"Our guest today is very important," Ronnik said in a low voice.
Elinora was curious to know but didn't know if she could ask. She silently continued her work. Ronnik observed her for a moment and immediately knew what she was thinking.
"Don't you want to know who's coming?" he asked her.
She hesitated a little but stopped what she was doing and asked.
"Who is coming?"
"The duke is in business with a merchant, Lord Edrian, and they are good friends too."
Elinora raised her eyebrows slightly. The name Lord Adrian was not entirely unfamiliar to her.
"Lord Edrian... Lord William Edrian?" she repeated slowly, and asked again when she remembered the name.
"No," Ronnik continued, lowering his voice slightly. "He has retired, and his son, Oliver Edrian, has now taken over. He's one of the most powerful merchants in the area. Not only does he do business with the duke, but they have an old friendship."
Elinora tried in vain to hide her agitation. As soon as she heard the name "Oliver Edrian" she unconsciously dropped from her hands the vase she was supposed to put on the table.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" she said and ran to get a broom to pick up the broken pieces.
Ronnik was left behind wondering what had just happened.
But how could I have forgotten? Oliver Edrian! He's my and Edmund's childhood friend. His father often came to our house to discuss business and he would come with him. What am I going to do? I'm sure he'll recognize me!
He knows me and Edmund, she thought on his way to pick up the broom.
And it was true. Oliver Edrian could easily recognize her and reveal her secret.
Elinora hurriedly picked up the broken pieces, feeling her heart pounding in her chest. She tried to calm herself, but the thought of Oliver Edrian made her stomach clench. She was sure that if he saw her, he would recognize her immediately.
When she returned, Ronnik was watching her carefully.
"Everything okay?" he asked with a hint of suspicion.
" Yes, I was just distracted for a while," she replied, avoiding looking him in the eye.
Ronnik shrugged his shoulders and continued his work. Elinora did the same, but every now and then her mind raced to the past.
She remembered the summers at their mansion, when Oliver, Edmund and herself would spend endless hours playing in the garden. She remembered his laughter, his kindness, but also his stubbornness. They played so well together and that made her feel like a normal child with a normal life. When the Edrians would come to their house, her parents would take her out of the room to hide the fact that they had her locked in there. That's why she liked it when Oliver came over with his father.
But those years were gone.
Oliver had become one of the most powerful merchants in the kingdom, while she... was now an aide, hiding under a false name. And that secret was not to be revealed.
"Is the room ready?"
Alaric's voice cut her thoughts short. Elinora jumped slightly and turned towards him.
"Yes, Your Grace. Everything is ready."
The duke nodded, but his eyes paused on her for a moment, as if he saw something strange.
"Our guest will be here any moment. Make sure everything is ready and proper, Jaden."
Elinora nodded, but in her heart she wasn't so much worried about the preparations as she was about the guest's arrival.
Soon, Oliver Edrian would be walking through the door. And then... all the effort of all these months would be wasted.
The sound of heavy doors opening echoed down the hallway, chilling her blood. Ronnik's voice came from beside her, whispery but full of excitement.
"He's here."
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