Evelyne looked out the window as the carriage traveled through the open iron gates and along the graveled road that led towards the large mansion. The mansion that had belonged to the Hartford family for generations. She leaned her chin against the palm of her hand as she watched the passing hedges and the facade of the approaching building. This was where she grew up. And despite her current circumstances, it was still more her home than the small manor on the border of the northern district that she was currently living in. Yet the only times she could visit were when she had something she needed to discuss with Scarlett, as she did now. It was always a bittersweet mix of sentimentality and frustration.

Soon the carriage stopped not far from the mansion's courtyard and Evelyne stepped outside, taking the entirety of the structure in. Though what it was like internally changed, it still looked the same from the outside.

She shook her head and started walking towards the entrance. Unsurprisingly, one of the servants had noticed her arrival because when she'd passed the fountain at the center of the courtyard she saw the mansion's main doors open and a girl a little younger than Evelyne with blonde hair in servants' clothing standing there.

"Madame Evelyne," the girl said as Evelyne climbed the stairs and entered, curtsying as she entered the foyer. Evelyne ignored the drop of frustration she felt at the manner of address. It was just another of Scarlett's attempts at disparaging her. She wouldn't let it get to her.

"Her Ladyship only recently returned from her trip. I'm not sure if she's ready to take any visitors right now," the servant continued.

Evelyne's eyes scanned around the lobby, stopping momentarily on the door leading to the reception hall, before returning to the girl. "Didn't she get back yesterday? Then there shouldn't be any issue with meeting me now. It's regarding important family matters." As usual.

The servant girl opened her mouth, but she didn't seem sure what to say in response. Evelyne was still technically the heir, after all. She watched the girl's hesitant expression, fighting back letting out a sigh. Why did it always have to be this hard? "Just go get Garside, will you? He won't scold you for it. And he won't tell my sister about it either."

The girl paused for a short time, before giving another short curtsy. "Then please wait here, Madame Evelyne. I'll go and inform Master Garside immediately." With that, the servant left up one of the stairs in the foyer and disappeared down a hallway at the end of it, leaving Evelyne alone in the entrance hall.

A stranger in her own home.

She walked up to the doors that led to the reception hall and peeked inside. The large room was largely empty — no signs of any tables, chairs, or hastily gathered beds and blankets. It seemed Scarlett really had moved the kids. Evelyne had already guessed it from the promissory note she'd seen, but it was still surprising. Much of what her sister did lately was.

Not only had Scarlett left for a sudden trip further up north a week ago, but she'd also apparently been ambushed by a group of supposed bandits immediately following. A matter that ended up on Evelyne's desk when the city guard sent a message asking about some corpses. And of course, she couldn't do much more than explain to them what she heard from the servants. She couldn't even ask Garside about it because he'd followed Scarlett on her trip.

A trip that had left Evelyne even more confused. She'd assumed Scarlett was traveling northwest to visit their lands for some reason or other, but Scarlett had instead visited some minor village in the neighboring domain. As far as Evelyne knew there was nothing of note in the area, so she couldn't for the life of her figure out what Scarlett had gone there to do. She just hoped it wouldn't come back to bite her in the ass later on. Although she had long since gotten used to cleaning up Scarlett's messes.

Evelyne closed the doors to the reception hall and went back to waiting in the lobby, and she didn't have to wait for much longer before she spotted Garside coming down the stairs. A small smile played on the old butler's face as he approached her, stopping before her in a bow with one arm bent behind him and one in front. "Lady Evelyne, it gladdens me to see you well."

The tips of her lips rose involuntarily. "Garside. How are things?" she asked. "I heard you joined my sister on her trip. I hope it wasn't too hard on you."

Garside raised himself from the bow, standing slightly taller than her. "There is no need to worry, young Lady. These old bones still have some vigor in them." He rolled his shoulders as if to show there was nothing wrong with him. "It is still some time yet before I will allow anything minor like age impede my ability to serve you and the Lady to my full extent."

Evelyne couldn't stop her face from growing into an outright smile. No matter the circumstances it was always nice seeing Garside. Ever since her parents had died he had been one of the few people to still treat her like this. "I'm glad to hear that," she said, but then her smile weakened when she thought of what she wanted to ask. "But was it truly necessary for you to go with Scarlett on her trip? Did she do something that will cause us trouble later on?"

His grey mustache trembled slightly as he looked at her for a moment. "...I believe that is not for me to say," he eventually said. "Perhaps you should inquire about it directly with the Lady."

Evelyne scoffed. "As if she'll tell me. We both know she would rather I disappeared completely than involve myself in any of her affairs."

Garside had a reflective expression on his face. "I would not be quite so sure of that."

Evelyne blinked. "You don't actually believe she would actually bother answering my questions, do you?"

He stroked his mustache. "It is not my place to make any judgement on the subject, but I do feel the Lady has changed recently. I think the young Lady will have noticed it too."

She shook her head. "It's just another one of her schemes. Or she's gotten bored of her banquets and is looking for something new to entertain her."

"I do not believe that is the case," Garside said. She furrowed her brows. He looked as if he knew something she didn't. Had he seen something while he was gone?

"People don't just change for no reason."

He slowly nodded his head. "That is true."

She narrowed her eyes. What would drive her sister to suddenly change the way she acted? Scarlett was too proud to care about anything she considered minor.

Reputation, money, power. Those were the kinds of things Scarlett wanted. But none of her sister's recent actions seemed to fit with her aiming for those. Sure, there had been some excitement the week prior regarding the criminals Scarlett 'helped' apprehend, but people would forget about that soon enough, and nobles even sooner. And Scarlett had always cared more about her relationships with people in the different noble social cliques than what her reputation among the public was. Scarlett only ever tolerated commoners, and that was assuming they stayed where they 'belonged'. The moment they encroached on what Scarlett considered to be the territory of nobles...

Evelyne stopped her line of thought there before it went any further and turned her attention back to Garside. "Is there something wrong with Scarlett?"

The butler grew a contemplative expression across his face. "I am unsure whether it could be described as wrong," he said thoughtfully. "And I will admit that I myself am uncertain as to what has effected this recent development in the Lady. But of one thing I am certain." He met her eyes. "There is a purpose to her. One that goes beyond what has previously motivated the Lady, and which I sense is more profound than this old man could unravel from merely observing from the sidelines."

"What are you talking about?" Evelyne found herself asking. Garside was about the only person she knew that Scarlett had ever let remotely close to herself, so seeing him talk about her sister like this was startling.

"I am not quite certain I understand it myself," he responded with a small chuckle. "Call it the musings of an old servant, the hopes of an aging man, or perhaps the intervention of Ittar himself."

Evelyne's eyes widened. "You can't be serious?" One would think Scarlett was dying from how he seemed to think she had changed.

"As I said, young Lady. I am not one to tell." He gently shook his head. "I am but a servant in service to his lady, as I was to your father before."

Evelyne gave him a wistful look. He always had been loyal to a fault to their father. And that hadn't changed much after father's death. She had always respected that about him, even though she'd often wished it hadn't been so.

"But I will not take up any more of your time, young Lady," Garside suddenly said, putting on the same old impartial expression he always used to wear when he stood behind her father back when she was young. "I am aware both you and Kinsey have much work to do at this time, especially now in preparation for the Light Fest. I understand you wish to speak with the Lady?"

She took in his black and prim attire, how he gave off an almost completely different air compared to just a few seconds earlier. She didn't mind him taking up her time. She was busy, yes. But there were so few chances for her to meet Garside and some of the other older servants that still worked in the mansion. She held those thoughts in, though, and simply gave him a short nod. "Thank you. Yes, I have some matters I need to speak with her about."

He turned and gestured along with his arm. "Then I will accompany you to the office. The Lady has been occupied during the morning, but I am certain she will have time to spare for you."

He began leading the way through the mansion's familiar hallways and soon enough they found themselves in the far end of the east wing of the mansion where Scarlett's office was. He gently knocked on that nostalgic dark mahogany door, waiting for a second before speaking.

"My Lady. Madame Evelyne is here and wishes to meet with you."

A moment of silence came, followed by the sound of a drawer being opened and closed on the other side of the door. Then her sister's voice rang out from inside, as frigid as ever. "She may enter."

Garside looked back at her, giving a short bow with his head, before opening the door to let her inside. She took a few steps and entered the office as he closed the door behind her. As usual, Scarlett was looking at her with a scowl on her face. Maybe her sister's expression wasn't quite as sharp as it usually was, but that might also just have been her imagination.

She walked over and sat down in the chair that was opposite Scarlett's across the desk. The desk itself was largely empty, save for the same large ornate mirror as before, with a silver clock piece and black pouch next to it. It seemed whatever Scarlett had been busy with, it wasn't something she wanted her to know of.

The woman herself leaned back in her chair, her red hair flowing out over her right shoulder as she peered down at Evelyne. She wore a light white dress with a pair of half-circular earrings that had an amber gem affixed to them that Evelyne felt relatively certain she'd seen Scarlett wear the last time they met too. That was odd, considering it was Scarlett.

"I take it there was something you wished to discuss?" her sister suddenly asked coldly, shattering any illusions Evelyne had built up in her mind about seeing any real change in Scarlett.

"Yes. A number of things, actually," she said, examining her sister for a second. "You've been busy lately."

Scarlett simply gave a nod. "I have."

"Are you going to bother telling me about any of it?"

Scarlett tilted her head slightly to the side. "Do you want me to?"

"Do I want you to?" Evelyne let out a low chuckle. "Honestly? No. I would prefer it if I never had to care about your activities. But I don't have a choice in the matter." She looked into Scarlett's amber eyes. "And you promised you'd report news to me."

Her sister frowned. "I believe what I said was that I will keep you informed of matters that are relevant. My most recent outing did not have much relevance to your affairs."

Evelyne gaped at her. "You were attacked!" she exclaimed. "Eight people were killed! And one of our carriages was destroyed! How is that not relevant to me?"

"Eight bandits," Scarlett remarked. "And do you perhaps expect me to report any potential ambushes against my person beforehand, from now on? I hope I do not have to tell you why that would be difficult to accomplish."

Evelyne stared at her. "That's not what I meant, and you know it."

Scarlett just stared back. "Then what is it that you meant?" she asked.

Evelyne swallowed a cry. She was so tired of always going around in circles with Scarlett, always stepping around and lashing out at each other. "Just..." She leaned forward, looking down at the wooden flooring. "...I'm not here to argue about that. So fine, just ignore telling me anything about why someone attacked my own sister." She finally let out the sigh she'd kept in most of the morning, since before she even left her manor. "I just don't understand what you're up to, and I'm so tired of still having to care about it for the family."

Her words were met with silence. She looked up to see Scarlett looking at her with an odd expression.

"I..." Scarlett hesitated. Scarlett. It wasn't just her delaying her words or preparing to follow it up with something worse. Scarlett legitimately looked like she wasn't sure what to say. Evelyne hadn't seen her sister with an expression like that for years. Since before mother and father died.

"...I do not think it would be wise of me to share the particulars of the current situation with you," Scarlett said after a while. "It is both complicated and dangerous — as well as unrelated to you. As such, it is best for all parties if you are aware exclusively of the matters that directly affect the house, and do not involve yourself with anything else."

Evelyne gazed at her. Dangerous? For who? For her? Scarlett wasn't likely to care much about that. What was more probable was that Scarlett wanted Evelyne out of the way of whatever it was she was doing.

...But that had essentially been true for everything Scarlett had done since becoming head of the family. Yet she'd never acted like this before.

What exactly had her sister gotten involved with now?

"Regarding matters that do relate to you," Scarlett suddenly continued. "I had Garside ensure the acquisition of a building in the city to house the children who were previously being accommodated in the mansion. He informed me he had already confirmed you were versed on the issue and the related costs." She paused for a moment. "Speaking frankly, I assumed that is what you would have wished to discuss with me."

Scarlett's words reminded Evelyne of what she was originally here for, and she took the chance to change the subject. "That is one of the things we needed to talk about." She observed her sister. On the way here she'd almost wanted to yell at Scarlett because of her wastefulness, but that feeling had mostly gone away now. The thought did pass through her mind that this might be exactly what Scarlett wanted, but that was on a level of manipulation that she'd not seen even in Scarlett. "I thought you asked my help dealing with the children, but then you went and bought an entire building for them near the eastern gate?"

"You were taking too long finding an answer to the problem," Scarlett said. "It proved to be too draining on the mansion's resources to have them stay any longer than necessary, so I judged it best that they were relocated to another facility more suited for harboring them."

More likely Scarlett was just fed up with having a group of kids in the mansion with her.

Scarlett began tapping one of her fingers against her armrest. Ittar's light, Evelyne hated that habit of Scarlett's. "Did you have another solution for the issue?"

"I was looking into if there were any orphanages or families in the villages around Stagmond that could take some of them in, but I can't just wave my hand and magically find a place for them," Evelyne said, and immediately noticed her sister's eyes grow just a bit sharper.

"Would the children have to be separated in such a scenario?"

"What?" Evelyne blinked. "Of course they would. There's no place that could take them all in at the same time. So—"

"Then it is not a suitable resolution at the moment," Scarlett interrupted. "The children only speak Voneian, so separating and entrusting them to households which they cannot communicate with would do them no favor. It is better to allow them to stay together and ensure they are taken care of until they have mastered the language, and proceed from there."

Evelyne paused, taken aback. "Why do you even care?" she asked.

Scarlett had a hard look in her eyes. "Because it is my responsibility, and I do not believe in performing matters perfunctorily after having taken them upon myself."

Evelyne didn't know how to respond to that. Scarlett almost never bothered dealing with things she thought were annoying, nearly always delegating it off to either her or somebody else. This might be one of the first times since they were young that she'd ever seen her sister look like she cared about anything else than her dozen different ploys for societal power. Just what was happening here?

"I will take your silence as your concurrence on the matter," Scarlett said.

Evelyne looked at her in a daze for a moment, then shook her head. "There's still the matter of costs."

Scarlett paused her tapping on her chair's armrest. "Costs?"

"Yes. Costs." Evelyne furrowed her brows. "Do you know how our finances have looked this past month?"

"I have not paid it much attention, no."

This time Evelyne swallowed her sigh. Of course she hadn't. This was the Scarlett that she knew. "Just the house itself cost 42 000 solars. And that's without counting the extra costs from all the new hires I've also got reports on. In addition to that, I've also heard that you have that senior Shielder on a continuous contract right now. Do you know how much that costs?"

Scarlett gave her a quiet look as if waiting for her to continue.

"That's at least 4000 solars just this month. That's almost as much as we spend on all of the servants and personnel in the mansion put together. And as if those things weren't the worst." Evelyne took a deep breath and clasped her hands together. "The carriage we lost was worth over 100 000."

Her sister raised an eyebrow. "That is indeed quite the sum. Although as I said, not something I could affect. I prefer my own life over that of a simple carriage."

"Yes, I know." Evelyne decided to ignore pointing out that it wasn't just a simple carriage. "I'm not saying you could have done anything to prevent it, but we can't afford this right now. I've told you our situation is bad at the moment, and none of this helps. We're not that far away from having to start selling some of our assets and firing some of the people working for the family."

She was already making do with just three people herself, and that was if you included Kinsey, who was currently back in the manor ladled with enough paperwork for the fiefs and businesses Evelyne had tried investing into to last for days on end. Yet despite this, they couldn't just fire the over-a-dozen people working for them in the mansion, or the people responsible for their mansion in the capital. Partly because they were responsible for them to a certain degree, but also because Scarlett would never agree to it.

Her sister stayed quiet, genuinely looking like she was considering Evelyne's words, before picking up a key that lay on the desk and unlocking one of the drawers. Evelyne couldn't see the contents of the drawer from where she sat, but Scarlett soon pulled out a red leather journal that she began sifting through with it held in the air before her. She looked through it for a while, the only noise in the office being the sound of pages occasionally turning, before eventually putting it back into the drawer and turning her attention back to Evelyne. Evelyne herself was unsure what to feel about the situation. There was a kind of uncomfortable sense of being disregarded she got from sitting silently in the same room as Scarlett when her sister essentially acted as if she wasn't present, and it annoyed her that she even felt like that to begin with.

"It appears that I have been neglectful in taking this situation into consideration," Scarlett finally said, once more leaning back in her chair. "I was not aware it had reached this point, but I do have some responses prepared. First of all, I presume you recall my earlier request to you regarding establishing contact with an auction house on my account?"

"Yes," Evelyne nodded. She'd contacted the only auction house in Freybrook and ensured they contacted Scarlett, but largely forgotten about the matter after that.

"Their appraisal of the artifacts I secured with the aid of the Shielder is over 30 000 solars, which—while not equivalent to the full amount—I hope can alleviate some of the burden caused by the acquisition of the house," Scarlett said. She then paused for a second. "In addition to that, I may know of some vacant businesses in Elystead that I believe hold some potential for growth in the near future if handled properly, and which should not require excessive capital to acquire."

Scarlett then frowned again, as if there was something else that she thought of. "And I did not consider it till now, as it did not pertain to my goals at the time, but there is an old Zuverian crypt not far from Freybrook that I and Miss Breeden explored at the start of the month. There were several magical crystals there that served as lamps." She began tapping the armrest again. "I am uncertain if the Shields Guild has already cleared the ruins, but as a month has yet to pass I believe any remaining spoils would still belong to me by law. While I do not know the worth of these crystals, it might be worth inquiring further into the matter."

Evelyne stared at her sister with wide eyes. "You actually found Zuverian ruins? And you decided to explore it yourself?"

Scarlett gave her a quizzical look. "Where else did you think I obtained the Zuverian coins I spoke of?"

"You never told me you got them yourselves." Evelyne shook her head. "This is huge. How did you even find it? And does the Brook Tower know already?"

"I do not believe it is that noteworthy of an occurrence," Scarlett said with knitted brows. "It was not a particularly expansive set of ruins, lacking much of true worth. As for how I found it, that is largely irrelevant to the situation. And as I mentioned I did not pay it much thought till now so I do not know which parties are aware of the ruins at present."

Evelyne was genuinely shocked by Scarlett's disregard for what she was saying. "It's been years since the last ruins were found. The Ustrum Assembly and the towers will all be interested in it, and we might be able to trade any artifacts found with them for a decent price." Even people from the Rising Isle may be curious about it. If what Scarlett said is true, she might be able to use this to establish some contacts that could be useful in the future.

Evelyne examined her sister. Could she trust her on this? Finding ruins built by the old Zuver wasn't something she thought Scarlett could do by herself. There had to be someone helping her...But this could be incredibly helpful to them in their current position.

"I'll try and contact my friend at the Guild to see what they've done about the situation. But I would also like to send someone myself to check the ruins. Could you send me a map of where it is later?"

"I can lend you the Shielder that aided me when I originally cleared it. I believe that will be easier for us both."

"That works too." Evelyne nodded her head. "Also," she said, giving Scarlett a hesitant look. "I have business that I have to do in the capital this year during the Light Fest, so I will be staying at the residence there during the celebration."

"Is that so," her sister casually said, not giving any special reaction.

Evelyne waited for more, but Scarlett didn't say anything else. "I'll also be attending the Elysian Proclamation."

Now Scarlett was staring at her. "...Are you asking for my permission?"

"What? No." Evelyne's eyes flashed. "I am going."

"Then do so," Scarlett said. "Unless you expect me to stop you?"

Evelyne met her sister's eyes. There was annoyance there, irritation, but not anger. "...No. But I'm still asking that you don't."

Scarlett clicked her tongue. "I had no intention to, and as I said, I won't. Now, was there any other issue you wished to discuss with me today or is that all? Further details when it comes to the financial matters can be left for another day."

Evelyne paused for a moment, then gave a short nod. "That's all. I'll be leaving for Elystead the day after tomorrow and I've already contacted Whiteley so that he knows both of us will be staying during the Light Fest. Everything should be prepared when you arrive."

"Good. It appears as if you have it under control for now. Then before you leave I only have one request."

"And what's that?"

"A week ago I had Garside inquire into the procedures necessary in establishing an orphanage in the family's name. If the circumstances allow for it, I would like for you to handle the process, ensuring any hired personnel is competent and not a waste of money."

Evelyne gave Scarlett a long look. "You're establishing an orphanage?"

"I am," Scarlett said, looking almost haughty now — as if this whole conversation hadn't just been a weave of one absurd or illogical thing after the other. "I think it would serve well as a display of my generosity, would it not? This should be a solution we can both be satisfied with, I am sure you can agree."

Evelyne let out a short laugh. At one moment Scarlett was acting like herself and the next she wasn't, before suddenly she was again. She was getting more and more confused by all of this. "I'll look into what it would require. I'm still not sure if those artifacts you spoke of from the ruins will get us anything, and even then it might not be enough to add another expenditure on top of what we already have, but I'll try at least."

Scarlett waved her hand. "I have other means of acquiring wealth later so there is no need to worry about the future. Merely ensure that it is done so that I do not have to pay it any more mind. That is all I ask of you."

"...Then I'll get it done."

"Good." Scarlett gestured towards the office door. "Now then. You may leave."

Evelyne looked at her sister for a moment longer, before rising from her chair and walking towards the door. She threw one last glance at Scarlett before she left the room behind and entered the hallway outside. Garside had already left to somewhere else.

For a while she just stood there, unsure what to make of the conversation she'd just had. She massaged the bridge of her nose as she heard the sound of a drawer from inside the office, then she started making her way down the hallway. She really had no idea where all this was going.