Chapter 32: The Black Ledger
For the next hour, Esme played her part perfectly. Knowing the shadow guards were in the room, she quietly began organizing the trunks they had brought from the Aldric Keep.
"Put the velvet gowns in the cedar wardrobe," Esme said to a young maid. "Leave the winter trunks by the window. I will handle them myself."
"B...But Your Grace," Clara stuttered, wringing her hands. "His Grace has ordered us to do all the work. He said you shouldn’t exert yourself."
"I am just opening a trunk, Clara, not preparing for war," Esme replied, smiling a little. "I appreciate your concern, but I don’t like strangers going through my personal items. You can go."
"As you wish, Your Grace," Clara squeaked, curtsying deeply before running out of the room.
Once Esme was alone, she turned to the last trunk. As she reached into the bottom, her hand brushed against an old winter cloak. She took it out. The cloak looked like it was worn a few times before.
This must belong to original Esme.
As Esme draped it over her arm, her fingers noticed something stiff hidden within the lining of the dress. She frowned and turned her back to the door, hiding her hands from the shadow guards.
Carefully, she tore the seam open and a small folded piece of paper slipped into her hand. Esme unrolled it immediately. It was a cipher the original Esme had written in a hurry before being forcefully sent to Eveyr.
During my last month spying on Eveyr, I discovered that the Black Ledger is hidden in the restricted archives on the third floor of the Aldric Townhouse, behind the painting of the First Duke.
"So she had the location of the ledger," Esme whispered, staring at the note.
Poor Esme! She had known where to find the ledger but she didn’t live long enough to come to the capital and retrieve it.
Esme casually tossed the cloak onto the bed and glanced at the clock ticking in the corner. It was ten o’clock in the morning. She had probably two hours before Eveyr returned from the court.
She slipped the parchment into her dress pocket and stepped out into the hallway. She looked ahead and walked towards the staircase that led to the third floor.
She didn’t make it past the first step. When suddenly, Commander George, appeared in front of her, blocking her way.
"Forgive me, Your Grace," George said. "His Grace has specifically requested that you remain in the eastern wing until his return."
"Requested, George?" Esme asked. "Or ordered?"
"His Grace’s requests are orders, Duchess."
"To his soldiers, perhaps. Not to his wife," Esme replied, crossing her arms. "I am going to the library, George. I already informed that to Eveyr."
George hesitated a little, before speaking up again.
"The third floor contains the restricted archives, Duchess," George explained. "They are sealed for everyone including you. His Grace would have my head if I let you through."
"Then I suggest you protect your neck," Esme replied coldly.
"Your Grace, please," George pleaded, tightening his grip on his sword. "Do not force me to physically restrain you."
Esme knew he wasn’t afraid of her even though she was the Duchess. But she absolutely knew what he was afraid of.
Esme walked towards him coldly and stopped just a few steps away from him.
"Restrain me?" Esme whispered, a mocking smile touching her lips. "Commander...you are welcome to try. But do ask yourself what will my husband do when he returns and finds your hands on his wife?"
George swallowed.
"I survived my wedding night. I survived an Imperial siege. And I have controlled the Duke who pays your wages," Esme continued, her voice dripping with poison. "If you think I will take orders from a doorman, you are mistaken. Step aside right now, George. Or when Eveyr walks through those doors, I will tell him you looked at me inappropriately."
The blood drained from George’s face, making him look pale. George knew Eveyr well. If Esme said a single word saying he had disrespected her, Eveyr wouldn’t even ask any question. He would kill his most loyal soldier in the courtyard and destroy his entire family to make a point.
George looked defeated. He stepped aside and bowed his head in submission.
"As you wish, Your Grace," he said.
"Good," Esme murmured and walked past him without a glance.
On the third floor there was a large, multi-tiered library. It smelled of old paper, leather covers, and dust. As soon as she entered, she locked the doors.
"Let’s see what you’re hiding, Eveyr," she whispered to herself.
Then she walked through the rows of bookshelves, her eyes scanning every shelf. At the back of the library, hanging above the fireplace, was a large oil painting of a man with silver hair.
There he is! The First Duke of Aldric.
Esme approached the painting and ran her fingers on the wooden frame until her fingers touched a tiny groove in the wood. It was a hidden mechanical lock.
She immediately opened the system interface.
[Passive Skill Activated: Silent Lockpick]
The heavy gears inside the wall clicked and moved silently. The huge painting swung forward on hidden hinges, revealing a dark alcove carved directly into the chimney.
Resting in the center of the alcove, lit by a single beam of light, was a velvet pedestal. On top of it lay a thick, black leather book.
"The Black Ledger!!!"
Even from a distance, Esme could feel it pulsating with dark magic that made the air taste like copper.
Esme lifted her hand and firmly wrapped her fingers around the book to pull it from the pedestal. The moment her fingers touched the book, a bolt of electricity exploded in her arm. Esme gasped and stumbled back.
Immediately, the shadows in the corners of the library moved towards her, whipping through the air like angry ghosts.
Esme had underestimated Eveyr. It wasn’t just a physical lock. It was a magical tripwire which was connected directly to Eveyr’s soul.
Five miles away, standing in the middle of the Imperial assembly hall with the Emperor and his lords, Eveyr suddenly paused mid-sentence. His head snapped towards the eastern window and his eyes widened in terror as he felt someone touching his most dangerous secret.
