Reborn To Change My Fate-Chapter 186 - Hundred And Eighty Six

The procession of white robes and incense had faded from the courtyard, leaving only the lingering smell of sweet smoke and victory in the air. Beatrice had retired to her chambers, exhausted by the excitement of the prophecy, leaving the sisters alone in the main house.

Marissa walked into the drawing room. It was cool and quiet. She signaled to Lily, who had been following her like a shadow.

"Leave us, Lily," Marissa said. "Close the door."

Lily hesitated, glancing at the other entrance where Ashlyn was just walking in. She didn’t like leaving her mistress alone with the Second Lady, but she obeyed. She curtsied and left, shutting the heavy double doors with a soft click.

Marissa sat down on one of the velvet sofas. She didn’t relax. She sat straight, her hands folded in her lap, waiting.

Ashlyn walked to the tea table. She moved with a new confidence, her head held high.

The act was gone. She picked up the silver teapot and poured a cup. Steam rose from the spout.

She didn’t pour it for herself. She walked over to Marissa and placed the cup on the low table in front of her. It was a gesture of service, but it felt like a challenge.

"Here," Ashlyn said, her voice smooth.

Marissa didn’t touch the tea. She looked up at her sister.

"What are you looking for me for?" Marissa asked bluntly. She wasn’t in the mood for games.

Ashlyn smiled. She walked back to the chair opposite Marissa and sat down. She leaned back, crossing her legs, looking every inch the lady of leisure she aspired to be.

"Grandmother specifically instructed," Ashlyn began, reciting the words like a shield, "that everything must prioritize my husband’s success. Everything. The household resources, the time, the effort."

She looked at Marissa, her eyes gleaming with greed.

"Carlos needs silver," Ashlyn said. "He needs to manage connections. He needs to buy gifts for the generals, to host dinners, to show his generosity. He needs to look like a commander before he becomes one."

Ashlyn held out her hand, palm up.

"Could you give me a thousand silver coins?"

Marissa’s eyes widened. She wasn’t surprised by the request, but the amount was staggering. A thousand silver could buy a small estate. It could feed a village for a month.

She feigned shock, putting a hand to her chest. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"A thousand silver?" Marissa exclaimed. "That is no small sum of money, Ashlyn. That is a fortune."

She leaned forward, her expression turning serious.

"If he fails," Marissa pointed out, "if he fails to acquire the army... won’t the silver be wasted? It will be gone. Thrown into the pockets of greedy men."

Ashlyn waved her hand dismissively.

"My husband is really talented," Ashlyn said, her voice full of conviction. "He has a gift for strategy. He has the blood of the Thompsons. He will surely get it."

She leaned in, her voice dropping to a persuasive whisper.

"Once he becomes the Commander," Ashlyn said, "this silver means nothing. He will control the military budget. He will have the King’s favor. We will be swimming in gold. You should look at the bigger picture, sister. It is an investment."

Marissa chuckled. It was a dry, humorless sound.

"Investment," Marissa repeated.

She shook her head, looking at Ashlyn with pity.

"You say he is talented," Marissa said, "but you need money to help him. If he was truly talented, his skill would speak for itself. He wouldn’t need to buy his way in."

Marissa stood up. She walked to the window, looking out at the garden where the rays of sun touched the grass.

"You think I don’t know what you are doing?" Marissa asked, turning back to Ashlyn. "You are using Grandmother against me. You used that fake priest to scare her, to make her order me to give you money. You think she is easy to manipulate."

Marissa’s eyes hardened.

"Maybe you think she is stupid," Marissa said. "But I am not. I am not stupid, Ashlyn."

Ashlyn went silent. Her smile faded. She realized Marissa wasn’t going to be bullied by a prophecy.

Marissa continued, her voice relentless.

"He hasn’t even met them yet," Marissa said. "He hasn’t met the generals. He hasn’t stepped foot in the barracks as a commander. How are you so sure he will get it? How can you bet the family fortune on a man who only knows women private parts and gambling?"

Ashlyn stood up, her face flushing with anger. Her pride was stung.

"You are just jealous!" Ashlyn spat. "You are jealous because Derek has a competition! You are jealous because my husband has a future and yours doesn’t!"

Marissa’s expression didn’t change. She looked at Ashlyn calmly.

"I am not jealous," Marissa said. "I am practical. I manage the accounts. I don’t give money to bad investments."

She walked toward the door.

"You aren’t ready for this," Marissa said. "And neither is he."

Ashlyn panicked. She couldn’t leave empty-handed. Carlos was waiting. He needed the money. If she came back with nothing, he would be furious. He might take her jewelry again.

"Wait!" Ashlyn called out.

Marissa stopped, her hand on the doorknob.

Ashlyn took a deep breath. She had to offer something. She had to show she was serious.

"Fine," Ashlyn said, her voice shaking slightly. "If you won’t give it from the household accounts... then I will borrow it."

She looked at Marissa, her eyes desperate.

"I will mortgage my mother’s estate," Ashlyn declared.

Marissa turned around slowly. Her eyebrows shot up.

Lady Anita’s estate. It was the only property Lady Anita had left in her name.

"You would mortgage your own mother’s inheritance?" Marissa asked. "For this?"

"Yes," Ashlyn said firmly. "I believe in him. I will put up the deed as collateral. If he fails... I lose the estate. But if he succeeds, I pay it back with interest."

She looked at Marissa defiantly.

"Is that acceptable?" Ashlyn asked. "Will you lend me the silver if I give you the deed?"

Marissa stared at her sister. She saw the desperation. She saw the blindness. Ashlyn was willing to gamble everything she had on a lie.

A slow smile spread across Marissa’s face.

"Acceptable?" Marissa said.

She walked back to the table. She picked up the tea cup Ashlyn had poured. She took a sip.

"It is more than acceptable," Marissa said. "It is business."

She set the cup down.

"Bring me the deed," Marissa said. "And I will give you the silver."

Ashlyn let out a breath of relief. "Good."

"But remember, Ashlyn," Marissa warned softly. "A mortgage is a debt. And debts must be paid."

Ashlyn nodded, already thinking about how she would spend the money. "Don’t worry. We will pay."

Marissa thought to herself "I know Carlos capability all too well. In my last life, my support and guidance won the heart of the king and generals. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have passed."