There Is No Lie In This World-Chapter 24: The Velvet Invitation

It was perhaps half an hour after Luc left. Just as Elune was tidying up after I finished the heavenly breakfast, we heard a knock at the door.

"I will get it, Miss Roen."

Elune was quick to respond, and hurried to the door and opened it. Curious who it might be- since I rarely received visitors to my office other than Cain, Abe, and Luc, I followed her with cautious but keen steps. But immediately after she opened the door, Elune gasped and closed it again.

"Who is it?" I asked her. More curious than alarmed.

"We need to contact the Mistress."

She probably meant Luc.

People addressed her in many different ways—’Luc,’ ’the Mistress,’ ’Ma’am,’ and, as Abe occasionally slips, ’the Boss.’ But whatever title was she was addressed with, she commanded respect, authority, and sometimes - it seemed - fear.

There was a knock on the door again. It wasn’t aggressive, but it definitely sounded a little firmer.

"It’s kind of rude to shut the door on them like that... isn’t it?" I asked Elune. Nervously. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

"But I don’t think the Mistress would approve," her voice mirrored my own nervousness.

"Am I in danger?" my heart started to beat faster.

"I will call Cain and Abe."

Elune’s answer wasn’t particularly reassuring - why would I need Cain and Abe if these visitors were not dangerous? And why - and how - would I be receiving guests that are potentially dangerous in my own office - at the top floor of the Roen Tower? Wasn’t I supposed to be... safe here?

"We came to deliver a message from Councilor Zhen," a man spoke just outside the door. His voice was stern and commanding. It signaled that they weren’t going to leave until the message was delivered, as if their life depended on it.

The ever-cheerful girl was now visibly nervous - more than before. She had just called in Cain and Abe to come.

The men outside - however many there were - didn’t exactly bang on the door, but there were several more knocks, each time growing slightly louder.

Then it stopped.

Elune placed her ear against the door to check what was happening outside, looked over at me, and mouthed ’Abe is here.’

After another thirty seconds or so, we heard the knock again.

"Elune, this is Abe. Open the door."

It was unmistakably Abe’s voice, although it sounded uncharacteristically tense.

Hearing the familiar voice though, Elune finally opened the door again.

Abe put on a friendly smile that I could tell wasn’t so genuine.

"Miss Roen, these gentlemen are sent by Councilor Zhen," he introduced.

"Ni... nice to meet you," I greeted.

Two men said nothing, just silently bowing their head, bending their body ninety degrees to show the deepest respect. After that, one of them presented me with an envelope that had a wax seal. I hadn’t seen anything like this before except in the movies.

"Miss Roen, you have been invited for a tea with Councilor Zhen," the man spoke.

Elune came close and whispered in my ear, "It’s the lady with velvet gloves."

That helped me remember the lady I saw in the Senior Council the day before.

In the absence of Luc for guidance, I looked at Abe for guidance.

"I recommend you attend, Miss Roen."

"Where is Luc?" I inquired.

"She is not in the tower now," Elune answered instead.

I felt anxious. Although this ’lady with velvet gloves’ looked relatively less scary than others I saw at the Senior Council, she still carried an aura of high status, like someone who lived on a different plane compared to before I joined the Roen Group - but now, I reminded myself, I was Lin Roen the Heiress.

I didn’t do a very good job at hiding the tremble in my hand, but nevertheless, I accepted the envelope with two hands and brought it back to my desk, remembering there was a letter opener in the drawer. It wouldn’t have been appropriate to rip this envelope open.

Although there was only a single sheet of paper inside, it felt heavy. The paper was thick with rich texture, almost feeling like it was woven with a thousand threads. The hand writing was very elegant, the words simple and polite.

Miss Roen,

Please grace the Zhen Tea Room with your presence at your convenient time.

Councilor Lian Zhen

It wasn’t as if I could actually choose a convenient time when her two men were waiting outside my door with Elune and Abe looking nervous - I couldn’t possibly decline. Also, my gut feeling told me that Councilor Zhen was the kind of woman who didn’t send invitations - she sent summons.

I quietly resented Luc in my heart for leaving me alone at a time like this.

First, she sent me back to my room alone last night, then brought Elune to look after me this morning - although she was great - and now she’s away when I’m requested for a one-on-one meeting with a Councilor.

I placed the letter in my drawer and headed out of the door. The two messengers from Councilor Zhen began to escort me, and I was surprised that Abe wasn’t following me.

"Abe... you are... not coming with me?"

"Coucilor’s staff will guide you, Miss Roen. I will contact the Boss immediately,"

Abe gave me a smile, but I saw it - something clenched behind his easy expression. He didn’t like letting me go alone.

Of course.

Everyone in this Roen Tower had their place in the hierarchy. As close as Abe was to Luc and seemed to work under her direct command, it wasn’t his place to challenge the messengers sent by a Senior Councilor. I was genuinely scared of what might happen to me.

But surely - I told myself - a member of Senior Council won’t do anything harmful to me... right?

I tried my best to steady my heart, and not look at the floor as I followed the two men in oriental collar suit sent by this Councilor Lian Zhen.

I brought my hand to my chest and felt the brooch I was ceremonially awarded and pinned on by Luc during the first Council meeting. Its silvery surface felt smooth to the touch, and I felt it reciprocated the heat of my shaky hand.