Ciela gagged as she brought up the contents of her stomach. It wasn’t surprising – she’d forced herself to eat more than her delicate digestion could handle.

‘It was on purpose, after all.’

From a young age, Hayley had been someone who achieved her goals no matter what the cost. Knowing her personality, Ciela had chosen this approach. She exhaled erratically, clutching her spinning head. Her throat felt parched and a draining fatigue spread through her body.

After wiping her lips with her own handkerchief, she looked up. Two pairs of startled eyes stared back at her.

“I’m sorry, but could I borrow a handkerchief? I don’t feel comfortable using mine anymore.”

Ciela asked, her voice trembling just enough to sound genuinely uncomfortable.

“I-I’ll give you mine!”

Daisy exclaimed, quickly pulling out her handkerchief. It was beautifully embroidered in gold thread with an elegant butterfly design.

“Thank you for lending me such a lovely handkerchief.”

“No, it’s nothing, really.”

Daisy murmured, fidgeting and lowering her head in embarrassment.

Ciela shifted her gaze from Daisy to Hayley, her expression steady.

“I didn’t mean to deceive you. My condition really isn’t good right now. I must apologise for not being able to stay longer.”

“You may go.”

Hayley said after a long pause, her voice uncharacteristically unsteady.

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

Ciela replied politely before quickly getting into her carriage. Moments later, the carriage began to move, taking her further away.

‘Was she really that unwell?’

The image of Ciela gasping for breath as if she were about to collapse lingered in Hayley’s mind. Her narrowed eyes reflected a mixture of doubt and concern.

Although Ciela’s complexion had been pale, Hayley hadn’t realised just how serious her condition appeared to be.

‘Lilia mentioned that she’d been feeling much better lately.’

Although Ciela claimed to be unwell, her tendency to be seen out and about made such statements difficult to believe. When Hayley had been informed of Ciela’s earlier refusal to attend, the same scepticism had been conveyed. The unease that clung to Hayley’s thoughts pressed against the back of her neck like a cold hand, but she pushed it away.

‘Lilia doesn’t lie.’

Unlike some.

It must have been a sudden deterioration in Ciela’s condition today. With a firm hand on her neck, Hayley turned and headed for her carriage.

“Daisy, hurry up.”

“Y-yes.”

Daisy stammered, following with tear-filled eyes.

‘She really didn’t seem well… Did you really have to push her so hard?’

It didn’t feel like something the noble and poised Hayley she admired would do. But lacking the courage to say these thoughts out loud, Daisy just hung her head and followed in silence.

Lady Aisha, proud of Ciela’s positive response, had enthusiastically shared the news with other noblewomen. When this information reached Hayley, she decided to attend the tea party and asked her distant relative, Daisy, to accompany her. Daisy, knowing Hayley’s negative opinion of Ciela, wanted to refuse, but found it difficult because of her shy nature. If only she had said no then, maybe none of this would have happened and Ciela wouldn’t be suffering today.

‘I should have apologised when I gave her the handkerchief’

Daisy couldn’t help feeling guilty, convinced that Ciela’s distress was partly her fault.

—

In the carriage

Ciela leaned back in her seat and pressed a hand to her forehead.

‘Have I eaten too much?’

Since her health had improved recently, she wasn’t quite sure how much she could eat without overdoing it. Today, it seemed, she had crossed the line.

Still…

Ciela held up the handkerchief she had been clutching. The intricate butterfly embroidery, so delicate it seemed ready to take flight, was truly remarkable. Just as described in the original story, Daisy’s craftsmanship was extraordinary.

‘This should help me make a connection.’

A satisfied smile spread across her lips, like a lion satisfied after a feast. She carefully folded the handkerchief and tucked it into her br*ast pocket, then turned her eyes to the scene outside the carriage window.

“Driver.”

“Yes, my lady? Did you call?”

“I’m not feeling well, and I don’t think I’ll make it all the way to the estate. I’d like to stop and rest for a while. How far are we from the market place?”

“About five minutes, my lady.”

“Then drop me off there.”

“As you wish!”

The driver’s hearty reply echoed as the carriage picked up speed. Soon they reached the busy market place and Ciela stepped out of the carriage.

“Are you sure you can get off here, my lady?”

Ciela nodded confidently.

‘If this were my personal coachman, I would have simply continued on to my destination’

To go to a tea party without using the family coach could be considered rude, so she’d had no choice but to use the Arcel family coach today.

“Yes. Staying in the coach any longer would only make things worse.”

“Understood. Then I’ll wait somewhere else.”

“No, go back to the estate. I’ll rest here for a while and hire another coach for the journey home.”

The coachman adjusted his hat, nodded, pulled the reins and set off. As the carriage disappeared into the crowd, the bustling marketplace came into view. The deeper she ventured, the livelier the atmosphere, the more people gathered.

Undeterred by the growing crowd, Ciela headed straight for her destination, as if it had been her plan all along.

Soon a familiar sight came into view: two buildings facing each other as if in a silent standoff. One was a café, bustling with customers enjoying their drinks and snacks. The other was a tavern, its lively atmosphere spilling out into the street. Although the two establishments catered to different crowds, they shared a reputation as hotspots within the bustling marketplace.

And they had something else in common.

If you knew the right ‘special’ request, both places offered access to a discreet location through their staff.

‘I had planned to wait a little longer for Uncle Ken.’

She had hoped that his success in locating the Fairy Apple would prompt an update soon, but the days of silence had become too many.

‘In the end, I had to come myself.’

Whatever the reason for his lack of communication, Ciela had no intention of letting it go. After peering through the glass windows of the café and noting the crowd inside, she turned on her heel and made her way to the tavern.

“We’re still getting ready to open…”

The bartender, whose impressive moustache added to his distinguished appearance, trailed off as he noticed who had entered.

“It’s been a while.”

Ciela greeted him casually.

“Let me show you around.”

He offered immediately, his tone polite but laced with urgency.

“No need. I’ll find my way.”

Without hesitation, Ciela made her way to the restricted area of the tavern where regulars were forbidden. There she found a hidden entrance to an underground passageway. Navigating the labyrinthine corridors with practiced ease, she soon reached a large guild hideout.

At first, the guild members on guard bristled at the unfamiliar presence, but when they recognised her, their tensions dissipated. Ciela continued on unhindered, making her way directly to the guild master’s quarters.

Click.

“Lady Ciela, you’ve arrived.”

A subordinate greeted her, bowing slightly as he acknowledged her entrance.

The room, pitch black and elegantly minimalist – no doubt reflecting someone’s refined tastes – was empty except for Fabian, Ken’s ever-reliable assistant.

Fabian bowed politely in greeting, his calm demeanour suggesting that he had already been informed of Ciela’s approach. He showed no sign of surprise at her sudden arrival.

“Where’s Uncle Ken?”

“The master is out at the moment attending to an urgent matter.”Fabian replied, standing rigidly with his hands clasped behind his back.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. If it’s something urgent, I can deliver it to him personally.”

Without hesitation, Ciela took a seat in Ken’s chair, her lips curling slightly as she settled in.

‘Still warm.’

Leaning back against the high back of the chair, Ciela crossed her legs and half-closed her eyes lazily.

“I think I need to talk to him in person.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ll give you ten seconds.”

She said, raising her hand and stretching out her fingers one by one.

“If he doesn’t show up by then… well, let’s just say you’ll find out. If you’re curious, just wait.”

The growing unease on Fabian’s face was palpable.

“Ten,.”

“Nine, eight, seven…”

Fabian’s face went pale, his eyes darting nervously.

“Three.”

Ciela intoned, her voice calm as she raised three fingers.

Just as the tension reached its peak, a familiar voice cut through the air.

“All right, all right, I’m coming out!”

Ken shouted, emerging from his hiding place.

“If I didn’t, you’d probably start threatening to call me ‘Uncle’ forever or cancel our dessert tours or something.”

He muttered, crossing his arms dramatically as if to protect himself from further verbal assault.

“Who told you to hide?”

Ciela replied, shaking her head as she gracefully rose from the chair that wasn’t hers to begin with.

“So, what’s the status of the fairy apple tree? I think I’ve been patient enough.”

Ken sheepishly scratched the back of his head and let out a small chuckle.

“It’s not there.”

“Not there?” 

“Yes. Haha.” 

Following the older man, Ciela also lifted the corners of her lips as if to draw a smile. Watching them, Fabian quietly left the room, silently wishing the master well. 

“Is this really the time to smile?” 

“Probably not, right?” 

Feeling wronged, but unable to assert himself confidently in front of her, Ken raised both hands. 

“You clearly said that you knew the place and that it was a safe place.” 

“I did indeed.” 

After discovering her entanglement with Calix, he had rushed to find her, only to find that the fairy’s apple trees had already vanished. After that, he had put all his efforts into finding a way to save her, but each time, he had run into the Duke. 

“That mad bastard.” 

Just the thought of that damned man made his mouth itch. He felt an impulsive urge to spill the beans and ruin the bastard’s plans. The thought tickled his chest. But… 

“You know? Hair is also a kind of fur.”

“If you tell Ciela, I’ll do your hair myself next time we meet. Consider it a favour.” 

Not that he had any intention of going down without a fight, but it was generally wiser to avoid lunatics. 

“Anyway, the fairy’s apple tree will eventually fall into your hands.” 

“What?” 

“I can’t say more. Instead…” 

Ken rubbed his smooth chin with his hand and opened his mouth. 

“Like I said, I’ve been doing some research on the Arcel family.” 

When he speaks with such confidence, it must mean he’s found something. 

Ciela knew he was deliberately changing the subject, but she decided not to press him and remained silent. Noticing that she was willing to let the matter of the fairy’s apple tree slide, Ken flashed his characteristic mischievous smile and continued. 

“Since then, I’ve been digging relentlessly into the past, and I’ve found an interesting issue that spread around the Arcel Marquisate 17 years ago.” 

Listening to his animated voice, Ciela half-closed her eyes, searching her mind to see if she knew anything about it. But 17 years ago she was only one year old. Nothing came to mind. 

Abandoning her attempt to remember anything, Ciela fixed her gaze intently on Ken’s lips. Under her persistent gaze, Ken parted his lips leisurely.