ANOTHER PLAN

The gentle rays of sunlight had entered the Harrington family's dining room through a large window that directly overlooked the garden. Lord and Lady Harrington had sat down at a long table filled with dishes to enjoy a quiet morning.

Annelie sat at the side of the table, accompanied by Tina. Although it seemed quiet and calm, in his heart there was a well-planned plan to ask for something very important to him.

Even when breakfast starts, light conversation about affairs and social issues sounds faint. However, Annelie felt that now was the right time to convey her wishes. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

"Father, Mother... I want to ask for permission." said Annelie.

Lord and Lady Harrington attempted to turn to her, quite surprised at the seldom heard from Annelie in such a formal setting, let alone asking for something. Tina also subconsciously looked at her cautiously, as if she knew what would come out of Annelie's mouth.

"What's wrong, Annelie?" Lord Harrington asked softly, smiling at his beloved daughter.

Annelie clasped her hands tightly under the table, her courage as if it was out of touch with her mouth desperately trying to open. However, consciousness rekindled his courage to speak.

"I heard about the festival in the middle of the city that will be held next week. I think, I want to go there." through Annelie's words, suddenly the atmosphere changed. Lady Harrington, who was busy with the meat on her plate, instantly stopped her movement and looked at Annelie with sharp eyes.

His expression seemed to show real surprise. Without waiting for an answer, Lady Harrington immediately turned her head in the direction, Tina seemed to demand an explanation.

"Tina," said Lady Harrington in a cold tone. "Where did Annelie know about the festival? Did you tell him?"

Tina who looked shocked couldn't hide the nervousness that arose on her face that began to pale.

"Of course not, Lady. I don't know anything about the festival," Tina replied, shaking her head in a voice full of fear.

Annelie lowered her head, as if she didn't want to put Tina in a difficult situation. He did not answer his mother's question, preferring not to reveal that he had heard the news from Isabel.

"I just wanted to see how the festival worked. I feel like I'm old enough to attend such an event." said Annelie in a low voice but the fear never disappeared from her.

Lord Harrington looked at his daughter with sympathy. He knew, if Annelie rarely asked for something and Annelie's wishes this time seemed sincere. After thinking for a moment, Lord Harrington turned to his wife.

"Perhaps, we can consider this. Annelie is almost an adult and this festival is a big event. Many noble families will be present—" However, before Lord Harrington could continue. Lady Harrington interrupted her conversation in a stern tone. "No," he said in a tone full of authority.

"Annelie has not made her debut to the public. She is not ready to attend such a public event." continued Lady Harrington who unconsciously made Annelie look up with her eyes that seemed to be pleading. "Mother, I just want to see that festival. Only one night and it can be accompanied by Tina. I won't make trouble."

Lady Harrington shook her head, looking at her daughter with a face that remained stern. "Annelie, I know this may sound cruel, but this rule is to guard you. You'll debut within two months and after that, you'll be allowed to attend events that are more than festivals. Until then, you'll have to wait."

Subconsciously, Annelie bit her lip, as if to vent the emotions that were raging within her. Two months feels like forever, especially with the festival opportunity just around the corner. However, he knew that if he denied that his mother would not take him in any direction. He lowered his head, as if for now, could only accept reality if his request had been denied.

Lord Harrington looked at Annelie's gloomy face and felt pity. However, he knew that Lady Harrington would not change his decision.

"Forgive us, Annelie," Lord Harrington said softly.

"Your mother only wants the best for you." the man continued.

Annelie's tongue remained sticky. In his heart, he was quite frustrated. Although he knew, it would be useless to argue further. However, unconsciously that night made a plan again in Annelie's mind.

The warm rays of the sun flared up again, but did not reach the meeting room at Eldbourne castle. There was only a gloom that struck Ledger's mind. He sat on one of the chairs in the room. He sighed deeply while his hand was still holding the clock pendant he found at the location that was thought to be the scene of the case. His face was full of fatigue, yet his eyes remained sharp to stare at his uncle who was standing in front of a large window. The Duke of Eldbourne's views at that time were difficult to interpret.

"So," Duke Eldbourne's voice sounded heavy, though calm still enveloped him. "Last night was just a trap."

Ledger nodded softly, tossing the pendant on the table a little roughly.

"There's no Alistair there," he said in a voice full of exasperation. "But, I can confirm that he was in that place before I came."

The Duke of Eldbourne turned around, his expression remaining the same as before, calm and full of calculations. "How can you be sure?"

Ledger took the pendant again, twisting it between his fingers before replying, "I found this in the trash can near the warehouse. The emblem of his syndicate is engraved on the back of it."

He showed the engraving to the Duke of Eldbourne who then picked it up and watched it carefully.

"Either he gave it just to give a sign or an insult," said Ledger, who began to clench his fists as if channeling his emotions that swelled up in his chest. The name always carries wounds that have not healed. "I'm sure, he's still around here. It's just that he's not stupid enough to show up to us."

For a moment, the atmosphere in the room became silent. The sound of clockwork on the wall that made the noise was only occasionally heard. Then, Duke Eldbourne sighed before putting the pendant back on the table.

"I already figured out," muttered Duke Eldbourne finally. "He will come after the gossip about my misfortune spreads."

Ledger looked at his uncle with a sharper expression. "You think, this all has to do with the rumors?"

The Duke of Eldbourne smiled faintly, but it was obvious that warmth had long distanced him from him.

"Alistair is not the type of person who will let opportunities pass by. He always had a plan. If he hears that I'm seriously ill, of course he'll make a move. He won't miss a chance to come back."

The Duke of Eldbourne looked at Ledger deeply. "But, I didn't understand what he wanted until now," he muttered in a furious tone. "He has killed my sister and made your life and your siblings like this. What else does he want?"

Ledger clenched his fists, his anger flared up again.

"Power." He replied quietly. "People like Alistair won't be satisfied. If he can't destroy us with a single strike, he will continue to try in another way. And this time, I'm sure he's not just targeting us. He's aiming for something bigger."

Ledger gritted his teeth, trying to contain all the emotions that had exploded. "I'll find it," his determined voice cooled the room. "I don't care how long or how far he's hiding. I'll make him pay."

The Duke of Eldbourne could do nothing but nod softly, as if he had guessed the answer.

"Be careful, Ledger," he said in a softer tone.

"Alistair is not like the enemies you meet normally. If he has already started playing, it means we all have to prepare for war."

Ledger didn't answer and only focused on the pendant in his hand. All the flames were spreading towards the pendant that he slowly grasped so tightly. In his heart, he had known that all of this would not stop until Alistair had completely vanished from their lives.

The atmosphere of the meeting room was still shrouded in tension when a subtle knock sounded from behind the sturdy wooden door. Ledger and the Duke of Eldbourne turned their heads almost at the same time. The door began to open slowly, revealing a familiar man wearing the typical uniform of a butler.

"Mr. Sainz, Your Grace," Mr. Andy's polite-sounding voice began to give tension to it. "The Chief of Police, Sir Reginald Saldore has arrived."

Ledger raised his eyebrows when he heard that, quite surprised. "That fast?" He muttered.

As if having anticipated this, the Duke of Eldbourne did not show the slightest hint of surprise. With a plan nod, he gestured to Andy.

"Let him in," he said.

Andy bowed respectfully before stepping back and opening the door wide. A sturdy man in a long dark coat began to enter the room with full authority. His eyes looked so sharp, as if reflecting a long experience in a world full of rules. When he stopped in the middle of the room, he bowed his head respectfully.

"Your Excellency the Duke of Eldbourne and Mr. Sainz." his voice was so deep and firm, giving the impression that he wasn't an easy person to bully.

The Duke of Eldbourne replied to the greeting with a light nod, "Thank you for coming here." He said before turning his head towards Ledger.

"Ledger, introduce. This is Sir Reginald Saldore, the chief of police in Eldbourne. From today on, he will cooperate with you."

Ledger looked at the man with full judgment, before finally nodding slightly.

"The police chief himself intervened? It seems like it's more serious than I thought."

Sir Saldore smiled faintly, then turned to the Duke of Eldbourne. "As you said before, Your Grace, cutting off the snake's tail isn't enough if its head is still hiding in the shadows."

Duke Eldbourne smiled faintly before looking back at Ledger.

"Sir Saldore will help you, whether it's the syndicate's business or hunting down Alistair. We can't deny that we need some systematic people." the Duke of Eldbourne's words involuntarily made Ledger look deeper at Saldore.

"Then what makes you want to help in this matter, Sir Saldore?"

The police chief looked at him straight and unhesitatingly replied, "Didn't many of my subordinates do it a long time ago?"

Sir Saldore leaned back slightly, staring at Ledger with a calculating gaze. He smiled faintly before finally saying, "After all, we'll benefit each other here. Your position and mine, with Alistair it will benefit us. I think, after completing Alistair, we can work together for a long time."

Ledger doesn't need to hear more. He could instantly understand the intent of this conversation. No one moves without interests, especially a police chief. He nodded slightly, indicating that he accepted the fact without saying much.

It was the Duke of Eldbourne who observed the interaction with a calm gaze. However, his mouth opened when he saw his nephew start searching. "Therefore, proceed with the next plan."

Ledger suddenly fell silent. His expression changed as if trying to stay relaxed, but instead restored the tension that had enveloped his face. He knew exactly what his uncle meant. The next plan this time is very risky.

"Uncle, you know if this plan works, Josep—"

The Duke of Eldbourne looked at him deeply, his voice still faithful to serenity yet so meaningful.

"You know, if Josep is going to be in the seat he should be. Therefore, let him play too. It's a pity if the youth seems to be wasting that talent."

Ledger resisted doubts about his morality. He knew that his uncle was right. Josep is a talented figure to be in that position. However, involving Josep means they must be ready to open the door to more danger.

"Then what about you?" The slightly quieter voice was a consideration of Ledger's question.

The Duke of Eldbourne was silent for a moment. His face, which was once filled with firmness, now looked a little melancholy. He stared out the window. The sunlight was soft enough to touch part of the skin of his face, creating a sensation of warmth that somehow reached his heart. He was already lamenting himself, an old man who was now only a shadow of the glory of the past. However, slowly a thin smile began to carve his face.

"My late wife has been waiting for me there," he muttered, his voice low enough to capture the certainty in his mind. "And I know, Josep is also adaptable."

Duke Eldbourne began to turn his attention to Ledger after exhaling slowly. "If there is something that grows, there are also those who have to sacrifice."

Ledger couldn't adjust that sentence. The young man could only be silent as if his lips were confused after realizing that his uncle had thought about this much more maturely than he was.

The Duke of Eldbourne sighed before chuckling softly, his laughter was hard to interpret as it instantly answered Ledger's silence. "Don't give that face to anyone other than me."

Ledger lowered his head slightly, shaking his head slowly. "Uncle, don't say that."

However, Ledger knew that no one could change his uncle's intentions.

"I'll do it with my own hands," he said, then there was a long sigh to channel all those emotions. "But slowly."

The Duke of Eldbourne showed the smile again, as if the answer was enough for him because he had always believed that Ledger would always grasp every word the young man said. Then, the Duke of Eldbourne turned to Sir Saldore, who had been observing without much talk.

"You heard that?" Duke Eldbourne said with satisfaction. "Now you will be in charge with my nephew, Sir Saldore. I hope you can bring this old man's will to the way it should be."

Sir Saldore stared at Ledger for a moment before finally nodding with a gaze.

"With pleasure, Your Grace."

The Duke of Eldbourne sighed before looking at Ledger with a look full of meaning. His silence allowed the atmosphere of the room to sink back into silence. However, the moment he finally spoke, his tone sounded lighter, although sharpness still continued to follow him.

"And one more thing," he said as he leaned back in his chair casually. "Make sure the girl who might be able to make Josep fall in love."

Ledger suddenly turned his head quickly, his expression now began to soften. Not because he was surprised, but because he had been thinking the same thing for some time. He rubbed his temples slowly, then gave a small nod.

"I'm making sure of that," he replied which sounded quite calm. Although in his heart he knew this task was not as easy as it appeared on the surface.

Duke Eldbourne grinned slightly, his face implying that he didn't doubt Ledger in the slightest. "Good," he muttered. "A great leader needs a reason to stay upright. And sometimes, the reason is not the throne or power... but someone who can keep him wanting to fight."

Ledger nodded quietly. In his mind, a name has arisen that might change everything. If that's the name. Ledger should make sure immediately.