Negotiation

Late that night, when most of the residents of the Rayburn mansion were peacefully asleep, Carina languidly laid out on her couch as she waited for Marie to arrive.

She was a picture of grace, even as she rubbed sleepily at her eyes and yawned widely.

Addie walked into the room nervously, fearing what Carina would have to say to her so secretly at night.

"First Miss..." Addie muttered, curtsying.

Carina stifled another yawn and gestured for Addie to take a seat in the arm chair opposite her. "Sit down."

Addie was about to object, but knew that she couldn't go against Carina's words, so she hesitantly sat down in the chair, still looking tense and uneasy.

"Do you know why I've called for you tonight?" Carina asked, twirling a strand of her hair around in her hand casually, as if this was a normal everyday occurrence.

Addie shook her head. "No, Miss."

Carina smiled, and though with her beauty the expression seemed warm and welcoming, Addie still thought she couldn't fully trust it.

"Relax, Addie, you're not in trouble. I just wanted to speak with you about Jane."

There's no way Addie could relax after hearing those words. In fact, she only got more nervous, her hands shaking in her lap as her eyes dropped from Carina's face to the polished floor.

"M-Miss, I-"

"Like I said, you're not in trouble. I just want some information. If you promise to help me, and inform me of Jane's movements, I'll also help you."

"Miss... I couldn't possibly... the second miss is my-"

Carina cut Addie off with a wave of her hand, her smile fading and her expression turning into something sharper. "I heard that you have a little brother, and that he's hoping to become a knight. Is this right?"

Addie felt fear shoot up her spine, and her head snapped up to meet Carina's clear eyes in a flash. "Miss, please, I'll do whatever you say just leave my family alone!"

Carina only laughed at Addie's panicked response, scaring Addie even further. "I'm trying to help you here, so listen carefully, okay? I'm telling you that if you promise to work for me from now on, I'll give your family enough money to pay your brother's full tuition at the knight's academy. Your father won't have to work himself to the bone anymore, and your family will be able to afford three meals a day again. You're smart, Addie, I know you are, so make the right decision."

Carina waited patiently as Addie carefully thought this through, though she knew from the beginning what the other girl's answer would be.

"... What will you do if I say no?" Addie asked quietly, her hands still shaking.

"Nothing." Carina replied simply. "If you refuse then I'll just pretend this never happened."

"You... you wouldn't harm my family?"

"I wouldn't. I'm not heartless, you know."

Addie looked at Carina as if she thought otherwise, which bother Carina quite a bit, but then after another moment of tense silence, Addie seemed to finally make her decision.

"Alright, Miss, I'll agree."

The last thing Addie saw before she left the room was Carina's blinding smile.