Chapter 56 EAST GATE

Chapter 56 EAST GATE

Ace

The estate was silent when I left.

Most of the household had already retired, and the few remaining servants moved quietly through the distant halls. The torches along the corridors flickered softly as I made my way toward the eastern wing of the estate.

The letter rested in my coat pocket.

Selene had tried to sleep, though I knew she probably hadn't managed more than a few minutes of rest. Before I left, she had insisted that at least one guard remain within sight of the gate.

I had agreed—partially.

The guard would remain far enough away not to scare off whoever sent the message.

But close enough to intervene if things went wrong.

The night air greeted me as I stepped outside.

A cold breeze swept across the courtyard, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant pine. The sky was still dark, though the faintest hint of dawn lingered along the horizon.

The east gate stood ahead, a tall iron structure built into the estate walls.

A single lantern burned beside it.

And beneath that lantern stood a man.

He wore a dark cloak pulled low over his head. His posture was tense, his eyes scanning the surrounding grounds as if expecting someone to appear at any moment.

When he noticed me approaching, he straightened immediately.

“You came,” he said quietly.

His voice was unfamiliar.

“Yes,” I replied calmly. “Now explain why you summoned me here.”

The man stepped forward slightly but kept his distance.

“I had to be certain you would come alone.”

“I’m here,” I said. “Speak.”

He glanced nervously toward the road beyond the gate.

Then he pulled something from inside his cloak.

A second letter.

He handed it to me.

“This arrived yesterday,” he said. “It was meant for someone inside your estate.”

I unfolded the paper slowly.

The handwriting was neat.

Precise.

And disturbingly familiar.

The Duchess must not remain in the estate beyond the next council gathering.

Ensure the arrangements are prepared.

The Duke must not suspect anything until it is too late.

My grip on the letter tightened.

“Where did you get this?”

“I work for one of the courier houses in the capital,” the man said quickly. “The letter was scheduled for delivery through a private messenger.”

“And?”

“And the name attached to the delivery caught my attention.”

“What name?”

The man hesitated.

Then he said it.

“John Thomas.”

For a moment the only sound between us was the wind.

“You’re certain?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“And the letter was addressed to him?”

“No.”

“Then who?”

The man swallowed.

“One of your estate staff.”

My eyes narrowed.

“Which one?”

“I don’t know their name,” he admitted. “Only that the messenger was instructed to deliver it discreetly.”

“And why bring it to me?”

“Because something about it didn’t feel right.”

He gestured toward the letter.

“I’ve delivered messages for nobles before. Secret arrangements, political negotiations… things like that.”

“But this felt different.”

“How?”

He met my eyes.

“It sounded like someone was planning to remove your wife.”

The words hung in the cold air.

“Remove her,” I repeated slowly.

“Yes.”

My mind raced.

John Thomas had been watching Selene carefully all evening.

Studying her.

Measuring her.

But arranging something behind my back?

That would be a dangerous game even for him.

“Who else has seen this letter?” I asked.

“No one,” the courier replied.

“You’re certain?”

“Yes.”

I folded the paper again.

“And the original message?”

“I never delivered it.”

“Where is it now?”

The man hesitated again.

“I burned it.”

I frowned.

“You destroyed the evidence?”

“I didn’t want anyone tracing it back to me,” he said nervously.

“That’s why I copied the message before getting rid of it.”

I looked down at the paper in my hand.

If what he said was true…

Then someone inside the estate had been secretly communicating with John Thomas.

And Selene might already be in danger.

“Why risk bringing this to me?” I asked.

The courier shifted uncomfortably.

“Because my sister works in the kitchens here.”

That caught my attention.

“She does?”

“Yes.”

“And if something happens inside the estate…” he continued quietly, “she might get caught in it.”

So this wasn’t loyalty.

It was fear.

And self-preservation.

Still, the information might be valuable.

“You did the right thing bringing this to me,” I said.

Relief flashed across his face.

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

I slipped the letter into my coat pocket.

“You’ll return to the capital today.”

The man nodded quickly.

“And you won’t speak about this meeting to anyone.”

“Of course not.”

“If anyone asks, the message was delivered normally.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

I studied him for a moment longer.

“Go.”

He didn’t hesitate.

Within seconds he was already walking quickly down the dark road away from the estate.

I remained by the gate, staring at the fading horizon.

The sky was beginning to lighten.

Morning was coming.

And somewhere inside the estate walls…

Someone might already be working against us.

Selene had trusted the household.

So had I.

But now I couldn’t be certain who that trust truly belonged to.

One thing, however, was suddenly very clear.

If John Thomas really was planning something…

Then the next council gathering might become far more dangerous than anyone expected.