Early the next morning, Alia immediately called Adrian. Though she had teased Elise the previous night to ease her worries, she knew full well that if Adrian found out about Elise's sudden disappearance, he might act recklessly in unpredictable ways.
The call was answered quickly, and Adrian's voice carried a hint of fatigue. "Sister? What's the matter so early in the morning?"
Leaning lazily against her chair, Alia spoke in a casual tone. "There's something I want to discuss with you. Come to Elias's house."
Adrian hesitated for a moment, his voice tinged with doubt. "Elias? Shouldn't Marcellus be handling matters like these? And why not talk at the castle?"
"Because I need to keep this from both Marcellus and Edgar," Alia replied, her tone calm but leaving no room for refusal. "I'm making some adjustments and upgrades to the expansion plans in secret. When the time comes, you'll surprise them both, which will boost your image and performance in front of them. Whether you come or not is up to you, but this is a rare opportunity."
Adrian fell silent, sensing that something was off, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly what. In the end, he chose to trust his sister. After all, Livia wouldn't harm him. He sighed. "Fine, I'll be there soon."
Meanwhile, Alia had arranged for Elise to disguise herself and slip into the city ahead of time, avoiding familiar eyes as she made her way to Elias's residence.
As for herself, Alia simply informed Mark that she was heading to Elias's house. Since Marcellus had already given instructions, Mark and the other guards didn't try to stop her. However, for safety reasons, several soldiers were assigned to accompany her. Alia casually glanced at them and specifically chose Emma to come along.
Elias had already been notified of Alia's visit, though she deliberately kept Emma's true identity a secret. Upon arrival, she instructed Emma and the other soldiers to wait outside, while she entered the reception hall to meet Elise, who had arrived earlier.
Sunlight streamed through the intricately carved windows, illuminating dust particles floating in the air, casting a quiet and serene atmosphere across the hall. After briefly explaining her plan, Alia instructed Elise to hide behind the hall's partition, ensuring she could clearly hear the conversation to come.
Not long after, Adrian arrived at Elias's residence.
Elias greeted him warmly, engaging in small talk and inquiring about his recent affairs. Alia also chimed in at appropriate moments, appearing to casually discuss current matters. However, Adrian wasn't a fool—he sensed a deliberate undertone to the conversation. Once the pleasantries were over, he finally lost patience and turned to his sister with a wary gaze.
"What is this really about? What plan could possibly help me perform better in my role?"
Alia's previously nonchalant demeanor vanished, replaced by an unexpected seriousness. "Adrian, how important are family and power to you?"
Adrian was momentarily stunned, but he answered without hesitation. "Of course, they're important! As nobles, we bear the honor and responsibility of our family… Without our family's support, would we be where we are today? Naturally, I would dedicate everything to the family. As for power, I've thought it through—I want power. I want to become the future head of our family, and I will do whatever it takes to achieve that goal." His voice was firm, as if his conviction was absolute.
Standing nearby, Elias frowned slightly, a trace of anxiety flickering in his eyes. Though he wasn't particularly close to Adrian, after hearing Livia's account of his relationship with Elise, he had developed a sense of understanding—and even sympathy—for the couple. Now, seeing Adrian declare his allegiance to family and power so decisively, Elias realized he was failing Livia's test. Worse yet, he knew Adrian's words would inevitably wound Elise, who was hiding just behind the partition.
Sure enough, Elise, who had been listening intently, felt her heart tighten as she clenched the fabric of her dress in her fingers. A wave of conflicting emotions surged within her—sorrow mixed with reluctant relief. She never wanted to be a burden to Adrian, nor did she expect him to abandon everything for her. But hearing how much he prioritized family and power still left her feeling heartbroken.
However, as the room fell into quiet contemplation, Alia's lips curled into an enigmatic smile.
She wasn't angry.
Nor did she appear the least bit disappointed.
Because, more than anyone else, she knew that Adrian's answer wasn't just about family and power.