Deviating from the original plot

Chapter sixty-four

Later that evening, Celeste returned to her chambers, only for Clara to slip in after her, bowing lightly.

"I came to prepare you for bed, my lady."

"I'm not going to bed yet," Celeste said sharply, shrugging off her robe. "I'm going to work."

Clara blinked. "Work? But... you're under house arrest."

Celeste crossed her arms. "I can't just sit here rotting away. I have an investigation to continue. I have been away for so long Lady Leclair will be furious if I continue to abandon it."

Clara's brows knitted with worry, but she gave a resigned sigh. "Very well, my lady. I'll fetch your disguise."

✦ ✦

The cool night air bit against Celeste's cheeks, but the rush of defiance made her heart pound. For the first time all day, she felt alive again.

"Be careful, my lady," Clara whispered.

Celeste tilted her chin toward the moonlit sky, her resolve hardening. "I will."

She slipped out of the estate unnoticed, her cloak drawn tight, and made her way swiftly through the quiet streets until the lively glow of the casino came into view. Inside, she ducked into the changing room, pulling off her cloak and reaching for her uniform.

"Lady Celeste!"

She froze. Turning, she found Evelyn standing behind her, arms crossed and frowning.

"Ah, Lady Leclair, it's nice to see you," Celeste said, trying for a smile.

"Shh!" Evelyn hissed, frowning deeply. "We're in disguise. Use my code name."

Celeste winced. "Right... my apologies. I forgot."

"It's fine," Evelyn said, crossing her arms, though the tension in her voice lingered. "I know everything now. Honey told me."

At the mention of Victoria's code name, Celeste faltered. "Oh... I see. You must think me terribly unreliable after what happened."

"No," Evelyn said after a pause. "But I do think you were reckless. You made Honey worry for so long, Celeste. Don't just vanish and then reappear as though nothing happened. That isn't fair to her."

Celeste lowered her gaze, guilt tugging at her chest. "I'm sorry..."

Evelyn's expression softened, though her brows remained furrowed. "She also told me she knows about the Crown Prince's schemes."

Celeste bit her lip. "Ah... perhaps I spoke too much."

"You did," Evelyn replied flatly. "And she wasn't happy about being kept in the dark, either."

"Yes, well... It's better than still hiding it." Celeste turned toward the door, eager to escape the weight of the conversation. "I should get to work now."

But Evelyn spoke softer. "You know... you can talk to me too. If you ever need someone."

Celeste hesitated at the doorway, her hand brushing the frame. For a moment, she looked back at Evelyn, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.

"...Thank you," she said softly. "But I'm fine."

"Go talk to her though! She has been worried" Evelyn's voice chased after her

Celeste exhaled heavily, shoulders sagging. It wasn't that she didn't want to see Victoria... it was just that facing her meant confronting the weight of everything she tried to keep down.

And then, as if her guilt had conjured her, Celeste spotted Victoria across the room. Even in disguise, her presence stood out. She was wiping down tables.