Deviating from the original plot

Chapter fifty-six

The storage room smelt faintly of polish and dust. Tall shelves lined with folded linens pressed in on either side. while crates stacked to the ceiling narrowed the space into crooked aisles. At the far wall, several open boxes sat waiting, filled with black uniforms.

Victoria stepped forward first, lifting one of the garments. It was a black dress, simple in cut but trimmed with silver at the cuffs and collar.

Celeste wrinkled her nose at the sight of hers. "Humiliating."

Evelyn sighed. "Honestly, let's just hope we find what we are looking for."

The three of them slipped into the changing room at the back.

✦ ✦

Minutes later, they stepped out of the changing room, their appearances completely altered. The uniforms fit well enough. Plain yet neat.

Freya gave them an approving once-over, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Well, look at you three ordinary working ladies."

"That's exactly what we are," Victoria replied with a faint smile, playing along.

"Good. Then you'd better get to work. I'll be close by if you need me," Freya said before slipping away.

Victoria lowered her voice, her tone firm. "Remember, ladies—keep your eyes and ears open."

Both Evelyn and Celeste nodded, determination flickering in their eyes. Together, they returned to the manager's office to receive their assignments.

The manager barely spared them another look as he rattled off their assignments. "Honey, you're on cleaning duty on the main floor," he said, nodding toward Victoria. "Maple, you'll serve drinks to the guests at the tables," he continued, indicating Celeste. "And Caramel, you'll lend a hand at the bar."

"Yes, sir," the three chorused politely before breaking off to their respective posts.

✦ ✦

The casino pulsed with noise and light. Candles burnt in tall sconces along the walls. The mingled chorus of laughter, groans and curses filled the air.

Victoria moved around, bucket and rag in hand, wiping down tables and surfaces. Her gaze flickered restlessly, cataloging along every corner, searching for anything that seemed amiss.

Celeste, meanwhile, balanced a tray of drinks with barely veiled distaste. Each time she set a glass before a gambler, she forced her expression into neutrality but inwardly recoiled at the thought of serving booze to shady people.

'God, if my parents ever discovered this... it would be the end of me,' she brooded, sighing to herself.

Evelyn worked behind the bar, running a cloth over already gleaming cups, sorting bottles and stacking utensils. But unlike Celeste, she felt a thrill. The thought of being undercover, bold and daring in a place she would never have stepped foot in on her own. It was exhilarating—and it was all thanks to Victoria.

Her eyes betrayed her thoughts, drifting toward Victoria across the room. Even beneath the disguise, she still looked striking. The uniform, despite being plain and cheap, still looked good on her.

Evelyn found herself staring—at the way Victoria leaned slightly forward while scrubbing a table, the focused crease of her brow, the curve of her mouth...

"Slacking off already?" A familiar voice cut in, pulling Evelyn sharply back to the present.

She nearly dropped the cup in her hand as she turned to find Freya smiling mischievously at her from across the bar.

"I am not slacking," Evelyn shot back quickly, holding up the cup like proof of her diligence. "See."

Freya arched a brow. "You've been polishing that same cup for the past five minutes."

Heat rushed to Evelyn's cheeks. She spun on her heel, setting the cup down before grabbing another. "Don't distract me. You'll blow my cover."

"I don't need to. You're doing a fine job of that all on your own... daydreaming, are we?"

"I-what are you talking about?" she hissed, keeping her voice low as her ears burnt.

Freya chuckled at her reaction.

Evelyn turned toward her, lips parting as if the words slipped out before she could stop them. "Stop laughing. I... I can't help it." Her voice was quiet, almost shy.

For once, Freya was caught off guard. Her smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of surprise—and something else, a strange tightening in her chest.

"Oh..." was all she managed to say at first, before looking away quickly and clearing her throat.

"But you're right," Evelyn added quickly, exhaling as she bent back to her task, scrubbing at the bar as though her life depended on it. "I should be more careful."

"I didn't mean to tease you like that," Freya said.

"Yes, you did," Evelyn replied, pouting faintly.

Freya's grinned. "Well... maybe. But can you really blame me? Your reactions are far too interesting."

Evelyn gave an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes. "I'm quickly learning that you can be a nuisance most of the time."

"Maybe," Freya replied. "But if you'd stop being so cute, I wouldn't have the urge to tease you. Sadly, that's impossible."

Evelyn shot her a flat look, unimpressed.

"What? Didn't I just compliment you?" Freya teased.

"I didn't feel complimented," Evelyn muttered, turning her attention back to the cups. "Now, will you please let me do my work in peace?"

"Alright, alright," Freya relented.

But she didn't move. Instead, she lingered there at the counter, eyes fixed on Evelyn with a half-smile that refused to fade.

Evelyn ignored her at first, focusing on lining up the cups neatly, but after several moments the weight of Freya's stare made her glance up.

"...You're still here," she said dryly.

"Of course," Freya replied simply.

"I assumed you'd have wandered off by now," Evelyn muttered, keeping her hands busy with the cups.

"And why would I? I am a patron," Freya countered.

Evelyn arched a brow at her. "You haven't ordered a single thing. So technically, you aren't, you can't just lounge here."

Freya tapped her chin in thought. "Ah, you're right. How careless of me. Then perhaps... you should take my order."

Evelyn sighed. "What would you like?"

"A mug of ale will do," Freya said simply.

"Alright." Evelyn turned, reaching for a clean mug and filling it from the tap.

Evelyn set the mug down in front of her. "...Here. Now you've ordered, you can't claim you're just sitting around."

Freya chuckled softly, taking the mug. "Then—thank you. Not just for the ale, but... for being kind enough to humour me."

"Whatever." Evelyn turned and continued with her work. And Freya smiled, sipping her drink.

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A/n: Isn't this so lovely..😏