Chapter 6 A Decision Cloaked in Deceit

Stephan stood with his arms crossed as Elaine passed him in the corridor. He didn't shout this time. He only leaned in slightly, voice low and cold. "This is what happens when you don't listen to me," he said. "If you had done as I said from the start, none of this would be happening." Then he walked away without waiting for a response.

Marcus sat quietly by the hearth, his head bowed, eyes locked on the flickering flames. The warmth did nothing to ease the heavy weight on his chest. He hadn't spoken a word since Elaine had gone up to her room in silence, holding her cheek where Maureen had slapped her. The house had fallen into an uncomfortable quiet, broken only by the sound of Maureen pacing behind him.

"She has to go, Marcus," Maureen said suddenly, her voice sharp and final.

Marcus blinked, not looking at her. "So quickly? You're really that set on this?"

Maureen folded her arms. "When, then? You want to wait until she ruins this household? Until our children learn her disgusting behavior? That girl is poison."

He sighed deeply, finally turning to face her. "She's not poison. She's just... confused. Lost. She's only seventeen, Maureen. A child."

"She's old enough to know right from wrong," Maureen snapped. "Old enough to lie, manipulate, and throw herself at your brother-in-law like she's some cheap tavern girl!"

Marcus shook his head, his voice low. "I didn't say she didn't make a mistake. But sending her away? That's too extreme. I only said it earlier to scare her, to get her to reflect."

Maureen scoffed. "You and that bleeding heart of yours. That's your problem. Always giving second chances, even when it's undeserved."

"She's my brother's daughter," Marcus said firmly. "We took her in when they died, remember? We promised to raise her like one of our own."

"And she repaid that kindness by nearly destroying our home," Maureen shot back. "She is not one of our own. She has brought nothing but shame and tension since she arrived."

Marcus rubbed his temple. "She's still growing. She needs guidance, not banishment."

Maureen stepped closer, voice softening, but her eyes gleamed with something else. "And she'll get that. Just... not here."

Marcus looked up, wary. "What do you mean?"

"I have a sister," Maureen said. "Margaret. She lives two towns beyond Eldenfield, in the southern province. You remember her?"

Marcus hesitated. "The one who married the merchant?"

Maureen nodded. "That's the one. She's strict, disciplined. But she raised me, Marcus. She's the reason I am the woman I am today. She has no children of her own now, and I spoke to her once about how she missed the chance to raise a girl. She would welcome Elaine with open arms."

Marcus frowned. "Margaret... it's been years since I've seen her. She lives far. That's nearly a full day's ride."

"It's far enough for peace," Maureen said quickly. "But not too far to be unreachable. We could visit. Write. It's not exile, Marcus. It's a new beginning. A fresh start for her, and rest for us."

He sat back, torn. The idea did sound more reasonable than coldly throwing Elaine out without direction. And Margaret-if she was anything like how Maureen described-might be able to shape Elaine better than they ever could.

Still, something didn't sit right with him.

"I don't know," he said, staring into the fire again. "I feel like we're giving up on her."

"No," Maureen said gently, sitting beside him now. "We're helping her. The girl needs more than what this house can give. You said it yourself-she's confused. Margaret is a strong woman. She'll mold her into something respectable."

Marcus closed his eyes. "You're sure this is best for her?"

Maureen nodded slowly, placing a hand on his. "I'll take her myself tomorrow, at dawn. We'll make the journey, and I'll return before nightfall. You'll see-it'll be the right thing for everyone."

He nodded slowly, though it hurt him. "Alright. If Margaret agrees to take her in and help raise her properly... I'll allow it."

Maureen smiled. "She will."

But as Marcus turned his attention back to the fire, thinking only of Elaine's future and the sorrow of letting her go, Maureen's eyes narrowed slightly. The smile on her lips remained, but it no longer reached her eyes.

---

Later that night, long after Marcus had gone to bed and the house lay in silence, Maureen crept into the small writing chamber beside the pantry. She lit a single candle, shielding its flame with her hand, and pulled out a folded parchment from the drawer.

From a hollow at the base of the wall, she retrieved a small box-locked, but easily opened by a key she kept tied to a ribbon around her neck. Within the box were thin scraps of paper marked with symbols-codes used long ago for messages that could not be read by any who intercepted them.

She took one of the papers and a quill and dipped it in ink, writing slowly in a language not used by decent folk anymore:

"Bringing youthful commodity. Spirited and untouched. Will arrive before midmorning. Ensure safe payment and discretion."

She folded the paper tightly and slid it into a small leather pouch, then slipped quietly through the back door. Behind the vegetable patch, past the line of trees, stood a crooked post with a carved raven at the top-a symbol used for communication among shadowed traders.

Maureen tied the pouch around the leg of a waiting messenger hawk, whistled lowly, and watched as the bird disappeared into the night sky, headed toward its destination.

When she returned to the house, she did not look back.

---

At dawn, the sun rose lazily over the horizon, casting golden light over the household. Elaine stood quietly by the steps, a small satchel in her hands. Her face was pale, and the bruise on her cheek still bloomed red.

Marcus approached her slowly, trying to smile.

"Your aunt will take you to Lady Margaret today," he said gently. "She's a strong woman. She'll teach you the things we couldn't."

Elaine swallowed hard, eyes watery. "You're sending me away?"

"No, not like that," Marcus said quickly. "You are still family and nothing will ever change that. We just... want what's best for you."

She said nothing.

Maureen emerged from the house, dressed in a travel cloak. "We should leave before the weather becomes hot," she said, motioning toward the road.

Marcus bent and hugged Elaine tightly. "Be brave, alright? And write to me."

Elaine nodded silently.

Maureen placed a hand on Marcus's shoulder. "We'll be back soon."

From the corner of the house, Stephan watched them prepare to leave. His face showed no clear joy, no sorrow either. Just a faint, unreadable look-something between relief and discomfort. He didn't approach, didn't say goodbye, but his eyes followed Elaine longer than he intended, and when she looked back once, he quickly turned away.

As they walked off, Marcus watched until they disappeared around the bend.

He sighed, whispering under his breath, "Please, Margaret... do what I could not."

But What he never knew was that Margaret would never meet Elaine.