"Lady Rashet, we all know how deeply you care for the family business. But this goes beyond mere interest," Elder Chem said. "You are brilliant. Your perfect marks in your lessons prove that. Still, you are unwell. Very sensitive to sunlight."
It wasn't a secret that Lady Rashet possessed a prodigious mind, but her frail, sickly body kept her from helping with the family affairs. That was why Elder Chem had been allowed to manage certain matters inside the End House. And he had held that position for many years.
"As far as my health goes, I'm getting better," Nyasia said with a smile. "And I'm quite sure the End House has a wide, sturdy roof to shield me from the sun. After all, Elder, managing family business isn't about sunbathing."
Elder Chem's face went stiff.
"Father," Levon said, turning to Ezekias. "We need to investigate whether contracts have been secured behind your back—and whether Mrs. Nox is involved. But that aside, I agree with Nyasia. She needs to learn the family business."
Elder Chem's heart trembled, listening to Levon's firm resolve. And Ezekias's silence was already more than an answer.
"Levon," Elder Chem said carefully, "I hope you are not exploiting your sister's kindness just to influence her decisions."
"Are you saying my daughter is easily manipulated? That's a pitiful mindset you have, Elder," Ezekias said coldly. "Our clan prides itself on having competent heirs—man or woman. It seems old age has made you forget those values. You should retire."
Elder Chem's face twisted with barely contained fury, but he couldn't speak another word. And he could feel it. The other elders weren't going to defend him. They act as if I never helped them when they were in trouble with the marquis!
Meanwhile, Ezekias frowned, turning to look at Divya. She wore a defeated expression. Her head lowered, hands clasped, her posture almost painfully solemn. As if she were trying very hard to look pitiful.
"I adopted your daughter because she saved my life. It was because of her that I've treated you well," Ezekias began. "But lately—ever since you were accused of poisoning Nyasia—this manor has not been at peace. So many things have happened."
Divya swallowed hard.
"You can't possibly believe—"
"My opinion of you doesn't matter anymore. This entire manor has lost its peace."
She flailed. "What do you mean? I—I did nothing wrong. All of this is baseless. The elders hate me, don't you remember? Brother, I'm not like that all—"
"This has nothing to do with your character or whatever merit you think you possess. You need to leave Rashet estate as soon as possible."
"B-but what about Maryan?" Divya cried bitterly. "You can't possibly take her mother away from her! You know how much we depend on each other."
Ezekias shrugged, his voice hard with cruel truth. "Then she must choose between you and the Rashet Clan. But if you truly care for her, you will leave quietly. I intend for Maryan to have a better future. She can only achieve that without you."
Nyasia smiled coldly. Father still believes Maryan is some innocent saint.
Divya's lips parted, unable to comprehend the marquis's cold demeanor. Gone was the man who once defended her fiercely whenever the elders mistreated her. But... she couldn't afford to drag Maryan into this now. Maryan deserved her place here. She had earned it. She was a Rashet now. She'll take revenge for me, Divya thought, her fists clenching.
Nyasia exhaled faintly. Her father might appear blind and weak, but that was far from the truth. After witnessing Dorian's schemes, both at the banquet and at Viridian House, she had begun to understand. Her father was scheming too. He had used Mrs. Nox's own ambitions to expose Elder Chem's desire to control the Rashet Clan. This was always about her father against the elders.
Father's no different from any other powerful man I know, she thought, the words barely a whisper in her mind.
"Don't compare me to other men." That deep, almost harsh voice echoed in her mind. "They can destroy anything. But only you can destroy me."
Dorian had told her that once.
In their past life.
That was why she felt no pity for Mrs. Nox's downfall. Because she couldn't afford another Rashet collapse. Or the downfall of the man who would destroy everything. There was something truly frightening about a man who loved too much. And even now, that love frightened her as well.
...
DIVYA NOX'S BANISHMENT happened quickly. She begged to wait until her mourning period for Mirelle ended, until Maryan returned from her own mourning. But the marquis's decision was final. In just two days, all her belongings were gone. The marquis didn't even see her when she left.
Of course, he was no longer pretending. And now, it was clear to everyone in the Rashet Clan: the marquis had never truly cared for Mrs. Nox. She had been nothing but a pawn—used against the elders, starting with Elder Chem.
The other elders turned against Elder Chem, simply because he had grown wealthy while hiding it from them. And that, more than anything, they could not forgive.
"Lenient?" Nyasia said.
She was responding to Fay's earlier complaint: that the marquis's punishment seemed far too light. To Fay, Mrs. Nox deserved death. She had conspired to kill her lady, after all.
"For ambitious people," Nyasia replied with indifference, "exile is a crueler death than any blade."
*