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It was a glorious morning.
The sun shone brightly in the blue clear sky, giving way to a blissful day.
Sunlight spilled through the windows, casting a warm glow in the luxurious bedroom. The air smelled faintly of tea and sweets, as Ray happily munched on them while scanning the wardrobe for a dress.
Her deep green eyes glanced past every dress with determined intensity, before finally it fell on one.
"This is perfect." She muttered with a wide grin that tugged at her lips. She pulled on the gown, twirled and turned and finally came to a halt at the tall mirror that stood in front of her.
An unfamiliar yet recognizable reflection stared back—Celestine Varondulf.
Dark long hair, that spilled like ink over her shoulder, porcelain skin, and curves that were visible within her pale blue floral dress. Indeed, Celestine was divine. A rare beauty some would say.
Suddenly the door crashed open, revealing arched brows, one deep with fear and worry.
Nanny Elara stared at Celestine, her eyes glinted with a hint of fear. Then she let out a deep sigh of relief.
And spoke.
"I was scared for a second that you had done something to yourself….again," she said. Her voice maintained seriousness, but a tremor was faintly heard.
Her gaze shifted from sadness to annoyance in an instant. As that of a mother hen scolding her chick who had wandered off.
"Something like what?" Ray asked. Not sparing her a glance. Her hands fixing her already perfectly styled her.
"i have been knocking for a while…" Elara paused, noticing Celestine not paying her any attention. "Never mind." Elara she concluded.
For a moment there was silence. Elara quietly observed her from top to bottom how elegantly dressed and adorned she looked. "Are you going somewhere?" she asked.
"Nope." Ray replied. Admiring the beauty that glanced back at her.
"Are you expecting someone?" Elara asked again, confused on the reason she was dolled up.
Ray paused. Then turned to Elara with a bright smile. "Just preparing…."
Elara stared at her young lady puzzled. A few days ago she was smashing and yelling at everyone because of a strange rumor she had heard.
The Duke of Northhill— her betrothed— chose to remain at the kingdom borders because he did not wish to marry her.
Even though it was an order from the king, he stayed there.
She took the anger out on everyone. And even on her father who was worried sick about her.
She threatened to throw herself into Moon-lake unless: her father pleaded with the king and requested the duke be brought back to the capital in order to marry her.
She still did it of course. But since then, she had been different.
Poor thing woke up after the accident, asking why she was an adult instead of a child.
Nanny Elara believed she had probably hit her head on a rock when she dove into the lake.
But, Ray knew who she was.
And she wasn't the real Celestine Varondulf—Daughter of the Marquis Damascus Varondulf.
But instead, she was the one who had written her fate.
"Why have you come to me?" Ray asked calmly. She knew if given the chance Elara would press through with more questions.
She was Celestine's Nanny, raised her since she was a baby, after her mom died of a strange illness. But sometimes she seemed more of an overly emotional interrogator, than a nanny when it came to her.
Nanny Elara took a few steps toward her, and held a letter up. " A letter from the Vanlengh estate just arrived." She explained. "It's an invitation for a tea gathering."
Ray rolled her eyes from exhaustion and disbelief.
Another noble ladies' tea party?
They must be so desperate to see how Celestine is doing, now that the duke has returned. After all they were the ones who had spread the rumors which had provoked her.
"Please send a reply, I will not be joining them," she said, this time applying some pink blush on her cheeks.
Elara let out a deep sigh. "You are aware that they are maids assigned to dress you up, right?," Elara asked calmly.
"Yes." Ray said with a gentle smile. "I just prefer doing things myself."
Elara was stunned.
She looked even more confused. Was this really Lady Celestine who she raised never to lift a finger, not even in doing the smallest things or a stranger who was an exact carbon copy?.
She tilted her head sideways, wondering if an accident could really cause this huge change. And somehow Ray knew what was racing through her thoughts.
She placed the blush kit over the vanity, then took slow steps towards Elara. Holding both her hands in hers. Ray stared at her with a reassuring smile.
"You don't have to do everything for me any more, Nanny." she spoke softly. "It is high time I made decisions myself."
Tears gradually began filling up in Elara's eyes. Instantly Ray pulled out an handkerchief and wiped them off.
Since she woke up after the accident, Elara has cried on different occasions non stop. This time she had come prepared.
"Thank you" Elara mumbled while blowing her snort filled nose with the handkerchief.
She turned to leave then paused at the door as Celestine called onto her. "If anyone comes wanting to see the marquis… my father, I mean." She corrected. "Direct them to me. I will be at the Garden."
Elara narrowed her eyes confused and curious. Her request was strange, and she wanted to press on with more questions. But she held back.
This wouldn't be the most absurd thing she has done and asked for this week. Might as well oblige. Elara thought.
"Very well, my lady". She inclined her head slightly, then excused herself from the room. Ray stared at her reflection one last time before uttering the words.
"I am ready." Her lips curled up into a satisfied smile. "Time to reject the Duke of the North.."
Then blew a playful kiss at the mirror.
DING DING DING!!!
WARNING: Story Deviation.
The message vanished just as quickly as it appeared. Ray frowned.
"What the hell was that?"
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A firm knock echoed through the grand hall. One of the maids, named Gaia, had been tidying the room, quickly moved to the door and opened it.
A tall, striking figure stood before the door, the morning light glinted off the silver in his eyes.
"Good day," he said, his voice smooth, calm and yet carrying a weight that demanded attention. "I am here to see the marquis."
Gaia froze, her words caught in her throat. His jawline, sharp and perfect and the quiet confidence in his stance made her momentarily speechless.
"I…he…isn't…"
"And who might be asking?" A commanding voice echoed from the grand staircase above. It was Nanny Elara.
A faint, confident smile tugged at his lips. "The Duke of Northhill," he said calmly. "His soon-to-be son-in-law."
Gaia's jaw dropped.
Nanny Elara hurried down the stairs, her excitement breaking the formality of the moment. "Oh my! Forgive me, I didn't recognize you!". Her eyes sparkled. "It had been so long! Do you need anything?"
Lucian nodded his head. "I only need to meet the Marquis."
Elara paused, a playful glint shimmered in her eyes. "Of course…. He is in the garden pavilion."
The young maid hissed under her breath, "But he is not…"
"Just go down that corner and turn left. You'll find him," Elara interrupted, her voice firm yet encouraging.
Lucian's gaze swept the hallway, cool and unwavering, before he turned and followed her instructions. Every step he took seemed to command the space around him, leaving a trail of hushed awe behind.
Elara and Gaia watched him before he turned into the corner. Celestine would be overjoyed seeing Lucian. Elara thought.
Her beloved.
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The garden breathed with life. Flowers bloomed in quiet abundance.
The air was thick with sweetness—jasmine and something deeper, warmer. Butterflies drifted lazily between blossoms, wings catching the sun like fragments of glass.
Lucian slowed the moment as he stepped inside.
The scent reached him first. It was sweet, almost overwhelming and unfamiliar in a way that stirred something deep in his chest. A leaf brushed his shoulders. He reached out, parting the flowers, and the scent intensified…
And then he saw her.
She sat at the heart of the garden, framed by light and shadow. Dark hair, long and glossy, plaited neatly down her back and a small bow tied at its end, delicate, almost childish.
Her dress spilled around like water, the fabric catching the light as though it held stars within it.
She was calm.
Too calm.
There was something almost angelic about her.
The way she sat serene, untouched, as though nothing in the world could reach her.
But yet, beneath the calmness, Lucian felt it.
Something else. A pull. A familiarity that made his chest tighten. Why does she feel…. Familiar?, he wondered. As he took a step closer. Then another.
His gaze traced the curve of her profile, the way her lashes cast shadows against her cheeks as she took a small sip from her cup. And a strange feeling erupted inside of him.
He had seen her before. He was sure of it.
But where?
At that exact moment, she turned her head.
"Holy shit…"
Ray froze. She had blurted it out before she could stop herself.
He's here. I can't believe I didn't notice. she thought, a bit panicked.
Lucian paused. Her words struck him oddly, unfamiliar. Improper and for a brief moment, surprise flickered across his face.
Then it was gone. His expression settled back into calm indifference.
Ray cleared her throat."Good day," she said, her voice steadying. "Young sir. Or …mister."
Lucian inclined his head slightly. "my apologies, my lady, for the disturbance. I was seeking the
Marquis and was directed here.
"Yes," she replied coolly. "I am fully aware."
Lucian paused.
Ray's gaze lingered on him, her mind deep in wonder. The Duke of Northhill— Lucian Valehale Iksander.
Celestine first love and fiance.
A grin tugged at Ray lips as she introduced herself
"I am Celestine Varondulf," she continued, unhurried. "Daughter of the Marquis Varondulf."
So that was it. The familiarity settled into place in Lucian's gut.
The marquis's daughter. His betrothed.
"Please.." Ray gestured to the seat opposite her. "Sit."
Lucian hesitated, only for a second, before taking the chair. More out of courtesy than comfort.
"Tea?" She offered.
"I did not come to converse, my lady," he said evenly. "I came to meet the Marquis."
"Yes," she replied, reaching for the teapot regardless. "As I said earlier, I am aware."
She poured with effortless grace, the soft clink of porcelain echoing faintly as she set the cup before him. "Since you are here," she added lightly, "you may as well sit."
Lucian studied her in silence, his gaze scanning her calm expression, before finally accepting the tea.
"Very well," he said.
He would hear her out. Lucian lifted the teacup, but he did not drink.
Ray watched him over the rim of her own cup before speaking again, her tone calm and relaxed.
"I know why you are here," she said.
His brow arched slightly in confusion. Nothing more, no questions or denial.
"And honestly," she continued, folding her hands in her lap, "I feel the same way."
Lucian tilted his head slightly.
There it is, she thought. Wait for it.
"I believe," she said, meeting his gaze, "that we should cancel our engagement."
The silence that followed was unmistakable.
Lucian froze, not dramatically but enough.
His finger paused against the porcelain. His eyes narrowed just slightly, a faint fracture in his composure. Then, as always, he recovered.
"Why do you think so?" He asked, his voice even yet curious.
Ray exhaled softly, as though relieved. "I was a child," she said. "Young and infatuated. But I have grown. I have matured. And after considering everything… I don't believe this arrangement serves either of us anymore."
She nodded, composed. "I think it is best that we go our separate ways."
Nailed it, she thought.
Lucian was silent. His gaze studied her. She looked peaceful. Unbothered even. Not the desperate girl he had heard rumors about and expected.
She looked relieved. As though the engagement was a burden, she wanted no more than to drop.
The corner of his lips curved slowly. "Of course," he said. "I agree." The words rolled smoothly out of his mouth.
"The engagement was always an arrangement," he continued. "That is why I intended to speak with the marquis, to call it off."
"Don't trouble yourself," Ray replied easily. "I'll inform my father myself. It may hurt him, but I'll take responsibility."
Lucian rose from his seat. "If that is all," he said, " I will take my leave. Please ensure the Marquis is well informed."
She stood as well, though a faint weariness crossed her face. "I would walk you out," she said lightly, "but I fear I'm a bit tired."
She extended her hand for a shake. "It was… nice meeting you, Duke Lucian Iksander."
Lucian glanced at her hand for a brief moment before taking it. "Likewise," he said, "Celestine Varondulf."
As their hands parted, relief flooded her chest.
Finally, It was over.
Just then…
DING!! DING!! DING!!
A translucent blue screen flickered into view before her eyes.
NEW MISSION UNLOCKED:
Get re-engaged to the Duke of Northhill. Duke Lucian Iksander.
FAILURE TO COMPLY:
To be determined.
Ray's smile immediately stiffened. Her heart dropped lower into her stomach.
"….You've got to be kidding me."