Chapter 30
The manor was buzzing the morning after Rosaria's disappearance.
Julian had to admit, it was jarring, to say the least. "Once again, withholding information from me.
.." he sighed, leaning back in his chair in the study.
"If we're going to work together, I need you to trust me.
" Something wasn't right with Rosaria, and he'd smelled it as soon as her attitude changed a month ago.
Whether she was under some enchantment, or whatever it was—she was different, and not the same Rosaria he once knew.
I'll figure you out, he promised.
He called his personal servant. "Charles, get me Clara. I must speak with her immediately." The male servant nodded, bowed, and swiftly left the room. Julian pressed a hand to his temples. "Ugh, what a headache."
For a moment, he had time to think. He had to admit, he was slightly worried. It wasn't like this "new" version of Rosaria to disappear without a trace. Rosaria disappearing... that meant two things. Either she left on purpose, or something went wrong. His gut told him to go with the latter.
Not long after, Clara entered his study, more nervous than he'd ever seen her. The bags under her eyes showed that she hadn't slept all night. "Care to explain?" Julian said, crossing his arms.
"It is being handled," Clara assured him.
"Handled?" Julian exclaimed. "My sister was under your care, and you just let her... disappear?" He shook his head.
"She ran off with her lover," Clara corrected. "With her obsession for the prince, her disappearance was not expected. We will find her soon, do not worry."
Julian grit his teeth. How could she lie so easily?
No wonder not even he had known something was up, until Rosaria had mentioned it to him.
To think they were all operating right underneath our noses.
"Clara, you incompetent fool," He saw her expression twist with anger just briefly.
That's right, show your true self.
He waved his hand, sighing. "Get out of my sight."
The head maid swiftly left the room, and Julian noticed her clenching her fists.
Alright, time for damage control, he sighed, calling in another servant to send a message to Gareth.
The message was this: monitor suspicious activity, and not to let any word of this leave the manor.
He caught a flicker of green out of the corner of his eyes. A little bird with emerald-colored feathers landed on his windowsill. In its beak was a note.
Curiously, Julian leaned forward in his chair, stretching his hand out. The bird gave a little "chirp," and then dropped the note. Julian peeled it back and read the words, which were hastily scratched on.
"Assasination attempt. Gather loyalists and prepare for battle upon Duke's return."
Julian read the words scribbled on the small note, barely legible. But he could piece together what they meant. For once, he had to give Rowan some credit. "Rosaria... you're a genius for hiring that man," He smiled, jotting down a quick note and gently returning it to the bird.
"Message received."
With that, he sent it away. Two days... that was when the Duke would return, in the meantime, he would be ready. If he really picked up what Rowan was saying, then that meant it was time to take down the traitors in one fell swoop. Leaning back in his chair and cracking his knuckles, he smiled.
____
Two days wasn't much time, but it was enough. He gathered Edith and Gareth, the two closest to Rosaria besides himself, inside his office one night. He intertwined his fingers, the light of the candle flickering off his face, and showed them the note.
"That's not much time," Gareth said grimly.
Julian shook his head. "Adapt and overcome, right? We have the chance to take out the traitors once and for all." He looked at Edith. "Can you discretely gather all the loyal servants in the basement tomorrow night, without alerting anyone?"
Edith nodded, her lips trembling, but she was trying to be very brave.
Julian admired that about her. After all, her "boss" had disappeared without a trace, and she'd never asked to be roped in to all this plotting.
If she failed, her life was on the line.
No, Julian realized. If we fail, this is the end for all of us.
He looked at Gareth. "You do the same. We'll need to gather them all in one place tomorrow night, and prepare them to fight."
A shocked look crossed Edith's face, which turned ghost white. "Don't worry, all will be fine," Gareth reassured her with a small smile. "Lady Rosaria will return, and we will be rid of the traitors once and for all. Take courage."
This seemed to ease Edith a little. She trembled, and then spoke. "I... I have these. We can give them to the servants and guards," she started, then, out of her pocket, pulled out some blue ribbon. "So, during the fight, we'll know who is who."
Julian smiled. "Good idea, Edith. Make sure everyone on the safe list gets these, as well as an extra silver coin. And make sure they arm themselves," He said. "Kitchen knives, pitchforks, whatever they can find. As long as they're prepared. Discreetly," he added.
Edith nodded. "Yes... I will."
He turned to Gareth. "Prepare the guards. They're the ones I'm most worried about."
Gareth nodded. "Don't worry, young lord. I will," He assured him. "And I'll get them the blue ribbons as well."
__
The very next night, a humble gathering of all the loyal servants met in the lowest levels of the manor.
Julian stood up in front of them. They looked around, confused.
"I'm sure you've all noticed things have been amiss for quite a while here at the manor, especially since Her Lady's death.
I've come to tell you we've uncovered something. There are traitors in our midst."
A gasp rippled through the room.
"It's true!" A maid shouted out. "I've seen Yorin beat a servant to death for telling the Duke about missing funds!"
Murmurs of concurrence rippled through the room. "I've seen Clara meeting with a hooded figure at night," A guard added. "When I asked questions, they docked my pay and threatened my family."
Julian nodded. "Then you must know, they are also involved in the young miss's disappearance."
The crowd stirred with restlessness and anger. "That's right. I believe they made an assassination attempt on Lady Rosaria," He said.
A voice shot through the crowd. "Early yesterday morning, someone was moving bodies out of her lady's room," it was a servant girl. "When I asked questions, I was almost beaten to death."
The angriness of the crowd was rising. Gareth worked to calm them down. "I understand all your anger. I'm angry too," Julian said slowly. "That's why I've called you all here. To arms. To defend our honor."
Cheers rose, which were quickly quieted.
The rest of the manor was asleep. "Tomorrow morning, the Duke will arrive.
Everyone at the manor will gather to meet him, so watch your peers, and report any suspicious to Gareth," He nodded, then pointed to a table containing an assortment of weapons.
"Arm yourselves, and wear these blue ribbons.
Because tomorrow, we will take back what is ours from the traitors! "