No detail is lost in the eyes of an elf, but even Evelyn was a special case. Like the absence of a needed dusting even though the servants replaced all the chandelier's candles that morning. The frayed edges of an old tapestry near the back of the hall that looked neglected. Or the evident love bite Lady Fionne de Monte kept adjusting her hair over, sitting on the far side of the two tables instead of more in the middle. Her usual seat neighbored a noble who publicly despised her husband, and was caught running naked from her manor one night. That noble's seat was empty as well -- business leave, he claimed, even though he hadn't moved from his estate in days. [i]It's highly possible her angry husband's men lurk just beyond his gates, but that's between you and me.[/i] Evelyn chuckled at the thought. 

Evelyn had always been a lover of music, but the only thing she enjoyed more than her research was using her keen sense of observation to mentally disrobe her fellow nobles of the court. It wasn't something they'd ever be aware of, but then, some of them were too ignorant to see the subtle shifts in power as those with influence fought for the King's favour. 

For formal events like these with the King in attendance, Evelyn never wore her Mage hoods, out of respect. Without her hoods hiding her face, she looked every part the beaming, beautiful advisor every king needed. Silver hair, soft eyes, elven ears pierced with gold. Her standing in the court was a good one--she was either admired or feared by most. A few she was uncertain about, namely Baron Lucius Garthois.

Evelyn and the baron had some questionable history. It was he who figuratively linked the first chain around her wrist, blackmailing her into rebuilding the Thieves Guild so many years ago. She got her hands dirty, but the fear she wielded silenced huge competitors and boosted the kingdom's profit. Turning the situation to her advantage, Evelyn became infamous in Arthroyeaux's under world. 

The mastermind to the whole crime empire still eluded her, and she wanted answers. One night, on an evening when Lucius was absent, she broke into his home office to find correspondences between him and an anonymous someone hidden away in his desk. Whoever that someone was, it was they who fed Lucius her life story and ordered her blackmail. To her frustration, she never found clues on exactly who, but she kept some of the letters as leverage. 

It just so happened that earlier that day Evelyn pulled Baron Garthois aside and questioned him on the letters. He wasn't alarmed she knew, at least he made no show of it. "Come to the recital tonight. Things will become a little more clear, I assure you." 

So when the Baron and His Majesty had their quiet discussion, Evelyn's keen ears picked up every word. Lights shone in her eyes as she pieced the puzzle together, murmuring wordlessly under her breath. The mastermind had been here all along. And she couldn't help but feel relieved. 

[i]"Evelyn, are you enjoying the performance as well?"[/i]

She politely leaned in. "Your Majesty, nothing compares to the glory your presence brings tonight. Even more so now, though I was expecting something more dramatic from Baron Garthois."