Chapter 63 GAME OF MASKS

Chapter 63 GAME OF MASKS

Selene

The morning sun had risen higher by the time Selene left the study, but its warmth did little to ease the tension tightening inside her chest.
Threats.
Not political maneuvering. Not quiet persuasion.
A threat against a servant’s family.
Selene had spent years in the capital’s political circles before marrying Ace. She had seen schemes, betrayals, and ruthless ambition. She knew how cruel the noble houses could be when power was at stake.
But threatening an innocent man just to manipulate a maid inside their household?
That crossed a line.
Her steps carried her through the long corridor toward the breakfast room, her thoughts carefully organizing themselves.
Whoever was behind this believed three things.
First, that Selene would attend the council gathering if pressured.
Second, that Ace would not risk the life of an innocent man by interfering.
And third…
That they could manipulate the estate from the shadows without being discovered.
Selene’s lips curved slightly.
They were wrong on all three counts.
When she entered the breakfast room, Ace was already seated at the long table, a cup of tea resting untouched in front of him. A stack of documents lay open beside his plate.
He glanced up as she entered.
“You look like you’re planning something dangerous.”
Selene took the chair across from him.
“I married you. Clearly my sense of danger isn’t very reliable.”
Ace smirked faintly.
“That explains a lot.”
A servant entered quietly with a tray of food and began placing dishes onto the table.
Neither of them spoke again until the servant left.
The moment the door closed behind him, Selene leaned forward slightly.
“I’ve been thinking.”
Ace raised an eyebrow.
“That usually means trouble.”
“Probably.”
She reached for a slice of bread but didn’t eat it.
“They’re expecting us to behave predictably.”
Ace nodded.
“They assume we’ll attend the council gathering because of the threat.”
“Yes.”
Selene rested her elbows lightly on the table.
“So we give them exactly what they expect.”
Ace watched her carefully.
“You want to attend.”
“I was already planning to.”
He didn’t look surprised.
“Of course you were.”
Selene smiled faintly.
“If we refuse, they’ll simply move to their next plan. And Samuel’s life would still be in danger.”
Ace took a slow sip of his tea.
“And if you attend?”
“We keep them comfortable.”
His gaze sharpened slightly.
“Comfortable enough to reveal themselves.”
Selene nodded.
“Exactly.”
Ace set his cup down.
“You realize that means walking directly into their trap.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re still suggesting it.”
Selene’s voice remained calm.
“We won’t walk in blindly.”
Ace leaned back slightly in his chair.
“What did you have in mind?”
Selene finally took a small bite of bread before answering.
“First, we protect the maid’s brother.”
Ace’s expression didn’t change, but Selene noticed the subtle shift in his posture.
“You already have someone in mind.”
“I do.”
Ace tapped his fingers lightly against the table.
“Where does the brother work?”
“At the docks, according to the maid’s employment records.”
Ace nodded once.
“I can place two men there before noon.”
Selene allowed herself a small smile.
“I knew you would.”
He studied her for a moment.
“You’ve already decided all this.”
“I had time to think while you were interrogating the poor girl in the hallway.”
Ace sighed softly.
“I wasn’t interrogating her.”
Selene gave him a knowing look.
“You’re terrible at pretending to be harmless.”
“That’s unfair.”
“Is it?”
Ace didn’t answer.
Instead he returned to the topic at hand.
“Protecting the brother solves one problem,” he said. “But it doesn’t stop whoever is controlling her.”
Selene nodded.
“That’s where the second part of the plan comes in.”
“And that is?”
“We let them believe she’s still cooperating.”
Ace’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“You want Lina to continue delivering messages.”
“Yes.”
“That puts her in danger.”
“She’s already in danger.”
Ace considered that silently.
Selene continued.
“But if we quietly protect her brother, the threat against him loses its power.”
“And if whoever is behind this realizes that?”
Selene shrugged lightly.
“Then they’ll make a mistake.”
Ace watched her carefully.
“You’re very confident about that.”
Selene leaned back in her chair.
“People who rely on threats usually panic when their leverage disappears.”
Ace nodded slowly.
“That’s true.”
Silence settled between them again as they both considered the situation.
Finally Ace spoke.
“The council gathering is four days away.”
“Yes.”
“And the message said the preparations must continue.”
Selene’s gaze turned thoughtful.
“That’s the part that bothers me most.”
Ace looked at her.
“You think something bigger is happening.”
“I’m certain of it.”
She tapped her finger lightly against the table.
“The message didn’t mention you at all.”
Ace raised an eyebrow.
“That’s unusual?”
“Very.”
Selene’s eyes darkened slightly.
“You’re the Duke of this estate. Any serious political plot would normally account for you.”
Ace gave a faint smile.
“So they’re either ignoring me…”
“…or they believe they’ve already neutralized you,” Selene finished.
Ace chuckled quietly.
“I’d like to see them try.”
Selene leaned forward again.
“Still, we shouldn’t underestimate them.”
“I never do.”
Another knock sounded at the door.
Ace looked up.
“Come in.”
The door opened and the estate’s chief steward stepped inside.
“Your Grace, the morning reports from the city have arrived.”
Ace gestured toward the desk at the far end of the room.
“Leave them there.”
The steward did so and quietly left again.
Ace rose from his chair and walked to the desk.
Selene followed.
He opened the leather folder and began scanning the reports.
Merchants’ activity. Shipping schedules. Council notices.
Then one document caught his attention.
He pulled it free.
Selene stepped closer.
“What is it?”
Ace handed her the paper.
Selene read it quickly.
Her expression hardened.
“Three council members requested a private meeting tonight.”
Ace nodded.
“And they specifically asked for you.”
Selene lowered the paper.
“Interesting.”
Ace crossed his arms.
“Do you recognize the names?”
Selene read them again.
Lord Carrow.
Lady Virel.
And Baron Esten.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
“Carrow is ambitious. Virel is cautious. Esten…”
She paused.
“Esten rarely involves himself in politics unless there’s something significant to gain.”
Ace studied her reaction.
“You think they’re connected to this?”
“I don’t know yet.”
She handed the document back to him.
“But if they requested a private meeting tonight…”
Ace finished the thought.
“…then someone is moving faster than expected.”
Selene walked back toward the window.
Outside, the estate gardens were fully alive now. Servants moved through the paths, gardeners trimmed hedges, and the fountains sparkled in the sunlight.
Such a peaceful scene.
Yet somewhere beyond those gates, someone was preparing a trap.
Selene folded her arms thoughtfully.
“I’ll attend the meeting.”
Ace joined her by the window.
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
“They could be testing you.”
“Good.”
Selene’s lips curved slightly.
“Then I’ll test them back.”
Ace watched her for a moment.
“You enjoy this more than you should.”
Selene glanced at him.
“Politics?”
“Yes.”
She considered the question.
Then she shook her head.
“No.”
Ace raised an eyebrow.
“What then?”
Selene’s smile softened slightly.
“Winning.”
Ace chuckled quietly.
“That’s very honest.”
Selene turned back toward the window again.
“Besides…”
Her voice lowered slightly.
“…whoever is behind this clearly believes they’re smarter than we are.”
Ace’s expression darkened faintly.
“They’ll learn otherwise.”
Selene nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
The room fell silent again.
But this time the silence felt different.
Not tense.
Focused.
Because both of them now understood the same thing.
The enemy had made their first move.
And now…
The game had truly begun.