The date of Siegfried's punishment had been set. That man would be executed one week from now. People were crazy about the news. They spoke about it every day as they had nothing to talk about. People barely gossiped about Helena anymore.
Helena was no longer bound in her home. It was clear that her house was not a formidable fortress after the assassination attempt. She was free to go in and out as long she brought some guards. After her house arrest was over, Helena received multiple letters. They came from the Browns, Lord Navy and Lady Wisteria. They would visit her home on the same day. The Brown siblings came earlier in the afternoon. Helena greeted the officer with a warm smile and attitude.
"Welcome, Matthew Brown!"
"Thank you for the reception, Lady Blackmoore."
The warmth in her face turned cold. Helena glared at the man next to him. "Oxford Brown."
The younger brother clicked his tongue. "Tch. Lady Blackmoore."
Matthew broke their childish fighting. "Cut it out, you two. Oxford, please behave. We are already talking about this."
The younger brother sighed and listened to his older brother. "Fine."
Azure and Scarlet had prepared refreshments in the guest room. Oxford kept staring at the twins when they poured the tea. His eyes glinted with sparks of interest.
"Do you think I can borrow them as models?"
"You're making children's clothes now?"
"There are many demands for it. I have a problem finding the model. You know very well how annoying it can be. Their parent will force their kid to be a model, but the kid later will cry or throw tantrums. Those twins seem different. They are composed and graceful."
Helena was proud someone praised her personal maids. "I will tell their sister about your offer."
After the conversation flowed into a better topic, Matthew asked about her state. "How do you fare, Lady Blackmoore?"
"Thank you for the concern. I am doing well now. Your testimony helped me escape from death. How about your injury?"
"I almost healed! I can go back to my duty next week."
Matthew told her about his job. He refused to move to the countryside. That man would stick to his post as an officer in the capital until the end. Prince Sapphire was touched to find a passionate man like him. He gave Matthew a new position. Now, that man was the leader of a group in the investigation team.
In the past, Matthew resigned after learning about the conspiracy inside the palace. His ideal of justice was shattered when nobody listened to his words or plea. He now swore to purge the hiding rats. Helena was smiling at his story. She was delighted one more grim past had changed. While they talked, Violet told Helena her other guests had arrived. She greeted Lady Wisteria, Lady Lilac and Lord Navy. All of them sat in the same room.
Lady Wisteria bowed her head to Helena the moment she saw her. "Thank you so much, Helena Blackmoore."
Helena was startled by her polite demeanour. She was flustered since Lady Wisteria's status was higher than hers. "Please raise your head! It's just a coincidence that my trial made the list being investigated."
Lord Navy shook his head. "That alone was enough. Without your bravery, I probably still rot in the prison."
The rest nodded in agreement. Helena was embarrassed by their overflowing gratitude.
It was not only the Wisterias and Navies. Many nobles and people delivered their appreciation toward her. Some came directly to her door or sent her present.
"I am ashamed, but I must admit it. I will lose Perra without your feat. She is like an older sister to me. She always takes care of me before I move to the capital."
Lady Lilac was touched listening to her words. "Rowena..."
"That's why I was shocked when she was arrested out of nowhere. There is no way my kind sister related to the cult. It turned out the fucking Richard Gray framed her!"
"Language, Rowena."
Lady Wisteria was pouting. She did not understand why she could not curse that man. "We don't need to use polite language for him. That Bastard colluded with Paradise Star!"
Helena feigned a surprised expression at the news. Richard Gray was arrested because of her. Helena asked Duchess Vermillion to investigate him. Nobody was surprised at the outcome of the probe. He was a regular customer of the cult. That man worked together with Paradise Star to spread Fantasy.
"Talking about apprehension." Lord Navy was smiling. "My brother also got arrested. Guess who officially becomes the heir of the family because of that!"
Everyone congratulated Lord Navy for his achievement. He deserved to be head of the Navy family.
Their small gathering was lovely. No one cared about their family status or rank. Lady Wisteria and Lord Navy exposed a way to handle annoying nobles. Meanwhile, the Browns talked about information around the street. They had so much fun and ended the meeting when the clock struck at five. Before they left the estate, Oxford shoved a big black box with a white ribbon into her arm. Helena was confused and stared at him.
"Can I open it?"
"Go ahead."
Helena was stunned when she opened the box. Inside the box was a long black coat with a hood, flexible black trousers and a pair of black boots. Everything was in high-quality fabrics and sewn with care.
"This-this is for me?"
"It's just something I make in my spare time. Nothing more."
Rowena sneered. "Wow, you never even make me something like this when I'm a VIP client of your boutique."
"Urgh, fine. It's my gift for helping my brother. I have a feeling you will need it in future."
Matthew whispered to her. "He only came with me to give you the present."
Oxford Brown rolled his eyes. "Matthew, let's go home."
The older brother laughed. "Okay, I'm going! Don't pull my hand."
Her guest parted and returned to their own home. Helena was satisfied that day. She forgot how fun a gathering was after being busy fleeing Grim Reaper. Helena lay on the bed with a big grin on her face. Before she closed her eyes, someone knocked on the door. Helena opened it and saw Scarlet standing in front of her bedroom.
"My Lady, I'm sorry to disturb your rest in the night."
"Don't worry, I am not sleeping yet. What is it?"
"That Whitesmithe man wants to meet you. Should I shoo him away?"
"What? No! Where is he?"
"In the kitchen."
Helena put on her robe and sprinted to the kitchen. Adham waited for her while speaking to Azure. Helena was astonished to find him in her house. "How do you get in here? There are guards in the front gate."
"From the back. The twins allowed me to enter when I met them outside your house."
Helena glared at the twin. Both of them wore casual outfits instead of sleepwear. "Isn't this past your bedtime? Why are you two not sleeping?"
Two of them startled and looked at each other. They bolted away before Helena snitched them to Violet. That woman only huffed and crossed her arms. "Those two must be sneaking around town again."
Adham laughed. "Please forgive them for once. I only get in because of them."
"Is everything okay at the orphanage and the church?"
"Don't worry about it. The church works as usual. No problem in the orphanage, but the children missed and worried about you. They heard about your apprehension."
Helena sighed. "I should visit them soon. Oh, right. What are you doing in here?"
Adham was hesitant for a moment. His face was full of restlessness. "I am sorry to bother you, but... I have something to ask."
Helena could guess his mind. "Is it about Siegfried?"
Adham bit his lip. "I heard you visited him yesterday."
"Sit down. I will tell you everything."
Helena told him about her meeting with Siegfried. He listened to her in silence. She recalled his isolated prison and condition. Helena skipped the part about the torture. Adham would be horrified if he learnt about it.
"Whitesmithe, are you all right?"
That man stared at her with sorrow in her eyes. "Do you think I can speak to him for the last time? I know he was a criminal, but... He was still a father figure for me."
Helena was thinking. "I can speak to Duchess Vermillion for permission."
Adham was shocked to hear it. "Really? I... I don't know why you go this far for me. I am nobody. I don't deserve your help."
He was surprised when Helena held his hands. Her grey eyes gazed deep into his brown eyes. "You do, Adham. Remember the time I was drowning? I threw away my life. I never thought about another purpose for living. Yet, you rescued me from that darkness. Thanks to you, I had more time to think about my life and found a new path. I will not sit next to you right now without your aid."
Adham scratched his red cheek. "I wish I could repay you somehow."
Helena giggled at those words. "Assist me again in the future, okay?"
Adham could not stop looking at that beautiful face. Her charming smile and her laughing voice mesmerised him. He could feel his heart beating loudly just by watching her face. Adham realised his absurd thought and stood up from his seat.
"Oh, wow! Look at the time. It's already late! I'm going home now!"
Helena was confused by his awkward behaviour. "Okay... Let me walk you to the back door."
"No need! I memorise my way out!"
Helena was stupefied. Adham dashed away from the mansion to the orphanage. No way. Did he fall for Helena Blackmoore? Crap. That was not a good thing. She was a noble, and he was a commoner. There was no way that relationship would be smooth. He screamed at the top of his lungs, trying to get rid of his impure thoughts.
The next day, Helena asked permission to meet Siegfried again for Adham. The approval came out right away. Helena was astounded by Duchess Vermillion's generosity. They even picked up Adham from the orphanage. He was dumbfounded when a luxurious carriage waited for him. They visited the prison feeling unsettled.
Adham whispered to Helena. "I cannot believe you got the permission!"
She whispered back to him. "Me neither. I thought the Duchess would refuse!"
"I heard you both." Duchess Vermillion spoke to them. "I did not do this out of goodwill. I want Siegfried to speak. Maybe looking at that kid for the last time will change his mind."
Adham was silent during their journey to Siegfried's prison. There was no hint of his usual outgoing personality.
"Whitesmithe, are you anxious?"
He smiled weakly. "It's written on my face, isn't it?"
"It's fine to feel that way. This will be your last goodbye after all."
"You know, I am still angry at him. However, knowing he will be gone makes me feel... frustrated. He was the one who raised me, but he must pay for his crime." That young man groaned. "If only I can punch him in the face..."
"Well then, it's time to give him a piece of your mind. I'll support you!"
After a whole day of being gloomy, Adham finally chuckled. "Thank, Blackmoore."
Three of them entered the place. However, none of them prepared for the next scene. Helena closed her mouth to prevent herself from screaming, the Duchess became speechless, and Adham was heartbroken when he saw it. His voice was stuck in his throat.
Siegfried was lying in a pool of blood. A sword was piercing his heart.