Karenina was stunned when she saw the woman.
"You?" She frowned at this impostor who claimed to be her cousin. However, Karenina was a good actress. She immediately changed her reaction and smiled at the uninvited guest and greeted her. "You're here."
Karenina immediately guessed that this beautiful woman before her, who pretended to be her cousin, was the grand witch Eloise, that Gwen told her about.
Eloise smiled at Karenina and nodded her head. "I am here. I wanted to give you a surprise."
"It works..." Karenina said flatly. She cast her glance around them and saw the servants were watching. She realized it was better to go somewhere quiet so she and Eloise could speak in private.
She was already impressed by Eloise who managed to enter the royal palace without getting suspected and now realized that Gwen didn't exaggerate when she said Eloise was very powerful.
Wasn't she supposed to be in Armeria? How did she arrive here so soon? Also, why didn't anyone suspect her?
She reached out her hand and took Eloise to walk with her to her room. "What about talking in my room so we can have privacy?"
Eloise smiled crookedly and shook her head. "No, actually, I came here to take you out. I know things haven't been good lately for you. So, I was thinking of taking you out to cheer you up. I stay in this beautiful mansion in the city center. We can have tea and catch up on the old times. Come on, cousin. What say you?"
Karenina narrowed her eyes. She preferred that Eloise and she talked in her room. For a moment, Karenina stood in her place and didn't respond immediately.
Eloise noticed her reluctance and waved her hand. She added, "I have come all the way here not to see you sulk in your room. Let's go out and have fun."
Karenina bit her lip. She wanted to say no.
"Fine, if you are so stiff, I will think that my presence is unwanted. I will just take my leave," Eloise pouted and crossed her arms on her chest. "I wish you well in sorting everything by yourself."
She turned around and got ready to leave when Karenina immediately realized that she needed Eloise more than Eloise needed her.
The witch was powerful. She was also married to the Alpha of the Obsidian Sand Pack who was now the ruler of a kingdom, Armeria.
Eloise had a good life. The only thing that she didn't have but would probably want was Leland, the Alpha of the Blood River Pack who was now mated to Sophia Hansley, the woman Karenina hated so much. However, even without Leland, Eloise would already have a good life for herself.
Meanwhile... Karenina, on the other hand, was about to lose everything she had ever had and wanted. All she had now was her revenge mission. How she could make Nicholas suffer, and kill Sophia Hansley.
For that to happen, she needed help. Eloise seemed like a good ally. Not only was she powerful, she also had a big interest in killing Sophie. She also had the power behind her to topple the Hannenberghs from the throne of Riga.
Dammit. It looked like Karenina did have to go with Eloise and see what she had to say.
Well... at least they were in Livstad, not Armeria. Karenina just needed to make sure that she had enough security around her that would keep her safe while she talked with Eloise. This was not Armeria where Eloise was the queen.
"No, I'll go with you," said Karenina suddenly. She forced a smile and patted Eloise's back. "Cousin. I will just make sure my servants know where I am."
"Definitely," Eloise smiled at seeing Karenina's change of attitude. She knew that Karenina understood she was in need of Eloise's help and decided to follow what the witch wanted.
"Wait here," Karenina immediately went to get her trusted servant, Hugo, and told him to follow her with a knight because she wanted to spend time with her 'cousin' outside the palace.
She made arrangement quickly and not long after, the two women had been riding Eloise's carriage outside of the royal palace. When the two women left the palace compound, many people were paying attention. Karenina had not left her room for many days so it was unusual for them to see her outside.
People had noticed that the king had never made an effort to make any preparation to marry Karenina after the wedding plans announcement at the princess' birthday party months ago.
After the commotion where she tried to kill herself, many people thought King Nicholas might have decided to break off their engagement which led to her trying suicide.
They thought she was too embarrassed to come out and decided to hide in her quarter. Seeing her out and about, accompanied by a beautiful woman, made people feel intrigued. Karenina looked happy and calm, like everything was fine. So, was everything really fine? They were wondering.
The carriage went to the city center and stopped in front of a beautiful mansion, surrounded by a lovely garden. Eloise turned to Karenina. "This is where I am staying now. Let's talk inside."
Karenina was wondering how Eloise could obtain such a nice mansion in such a short amount of time. Did she buy it?
"Is this your place?" she couldn't help but ask.
Eloise nodded. "Temporarily, yes."
They got off the carriage and walked toward the entrance. Karenina was impressed to see everyone looked so respectful toward Eloise.
However, there was something unusual about the way these people walked and talked.
"Welcome, Your Grace," the butler spoke in a flat tone. His eyes seemed like he was dreaming. There was no focus on his irises.
"Thanks, John," said Eloise calmly. "I have a friend here. We will be talking on the terrace. Please bring us some tea."
"Very well, Your Grace." The butler called John turned around and disappeared behind the door. Eloise led the way for Karenina to follow her.
"This terrace has the best view," she said and continued walking toward the terrace. Karenina followed her. She had so many questions in her mind.
"Are they..." she looked at Eloise intensely when they arrived at the terrace. It was an open area, facing a big garden filled with so many flowers. However, her attention was still on the butler, not the flowers. "Are they enchanted? The butler and servants, I mean."
Eloise sat on the chair leisurely and looked at Karenina. "As a matter of fact, they are. You have a good eye, Karenina."
"Ah..." Karenina nodded. She knew there was something wrong with those people. "So, is this mansion not yours? Did you steal it?"
Eloise just shrugged. "I borrowed it from the owner, but if I like it, I will make it mine. It's no big deal."
"How did you do that?"
Eloise smirked. "I am a witch, remember?"
"Yeah, I've met some witches, and none of them could do this," said Karenina.
Eloise scoffed. "Because they are not me."
Karenina swallowed. Was Eloise really that powerful? Being able to control people's minds like this was amazing. She clenched the hem of her dress and suddenly felt anxious.
Would Eloise also try to control her mind? No... she must not let her.
"Don't you dare control my mind," Karenina said in a stutter. "I won't let you."
Eloise looked at the anxious Karenina and chuckled. "You are so funny. Please have a seat. I only control the minds of people who disagree with me. From what I see, we are both on the same side. It doesn't give me any benefit in taking over your mind."
Karenina pursed her lips and looked at Eloise intensely before she felt relief. That's right. Why would she worry about being controlled by Eloise when they both had the same agenda? If anything, she would help Eloise kill Sophie. She wanted that too.
"I am glad we are on the same page," Karenina said hoarsely and then took a seat across from Eloise. "I know you have been holding a grudge toward a woman that I happen to hate."
"I believe that's correct," said Eloise lightly. Before they could talk more, a servant came and brought them a pot of tea and two cups.
Eloise let the servant pour them tea and waited until she disappeared before she continued their conversation. "I was happy to receive your letter. I felt like I found my soul sister... hahahahha."
Karenina was in awe when she saw Eloise let out her crisp laughter. She looked so beautiful and enchanting. In her opinion, Eloise was more beautiful than Sophia Hansley, but why did Leland Salazar not want to make her his mate? Why did he choose Sophie?
"Soul sisters," Karenina repeated the words. She liked it. She thought it was really useful to have Eloise by her side. The witch was powerful, well-connected, and would definitely be able to provide value for her. She smiled and said, "Let's drink to that."
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