The so-called guest room was, in reality, just a storage room with freshly painted walls.
The smell of lime and sawdust still lingered in the air. A simple wooden table and a few chairs were its only furnishings.
A man sat upright on one of the chairs, his posture ramrod straight.
He wore a black attendant's uniform, pressed without a single crease, and his white-gloved hands rested flat on his knees.
Hearing the door open, he stood up, turned toward Lacey, and bowed slightly.
"Mr. Lacey, good day."
"I am Heinrich, attendant to Miss Gertrude Strollo."
Lacey sized him up.
He was a man of about thirty, with a lean face, sharp eyes, and a tightly clenched jaw.
His bearing was impeccable, revealing a kind of aristocratic discipline that was ingrained to the bone.
"Mr. Heinrich, please sit." Lacey casually pulled out another chair and sat down, gesturing for Serafina to sit beside him.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting."
"It is my honor to be able to wait for you, Mr. Lacey." Heinrich sat down again, his gaze sweeping over Lacey and Serafina before finally resting on Lacey's face.
"I presume you are already aware of Miss Gertrude's proposal, Mr. Lacey."
"A declining noble family, an heiress eager to ascend." Lacey replied bluntly.
"I'm curious. Why would Miss Gertrude think that our Workers' Party would be a suitable ally for you?"
"Because we have a common enemy," Heinrich answered.
"The old powers that leech off Leithanien—they suppress the commoners' means of survival, and they also stifle the future of capable young nobles like Miss Gertrude."
"Our enemies are one and the same."
"A fine speech," Lacey chuckled, "but talk of a common enemy is usually for fools. I want to hear something more concrete."
"For example, what do you want us to do? And what do we get?"
Heinrich leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. "My mistress, Miss Gertrude, needs your help to take back what is rightfully hers—the Strollo family title."
"Her brother, Cole Strollo, is a well-known degenerate."
"He drinks, gambles, and is lost in entertainment. For him to inherit the title would not only be a disgrace to the Strollo family, but also an act of irresponsibility towards the people of Wischeim."
"However, the great lords above favor such a degenerate."
"So, you want me to... dispose of this degenerate for you?" Lacey's tone grew heavy.
Heinrich didn't answer directly, stating calmly instead: "Mr. Cole's lifestyle is very unhealthy. He could end his pathetic life prematurely at any moment due to an accident—say, falling from his horse while drunk, or being killed in a tavern brawl."
"And the Wischeim guard just so happens to be short-staffed during that time and won't be able to arrive promptly."
The implication was clear.
They not only wanted the Workers' Party to do the deed, they had even written the script.
"And then what?" Lacey leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "We help you eliminate a noble and become the public enemy of Leithanien's entire aristocracy?"
"Meanwhile, Miss Strollo conveniently inherits the title, then turns around and crushes us—the murderers of her brother—winning fame and the favor of the great lords in one fell swoop."
"Mr. Heinrich, do I look like a fool to you?"
For the first time, a flicker of change crossed Heinrich's expression.
He hadn't expected Lacey to tear through the pretense so directly.
He quickly composed himself and explained, "Mr. Lacey, you misunderstand."
"We are allies. Once this is done, the Strollo family will become the staunchest supporter of the Workers' Party."
"Wischeim will open its gates to the Workers' Party. You can establish a branch there, recruit members, and we can even provide you with funds, weapons, and connections."
"Empty promises," Lacey scoffed. "Why should I believe your word?"
Heinrich fell silent for a moment. He realized that this commoner leader before him was far more difficult to handle than he had anticipated.
He was no mere brute who only knew how to incite the masses.
"Then, what kind of guarantee do you require, Mr. Lacey?" he asked.
"A guarantee?" Lacey stood and paced to the window, looking out at the workers sweating on the construction site.
"I don't need guarantees. I only believe in what I can hold in my own hands."
He turned back to the attendant and said, "You've misunderstood something, Mr. Heinrich. You have no choice in this matter. I do."
"You!" Heinrich's expression finally changed.
"Your mistress, Miss Gertrude, has more problems than just a good-for-nothing brother."
"Don't forget how her father died. Do you think the Witch King's remnants who murdered the old count will just stand by and watch her secure the family seat? If she eliminates her brother, she will only make herself the next target." Lacey's every word was a dagger.
Heinrich's breath hitched.
This was indeed Gertrude's greatest fear.
Lacey walked slowly back to the table and looked down at Heinrich. "We can help her inherit the title. We can also help her secure her footing in Wischeim and clean out those Witch King remnants."
"In return, she will support all actions of the Workers' Party."
Heinrich was completely stunned by Lacey turning the tables on him.
He had come to recruit a hunting dog, but found his target wanted to be the hunter.
"This... this is not for me to decide," he said with some difficulty.
"I know." Lacey sat down again, his tone softening. "That is why I need to speak with your mistress."
"Have her come see me in person."
He paused, then added, "Tell her this is the first test of our partnership."
"If she lacks even that much courage and sincerity, then our conversation can end right here."
Heinrich stood up and gave Lacey a long, deep look.
"I will relay your words to Miss Gertrude, exactly as you have spoken them." He bowed again, his posture much lower this time.
"Farewell."
Only after Heinrich had left did Serafina let out a long sigh of relief.
She looked at Lacey and said, "You're betting that woman's ambition will overcome her pride."
"Politics has always been a high-stakes gamble."
Lacey picked up the cold tea on the table and drank it in one gulp.
"This Miss Gertrude, if she's smart enough, should know that working with us is her only way out."
"I, for one, am looking forward to seeing what comes of a meeting with this young lady."
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