Here the only sound was the quiet whispering of Corin Ashford and Lady Evelyne.
Aric hunkered down in the shadows, observing. His mind was already whirling with the possibilities.
Evelyne — aristocratic lady, noble in the Duke's court — stood here next to their leader.
Was she a spy? A traitor? Or something else entirely?
There was just one way to find out.
Aric moved.
He sprang over a pile of crates in a flash, landing between Evelyne and Corin. His dagger was out and blade at Corin's throat before either of them even moved.
The leader of the rebellion tensed, but Evelyne—much to Aric's surprise—didn't.
She didn't gasp. She didn't step back.
She simply stared at him.
"Aric," she said smoothly. "I was wondering when you'd arrive."
Aric smirked. "And I thought I was going to surprise you."
Corin's jaw clenched, but he stayed put. It was a clever thing—he knew how quick Aric could move.
"Let him go," Evelyne said.
Aric pushed the dagger in a little way, enough that Corin felt the tip of the cold metal edge. "Not yet."
His silver eyes rested on Evelyne. "Start talking."
Evelyne blew through her nose, unfazed by his theatrics.
She crossed her arms. "You know already, don't you?"
Aric tilted his head. "I have theories. But I'd rather hear it from you."
Finally, Corin spoke, and I could hear the frustration in his voice. "You think she's a traitor?"
Aric didn't look at him. "Aren't you?"
Evelyne sighed. "I don't serve the Duke, if that's what you're asking."
Aric smirked. "That much is obvious."
She leaned slightly forward, her face placid. "I don't serve you either."
Aric raised an eyebrow. "I'm not the one who's commanding something."
Evelyne looked at him for a long moment. Then she took the unusual step of.
She smiled.
"Now you're different," she whispered. "You don't belong in the Duke's court. You don't belong anywhere."
Aric chuckled. "And you do?"
Her gaze didn't waver. "I belong to my own cause."
Aric's smirk faded slightly. He had no idea what he had expected — denial, perhaps. An excuse.
But Evelyne had no fear.
She wasn't even attempting to change his mind."
Interesting.
Aric pushed out Corin, exhausted, stepping back.
The rebel leader rubbed his throat, but said nothing.
"You have my attention," Aric said. "Now sell me you're not just a noble savior.
Evelyne smiled faintly. "That's exactly what I am."
Aric arched a brow. "You're really sticking with that?"
And leaned in, dropping her voice. "Do you believe the Duke's rule is just? Is his iron grip on this town fair?"
Aric didn't answer. He didn't care about justice.
But he did not miss the fire in Evelyne's eyes either.
She wasn't merely rebelling for power.
She believed in this.
Corin finally spoke. "You work for the Duke. You kill for him." His tone was sharp, accusing. "Why are you here?"
Aric smirked. "Because I don't like to be used."
Evelyne chuckled softly. "Then we're not that different."
Aric tilted his head. "That depends. What exactly is your plan?"
She folded her arms. "I [herem] To sever the Duke's grip."
Corin nodded. "The great houses fear him, but strip him of his strongest supporters and he'll fall to pieces."
Aric exhaled, rotating his shoulders. "You're trying to overthrow a man who's been in power for more than two decades."
Evelyne's gaze didn't waver. "Yes."
Aric chuckled. "You're insane."
She smiled. "Maybe."
A beat of silence.
Then Aric said something even he was surprised by.
"… I'm listening."
Evelyne's face changed a little. She had expected resistance. But Aric … Aric was willing to listen.
Corin, however, was not.
"You can't trust him," he said, sharply. "He's killed for the Duke."
Evelyne kept her gaze on Aric. "And yet, he let you live."
Corin glowered but said nothing.
Aric stood with his arms crossed leaning against a wooden beam. "Let's say I'm interested. What do you want from me?"
Evelyne took a slow breath. "We don't need a soldier."
Aric smirked. "Good. I'm not one."
She stepped forward. "We need person who knows how to maneuver through the shadows. Someone who can give us information — who can help us dismantle the Duke from the inside.'
Aric let the words settle.
A spy. A double agent.
A knife-and-whispers game.
It was dangerous. If the Duke so much as suspected him, death would find Aric before he could blink.
But the alternative?
Staying the Duke's dog?
Not appealing.
Still, he needed more. "And what do I get?"
Evelyne smiled slightly. "Your freedom."
Aric chuckled. "That's assuming you win."
She didn't blink. "We will."
Aric watched her. The calm and confidence in her voice, the flames in her stance.
She wasn't giving empty promises. She truly believed it.
And strangely…
So did he.
Aric exhaled. "Alright."
Corin's eyes opened a bit, here. "You're actually thinking about this?"
Aric shrugged. "I serve the highest bidder. And right now?" He glanced at Evelyne. "Her offer is better."
Evelyne's lips curled. "Smart choice."
Corin said something under his breath but didn't argue.
Aric smirked. "So. What's my first job?"
Evelyne's smile grew fainter, edged with something sharper instead.
"The Duke is planning for something. A purge. We need to know who he's trying to reach."
Aric nodded. "And you need somebody in his court."
"Exactly."
He chuckled. "Dangerous."
She tilted her head. "You like dangerous."
He didn't deny it.
Evelyne extended a hand. "Welcome to the real game, Aric.
He took it.
And just like that there was no going back.