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Ray gracefully stepped down the from carriage. A small smile tugged at her lips, as she walked into the mansion, her fingers absently turning the hem of Lucian's coat in her hands.
Her gaze drifted ahead. Elara. Gaia. And a few maids stood near the entrance, pacing restlessly, back and forth. Their anxiety, visible even from a distance.
Suddenly, "Lady Celestine!"
A maid called out her name, her voice rang with relief and joy, barely contained.
Elara, Gaia and the others hurried toward her, their heels slapping against the cobblestones, as they got closer.
Elara grabbed Ray's hands tightly. Panic flickered across her face as she scanned her from head to toe, searching for any sign of harm.
Ray could barely respond before Elara pulled her closer. "Thank the heavens…," she murmured softly. "You're safe." her voice, shaky.
Then Suddenly, Elara snapped, her eyes wide. "Where have you been?" then slowly narrowed, sharp and examining her. "And why is your dress dirty?"
Her grip tightened and her voice rose then broke.
"Did someone harass you?" She demanded. "Did you get attacked?"
Then she froze. Her hands shot toward her mouth. Her eyes widened as fear rushed in.
"Did you…?" She whispered, her voice trembling.
Ray knew exactly what she was about to ask, and instantly corrected. "No, Elara." Ray shook her head quickly. "I didn't try to harm myself, I just went for a walk." She added softly.
Elara let out a deep sigh of relief. Just then, her gaze dropped to the red coat which draped over Ray's shoulders.
The color stood out vibrantly against her dress. "And whose is this?" Elara asked, lifting the fabric carefully.
Ray flashed a bright grin, her eyes narrowed into satisfied mischief. "Lucian's," she said.
"The Duke?" Elara gasped, both hands flying to her mouth. Then a soft, knowing smile curved her lips.
"Well, you could have told me." She laughed lightly.
"We were already thinking of returning the first coat, and now we have another to add. But never mind." She continued, her eyes gleaming. "Tell me everything. How did it go?"
Ray's smile lingered, but her thought drifted elsewhere. The stroll itself hadn't been perfect but that wasn't what mattered.
The look on Lucian's face when he saw the city from above. The quiet awe in his eye. That alone told her everything.
She had successfully planted a seed.
Just like in her story, he would think of her—at least, for a while.
Elara slipped an arm around Ray's shoulders, guiding her toward the mansion. But Ray suddenly slowed, her gaze caught by a movement near the back gate. A small carriage had just arrived.
Her brows furrowed. "Who is that?" She asked . Elara followed her line of sight and nodded. "Your father's guest," she said casually. "Probably men of the court. You know how busy things have been."
Ray watched as the men stepped down one by one, their movements careful. Her eyes met one of theirs. He turned away almost immediately, disappearing inside.
Ray shrugged lightly and allowed Elara to pull her along. Elara's voice filled the air, chattering excitedly eager to hear every detail of the evening.
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Lucian sat still inside the carriage, his posture composed and his hands folded across his chest, as he rested his forehead lightly against the edge of the seat. His eyes were shut, and his brows were drawn together. As he attempted to steady his thoughts.
But instead, unwanted memories kept flooding in.
Golden light, the sky stretched wide and endless. And a gentle breeze that carried warmth.
And her.
The way her face had lit up, unguarded and bright. The way she smiled as though the world had given her a reason not to.
His jaw tightened. Lucian's eyes snapped open. He lifted his hand and pressed his finger hard against his temples. As though he could force the images away.
Every time he had shut his eyes, Celestine appeared. Her voice echoed faintly in his mind. Lively and genuine.
She wanted me to see how beautiful the world was? Lucian scoffed.
"Beautiful?" There was nothing beautiful about this world. It only knew how to take without mercy.
To devour everything one had worked for. Everything one protected, loved and cared about—until the only thing that remained were ruins and ash.
A sharp ringing pierced through his head. Sudden and painful. Lucian clenched his fist, his breath slowed as he whispered to himself. "Just endure it for a while…. I'll be home soon. Then it will pass."
The carriage came to a halt. The door carefully opened to reveal Aziah's calm face. He climbed in, settling himself, his brow arched slightly as he stared at Lucian.
"Are you… Okay?" He asked quietly.
Lucian didn't meet his gaze. He couldn't. "Yes. I am fine," he groaned softly, pressing his fingers on his temples "what do you have for me?"
Aziah took a steady breath. " A message from the Shadows. They have gathered." His voice barely rose above a whisper.
Lucian didn't respond immediately. His fingers dug deeper into his temples, his eyes squeezed shut. Finally, he gave a subtle nod.
"Should we go to them?" Aziah asked, concern etched in his voice.
"No. Not now. Too many eyes," Lucian said, his voice low. "We move at midnight."
Aziah nodded in understanding. "I will inform them," he said. His gaze lingered on Lucian in worry. Slowly he reached into his pocket and brought out a small sachet. He hung it carefully by the side of the carriage, then stepped out.
Lucian's gaze drifted toward the bag. His fingers gradually loosened from his temples as the familiar scent of cauliflower wafted toward him. The sharp ringing in his ear, slowly softened. The pressure easing and for a moment, his mind became calm.
He closed his eyes, letting the aroma soothe him into a light, fragile rest.
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The night sky sat heavily over the large estate, a kind of darkness that swallowed sound and silenced footsteps.
Candle lights burned inside the private study of the marquis. Casting a sharp glow across the room. The marquis did not bother sitting.
He clasped his hands across his back, watching thick clouds block the brightness of the moon.
"This cannot continue." he said
Maurice Vanlengh. The Duke of Voss, turned sharply. His expression forced restraint, but his feet anxiously tapped against the floor, betraying him.
"This kingdom is rotting from the bottom." He snapped. "You can hear it in the streets, disorder only spread when leadership is weak."
Damarcus remained silent, as Tobias the baron spoke lightly. "You have never concerned yourself with words from the streets before." he said. "So why now?"
Maurice's gaze cut toward him. "Because those voices now threaten what we protect," he said. "First the commoners. Now a noble."
His jaw clenched. "The king's health worsens by the day, and the crown prince, is as useless as ever…"
A heavy silence followed, then the marquis turned. His eyes sharp and calculating. "Careful, maurice,he said quietly. "Words like that can bury all of us."
"But it's true," Maurice claimed. His palm slammed hard against the oak desk. "A prince of diluted blood can not command loyalty," he went on. "If we do not act now, we lose standing. We lose Influence."
Tobias tilted his head, "and what do you suggest?" He asked, his eyes narrowed into keen interest.
"We find the viscountess' niece," maurice said plainly. His voice covered in determination. "And we use her to get the viscountess on our side."
The room went still. The air thickend."with the viscountess," he continued. "Others will follow. We can use the people's anger as justification."
The marquis finally turned to them and exhaled softly. "Assuming her disappearance is linked to the pending cases….
Maurice's instantly corrected. "It is…"
"…Or," the marquis said calmly, "she fled with a lover."
"That is impossible" he said sharply. His brows drew in tightly.
Tobias lifted his head, scanning maurice's unexplained fidgeting. "You sound certain" he said.
But maurice remained silent, exhaling softly to calm his nerves. Damarcus broke the silence by tapping the edge of the table.
"Certainty is irrelevant, but belief is what matters."
He sat beside them, and leaned back slowly. "If she ran or was taken, either way instability forces action." His gaze hardened. "If the viscountess believes the throne is cracking, she will choose a side."
"Our side." Maurice said. Tobias eyes glinted with realization. But then slowly furrowed with doubt. "Should we not wait?" He asked. "If we rush we might fail."
"And failure" he continued. "Is treason."
The candle light flickered softly. Their shadows wavering in the glow of the light.
"You are right." Damarcus claimed. His voice heavy, his pupil glinting from the burning candle light. "Failure is treason, and this time." He added. "There will be no convenient flames to silence the mouths of those meant to take the blame."