Esmeralda was so lost in her thoughts that she barely paid any attention to the paperwork she signed to release Varga’s payment from the treasury.
After observing Varga during his time in the Xanth office, Esmeralda felt confident he was unaware she was Balrik’s contact in the Vestigare. However, he was one of only three individuals alive who knew Balrik had a mole in their ranks. The other two were herself and the Head Agent, leaving Varga as a loose end.
Esmeralda thanked the clerk before gathering the four pouches, each containing twenty-five ducats. As she walked through the hallway, she decided against removing him here and would keep tabs on him. She could reevaluate her options later.
Esmeralda opened her office door to find it empty. Her stomach twisted, and she feared she might vomit. Varga knew. She wasn’t sure how he had seen through her, but there was no way someone would endure what he had, only to walk away from a hundred ducats—unless he had uncovered the truth.
Esmeralda sat at her desk, staring at his file, mentally retracing their interactions, searching for what might have led him to discover her ties to Balrik. She replayed their conversations, painstakingly reviewing every detail she could remember. Suddenly, it struck her—the Nawahl expression, Gott und seine unehelichen Sohne. That was it. A careless slip. How could she have been so foolish? She cursed herself for letting her guard down, for letting something so trivial expose her. Varga hadn’t outsmarted her; she had outsmarted herself.
The only saving grace was that Varga had no proof; the last thing Esmeralda needed was an accusation that would cast a tainted light on her—especially if it came from someone who had valiantly risked their life for the betterment of the Five Kingdoms. Varga could potentially become a significant problem. She intended to use the success of this case to launch her career and reclaim her life. This was her moment to seize control and break free from the shadows of her past. Failure was not an option; her future hinged on this moment, and she would accomplish it by any means necessary.
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Esmeralda reflected on the situation and, after some time, conceded that this outcome might be for the best. Varga had not only proven himself capable but also demonstrated that he knew how to survive. She wondered if he would truly risk his life attempting to bring her to justice with nothing more than a hunch. The safest move for him would be to leave the Five Kingdoms and remain out of sight. Besides, Esmeralda didn’t want to kill him—he had been instrumental in freeing her from Balrik.
Esmeralda realized she was taking a risk by making so many assumptions, but this was her chance to be herself, to be free. She wouldn’t waste it chasing someone who likely just wanted peace. And if Varga did resurface, she would handle him accordingly—with extreme prejudice.
At the very least, she now had a hundred ducats to fall back on if not pursuing Varga turned out to be a mistake. Esmeralda chuckled. It might be reckless, but at least it was her decision.
“Good luck, Master Varga,” Esmeralda said, gathering his file for safekeeping.
“I hope you find peace. You may not realize it, but I owe you my life. I only hope you understand this—returning would be a grave mistake. One of us won’t survive it.”
She lingered for a moment, then added softly, “May the moon of fortune shine upon your soul.”
Esmeralda knew it was foolish to speak to a file, but offering a final word to the man who had changed everything felt right, considering all they had been through together.
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