lody stepped into the house slowly, careful to make sure no one had seen her enter. She paused just past the threshold, listening for any movent. Silence. As she had expected, most of the staff had been given the weekend off—Marianne’s usual habit whenever they went away.
lody knew her mother’s routines well, every little quirk and predictable decision. That knowledge had its uses. And today, it was the perfect opportunity. With the servants gone, her parents out, and Adam buried in his office work, there was every chance that lanie would be completely alone at ho. Exactly as she had hoped.
She moved quietly through the hallway, her footsteps light against the polished floor, until she reached the mirror by the wall. Stopping, she checked her reflection once more, making sure everything was in place. Good. From head to toe, not a single inch of skin was exposed. Her hair was tied up tightly and hidden beneath a cap, her face completely concealed behind a mask. Only her eyes could be seen. She tugged at the sleeves of her jacket to make sure the gloves covered her wrists fully. Every detail mattered.
She couldn’t afford mistakes today. It was why she had chosen to do this herself. The disguise needed to be convincing, and the story it left behind even more so. It had to look like nothing more than an unfortunate accident, an attempted burglary that had spiraled out of control.
Quietly, she picked up a few of the valuable antiques on the way to the room where lanie was sleeping. She needed to be quick.
Her hand tightened around the small porcelain figurine she had picked up along the way as she placed it carefully into the cloth bag slung over her shoulder and continued down the hallway. This was no simple figure. Her father’s favourite figurine was going to beco the murder weapon.
When she reached lanie’s door, she paused. The faint sll of flowers lingered in the air and her face twisted in distaste. She twisted the knob without a sound, pushing the door open just enough to slip inside.
lanie lay sprawled on the bed, her hair fanned out on the pillow, a faint smile curling her lips. She looked peaceful, content even. That smile... it was what struck lody the most. Even now, on the verge of feath, she was smiling cluelessly.
lody’s own lips curved, though not in kindness. The servant had done her job well. The faint haze in the air told her the sleeping powder had been used exactly as instructed. lanie wouldn’t wake for anything short. And even by so horrid luck of fate, she didm then, her movents would be sluggish and her mind clouded.
Perfect.
lody stepped closer, her gloved fingers brushing lightly against the edge of the bed as she leaned down. Her voice was soft, almost gentle, as though she were speaking to a child. "I don’t like your smile," she whispered, her eyes narrowing as she studied lanie’s face. "It doesn’t suit you. I am the only daughter my parents should have and dote on. The only one who deserves to play and flrut wth Adam."
She let her hand hover above lanie’s cheek, the faintest shadow passing over her sleeping face. For a brief mont, lody savored the power- the stillness of the room, the certainty that she was the only one in control. And then, her other hand slid to the antique in her hand. One swift movent, a bang hand it would be over.
She drew in a breath, ready to act.
Then—
A sound.
Soft at first, but unmistakable.
lody froze, every muscle going rigid. It ca again-faint footsteps, the creak of a floorboard sowhere in the distance. Soone was coming here. But why?
Her eyes darted toward the door. Whoever it was, they were inside the house and close by.
She stepped back from the bed, her breath quiet but sharp in her chest. Her mind ran through possibilities. Had the servant betrayed her? Had soone returned early?
The footsteps drew nearer.
lody’s gaze swept the room in a quick calculation. No ti to slip out unnoticed. The only option was to disappear.
She dropped silently to her knees and slid beneath the bed, the darkness swallowing her whole. Dust coated the floor, the faint sll of wood and old polish filling her nose. She adjusted her position carefully, making sure no part of her was visible from the outside.
Just as she strained her ears to listen in case everything was silent outside, a knock sounded on the door. Her breath caught, and she felt the muscles in her back tighten against the floor.
Then ca the voice. "lody?"
Her heart lurched. It was her father.
For a mont, she thought she had misheard. "But no, the deep, familiar tone ca again, firr this ti. "lody, are you in there? There is sothing I need to ask you."
A cold sweat broke out along the back of her neck. She hadn’t even known he had not left the city, let alone the house. He wasn’t supposed to be here. No one was supposed to be here.
She pressed a gloved hand against her mouth, as though that could sohow muffle the pounding of her heartbeat. Another knock, heavier this ti. The handle rattled slightly."lody, answer ."
Her mind raced. If he stepped inside... if he saw her. Just then the door rattled and opened...and her father’s shoes ca into view. What was her father doing, entering her room without permission?
"Fast asleep..." Richard’s voice was low, almost to himself. He took a few quiet steps toward the bed. "Didn’t even bother with a blanket."
From beneath the bed, lody could see the hem of his trousers as he moved closer. The mattress dipped slightly as he pulled the blanket up over lanie’s still form, tucking it gently under her chin.
He lingered for only a mont, then turned and walked out, the door clicking shut behind him.
In the darkness, lody’s chest rose and fell in a silent, shaky sigh of relief. Her fingers unclenched from the tight grip they had around the porcelain figurine and then slowly, she sliipped out from under the bed.
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