Ariel paused at the unexpected name. 

The Duchess of Viasteus wants to see me? 

She didn’t like her, that much was certain. And yet she summoned her in this situation. 

Could it be to mock her? 

For a moment, such a thought crossed Ariel’s mind. But she quickly dismissed it. 

It was true that the Duchess of Viasteus didn’t like her, but the Duchess was royalty – one of the most influential women in current high society. 

Petty mockery didn’t suit someone like the Duchess of Viasteus. 

It was then that Mila spoke again. 

“Since you were unconscious, Lady Argen answered on your behalf. She said you were unwell and wouldn’t be able to move for some time, and asked for your understanding.  But there must be something urgent, because the Duchess’ reply came immediately.”

“Immediately? What did she say?”

“She said that as soon as you regained consciousness, the Duchess would visit the Marquisate herself. That’s unusual, isn’t it? For someone of her status to offer to come here first. And she seemed… well, kind of urgent.”

Mila furrowed her brow as if remembering the moment, tilting her head slightly before continuing. 

“Anyway, because things seemed so unusual, Lady Argen answered again and said that your fever was high and that you wouldn’t be able to see anyone for a while. She also instructed us to keep the matter quiet until you were fully recovered.” 

“I see.”

Ariel replied, nodding as if it didn’t bother her. 

But in truth, her thoughts were a mess. 

It was strange, as Mila had said, for the Duchess of Viasteus to behave this way. 

Even when she was Kylance’s fiancée, the Duchess of Biastez had never set foot in the Marquisate of Blante. 

And now, suddenly, she insisted on coming in person, just to see her. Frankly, Ariel couldn’t understand it. There was no obvious reason why the Duchess needed to meet her so urgently – especially now that her engagement to Kylance was over. 

It left an uncomfortable feeling in her chest… but she couldn’t keep avoiding the situation as her aunt suggested. 

Ariel had planned to visit Count Forte today. But if the Duchess of Viasteus found out, there could be trouble. 

The Duchess had already made it clear that she wanted to meet Ariel as soon as she regained consciousness. 

If Ariel chose to meet Count Forte first instead of the Duchess, it would likely be seen as an act of disrespect to someone of the Duchess’ far higher status. 

Rumours would spread like wildfire through social circles that the young lady of the Marquisate of Blante had insulted the Duchess of Biastez, a member of the royal family. 

And given Ariel’s already precarious position, it would be like standing on the edge of a cliff only to be swept away by a storm. 

Well… I have to meet the Duchess of Viasteus first. 

Having made her decision, Ariel spoke to Mila. 

“Mila, send a letter to the Duchess of Viasteus. Inform her that I’m feeling much better and will be visiting the Duchess at her residence today.” 

“You’re going there yourself? But you haven’t fully recovered yet…” 

Mila’s eyes widened in surprise. Even though she had stopped speaking, her expression betrayed her true feelings – “Wouldn’t it be better to ask the Duchess to come here instead??”

But Ariel didn’t want the Duchess of Viasteus to visit her home. 

She was determined to avoid any further disruption to her household. Whatever the Duchess had to say, it was unlikely to be good news. 

Seeing the determined look in Ariel’s eyes, Mila finally nodded. 

“Understood. I’ll send it immediately.” 

Mila quickly left the room, taking the table with her. Once she was gone, Ariel sat quietly for a moment, lost in thought. 

Soon she moved and reached for the drawer of the bedside table. Pulling it open, she took out a sheet of paper and a pen. With calm hands, she began to write a short letter. 

When she was finished, she carefully rolled up the paper and tied it with a ribbon. Just as she put it down, her aunt burst into the room, visibly upset. 

“Ariel, you’re still not fully recovered and yet you’re planning to go to the Duchess of Viasteus? That’s out of the question!” 

Ariel replied calmly to her aunt’s agitated protests. 

“Aunt, this isn’t just anyone. It’s the Duchess of Viasteus who has summoned me. How much longer can we avoid her?” 

“But…” 

“You know as well as I do, don’t you? The situation for the Marquisate is dire… Aunt, I must go.” 

Ariel’s calm but determined words caused her aunt’s expression to falter. She realised the hard truth – there was no way to stop Ariel, given the gravity of the situation. 

Her aunt looked at her with tearful eyes, holding back her emotions as she reached for Ariel’s hands and clasped them tightly. 

“I’m sorry I can’t help you more.

“Just having you by my side is more than enough.”

“Ariel… I know I shouldn’t hold you back, but somehow… I just can’t bear to let you go today. But you have to go, don’t you?”

Her aunt clung to her once more, an uncharacteristic sign of hesitation. Ariel met her gaze, taking in the deep concern reflected in her aunt’s eyes. Slowly, she released her hands from her aunt’s firm grasp.

She felt the same unease, but there was no way to avoid it. She had to go.

“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen. I’ll be back soon.”

“All right. I have to visit the house for a bit… I’ll see you tonight.”

“Yes.”

With that, Ariel rose to her feet, steadying herself despite her lingering weakness. She handed the tightly bound paper to her aunt, adding a request before she left. 

“Please send this to the Ducal Estate of Seyerd.” 

—

The towering mansion was incomparable in size and grandeur to the Blante estate.

The Ducal Estate of Viasteus.

As Ariel stepped out of the carriage, her eyes landed on the immense mansion and she took a deep breath. She had made it this far, but now that she was inside the estate, her heart felt uneasy.

Even during the ride, she had tried to guess why the Duchess wanted to meet her, but no answer had come to her.

‘This feeling… doesn’t bode well.’

It was as if her instincts were screaming at her – “Don’t go in there. Turn back now.”

But it was too late. Someone had already stepped forward to greet her.

A woman with ash-grey hair and deep crimson eyes. It was none other than the head maid of the ducal estate.

Caroline.

Ariel recognised her at once. She had seen Caroline many times before. She wasn’t just the head maid, she was the Duchess of Viasteus’ closest confidante, always at her side.

The fact that such a close aide had come to greet her personally was a clear sign that the Duchess intended to treat her with courtesy. But what could be the reason for such a sudden change in attitude from someone who had always treated her so dismissively?

As Ariel’s uneasy suspicion deepened, Caroline gracefully offered her greeting.

“Lady Blante, it’s been a while.”

“It has indeed. I was told the Duchess summoned me.”

“Yes, my lady. The Duchess has been eagerly awaiting your arrival.”

“Eagerly awaiting me? Why…?”

At Ariel’s hesitant question, Caroline lifted her head and smiled softly.

“You’ll find out soon enough. The Duchess is expecting you. Please, this way, my lady.”

Caroline walked ahead with a curious remark, leaving Ariel to watch her retreating figure with a calm but cautious gaze. Taking a moment to steady herself, Ariel followed.

The place Caroline was leading her to wasn’t the Duchy’s drawing room, but the Duchess’s private chambers.

More specifically, it was the spacious terrace that adjoined the Duchess’s bedroom – a terrace that overlooked the Duchess’s favourite rose garden in full bloom.

As Ariel stepped onto the terrace with a tense expression on her face, the Duchess’s soft voice broke the silence.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Lady Blante.”

It was a softer tone than Ariel had ever heard before.

But despite its softness, it sent a shiver down her spine.

The faint smile on the Duchess of Viasteu’s face contrasted sharply with the unmistakable hostility gleaming in her dark eyes.

Just as Ariel had feared, this meeting had not been called for a friendly chat.

But Ariel had prepared for this encounter, and the Duchess’s icy hostility didn’t frighten her.

Without averting her gaze, Ariel offered a formal greeting. 

“It’s been a while, Duchess.”

“Have a seat.” 

The Duchess gestured to the seat opposite her at the tea table. As soon as Ariel sat down, Caroline promptly poured tea into an ornate, gold-trimmed cup.

“It’s chamomile tea,” the Duchess remarked. “I remember hearing from Kylance that you liked it. I thought it appropriate to make it for you.”

Kylance. The mention of his name made Ariel pause for a moment before slowly answering. 

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Out of courtesy, Ariel took a sip of the tea. It was the first time she’d had chamomile since her engagement to Kylance had ended. She had avoided it for fear it would bring back memories of their time together.

The Duchess, looking out at the rose garden, spoke again.

“Isn’t it beautiful? These roses in full bloom can only be seen at this time of year. That’s why I’ve invited you here – to help you forget the unpleasant events for a moment and appreciate something beautiful.”

‘Why would you care?’

Ariel choked back the words that were rising to her throat. Instead, she gently set her teacup down, her gaze shifting from the rose garden to meet the Duchess’s eyes directly.