The estate was buzzing with activity. Lila stood in the garden, watching as the workers tended to the newly planted crops and the artisans spun the latest batch of wool. The air was warm, with a gentle breeze that carried the scent of wildflowers and freshly tilled earth. But as peaceful as the scene was, something weighed heavily on her heart.
Adrian had left just the day before. His departure had been sudden, and the air between them had been thick with unsaid words. He had received a letter from the royal palace, summoning him back to court to fulfill his duties as Duke of Blackwood. Though Lila had known this day would come eventually, she hadn't expected it to happen so soon.
She missed him already.
Adrian had become a constant in her life, his presence, his support, and his quiet strength had grounded her in ways she hadn't anticipated. He had not only helped her revitalize the estate but had also given her a glimpse of what it meant to be truly cared for. Now that he was gone, she felt the weight of the world pressing down on her once again.
The royal summons had come on the heels of the ball, where Adrian's actions had caught the attention of the crown. His public defense of Lila, the way he had shut down Lady Evelyne's attempt to humiliate her, had not gone unnoticed. And now, the royal family specifically, Crown Prince Edmund and Princess Seraphine wanted to meet with him personally. His actions had sparked interest, and as much as Lila wanted to be happy for him, the thought of his absence left her feeling a sense of unease.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind her. Turning, she saw her father, Lord Hart, approaching with a somber expression.
"Lila," he began, his voice quiet. "I've received word that Adrian's departure is more than just a brief visit. The royal family intends to keep him at court for the foreseeable future."
Lila's heart sank. "How long will he be gone?"
"I don't know. It could be weeks, or even months. The crown has always relied on Adrian's expertise in matters of diplomacy and the affairs of the nobility. They'll want him involved in court politics."
Lila nodded, her thoughts racing. Adrian's absence was not only a personal loss but also a blow to their plans. She had grown accustomed to his advice, his insight into the workings of the court, and his unwavering support. Now, she was back to facing the estate's burdens alone.
But there was more. As if sensing her worry, Lord Hart placed a hand on her shoulder. "You know that your position here at the estate has changed, don't you? Without Adrian here, Lady Evelyne will likely try to move against you again. She won't let this opportunity slip."
Lila's chest tightened. "I know. I've been preparing for that."
Her father sighed. "Just be careful, my daughter. Lady Evelyne has always been a schemer. Her ambitions know no bounds. And if Adrian's absence gives her the opening she needs… we must be vigilant."
Meanwhile, at the Merrow estate, Lady Evelyne was seething. Adrian Blackwood's departure had disrupted her plans in a way she hadn't expected. His public actions at the ball had drawn attention, and now the royal family had summoned him to court. The crown prince and princess were notorious for meddling in the affairs of the nobility, and Evelyne knew that if Adrian aligned himself too closely with the royal family, it could create even more complications for her schemes.
But there was no time to waste. If Adrian was gone, this was the perfect opportunity to strike.
Evelyne paced back and forth in her study, her thoughts sharp and calculating. She had worked too hard to let a minor setback derail her plans. Lila Hart had become more of a threat than she had originally anticipated, and now, with Adrian out of the picture, she would need to act quickly to neutralize her.
The plan was simple: undermine Lila's position at the estate, create discord among the workers, and ensure that the people of the fiefdom lost confidence in her leadership. Without Adrian by her side, Lila would be vulnerable, and once she was isolated, Evelyne would swoop in, offering her "support" while secretly tightening the noose around her neck.
Evelyne smiled coldly to herself as she summoned her most trusted ally, Marianne. The young woman had been a useful tool in the past, and Evelyne had no doubt that she could be again.
"Marianne," Evelyne said, her voice dripping with ice, "I trust you've been keeping an eye on Lila Hart and her activities?"
Marianne bowed her head. "Of course, Lady Evelyne. I've been following her every move. She's been busy with the estate, making improvements to the crops and organizing a market. But she's distracted now, with Adrian gone."
"Good," Evelyne purred. "Now, it's time for you to make your move. You will go to the estate and make sure that her plans fall apart. Disrupt her efforts however you can. If she's organizing markets, we'll make sure the merchants back out or that the workers sabotage their own efforts."
Marianne's eyes gleamed with a mix of ambition and malice. "I understand. I'll make sure Lila's plans are ruined."
Evelyne nodded, her smile widening. "Perfect. And don't worry about Adrian. While he's busy trying to win favor with the crown, we will take care of everything here. By the time he returns, it will be too late for Lila."
At the same time, Lila was sitting alone in her study, the weight of her father's debts and her responsibilities pressing heavily on her shoulders. She had made progress, but it still wasn't enough. The fiefdom was barely staying afloat, and she knew that without Adrian's help, it would be an uphill battle.
But she wasn't giving up. She would find a way to make it work. She couldn't afford to fail now, not when so many people were depending on her.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Lila looked up to see her father enter, his face grave.
"Lila," he said, "I've received some troubling news. Lady Evelyne is moving against you again. With Adrian gone, she'll try to exploit any weakness she can find."
Lila's heart clenched. She had expected as much. But knowing it was coming didn't make it any easier to hear.
"What should we do?" she asked, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside her.
"We fight back," her father said firmly. "We don't give her the satisfaction of seeing us falter. We need to double down on our efforts keep the workers loyal, keep the merchants coming, and show everyone that this estate will not fall. We'll do it without Adrian for now, but we won't let her win."
Lila nodded, determination flashing in her eyes. "I won't let her take this from me. I've worked too hard."
Her father smiled, a rare moment of pride in his expression. "I know you won't. And neither will I."
As Adrian traveled back to the royal capital, the tension in the air was palpable. He had been summoned by the crown, and though he had expected it, the weight of the royal family's expectations was heavy on his mind. He would be involved in court politics again, forced to navigate the delicate balance of power and influence that came with his title. But even as he prepared to return to his duties, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong at the estate.
Lila needed him and he would return as soon as he could. He just hoped that by the time he did, it wouldn't be too late.