JADE TEMPLE
Master Koshin was shocked to learn that the Rashet Manor had undergone dramatic changes in leadership, and that the young heiress of merely sixteen was now managing the family's businesses.
"It's only natural, Master K. You know the young master is still illegitimate. But when she turns seventeen, most of the important businesses will be transferred to him," a man explained.
"Yes, yea. But she must be exceptionally capable for the Rashets to depend on her," Master Koshin said indifferently. "I thought Maryan would do a far better job. And yet… until a month ago, at the Rashet banquet, she is was seen for the first time. Maryan failed me."
"Perhaps the young master is helping her," the man replied. "After all, if she dies, the Rashets' fate is doomed."
Master Koshin was silent for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"Send a letter to Lady Rashet."
...
A FEW DAYS LATER, Nyasia smiled as she received a letter from a merchant in the south. 'This is obviously from the Jade Temple. I wonder what they'll do if I ignore them.'
The letter stated that the merchant wished to purchase at least fifty tons of iron ore for a fence business. The merchant was willing to pay double the original price.
"Why do you think this is from the Jade Temple, my lady?" Fay asked, wondering how the lady had figured it out.
Nyasia's smile only deepened.
"Why would anyone start a fence business in the south? It's far from the capital," she said. "And there aren't many buildings there, just churches and temples." She shook her head. "Those buildings rarely have fences, because their designs are meant to be seen, not hidden."
"What are you going to do?"
Nyasia decided not to respond.
...
DAYS PASSED.
Another letter arrived from the same merchant, this time requesting a visit to the End House. Again, Nyasia didn't reply. Meanwhile, Master Koshin grew angry. Though, half-amused that such a young woman would dare challenge him.
"Send more gifts. Jewels. Or…" He paused with a stiff smirk. "Those rare purple tulips. Everyone has a price. I don't think this heiress is any different."
Later, two carriages full of expensive gifts began their slow journey down the rocky road toward Green Valley. But before they even reached the capital, men in black robes surrounded them. They seized the carriages without a word. The merchant's men dropped to their knees, hands trembling, mouths gagged. Their heads rolled later, and treasures inside the carriages were seized.
Master Koshin slammed his fist on the desk upon hearing the news. "Robbers? Robbers dared to strike in broad daylight? And why haven't the authorities sent reinforcements? They're far too slow!"
"Master K," the man said carefully, "the robbers seemed to know the carriages carried a fortune in jewels. Our intelligence has been infiltrated."
Just then, an errand boy rushed into the hall in frantic steps, clutching a box. The master's assistant took it.
"What is this?" the assistant said.
"It was send outside," the boy said.
"Open it," Master Koshin said.
The assistant opened it and slowly his eyes widened, almost threw the box. He laid it on the table. And Master Koshin hurriedly looked at the box.
It contained the merchant's head!
...
VIRIDIAN HOUSE
Bern knocked on the door and entered quietly. He saw the back of the duke in his thin scarlet robe, a slight reveal of his chest visible beneath. His hair was still damp, and he had just taken another sip of wine.
"Your Grace."
Dorian said nothing.
Just a slight sideways glance.
He took another sip.
"The seal is already safe in the basement," Bern reported. "The First Prince remains unaware of it."
The duke was right. The seal was hidden in one of the Oshens' abandoned estates. And that was exactly where they found it.
Dorian gave a slight arch of his brows.
Bern observed the duke. He knew His Grace had suffered from a lung fever after being exposed to the peninsula's dusty, windy lands. And he had noticed that His Grace treated it with wine as the symptoms slowly faded.
"Also, the Temple's merchant dog and his men were all executed," Bern continued, remembering the report on Master Koshin, the Temple's head, being angry but confused. "By the way—"
Dorian took a sideways glance.
"Lady Rashet has sent a letter." Bern laid it down on the table and immediately left. The duke hated anyone prying into matters related to Lady Rashet.
When the door clicked shut, tall, slender fingers reached for the letter and opened it. Those unreadable dark eyes slowly paused.
'What's gotten into you? Did you talk to Father? Don't cause trouble. I won't talk to you ever.' —S.
Dorian's lips curved into an amused scoff as he pictured her usual annoyed face. Part of him wanted to push her further: make her so angry she'd snap and confess she'd missed him. But damn it, he had no energy left for that now. He just wanted her face in his hands and kiss her hard.
He suddenly felt he should.
*