Page 17 of Maid For The Dark Elf

"I've begun to fear..." I stop walking, the admission catching in my throat.

"What?"

"That Lord Ardyn truly is missing. Not away on business like the Lord Chancellor claimed." The words spill out in a rush. "Everyone knows I was his favorite attendant, and now without his protection... situations like tonight will become more frequent."

Caelric stops walking entirely, turning to face me fully. "I worry about the same thing."

His admission settles in my gut. If someone like Caelric—heir to House Vaerith, trusted by the Crown—shares my fears, then my instincts are probably correct.

"You knew him well," he continues, studying my face intently. "Better than most, I'd wager."

"He treated me kindly. More than kindly." I meet his gaze despite the risk. "I was present for many of his daily routines, his meetings, his conversations with family members. People speak freely around servants—we become invisible furniture."

"Exactly." Something shifts in his expression, sharpening into focus. "You would notice patterns others might miss. Changes in behavior, unusual visitors, conversations that seemed... off."

Understanding dawns between us like sunrise.

"You're looking for information."

He nods slowly. "And I could use someone with your particular knowledge of House Ardyn's inner workings."

"You want my help?"

"I'm asking for it."

The distinction matters more than he probably realizes. No one has ever asked me for anything—only demanded, ordered, expected.

"If something terrible has happened to Lord Ardyn, I owe him that much." I straighten my shoulders. "He protected me when he didn't have to. The least I can do is help find the truth."

We've reached the kitchens now, warm light spilling from the doorway along with the sounds of servants preparing late-night refreshments. But neither of us moves to enter.

"This partnership..." Caelric's voice carries a note I can't quite identify. "It would need to remain completely secret."

"I understand."

We stand there in the corridor's gentle light, the agreement settling like a bridge being built stone by stone. Something has changed in the space of this conversation—shifted from chance encounters to deliberate partnership, from polite distance to shared purpose.

And beneath it all, an undercurrent I dare not name but can't ignore. The way his eyes linger on my face. How neither of us seems eager to end this moment.

"Let's get you back to that party," he murmurs.

I nod, my throat tight. "When should we… talk again?"

A small smile quirks one side of his mouth upward. "Tomorrow. I'll fetch you from Ardyn Estate. Be ready."

My heart ticks up a beat. Again, I nod. Then, after waiting a beat too long, I scurry back toward the party.

"Wait!" Caelric calls after me. I turn to see him standing there, running his fingers through his long black hair. "I… My apologies, it's just… I don't know your name."

A blush warms my cheeks as I realize I've failed to introduce myself to him on three separate occasions. "Rosalie."

Then I turn and head back into the ballroom, heart pounding.

What have I gotten myself into?

9

CAELRIC