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The noble ladies stood together near the trinket shop's entrance, their voices overlapping in anxious murmurs.
"Is Lady Celestine alright?"
"That wagon nearly…"
"She was thrown to the ground, I saw it myself."
Before their panic could spiral further, a tall man stepped forward. It was Aziah .
His presence alone calmed the group. "Lady Celestine is unharmed," he said evenly. "The Duke has taken responsibility for the situation. She is currently under his care."
Relief sighs left the lips of each lady, though unease still lingered in their expressions.
Jane Vanlengh exhaled softly, pressing a hand to her chest. "I see," she said.
Then her gaze sharpened slightly as she studied the man before her. "And you are?"
Aziah bent his head slightly just enough to remain polite "I am the Duke of Northhill's personal guard."
Jane blinked once.
Personal guard….
Nobles did not serve other nobles. Not even the lowest among them. Knighthood was earned, but service was submission.
So he isn't one of us.
A commoner, then. Or worse, one who had climbed.
"Oh," Jane said. The word carried more weight than it sounded.
Her eyes swept over him once more. His posture, the restraint in his movements and the confidence that marked as someone accustomed to standing beside power. "I understand," she said at last.
Aziah bowed briefly. "If you will excuse me." Then turned and walked away. Jane gaze lingered on him till she turned away.
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Ray and Lucian sat outside a small tea house, facing each other across a small table. A porcelain cup sat in front of Ray, its steam curling in the air.
Lucian had requested tea to calm her, but it did little to settle the storm in her mind.
Her thoughts raced. She had almost died. Not just from the runaway wagon, but now the system had given her a countdown: twenty one days to live.
Could this accident somehow be connected to mission and the system?
Just then, Aziah approached. "The ladies have been calmed. Everything has been settled," he reported.
Ray instantly asked about Gaia. Aziah 's expression remained calm. "She is fine, my lady. I've taken care of her."
Lucian inclined his head, grateful. "Thank you, Aziah . You may leave us now."
Aziah nodded then left their midst. Lucian's gaze lingered on Ray. "How do you feel," he asked quietly.
Ray lifted her head slowly, trying to answer. "Fine…. I guess," she said. But truly she wasn't.
Lucian had noticed, it was clear she was still shaken.
"Good," Lucian replied, setting something neatly on the table. The folded handkerchief. " Do you recognize this?" He asked.
Ray stared, her mind still disoriented. "I… don't know," she said, trying to piece her thoughts together.
Lucian remained composed, his voice steady. "Look closely." He said. "This fabric carries a symbol," tapping the cloth. "It is the emblem of the Varondulf household. Your family. Do you recognize it?"
Ray's mind hazy. She almost didn't answer, but her eyes caught the faint pink orchid floral pattern, embroidered along the edge. She knew immediately who the handkerchief belonged to.
The female lead.
Her stomach dropped. So that's why he was here. Lucian was obsessively searching for the female lead. And she almost died today, because of her curiosity.
But why is he asking me? Ray's thoughts spun faster. Who cares why he's asking me? I have twenty one days left to live. Wait, I can survive if I get married to him. But, now he's searching for the owner of the handkerchief. Will he even notice me?
What If I claim it's mine? Would he marry me and I would get to live?
But what if he discovers I lied…. He'll probably behead me.
Her hands instinctively drew close to her neck.
Either way, I die.
What should I do?
Her mind continued to spiral into endless and confusing possibilities, mirrored by Lucian's unwavering gaze. He watched her intently, reading the emotions that flickered across her face.
Ray lifted a trembling hand to her temple, pressing gently as if to steady her mind. Her voice was calm but weak. Then finally broke the silence.
"My head is a bit….disoriented right now. Yes, the fabric belongs to the Varondulfs, but I do not know anything about it."
Lucian's expression was soft. He didn't persist. "Very well, " he said. Then folded the handkerchief neatly and slipped it into his pocket. "I will have Aziah make arrangements to see you home safely."
He rose, then started to walk away, but paused. Ray's eyes narrowed in confusion. Lucian turned back, removing his coat and draping it over her shoulders.
"Your dress…. It is dusty," he said simply, his tone polite and calm. Then walked away, without saying anything further.
Ray blinked, startled. Her gaze drifted to her dress, and truly she hadn't noticed it had been stained by the dusty cobblestones.
She adjusted the coat, it was warm. Her mind is still processing as she watched him go. Her head a jumble of shock and lingering questions.
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Ray and Gaia sat inside the carriage on their way home. Gaia couldn't stop talking. She had thanked the heavens repeatedly for her lady's safety, for the Duke arriving just in time and for the fact that Ray hadn't been injured in the slightest. Her voice was bright, relieved and overflowing.
Ray smiled when needed, and nodded in between, but the words slowly blurred together.
All she could think about was the mission. There was no way Lucian would ever choose her. He was the male lead. She had written to be cold, distant and unwavering.
Written to despise the villainess….and to obsessively be in love with the female lead.
Her gaze slowly shifted toward the carriage window. The sun begun to set, spilling warm shades of orange and purple across the sky.
Outside the people moved leisurely, parents laughing with their children, vendors closing their stalls and couples walking side by side.
Something in her chest tightened.
"Stop the carriage," Ray said suddenly. Gaia was startled. "My lady?" She called out.
"I said.. stop."
Ray didn't know why she said it. The words simply escaped her lips.
The carriage slowed to a halt. Gaia asked anxiously if something was wrong, but Ray couldn't respond. She stepped down slowly on her own, her feet taking her forward without a thought.
She walked until she reached a small metal bench near a fountain. The water shimmered from the fading lights, sparkling softly. Ray sat down, her posture composed, her face calm but her eyes held too much emotion to name.
Gaia noticed instantly. And she knew the perfect thing to calm her down.
Bread. That always helped when she was overwhelmed. Leaving Ray behind, Gaia hurried off.
Ray remained seated, observing the world around her. Children ran past her in laughter. Parents called after them, smiling at themselves.
She had never realized it. But the world of her novel was extremely beautiful. She had been so focused on the plot and character.
On surviving. That she had totally missed it.
And now, she might die without truly living in it.
A small body, just then collided into her. "Ah!.
Ray instinctively reached out, holding him steady before he could fall. But his ice cream slipped from his grasp, smearing across the front of her dress.
The young boy froze. "I… am sorry…" he whispered. Ray looked down at the mess, then back at the young boy. "It's alright," she said in a gentle voice.
Just then, Gaia returned. She took in the scene in a single glance and her expression changed. "Hey!" Gaia snapped. "Can't you watch where you're running? Look what you've done, you ruined my lady's dress!"
The boy shrank back, silent. Ray reached for Gaia's arm, trying to calm her. But Gaia was already looking around sharply. "Where is your mother?" She demanded.
Before the boy could answer, a woman came running toward them. "Kale!" She cried out. "I told you to slow down."
She came to a halt when she saw Ray. A bit surprised. "I'm so sorry," the woman said quickly, bowing deeply. "I take full responsibility."
"Well, of course you do," Gaia said. "Do you know how precious this dress is? And your son even stained the coat." The woman lifted her head slightly and her eyes fell on the pinned accessory on Ray's chest.
The Varondulf family crest. She was shocked. Without another word, she dropped to her knees, pleading for forgiveness.
"I..I am sorry my lady, I didn't know…you were a noble."she said. "And that too the daughter of the marquis." Ray began to feel uncomfortable as eyes and hands turned their way.
The marquis was not only popular for being the king's advisor, but he was very vicious. Especially when it came to a scratch on his daughter's head. No one dared to cross her, unless they paid the price.
Their hands, cut off. Flogged in public.
Or worse, lose everything they had.
And nothing could be done.
Most commoners didn't really see the need to remember the noble family's Crest. But the Varondulf's, they did.
"I…I'll pay! If I work, I will pay for the dress!" She stammered, holding her son close.
Ray quickly waved her hand, gently pulling her up. "It's okay," she said calmly, soothing the now slightly embarrassed Gaia.
The woman blinked, stunned at first, wondering if it was genuine or false.
She turned to the boy, bending slightly.
"What's your name?" She asked, smiling at him.
"Kale." He replied, face buried against his mother's dress.
"Sorry for getting in your way and ruining your ice cream." She apologized. The young boy looked up at his mother, who gazed at him surprised.
Ray's eyes fell on the bread Gaia held, then took it. "Do you like bread?" She showed him, while he nodded in response.
"You can have mine," she said.
Gaia was surprised. Was this really the lady Celestine she knew?
"I'm not hungry,"Ray insisted.
The young boy lifted his head to his mother, who stared back with a nod and a gentle smile. He let go of her dress, reaching out for the chocolate bread Ray held.
"Thank you, my lady." Kale said. His face, wearing a bright grin. "You are extremely beautiful and kind."
He said.
The mother couldn't help but thank her again, at first she believed it was a trick and she would get back at them eventually. But she couldn't help feeling happy from Ray's genuine kindness.
The woman and her son thanked Ray once again, waving to her as they left.
Gaia couldn't help but ask. "Weren't you angry at them?".
Ray quickly turned her gaze to her. "Life is short. One shouldn't waste it on things without meaning." She smiled.
Ray stared at the crowd one last time. As a spark of hope flickered in hers. She wasn't going to give up.
Not yet, and certainly without trying.
Her hands, held onto the coat. Drawing it closer.
She wasn't shown how to go about the mission. But, she was the author.
And she had something no one else did, not even the female lead.
Celestine Beauty, and her 21st century charm.
It was time to begin, Operation: seduce the duke.