Chapter 55 THE LETTER

Chapter 55 THE LETTER
Ace

The gathering ended well after midnight.
By the time the final guests retired to their chambers, the estate had grown quiet again. The musicians had packed away their instruments, the ballroom candles had been dimmed, and the servants moved through the halls clearing the last of the glasses and decorations.
Selene walked beside me through the long corridor leading toward our chambers. Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor, echoing through the silence.
“Well,” she said with a tired smile, “I think I survived.”
“You did more than survive,” I replied. “You impressed half the nobles in the room.”
“Half?”
“That’s a very good number in noble politics.”
She laughed quietly.
“I’ll take it.”
We reached the tall window overlooking the garden and paused for a moment. The moon hung high above the estate, casting silver light over the quiet grounds.
Selene leaned slightly against the window frame.
“I’m exhausted,” she admitted.
“That’s understandable.”
“I think I spoke to at least twenty different people tonight.”
“Probably more.”
She rubbed her temples lightly.
“And every one of them asked nearly the same questions.”
“Let me guess,” I said. “Where you grew up, how we met, and what you think of estate life.”
Her eyes widened slightly.
“You’ve done this before.”
“Many times.”
She sighed.
“I suppose I should start preparing new answers.”
“You don’t need to,” I said gently. “The truth works better than rehearsed stories.”
Selene studied my face for a moment.
“You’re still thinking about John Thomas.”
I hesitated.
“Yes.”
“I knew it.”
She pushed herself away from the window.
“He left too early. That bothered you.”
“It did.”
“And the message he received.”
“That too.”
Selene folded her arms thoughtfully.
“Do you think it had something to do with the council?”
“Possibly.”
“Or with us.”
“That’s also possible.”
She looked toward the dark garden below.
“Whatever it is, he’ll reveal it eventually.”
“I’m sure he will.”
Just then footsteps echoed down the corridor.
A servant approached quickly and bowed.
“Your Grace.”
“Yes?”
“A letter arrived for you.”
“At this hour?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
He handed me a sealed envelope.
The wax seal was unfamiliar.
Selene leaned closer.
“Who is it from?”
“I’m not sure.”
I broke the seal and unfolded the letter.
The handwriting was hurried.
And the message was short.
Your Grace,
If you value the safety of your household, meet me at the east gate before sunrise.
Come alone.
There was no signature.
Selene watched my expression carefully.
“That doesn’t look like good news.”
“It isn’t.”
“What does it say?”
I handed her the letter.
She read it quickly.
“Before sunrise?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re supposed to go alone?”
“That’s what it says.”
Selene looked up at me.
“You’re not actually considering it, are you?”
“I might.”
She frowned.
“Ace, that could be a trap.”
“I know.”
“Then why go?”
“Because whoever wrote this believes they have information important enough to risk sending a message directly to the estate.”
Selene folded the letter again.
“Or they want to lure you somewhere dangerous.”
“That’s possible too.”
She studied me for a moment.
“You’re going anyway.”
It wasn’t a question.
“Yes.”
Selene sighed.
“I was afraid you’d say that.”
“I won’t take unnecessary risks.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“That sounds like something people say right before taking unnecessary risks.”
I smiled faintly.
“Fair point.”
Selene walked toward the window again, thinking.
“How much time do we have?”
“A few hours.”
She turned back toward me.
“Then we should use them wisely.”
“How?”
“You’ll bring someone with you.”
“The letter specifically says—”
“I don’t care what the letter says.”
Her tone was firm.
“You’re the Duke. If someone wants to meet you secretly in the middle of the night, they can accept the presence of at least one guard.”
“They might disappear if they see anyone else.”
“Then whoever sent that letter doesn’t actually want to help you.”
I considered her words carefully.
She wasn’t wrong.
Selene stepped closer.
“At the very least,” she said softly, “let Emma or your mother know where you’re going.”
I nodded slowly.
“That’s reasonable.”
She exhaled quietly.
“Good.”
For a moment neither of us spoke.
Then Selene reached for my hand.
“You’re not the only one facing danger in this house anymore,” she said gently.
“I know.”
“So promise me something.”
“What?”
“If something feels wrong… you leave.”
I squeezed her hand.
“I promise.”
Selene studied my face, searching for any hint of hesitation.
Finally she nodded.
“Alright.”
I folded the letter and slipped it into my coat pocket.
“Try to get some rest,” I told her.
“You know I won’t.”
“Then at least try.”
She gave me a tired smile.
“You should do the same.”
But we both knew sleep would be difficult tonight.
Somewhere beyond the estate walls, someone had decided to risk sending a warning—or a trap.
And before the sun rose…
I intended to find out which one it was.