Chapter 65 SETTING THE TRAP
Chapter 65 SETTING THE TRAP
Ace
The afternoon light slanted through the tall windows of Ace’s study, painting long shadows across the polished wooden floor. Dust motes floated lazily in the golden air, but Ace barely noticed them.
His attention remained fixed on the papers spread across his desk.
Shipping records.
City patrol reports.
Council notices.
Each document on its own seemed ordinary, but when placed together they formed a pattern—one Ace had been quietly assembling since that morning.
A pattern of movement.
He leaned back slightly in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin.
“Three council members request a private meeting,” he murmured to himself.
Lord Carrow.
Lady Virel.
Baron Esten.
Individually they were influential figures, but none of them had reason to request Selene’s presence so urgently.
Unless they believed she was vulnerable.
Ace’s gaze shifted to the second message he had received earlier—the threat delivered to the estate gate.
If the Duchess refuses the council invitation… the girl’s brother will die.
His jaw tightened slightly.
Threatening innocent people was a crude tactic.
But crude tactics sometimes worked.
Especially against those who cared about the lives of others.
Which meant whoever orchestrated this plot understood Selene’s character well enough to exploit it.
That bothered him more than the threat itself.
Because it suggested the enemy had information about them.
Perhaps even someone watching the estate.
A quiet knock interrupted his thoughts.
“Enter,” Ace said.
The door opened and a tall man stepped inside.
Marcus.
Unlike most of the estate staff, Marcus didn’t wear the formal uniform of a steward or servant. His clothing was simple, practical—dark trousers and a long coat that allowed easy movement.
He closed the door behind him.
“You sent for me.”
Ace nodded toward the chair across the desk.
“Sit.”
Marcus did.
“You look like you’re about to start a war,” Marcus said casually.
Ace gave a faint smile.
“Only a small one.”
Marcus leaned back slightly.
“That sounds reassuring.”
Ace slid one of the documents across the desk toward him.
“Tell me what you see.”
Marcus glanced down at the paper.
It was a shipping schedule from the city docks.
Several cargo vessels were scheduled to arrive over the next few days.
Most carried grain, textiles, or merchant goods.
But three entries were circled in ink.
Marcus studied them carefully.
“These ships arrived earlier than expected.”
Ace nodded.
“Two days early.”
Marcus looked up.
“That’s unusual.”
“Yes.”
Marcus tapped the page thoughtfully.
“And all three belong to the same merchant house.”
Ace’s gaze sharpened.
“Exactly.”
Marcus flipped the page over.
“Let me guess.”
He looked back at Ace.
“Lord Carrow’s trade network.”
Ace gave a small nod.
Marcus let out a low whistle.
“That’s bold.”
Ace folded his arms.
“Bold or desperate.”
Marcus leaned forward again.
“You think the cargo has something to do with the council gathering.”
“I’m certain of it.”
Marcus’s expression grew more serious.
“What kind of cargo?”
Ace slid another paper across the desk.
Marcus read the short report.
His brows lifted slightly.
“Weapons?”
Ace nodded.
“Crates labeled as farming equipment.”
Marcus shook his head.
“Carrow must think the city guards are idiots.”
“They probably never inspected the shipment closely.”
Marcus leaned back again.
“So someone’s quietly bringing weapons into the city right before a major council meeting.”
Ace nodded.
“And they want Selene present when whatever happens begins.”
Marcus exhaled slowly.
“That’s not a coincidence.”
“No.”
The room fell quiet for a moment as Marcus considered the situation.
Finally he spoke.
“You want me to investigate the docks.”
Ace nodded.
“I want you to confirm the cargo.”
Marcus gave a slight grin.
“That won’t be difficult.”
Ace’s expression remained calm.
“Be careful.”
Marcus shrugged.
“I always am.”
Ace didn’t respond to that.
Instead he reached into his coat and removed the folded message Lina had delivered earlier.
Marcus glanced at it.
“What’s that?”
Ace slid it across the desk.
“Part of the problem.”
Marcus opened the note and read it quickly.
When he finished, he let out a quiet sigh.
“Using a servant as a courier.”
Ace nodded.
“She’s being forced.”
Marcus studied the handwriting again.
“Do we know who’s controlling her?”
“Not yet.”
Marcus folded the note again and returned it to the desk.
“But whoever it is thinks they’re clever.”
Ace’s eyes darkened slightly.
“Most people who think they’re clever make mistakes.”
Marcus chuckled softly.
“That’s why you usually win.”
Ace ignored the compliment.
“There’s another message coming tonight.”
Marcus raised an eyebrow.
“How do you know?”
Ace leaned back in his chair.
“Because people who rely on threats rarely stop after one success.”
Marcus nodded slowly.
“And you’re planning to intercept it.”
“Eventually.”
Marcus looked curious.
“But not tonight?”
Ace shook his head.
“No.”
Marcus frowned slightly.
“You’re letting it happen?”
“For now.”
Marcus studied him carefully.
“You’re setting a trap.”
Ace didn’t answer directly.
But the faint smile that appeared on his lips was enough.
Marcus laughed quietly.
“Poor bastards.”
Ace stood and walked toward the window.
The estate gardens stretched peacefully beyond the glass.
Servants moved along the stone paths.
A pair of gardeners trimmed the hedges near the fountain.
Everything looked normal.
But somewhere inside the estate…
Someone was working for the enemy.
Ace’s voice grew quieter.
“There’s something else.”
Marcus turned in his chair.
“What?”
Ace kept his eyes on the gardens.
“The message mentioned ensuring the estate does not interfere.”
Marcus nodded.
“Meaning they expect resistance from you.”
“Yes.”
Ace’s gaze sharpened slightly.
“Which means they’ve planned a way to deal with me.”
Marcus frowned.
“That sounds unpleasant.”
Ace shrugged slightly.
“I’m curious what they came up with.”
Marcus stood from his chair.
“You’re enjoying this.”
“Perhaps a little.”
Marcus walked toward the door but paused before leaving.
“What about the maid?”
Ace turned back toward him.
“Lina.”
Marcus nodded.
“She’s clearly terrified.”
Ace’s expression softened slightly.
“I know.”
“Are we helping her?”
Ace crossed the room and picked up another document.
“I already arranged protection for her brother.”
Marcus blinked.
“You move fast.”
Ace smirked faintly.
“Experience.”
Marcus opened the door.
“Well, I’ll go see what Lord Carrow is hiding at the docks.”
Ace nodded.
“Report back before nightfall.”
Marcus stepped into the hallway but glanced back once more.
“You really think they’ll try something during the council gathering?”
Ace’s voice was calm.
“They’ve invested too much not to.”
Marcus grinned slightly.
“Then I hope they’re ready for disappointment.”
The door closed behind him.
Ace remained standing in the quiet study.
His gaze drifted to the folded message on the desk.
Tonight Lina would deliver another note.
And whoever was pulling the strings would believe their plan was still unfolding perfectly.
But in reality…
The trap they were building was already tightening around them.
They just didn’t know it yet.