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He inquired at every pawnshop in the capital, but found out that none of the missing servants had been purchased there, meaning they must have come from elsewhere. He even went to the government offices to check the slave registration records, but found nothing.
Ultimately, after much discussion, it was Violet who decided she would stay at Willowbrook Estate. She told Sophie, “After all this time with Prince Hayden, I trust him. If he truly is the one who would deceive me, then I have no more to say.”
However, Sophie wouldn’t let her go alone. She insisted that Violet bring Bun and Cynthia along. That way, they would be there to offer protection if anything happened. Besides, if Hayden truly felt threatened, he wouldn’t have refused their company.
After all, the more people to help, the better.
On the other hand, if he had called Violet there with ulterior motives, it would soon become clear.
Sophie saw them off personally. As they arrived, she watched Hayden greet them warmly, his face lighting up at the sight of their arrival. When he heard that Violet had brought two more guests, he clapped his hands and laughed.
“Well, it seems my place will be quite lively now. A warm welcome to you all!”
Violet grinned and responded, “If that’s the case, I shall consider this place my home.”
“That suits me just fine,” Hayden replied, immediately giving orders to the kitchen to prepare extra dishes for the day’s meal.
Sophie laughed and entered with the others, but not before giving Hayden a few more scrutinizing glances. She couldn’t help but wonder whether his cheerfulness was genuine or feigned.
In this world, it was hard to judge a person’s heart.
Sophie stayed to share the meal before heading back to the Capital Guard Headquarters.
Meanwhile, Violet asked Chaya to show the group around the estate. The flowers at Willowbrook Estate were beautifully grown. Though they could not compare to the ones at Meadow Ridge, they were still a delight to see, offering an air of refinement to the surroundings.
Chaya walked at her usual slow pace, leisurely giving them a tour of the estate and pointing out the various courtyards. There had originally only been herself, Hayden, and an older steward, Gordon, who had been considered part of the family.
“Gordon? Did you change stewards?” Violet asked.
“Yes,” Chaya replied, her steps unhurried as she continued, “the previous one returned to his hometown -he was simply too old for the job.”
She paused before continuing, “Also, most of the people who used to serve Prince Hayden have gone back to their villages. Only Sonny remains-he has no family left in his hometown, so now he stays with His Highness in the same quarters.”
Violet exchanged a look with Cynthia and Bun. It all seemed so sudden.
“We saw them last time we were here,” Violet remarked.
“They only just returned a couple of days ago,” Chaya said as she walked towards the pavilion, her round face showing signs of fatigue. “I’m sorry, I get tired after walking a bit. I need to rest.”
Violet and the others sat down as well. Violet eyed Chaya’s figure and said, “You really should eat less. Every time I come back, I see you stuffing food into your mouth as if you’re starving.”
“I’ve been so hungry before, I can’t help myself,” Chaya replied.
Violet understood all too well what life had been like for Chaya in Eleanor’s household. Hunger had been just one of the many ways Eleanor had tormented Chaya-there had been cruelties far worse.
However, Violet couldn’t sit still. Barely a few words had been exchanged before she stood up and began strolling outside the pavilion. The pavilion was called the Elegant Pavilion, a name that struck her as rather pretentious.
Her eyes swept across the surroundings, and she soon noticed a few figures standing by the trees in the distance. They were standing perfectly still, watching the pavilion at first. But as soon as their gazes met hers, they quickly shifted their eyes elsewhere.
Violet was taken aback. The last time she had been here with Sophie, she had also walked through the estate. But at that time, the servants had been busy with their duties and never dared to glance in their direction. However, these people were unfamiliar to her-she hadn’t seen them before.
Of course, Violet couldn’t know all the servants in the estate. They may have been here before but just never made an appearance.
Turning back to the pavilion, she asked Chaya, “Are those new arrivals?”
She gestured toward the direction where she had seen the figures.
Chaya followed the direction of Violet’s finger, her expression stiffening slightly before she slowly shook her head. “They were here before.”
“Really?” Violet raised an eyebrow. “Then why are they standing over there, acting all suspicious?” “They’re here to protect us,” Chaya said, her gaze now fixed on her knees, her hands gripping tightly onto them.
Violet’s curiosity was piqued, but she simply nodded. Without another word, she walked toward the figures.
They hadn’t expected Violet to approach them. For a moment, they looked startled. Immediately after, they composed themselves.
“Greetings, Ms. Spencer,” they greeted respectfully.
Violet observed the group before her.
Two of them were shorter in stature, stocky and muscular. They had arms that appeared unusually thick, and their necks had visible veins bulging slightly. The other three were taller. Though their breathing seemed normal, Violet couldn’t help but notice that their shoes were nearly spotless, showing no sign of dust.
This suggested they practiced Silent Force, a type of internal martial arts.
Those who mastered Silent Force could control their breathing, making it shallow or deep at will. Judging by their composure, Violet suspected their skills were considerable.
“Do you know martial arts?” she asked.
The group all shook their heads, their faces looking notably sincere. “No.”
Violet took another look; in a sudden motion, she threw a punch at the shorter man.
His eyes flickered with alarm, but then he quickly shut them, his face showing a look of fear.
Violet retracted her fist. From the brief flash of light in his eyes, it was clear this was the instinctive reaction of a martial artist. However, he controlled it well and didn’t raise his hand to block.
This, in fact, revealed something. Even someone who didn’t know martial arts would instinctively make a blocking gesture if suddenly attacked in the face, regardless of whether they could defend it. However, the short man didn’t do that.
Violet smiled faintly and turned to leave.
The group exchanged a cold, silent glance before slowly backing away.
Chaya had been watching from distance. She placed her hand on her forehead, her gaze conflicted. It was hard to tell if she was hopeful or frightened, but she was certainly no longer as calm as she had been earlier.
Violet and the others were assigned to quarters beside Emerald Hall, which was Hayden’s courtyard. It was a section of the estate filled with rose bushes, aptly named Rose Hall. A thin wall separated them, and those with sharper hearing could probably make out conversations from Emerald Hall, especially if someone were speaking loudly.
Chaya also resided in Emerald Hall, though not in the same room. Originally, when Eleanor had sent her to Hayden as a concubine, Hayden had no interest in one. He had taken her in more as a casual companion to ease his boredom. She had her quarters, but she had recently been staying in Emerald Hall.
That was what Violet had heard from the servants.
Living here, Violet couldn’t help but notice the strange atmosphere that seemed to hang over Willowbrook Estate.
At night, many people seemed to be walking around, as though on patrol. Bun had noticed it too, rising from his seat and spotting a few shadows moving in the distance.