Chapter 13: The First Steps

The next day, Anna woke up early, ready to face another day in this strange and uncertain world. Since her decision to join Louis, she had felt a kind of heaviness, as if carrying an invisible burden. This world, which had once seemed distant and incomprehensible, was now her reality. There was no room left for the illusion of freedom. Now, every choice she made would have consequences. Every movement, every word, would be watched, analyzed.

She looked at herself in the mirror of her room. Her reflection seemed almost foreign to her. Her hair carefully styled, the elegant dress given to her the day before… Everything was perfect, yet she didn't feel like herself. This wasn't Anna, the naive young woman, standing before the mirror, but a version of herself she had just begun to understand. The façade she would have to wear to survive in this world.

She took a deep breath, straightening up. There was no room for fear. Not now. Not after making that choice.

When she descended into the hall of the manor, Louis was already there, waiting, as always, in his office. He hadn't changed. Always as distant, as mysterious. But that day, something had changed for Anna. She was no longer just a spectator of his world. She was going to be a part of it.

"Come," he said simply when she entered his office, staring at her without a word. Anna sat across from him, hands folded in her lap, trying to hide the apprehension that filled her.

"You made your decision last night," Louis began, his voice firm but measured. "Today, we'll start preparing for your official entry into this world. You must understand that every movement here counts. If you want to survive, you need to master the rules."

Anna nodded, her eyes fixed on him. "I'm ready."

Louis looked at her for a moment, as if to make sure she was telling the truth, before standing and walking over to a large wooden desk. He picked up a file and placed it in front of her. "Here's your first test, Anna. You'll need to handle some matters that belong to us. We have connections with several people in town, and some of those connections require special attention. Your task today is simple: you'll meet one of our contacts. You'll listen, observe, and learn."

Anna took the file, her heart beating a little faster. "And if I make a mistake?"

Louis gave her a cold glance. "A mistake costs dearly here. But if you want to learn, you must be willing to accept the risks."

He then turned away, leaving her alone with the file. Anna slowly stood up, opening the file. Inside, she found a series of documents detailing an upcoming meeting with a certain "Mr. Delacroix." A powerful man, apparently involved in affairs that weren't always legal. Anna quickly understood that she wouldn't just be attending this meeting, but would need to play a role.

The meeting was to take place at an upscale restaurant in the city, a place where business and intrigue often mixed under the guise of casual conversation. Louis had given her clear instructions: don't talk too much, don't try to shine, but stay attentive and observe every detail. He also advised her never to show weakness or ignorance. Every gesture, every word, mattered.

When Anna arrived at the restaurant, she immediately felt overwhelmed by the quiet, tense atmosphere of the place. Conversations exchanged around her, but nothing was light. Everything seemed to have a subtext, a hidden meaning behind every smile. She made her way to the table where Mr. Delacroix was already waiting.

The man was in his fifties, tall and elegant, with a piercing gaze. He smiled when he saw her approach, standing slightly to greet her.

"Welcome, Miss," he said in a warm voice, but his gaze never left her eyes, studying her as if searching for something within her.

"Thank you," Anna replied, forcing a smile. She sat gracefully, trying not to let the anxiety tightening her throat show. She observed Mr. Delacroix carefully, trying to read from him what she needed to know.

The conversation started with trivial topics, but Anna knew there was an intention behind every word. She listened, absorbed everything, while responding with tact and restraint, just as Louis had asked. Throughout the meal, she noticed details she might have missed before: the way Mr. Delacroix looked at his glass before responding, the brief exchange between him and the waiter, the slight change in tone when he spoke about certain topics.

Finally, after several minutes of small talk, he brought up the reason for their meeting.

"Louis told me you would be here to learn. To understand the stakes of our future collaboration," Mr. Delacroix said, his tone suddenly becoming more serious. "The world in which we operate is one where nothing is left to chance, Miss. And you must be prepared for anything."

Anna nodded slowly, her mind alert. "I understand. And I will do my best to prove to you that I am worthy of your trust."

Mr. Delacroix smiled slightly, as if satisfied with her answer, but there was no warmth in the smile. It was more of a warning.

The evening passed in a tangle of measured words and discreet observations. Anna only spoke when necessary, and with every word, she felt herself becoming more and more involved in this world of intrigue and manipulation. When she finally left the restaurant, the night had already fallen, and she felt the weight of the experience, but also the excitement of this first "mission."

Back at the manor, Louis was waiting for her, still as impassive as ever.

"So, how did your first test go?" he asked, without the slightest trace of curiosity.

"Well," Anna replied, her voice calm but filled with a sense of accomplishment. "I think I understood the importance of observation. And I saw the subtext…"

Louis looked at her for a moment before smiling faintly. "It's a good start, Anna. But this is only the beginning. There's much to learn here, and you'll constantly need to adjust your approach."

She nodded, a shiver running down her spine. This world wasn't for the naïve, but she was determined to make her place. She wasn't going to be a spectator. Not this time.

The first steps had been taken, and the path she would follow from now on was only just beginning.