Gabriel’s allies would dwindle, and his influence in the court would decline. Once the Duke’s estate lost its former power completely, it would be the perfect time for Eliza to strike and destroy the entire Duke’s estate.
Eliza had intended to refuse, but she didn’t expect that in the next moment, Dale would produce something that made her face change instantly “Your Grace, please look at this,” Dale said.
What Dale held out was an account book. At the sight of it, Eliza immediately thought of something, and her expression changed. She asked in surprise, “Whose account book is this?”
‘It can’t be the Marquis’s estate’s, and it certainly can’t be the Duke’s estate’s, can it? If it were the Duke’s estate’s, why would Dale need my intervention?‘ she thought. So Eliza had an idea.
Seeing Eliza’s reaction, Dale knew she must have heard something from somewhere as well.
He said directly, “Your Grace, this is something I had planned to give you as a gift during your surname–changing ceremony when I learned you were preparing to inherit the Padilla family’s bloodline. It is part of the Padilla family’s former inheritance Eliza had guessed correctly. She quickly descended the steps, took the account book from Dale’s hand, and flipped it open on the spot.
Dale didn’t stop her. The Padilla family’s inheritance had been in his possession for years. Now that Eliza was set to inherit the Padilla bloodline, these items rightfully belonged to her.
“The items listed in this account book were obtained from Lord Mowbay,” Dale explained. “And what’s written here is only a tenth of the Padilla family’s original inheritance. The rest is still in Lord Mowbay’s hands.”
He continued, “Your Grace, there are some things I still can’t tell you directly, even now. But given your current relationship with the Duke’s estate, I assume you know something. For the sake of this account book, are you still unwilling to intervene?
Eliza didn’t answer him immediately. Instead, she carefully examined the contents of the account book. There weren’t many filled pages, only ten in total, but each page was densely packed with information.
Inns, shops, pawnshops, houses, gardens, and estates were all listed. Though none of them were the most famous, they covered a wide range of industries and properties, showing the sheer variety of assets involved.
After skimming through the ten pages, Eliza closed the account book. “Alright, for the sake of this account book, I’ll help you,” she said.
Eliza looked directly at Dale, her gaze steady and unwavering. Though she was slender and dressed simply, she didn’t seem at all intimidated by him. In fact, she held her own against his presence.
Dale felt that she had changed a lot. Before last year’s acknowledgment ceremony, Eliza had been an innocent and naive girl, unaware of the complexities of the world.
Now, she seemed to have experienced so much. Her eyes, once clear, were now calm but sharp, hiding a wealth of hidden strength.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Dale said. “Tomorrow morning, I will come to escort you personally.”
Dale didn’t take Eliza down the mountain immediately. It was almost dark, and it would be too hasty and impolite to rush her down at this hour. If they wanted her to preside over this matter, they needed to show her proper respect.
Soon, Dale left Saint Grace Nunnery. Eliza returned to her courtyard, placed the account book on the stone table, and stood there for a while before speaking slowly. “Renee, prepare my clothes for tomorrow’s descent.”
Dale had invited the Holy Lady, not Serenity from Saint Grace Nunnery. So she would have to go as the Holy Lady, which meant she couldn’t wear her black habit.
‘This time, I’ll play my part in the grand drama between the Marquis’s estate and the Duke’s estate,‘ she thought to herself.
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