Chapter 20: Elias, the Master of “Affairs”

After a moment of waiting, Alia finally managed to regain a semblance of calm from the day's chaos. Her thoughts, like a small boat caught in a rushing current, had finally found the shore, leaving her utterly drained.

Initially, she had been brimming with determination, planning meticulously how to set up training equipment and prepare for any unexpected emergencies. However, Elias's sudden appearance had stirred her emotions, momentarily making her forget her precarious situation. Then, as if rising from the depths, vague but persistent doubts returned—who had wronged her? Who had dragged her into this inescapable enigma?

When Marcellus unexpectedly appeared at the training grounds, her nerves spiked. She feared he might discover Elias's presence and even began to question whether she had inadvertently revealed something herself. Later, in the study, Marcellus's intimate gestures left her conflicted. His tender gaze, the warmth of his light kisses, and the deep affection in his whispered words made her feel as though she were in a dream. Yet amid this fleeting warmth, her vigilance remained unshaken: no matter how genuine and caring he appeared, his love wasn't for her—it was for Livia, the woman she was forced to impersonate.

The upcoming ball was a new challenge altogether. Lacking experience, she felt a wave of unease. However, she also realized this could be a critical opportunity to uncover clues, one she couldn't afford to miss.

These swirling emotions churned in her mind like an unrelenting storm. Taking a deep breath, Alia leaned back in her chair, willing herself to relax. Her body was weary, her head heavy, and every nerve screamed for relief.

She closed her eyes, attempting to banish the day's exhaustion. But the images kept flooding back: her plans for the training equipment, Elias's concerned gaze, the searing warmth of Marcellus's proximity, and the unmistakable presence of that necklace… All these thoughts intertwined, forming a tangled web that left her breathless.

Finally, Alia let out a quiet sigh, muttering to herself, "Today… was too much." Rising from her seat, she inhaled deeply to clear her chaotic thoughts. She knew more thorny problems lay ahead, and she needed to be prepared.

Once she regained a bit of composure, she surveyed the study, her gaze landing on the meticulously arranged bookshelves and the room's elegant decor. A thought sparked: in such a vast study, with so many bookshelves, there might be a hidden room or secret door.

Without hesitation, she began her search. Her fingers ran carefully along the edges of the shelves and walls, feeling for hidden mechanisms or triggers. Despite her past experience as a skilled thief, she found no clues—everything appeared seamless, without even the slightest irregularity.

Frowning, Alia felt a pang of frustration. Did I miscalculate? Or is the secret room not here at all?

Just then, a gentle knock at the door broke the silence. The sound was measured, not urgent. Startled, Alia quickly put down the book she was holding and returned to her seat, feigning a relaxed posture and adopting a natural expression.

"Come in," she called out, keeping her voice as calm as possible while instinctively adjusting her posture.

The door opened, and a familiar figure stepped inside—Elise. Carrying a cup of hot tea, she wore her usual gentle smile. "Alia, I noticed you were in the study and thought you might be tired from today's events, so I brought you some tea."

Seeing Elise, Alia exhaled in relief. Her guard lowered slightly, and her expression softened. She decided not to bring up the ball immediately, instead casually asking, "Elise, Elias didn't bump into Marcellus earlier, did he?"

Elise paused momentarily, then smiled knowingly and shook her head. "No. As you know, Elias always comes and goes so mysteriously, always managing to avoid most people. If I weren't by your side, I wouldn't have noticed him either."

Alia was secretly surprised by this information. It was more valuable than she had anticipated. Not only did Elias act with an uncanny level of stealth, but he also had the skill to conceal his presence entirely. Her mind flashed back to Elias's deft movements at the training ground.

"Really?" Alia feigned curiosity, her tone light. "How does he manage it? Is it because he knows the layout of the castle so well?"

Elise shook her head lightly, her expression puzzled. "That's something I can't quite explain. He moves like the wind, almost as if he can predict where others will be and when. He always avoids them. Many people say he's quite… special."

Alia nodded thoughtfully, digesting Elise's comments. The notion of Elias's skillful stealth and uncanny ability to avoid detection intrigued her. She couldn't help but let her lips twitch into a faint smirk as she speculated silently: No wonder he's so adept at avoiding attention. I wouldn't be surprised if those skills were just for affairs.

The thought amused her, and she let out a soft huff under her breath. Based on her past experience, she knew people with such talents often had ulterior motives. And as for Elias, his objective wasn't likely something so trivial. Perhaps… he was after the Holy Grail as well!