Capítulo 3 CHAPTER 3

Elaine stood by the tall window of the study, the sunlight casting long streaks of gold across the polished oak floor. The soft murmur of the household staff echoed faintly beyond the door, but her focus was inward. Her hands rested on the sill, gripping it tightly as her mind churned with thoughts of betrayal, revenge, and survival.

Her second chance felt like both a blessing and a curse. She had been thrust into her younger self's life, her body unscarred by time, her face unlined by the burdens of the betrayals she would face. But her mind was a battlefield, torn between the pain of her past and the uncertainty of her future.

Her lips tightened as she heard the familiar voice of Edmond in the hallway, his tone warm and persuasive. That voice had once been a comfort, a melody she had cherished. Now, it was a jagged shard of memory, cutting through her resolve. He entered the room unbidden, his smile disarming but hollow.

"Elaine," he said smoothly, bowing slightly. "You've been hard to find this morning. Is everything all right?"

She turned to face him, her expression carefully neutral. Edmond was just as she remembered him five years before her death-charming, confident, and utterly duplicitous. His dark eyes held a spark of curiosity, though she knew better than to believe it was genuine concern.

"I've been reflecting," Elaine said, her tone steady. "The trading routes to the western provinces have been yielding less profit than expected. I was considering adjustments."

Edmond raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Ah, the D'Armont trading empire never rests, does it? You work too hard, Elaine. You should allow your advisors to carry some of that burden."

She smiled faintly, masking her distaste. His words were a reminder of how he had wormed his way into her trust the first time, convincing her to delegate more power to him and his allies. Never again.

"I appreciate your concern," she replied, her voice sweet but firm. "But some matters require a personal touch."

Before he could respond, Lúcia entered the room, her presence commanding as always. She wore a gown of deep emerald green, her golden hair perfectly coiffed. Her beauty was matched only by the venom in her heart-a venom Elaine had underestimated in her past life.

"Elaine, my dear friend," Lúcia said with an exaggerated warmth, crossing the room to embrace her. "You look pale. Have you been taking care of yourself?"

Elaine stiffened slightly but returned the embrace, her face an unreadable mask. "I've been preoccupied with business," she said. "But I'm managing."

Lúcia's smile widened, her eyes flicking to Edmond for a brief moment. The silent exchange between them did not go unnoticed by Elaine. They were already conspiring, though they likely didn't know how much she remembered-or how much she had changed.

"You've always been so diligent," Lúcia said, her voice laced with feigned admiration. "But don't forget to enjoy yourself. Life is too short to spend it all behind ledgers and contracts."

Elaine forced a laugh. "You're right, as always. Perhaps I'll join you both for a ride later?"

Edmond's expression brightened, though she saw the calculation behind his eyes. "That would be delightful. The fresh air will do you good."

After they left, Elaine sat at her desk, her hands trembling slightly. She hated the charade, the effort it took to smile and converse with the very people who had plotted her death. But she had no choice. She couldn't afford to show her hand too soon.

Her thoughts turned to the D'Armont trading empire, a sprawling network of routes and agreements that had taken generations to build. Her family's wealth and influence were rooted in their ability to control the flow of goods between provinces and beyond. But the political climate was growing volatile, with tensions rising between rival noble houses and whispers of rebellion among the lower classes.

It was in this environment that her enemies had thrived, exploiting the unrest to sow discord and seize power. Elaine realized she needed to solidify her alliances and strengthen her position before the tides turned against her again.

Later that afternoon, Elaine summoned her most trusted advisor from her past life, a shrewd merchant named Gérard Lefevre. Gérard had always been loyal, though she had often dismissed his warnings about Edmond and Lúcia in her naivety. This time, she would heed his counsel.

When Gérard arrived, his eyes were sharp and inquisitive. "Lady Elaine," he said with a respectful bow. "You wished to see me?"

"Yes, Gérard," she said, gesturing for him to sit. "I've been reviewing our trade agreements and noticed some discrepancies in the reports from the southern routes. I'd like your insight."

He nodded, leaning forward with interest. "Of course, my lady. The southern routes have always been profitable, but there have been rumors of interference-bandits, and perhaps even sabotage."

Elaine's stomach tightened. She remembered the sabotage vividly-it had been orchestrated by Edmond and Lúcia as part of their plan to destabilize her empire. This time, she would be ready.

"Then we must act quickly," she said. "Increase security on the southern routes and investigate any suspicious activity. I trust your judgment, Gérard."

He studied her for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "You've changed, my lady," he said. "You seem... more decisive."

Elaine met his gaze, her resolve clear. "I've learned the cost of hesitation, Gérard. I won't make the same mistakes again."

That evening, as the estate prepared for a grand banquet, Elaine felt the weight of her strategy pressing down on her. The banquet was a perfect opportunity to observe her enemies and potential allies, but it was also a reminder of the dangers lurking around every corner.

As she descended the grand staircase, dressed in a gown of deep burgundy that exuded both elegance and authority, she felt the eyes of the guests upon her. Edmond and Lúcia were among them, their smiles as false as the gilded decorations adorning the hall.

Elaine moved through the crowd with practiced grace, exchanging pleasantries and probing for information. She spoke with Lord Alaric, a powerful ally who had remained loyal to her family in her past life. She engaged Lady Vivienne, a shrewd diplomat whose support could tip the scales in her favor.

But it was a sudden commotion at the entrance that drew everyone's attention. A group of uninvited guests had arrived, their leader a rugged man with sharp features and a commanding presence. Elaine recognized him instantly: Marcus Kane, a mercenary captain who had been instrumental in her downfall.

Her heart raced as Marcus strode into the hall, his gaze sweeping over the crowd until it landed on her. He smiled, a predator sizing up his prey. "Lady Elaine," he said, his voice smooth but edged with danger. "I hope you don't mind an unexpected guest."

Elaine forced a smile, though her mind was racing. "Not at all, Captain Kane. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Marcus's smile widened. "I've heard much about the D'Armont empire and wanted to see it for myself. Perhaps we can discuss business later?"

"Of course," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her.

As the banquet continued, Elaine kept a close eye on Marcus, Edmond, and Lúcia, noting every glance, every whispered word. The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, but the picture they formed was one of treachery and danger.

She would need to tread carefully, balancing her emotions and her strategy as she navigated this web of deceit. The road ahead was fraught with peril, but Elaine was determined to emerge victorious.

This time, she would not be a pawn in their game. She would be the one pulling the strings.