The ballroom had been silent, save for the whispers that had erupted as soon as Adrian Blackwood had stormed in and swept Lila Hart away. Now, hours had passed, and the silence of the night had turned into the rustling of papers and hushed voices in the secluded corners of Lady Evelyne Merrow's estate.
Evelyne sat in her private study, her fingers tapping on the arm of her chair, her thoughts swirling like a tempest. The ball had been her perfect opportunity to destroy Lila Hart's standing, to break her in front of the nobles and force Adrian Blackwood's hand. But now?
Now everything had changed.
Adrian had humiliated her, and more importantly, he had claimed Lila Hart as his own publicly, unequivocally. She could feel her control slipping away, the delicate web of manipulation she'd carefully spun around the Duke, her allies, and the rest of the court now on the verge of unraveling.
Her plan had been simple. Make Lila's life a living hell, expose her faults, and ensure that she would never hold any power in this society. All it would take was one fall from grace, one mistake. And Lila had given her the perfect opportunity when she had unwittingly become a pawn in Marianne's clumsy scheme to sabotage her at the ball.
But Adrian… Adrian had ruined everything.
He had confronted her in front of everyone, his words cutting through the murmurs and gasps like a blade. She hadn't been able to retaliate, he'd had the upper hand in that moment. It wasn't just about the insult, though. It was the fact that Adrian had taken Lila's side so publicly, without a second thought, and made it clear that he would protect her at all costs.
That kind of devotion, that kind of attachment, was dangerous.
Evelyne's lips curled into a thin smile. It was dangerous but it was also something she could use. She had one last card to play.
In the grand sitting room of the Merrow estate, Evelyn's trusted advisor, Lord Ashford, sat in a nearby armchair, awaiting his orders. He had been at the ball, and though he hadn't been involved in the immediate confrontation, he had seen the fallout. His expression was grim as he considered what would come next.
"Lady Evelyne," Lord Ashford began, his voice low, "Adrian's actions tonight are unprecedented. His loyalty to Lila Hart has become a public matter. He's no longer just the Duke. He is her protector."
Evelyne's fingers tightened around the armrest, her knuckles white. "You don't need to remind me of that," she said, her voice icy. "But this is not the end. If Adrian Blackwood has decided to take Lila Hart under his wing, then we simply need to adapt. We will make sure that Lila Hart's influence over him works to our advantage."
Ashford raised an eyebrow. "And how do you intend to do that, my lady? You've seen how protective he is of her. His behavior tonight was... disturbing. He could ruin everything we've worked for."
Evelyne's lips twisted into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "If Adrian Blackwood is so protective of Lila, then let's make sure that protection becomes a burden. Every decision he makes for her will tie him closer to her cause. We will turn this attachment into a weakness."
Ashford was silent for a moment, his mind turning over Evelyne's words. "I see. You intend to manipulate his feelings for her, make it so that everything he does is for her…"
"Precisely," Evelyne interrupted, her eyes glinting with a dark, calculating intensity. "But we must move carefully. Adrian is no fool, and if we act too hastily, he will turn on us. However, we can use his devotion to Lila to drive a wedge between him and the rest of the court. His attachment to her will isolate him. Once he is alone, vulnerable, we can move in and finish what we started."
"And what of Lady Hart?" Ashford asked, though the answer was already clear in his eyes.
Evelyne smirked. "We'll give her the illusion of power. We'll make her feel important, and when the time is right, we'll make her downfall even more spectacular than before. With Adrian's support, she'll feel invincible. But that will be her greatest mistake."
Across town, at Lila's estate, the quiet stillness of the drawing room was interrupted by the soft tapping of someone at the door.
Lila looked up from the letter she had been writing, her heart still heavy with the weight of the evening's events. She had spent the last few hours alone in her thoughts, trying to make sense of everything that had happened at the ball, Adrian's protection, and now the uncomfortable realization that she was in the center of it all.
"Come in," Lila called softly.
The door creaked open, and her father, Lord Hart, entered the room. His face was drawn, his usual confident demeanor replaced by a shadow of concern. He had not said much since Adrian had arrived at the manor, but it was clear that the entire situation had left him uneasy.
"Lila," he began, his voice quiet, "are you well? I've heard the rumors... about the ball." He paused, his gaze searching her face for some sign of how she was feeling.
"I'm fine, Father," Lila replied, her tone steady. "Nothing happened that I couldn't handle."
Her father's eyes flickered with something unreadable. "And Adrian? Was he… was he truly there to protect you?" His voice was cautious, as if he didn't quite know how to approach the topic.
Lila let out a slow breath, looking down at her hands. "Yes, Father. He was. But it was more than just protection. I think… I think he truly cares."
Lord Hart looked taken aback, his brow furrowing. "Cares? About you?"
Lila nodded slowly, her voice soft. "He made it clear tonight. He's… not just the Duke of Blackwood. He's someone who will do anything to keep me safe."
Her father was silent for a long moment, and when he spoke again, his voice was thick with emotion. "Lila, I know how much this means to you, but be careful. Adrian Blackwood is not a man who does things without his own reasons. If he truly cares, it will come at a cost."
"I know, Father," Lila replied quietly. "But I can't deny what I saw tonight. He cares in a way I didn't expect. And I think it's more than just protecting me."
Lord Hart exhaled sharply, his gaze distant. "Be cautious, my daughter. In this world, even the strongest alliances can turn into chains. And the people who seem to protect you the most… can often be the ones who bind you. Get some rest, it's already late now. We'll deal with everything else in the morning."
Back in the Merrow estate, Evelyne was not done yet. Her plans had faltered, yes but only for a moment. Soon, Adrian's feelings for Lila would work in her favor, and when the time was right, she would strike. The game had only just begun.
And Lady Evelyne Merrow never lost.