Before Ashen returned to his homeland, he first arranged several important matters. He appointed someone he deeply trusted to temporarily take his place as Elara's shadow. That person was Adam, his personal aide.
Before leaving, Ashen carefully briefed Adam on his duties. Adam was initially confused as to why his master specifically ordered him to guard and observe a certain woman, but he followed without question.
Ashen explained about the spy he had under custody, instructing Adam not to let the man escape under any circumstances, as Elara still had business with him. He further commanded Adam to follow Elara everywhere, take note of her daily actions, and send reports directly to him.
As Adam listened, curiosity flickered in his mind. Who was this Lady Elara, and what was it about her that captured Ashen's interest?
Days later, while Adam was casually eating at their guild and listening to gossip around him, the guild master's assistant called him to the office.
This must be it, Adam thought. The one Sir Ashen mentioned.
Upon entering, he noticed someone sitting opposite the guild master.
"My Lady, this man will serve as your temporary shadow while Ashen is away for one to two months,"the guild master said.
Adam barely paid attention to his superior's words. His eyes were drawn to the woman before him.
When the lady lifted her gaze, the first thing he noticed were her striking blue eyes. Her hair remained hidden under her hood, but even so, her presence was undeniable.
She looks like someone who has faced many storms, Adam thought, studying her calm yet poised demeanor. Despite her simplicity, her posture exuded nobility and strength. No wonder Sir Ashen was intrigued by her.
"You'll be my shadow for the meantime," Elara said evenly.
Adam bowed in acknowledgment, wordlessly accepting the role. As they exited the guild together, he thought to himself, This might not be that bad after all.
When Elara returned home, she went straight to her walk-in closet to change. She chose a modest dress. A comfortable and simple, perfect for a quiet day at home. She had no plans to go out that day.
But as she was about to change, her eyes caught something unusual near the center of the closet. Among the dresses that Crown Prince Adrienne had sent her, and the one she had ordered from Maison Lysandra.
Stepping closer, she froze.The dresses Adrienne gifted her were torn apart. Only the gown she personally purchased remained untouched.
Seraphine, Elara thought bitterly. Only she could have done this. Was she that jealous that Adrienne sent me dresses?
Her temples throbbed with an oncoming headache. Confronting Seraphine would be useless. There was no proof, and she knew Seraphine would deny it with a sweet smile.
What would I even gain from it? she mused. It's not like the Crown Prince's affection is mine to begin with.
Shrugging off her frustration, she began thinking of another way to resolve the situation. The Preparatory Gathering and the Foundation Anniversary were approaching quickly, and time was not on her side.
Still, she made a mental note to inform Adrienne about the ruined gowns. She didn't want to deal with his sulking again. A thought that made a shiver run down her spine.
Elara glanced at the silver silk dress from Maison Lysandra. It wasn't as extravagant as the Crown Prince's gifts, but it held a quiet, graceful charm. Simple yet elegant.
I'll make this work, she thought. And I can reuse some of my older gowns, with a few alterations. I'm running out of time, after all.
The quiet in Duke Caelum's study stretched thin as the afternoon light spilled across the polished desk. For days now, the same thought had gnawed at him. The mysterious letter bearing the handwriting of his late wife, Selene.
At first, he suspected deceit. He ordered his trusted aide to trace the letter's origin, believing it might be a cruel hoax or a political ploy. But the results unsettled him more than any lie could.
"My lord," the aide had reported solemnly, "we could not trace the sender. The route was masked perfectly. However… the ink, the parchment, even the handwriting. They all bear the authentic mark of the late Duchess Selene."
Caelum had stared at the letter long after the aide departed, his chest tightening. Why now? he wondered. Why, after all these years?
Since the letter arrived, Elara's behavior had subtly changed. Her request to enter her mother's old chambers had been the first sign. He granted it without question, but something in her eyes that day. Sorrow and determination had left a mark on him.
Perhaps it was time they spoke.
That evening, after dinner, Caelum walked down the dim corridor toward his daughter's room. The soft light under her door and the faint rustle of fabric told him she was still awake.
He knocked twice."Father?" came Elara's voice.
When she opened the door, Caelum blinked in surprise. Old gowns were scattered across the bed and floor in disarray.
"Elara," he said, raising a brow. "What on earth happened here?"
She gave a faint, awkward smile. "Long story, Father. Apparently, a cat got into my room and decided my dresses were its new playground. The one I planned to wear tonight is ruined."
Caelum sighed, rubbing his temples. "A cat," he muttered. "And let me guess—it conveniently destroyed only your gowns for the upcoming Imperial events?"
"Pretty much," Elara replied, fiddling with her sleeve.
He could tell there was more to it. Caelum had lived long enough among nobles to recognize malicious intent when he saw it. For a fleeting moment, he remembered a haunting dream, Elara's voice firm as she tried to expose Isolde and Seraphine's wrongdoings, and yet, he hadn't believed her.
He stepped closer, picking up a torn piece of fabric. "Elara,"he asked softly, "is someone bothering you?"
Elara froze. Concern from her father was something she had never grown used to. Not in this life, nor the others she had lived. When she realized her guard had dropped, she quickly shook her head.
"No, Father. It's fine. I can handle it." She had long since abandoned the idea of a loving father-daughter bond. So why now? Why the sudden concern?
Caelum sighed and sat on a nearby chair. "You shouldn't have to handle cruelty, my dear. You deserve peace in your own home."
His words only made her more uneasy. She almost scoffed. What's this? Playing the doting father now?
Seeing her distant look, Caelum's heart sank, but he brushed it off. There was something more important to discuss.
"Elara, I need to ask you something… about your mother."
Elara looked up, startled. "Mother? You mean my biological mother—Selene?"
Caelum's jaw tightened at the sound of her name.
"Yes. A letter arrived. Anonymous, but a torn piece bore her handwriting. That's impossible. I saw the carriage myself—the one that went off the cliff that day." His voice wavered despite his effort to stay composed. "Do you know anything about this?"
Elara's eyes lit up for a moment, thinking that the request she made at the Iron Fox Mercenary Guild had finally reached her father.
However, to mask her thoughts, she quickly shook her head. "I don't. But, Father… I did find some of Mother's old belongings in her room—the day you allowed me inside. Perhaps something there was meant for you."
He nodded faintly, though turmoil swirled behind his calm eyes. That night, as he left her chamber, Selene's sorrowful smile haunted him once again.
Elsewhere in the estate, Isolde dipped her quill into ink and began writing a letter addressed to Darien.
It's time to begin our plan. The Preparatory Gathering and the Empire's Foundation Anniversary are the perfect distractions. While the Empire celebrates, we act silently, precisely. Elara must be removed before she destroys everything I've built. Do not fail me.
She sealed the letter, her lips curling into a cold smile.
"Elara,"she whispered, voice laced with venom, "I won't let you ruin the years I spent earning Caelum's trust. I'll do everything—everything—to keep him blind to the truth."
Weeks passed swiftly.
The Preparatory Gathering day had come, followed closely by the Foundation Anniversary, marking a week-long spectacle of lights, festivities, and grandeur. The streets were alive with laughter, filled with banners, trinkets, and merchants. Nobles and royalties from distant lands arrived in magnificent carriages.
Within the Imperial Palace, the Imperial Family dined together in a golden hall at noon.
Empress Lysandra noticed her son's distant stare."What troubles you, Adrienne? Is it because Elara cannot attend your weekly tea today? You know she's preparing for the event tonight."
Adrienne sighed, resting his chin on his palm. "I know, Mother. She told me in advance. It's just… the gown I sent her was apparently ruined, by a cat."
Emperor Alaric Valen chuckled. "A cat? I didn't know Lady Elara kept pets."
"Neither did I," Adrienne muttered.
The Empress smiled. "Don't sulk, my son. You'll see her later tonight."
Adrienne nodded, though his mind lingered elsewhere.
Meanwhile, at Valemont Estate, Darien leaned lazily against the window, Isolde's letter in hand.
A smirk curved his lips. So, it finally begins.
He closed his eyes, recalling Elara's serene face from their last encounter in the Imperial Library—an image that lingered in his thoughts more often than he liked. But sentiment had no place in his mission.
"Soon,"he murmured darkly, "you'll beg me, Elara. Beg me to save you… and to love you."
That afternoon, Elara visited the central district to purchase accessories for the evening. The jewelry shop sparkled with light, its shelves adorned with glimmering ornaments.
She reached for a delicate silver pendant, only to find another hand touching it at the same moment.
"Oh—"she began, startled.
The man beside her was tall, draped in a fine cloak. Though simply dressed, his presence exuded quiet power.
He smiled faintly, golden eyes gleaming beneath the sunlight. "You also wanted this, my lady? How unfortunate. It's already been reserved for me."
Irritation prickled through Elara. His tone, confident. Teasing, felt oddly familiar. "We'll see about that. Let's confirm it with the owner."
The shopkeeper hurried over. "Ah! yes, my lady. That piece was indeed reserved earlier by this gentleman."
"See?" the man said with a faint smirk.
Elara exhaled sharply, crossing her arms. "Enjoy it, then."She turned to leave, pride wounded.
But outside, the same man stood waiting by the entrance, sunlight catching his vivid orange hair as the wind lifted it gently. His golden eyes glimmered like flame.
"Well,"he said lightly, bowing with a smile, "see you later, Lady Elara. I hope you'll be appeased somehow."
Elara froze. Lady Elara?
Before she could ask, he vanished into the bustling crowd.
"How did he know my name?" she whispered, pulse quickening. "And why… does his voice feel so familiar?"