered the priest. "He was seen leaving someone's house."
Lysandra twisted the ring on her finger. Her eyes did not blink. "Whose house?"
"The Varannes residence. To meet Miss Ilse de Varannes, Gisella Mercer's friend. The Prince's fiancée," the priest whispered. Lysandra fell silent. She smiled. The smile made the priest tremble even more.
"That Varannes girl," Lysandra murmured. "Turns out she's playing with the one man she shouldn't touch."
Lysandra walked out of the temple, leaving the priest alone. She no longer cared about prayers. Now she had a new vision. A vision that would elevate her name, and she had to be ready to face it. Her time to shine was coming; it was only a matter of time.