Chapter 109: "Payback"

Chapter 109

The carriage rattled across the cobbled stones of the royal capital before turning into the pristine, tree-lined avenue leading toward the Warwick estate. When the heavy iron gates parted, the carriage glided up the winding stone drive and halted before the impressive manor.

Sigrid smoothed the folds of her gown before stepping down onto the pavement, her presence immediately casting a pall of quiet shock over the household staff gathered near the entrance. The maidservants, unaccustomed to receiving an unannounced noble guest—let alone the newly appointed Duchess of the North—stiffened, their eyes widening in sheer disbelief. Before any could stumble over their words, Sigrid raised a hand, her crimson gaze sweeping over them with cold efficiency. "Please fetch Marquess Caspian at once," she commanded softly. The maids bowed in a flurry of panicked skirts, practically tripping over one another as they scrambled up the grand staircase to fulfill her request.

Within moments, the quiet dignity of the manor was disrupted by the rapid, heavy thud of boots coming from the upper floor. Sigrid stood patiently in the entry hall, listening as the floorboards groaned under the weight of someone bolting toward the balcony in frantic haste. Caspian appeared at the top of the landing, breathless and adjusting his coat, his dark hair slightly disheveled from his sudden sprint. He hurried down the staircase, catching his breath as he came to a stop before her and offered a sweeping, respectful bow. "Welcome, Duchess," he said, his voice carrying the faint rasp of his exertion.

"Thank you, Marquess," Sigrid replied calmly, stepping further into the foyer as Lilith and Chester took up their positions behind her. Her eyes scanned the vast, remarkably quiet entrance hall before resting back on Caspian. "Where is your father, Chairman Warwick?"

Caspian straightened, gesturing smoothly toward the corridor that led to the manor’s primary study. "Since I formally assumed control over the family’s enterprise as the sole heir, my father elected to retire from active affairs. He and his wife have relocated to our old ancestral estate in the countryside to enjoy their leisure, leaving the management of the capital’s branches entirely in my hands."

"So you reside here alone then?" Sigrid asked, tilting her head slightly as they began walking down the corridor.

"Indeed, Your Grace. It allows me the solitude necessary to oversee the network without distraction," Caspian confirmed, pushing open the heavy mahogany doors to his private office and stepping aside to allow her entry.

The room was vast and lined with towering bookshelves, the air thick with the faint scent of old parchment and refined tobacco. Sigrid took a seat upon the velvet-upholstered armchair across from his desk, a faint, satisfied smile gracing her lips. "I came here today to offer my gratitude, Marquess. Everything transpired in exact accordance with the plan we laid out."

Caspian took his place behind the desk, returning her smile with a measured, appreciative nod. "You are most welcome, Duchess. Though I must admit, the resulting uproar across the capital was far greater than even I had anticipated."

"The results were certainly far better than I expected," Sigrid noted, resting her chin lightly against her gloved hand. "The journalists spun the details into quite the scandal."

"I took great care to ensure the information could never be traced back to myself, to you, or to the boy," Caspian said, leaning back slightly in his seat. He paused, a flicker of genuine curiosity crossing his face. "If I may ask, Your Grace... why bother involving that boy at all? I was the one handling the distribution network and applying pressure to the editors. It seems an unnecessary risk to include a child in an operation of this nature."

Sigrid’s expression softened ever so slightly as the memory of the young informant crossed her mind. Leo had risked everything to fetch those documents from the shadows, his small hands trembling with determination. "Because he placed himself in direct peril to secure those secrets," she explained softly. "It would have been extraordinarily cruel to rob him of the opportunity to publish his first major story and claim his reward. He earned his place in this victory."

Caspian raised an eyebrow, a dry smirk touching the corner of his lips. "You are surprisingly patient when it comes to children, Duchess."

Sigrid’s gaze narrowed into a sharp glare, though it lacked any true malice. "And what precisely do you intend to convey by that remark, Caspian?"

Caspian raised his hands slightly in defense, chuckling softly. "I... I merely did not imagine you to be the type to find children tolerable, let alone worthy of your consideration."

"Finding them tolerable is beside the point; acknowledging competency is simply practical," Sigrid replied smoothly, adjusting her posture. "It serves a purpose."

"Hmm," Caspian murmured, leaning forward with his elbows resting on the desk. "Then we can only pray the Duke returns victorious and unscathed from the front lines, so that perhaps you might have children of your own to test that patience on." 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

A quiet smile flickered across Sigrid’s face at the mention of Soren, though she quickly steered the conversation back to the matter at hand. Caspian sobered, his posture stiffening as he addressed the impending political fallout. "Returning to our primary topic... you are well aware that the royal family will now target you with far greater aggression. Was it truly wise to demand this scandal be published on the very morning of the Duke’s departure?"

Sigrid stood up slowly, her skirts rustling against the carpet as she turned toward the grand window overlooking the estate gardens. "Oh, yes. In truth, this publication sets the entire stage for what is to come. No matter how thoroughly the Crown Prince commands his guards to investigate, the trail will never lead back to my doorstep. They will all know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I orchestrated their humiliation, yet they will lack the concrete evidence required to formally accuse me. That frustration will drive them to folly."

Caspian watched her closely, his expression turning thoughtful. "When you first approached me with these instructions, I obeyed without pressing for your motives. But tell me, Duchess... why go to such lengths? Why risk the wrath of the throne?"

Sigrid remained motionless for a moment, staring out at the sunlit gardens before turning her head back toward him, a dark, brilliant smile illuminating her features. "Payback."

"Payback," Caspian repeated, testing the word on his tongue as though weighing its gravity.

"Payback," Sigrid affirmed evenly not explaining further.

Caspian studied her expression for a second longer before giving a short nod. "Very well."

"Does my answer displease you, Marquess?" Sigrid inquired, raising a single eyebrow.

"Not in the slightest," Caspian replied without hesitation. "In truth, you were kind enough to offer an answer when you were under no obligation to explain yourself to me. I know you do not act without reason, and that is sufficient for my continued cooperation."

"And what if that reason is utterly foolish?" Sigrid challenged softly.

Caspian met her crimson eyes directly, his gaze steady and filled with absolute conviction. "Then I would be blind, Your Grace. For whatever else you may be, you are anything but foolish."

Sigrid let out a faint, melodic chuckle, turning back toward the door. "This will serve as a severe blow to the pride of the royal house and Maria. It is her very first day as Crown Princess, and her pristine reputation has already been dragged through the dirt."

She paused at the threshold, her internal thoughts swirling with cold, ruthless precision. I shall dismantle her bit by bit. First, I will annihilate her reputation until the humiliation eats away at her sanity. Then, I shall target Ragnar’s credibility, watching as they tear each other apart in their desperation.

Turning back to Caspian, she asked, "Have your contacts reported any movement from the Crown Prince since the gazettes hit the streets?"

"Only that His Highness is reportedly in an absolute rage," Caspian answered gravely. "Duchess, I fear he may attempt a direct strike against you now that Duke Soren is no longer present to shield you."

Sigrid frowned slightly, her eyes flashing with dangerous amusement. "Do not join the ranks of fools, Caspian, by assuming I am defenseless merely because my husband has ridden off to war. I was hardly left alone to fend for myself."

Caspian bowed his head respectfully. "Understood, Your Grace."

"I shall remain at the Northern estate and await my inevitable summons to the royal palace," Sigrid declared.

"And what shall your next move be once after this devastating blow to the Crown and Court?" Caspian inquired.

A dark, almost maniacal smile spread across Sigrid’s face. "Countess Celestine Everhart. After all the effort she expended attempting to take my life by hiring you, it is only fitting that I return the favor in full." Checking another name off the list of those destined to face her vengeance. "I will contact you when I require the resources of your network once more. For now, I shall take my leave. Thank you for your hospitality, Marquess."

"It is always an honor, Duchess," Caspian said, bowing low as she exited the study.

Sigrid traversed the quiet halls of the manor and stepped back into the blinding sunlight, where Chester held the carriage door open. She climbed into the luxurious interior, accompanied by Lilith, and gave the order to depart immediately for the Northern territory. The journey was long and quiet, the landscape gradually shifting from the grand, bustling streets of the capital to the rugged, snow-dusted terrain of the Duke’s domain.

When the heavy carriage finally ground to a halt before the massive stone gates of the Northern fortress, Lilith stepped out first, extending a hand to assist Sigrid down the iron steps. As Sigrid’s boots hit the frost-covered ground, a deafening drum of armor echoed across the courtyard. An entire, fully armed military garrison stood drawn up in rigid, flawless ranks before the entrance. At the sight of her, every single commander, knight, and soldier snapped their fists to their chests in a unified, thunderous salute, their eyes fixed on her with absolute deference.

Sigrid looked out over the sea of dark, imposing armor and gleaming steel, a subtle, razor-thin smile gracing her lips. She murmured softly under her breath so that only the cold wind could carry her words, "Whoever believed I was left defenseless was a grand fool. Soren left me far more than a simple title—he left me an entire army."

Without another word, Sigrid swept past the saluting ranks and stepped through the towering gates of the fortress, ready to for enemies lying in wait.