Chapter 8

As the attendant’s announcement ended, the heavy doors slowly opened. The sound of footsteps echoed heavily across the cold marble. Leading the way was Duke Atherne. His silver hair was neatly combed back, and the deep furrow between his brows was frozen in its usual coldness. The Atherne family crest, embroidered in gold thread upon his deep navy formal attire, shimmered, and the dark red cloak draped over his shoulders swayed heavily with every step.

Lynette tightened her grip on the wine glass. She couldn’t even feel the pain of the ring’s gemstone digging into her knuckle. Her heart, frozen cold, beat rapidly. While her smile maintained the elegant poise of a lady, the depths of her blue eyes wavered with agitation.

The moment she felt Carlisle’s gaze shift toward the three of them, Lynette pressed her lips firmly shut. Her father, Maurice, and the Duchess. The mere fact that those three had appeared made her feel suffocated. The lavish ballroom suddenly felt like a prison.

As the guests continued their greetings, Duke Atherne walked through the crowd with unwavering steps. His cold gaze did not linger on anyone for long; the surrounding greetings were merely formalities. He stopped only when he reached Lynette. With a faint smile, Lynette bowed her head.

“It has been a long time.”

At the brief greeting, Lynette looked up and met Duke Atherne’s eyes. To any observer, they looked like a perfectly close-knit pair. Standing beside him, Maurice looked exactly like the new Duchess. Lynette felt a sudden urge to tear apart her own face, which resembled the Duke’s, as she spoke.

“Yes.”

The answer was far too short. Duke Atherne’s expression hardened, but Lynette did not elaborate. The Duke’s eyes scanned her. Beneath the silver hair, his cold blue eyes were like well-honed blades. Approaching her, he wore an expression resembling a smile, as if conscious of the surrounding eyes, but his voice was low and sharp. Moving closer, Duke Atherne whispered in her ear. His voice was like that of a cunning snake.

“It is always peculiar to me that you dare to stand in this place.”

Lynette’s fingertips turned white as she gripped the wine glass. However, she did not avert her gaze. From a distance, they looked close enough to be a doting father and daughter. Lynette replied with a bright smile. No one would notice her pale face anyway.

Lynette let out a soft laugh. It was not a laugh of self-loathing, but rather one of resignation toward a fate she could not escape.

If even a laugh was part of a play, wouldn’t it be better to perform the role properly? She intentionally raised her glass high, swallowing her cynical mood.

“I am simply doing my best not to bring shame to the name of Atherne.”

At Lynette’s response, the Duke’s smile distorted slightly. Seeing the Duke’s face crumble gave her a thrill.

“You know better than anyone. That your ‘best’ is always insufficient. Especially after you gave the top spot to a wretch like that and offered him your body and soul.”

Though the words were few, the threat and contempt within them seemed to seep into her very bones. Lynette felt an old fear resurface from deep within her chest. Yet, under the gaze of so many, she did not let her ladylike smile falter.

In that moment, a sharp, light-green gaze flared nearby. It was Carlisle. His light-green eyes seemed to be looking somewhere in the ballroom, but in truth, they had been fixed solely on Lynette from start to finish. He had been watching the two of them all along, his green eyes glinting coldly. After a brief glance at him, Lynette spoke as if nothing were wrong.

“This is better than offering my body and soul to the Crown Prince, only to have my position as Crown Princess stolen by Clifford and be left as a mistress. After all, I have secured the title of the Crown Prince’s aide.”

Clicking his tongue at the insolent answer, the Duke turned away and moved toward the center of the ballroom. The oppressive weight of the Duke’s presence gradually dissipated. However, the lingering chill in the air still sat heavily on Lynette’s shoulders. The hand holding the wine glass trembled invisibly, causing the liquid inside to shake subtly.

At that moment, a hand approached like a shadow and gently covered her glass. Then, a low voice was heard.

“You’re shaking.”

When Lynette looked up, Carlisle’s light-green eyes were staring directly at her, as if piercing through her.

“Take your hand off.”

Lynette whispered, attempting to pull the glass away, but Carlisle blocked her firmly.

“Do you want to be embraced by me right here?”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Carlisle was the kind of man capable of such madness. Seeing Lynette’s expression harden in resignation, Carlisle quietly patted her hand while still covering it. She felt embarrassed and ashamed to be comforted by something like this again. Lynette pressed her lips shut and managed her emotions. But soon, more unwelcome guests appeared.

“Marquess Clifford and the Marchioness have arrived!”

The main entrance of the ballroom, draped in a subtle golden curtain, swung wide open. Along with the attendant’s solemn announcement, Marquess Clifford and the Marchioness appeared. Before they had even finished entering, cheers and welcoming applause erupted from all corners of the hall.

Elaine, Eris, and Marquess Clifford and his wife were effectively the protagonists of the day. Marquess Clifford was the leader of the representative royalist faction. Furthermore, the Crown Prince, who was soon to marry Eris, was accompanying her as her official partner this year.

Lynette’s gaze instinctively shifted toward them. The Marchioness’s smile was gentle, and the Marquess cast a dignified look as he shook hands with the guests. Soon, the two of them spotted the man standing beside Lynette.

“Carlisle! It’s been a long time. How have you been?”

“Yes, thanks to your concern. I shall visit the estate soon.”

“Oh, no. We cannot ask a busy man to travel back and forth. Seeing your face, I am relieved to see you are doing well.”

The Marquess reached out as if meeting a long-lost family member, and the Marchioness greeted him with a tender gaze. Shortly after, Eris, having received permission from the Crown Prince, approached with a bright smile and hooked her hand over Carlisle’s elbow. It was a natural movement, as if that spot beside him had belonged to Eris from the beginning.

“Carlisle decided to stop by the estate. He mentioned he wanted to discuss magic with my father. Right, Carlisle?”

“Yes, I will visit without delay.”

“But lately, Carlisle keeps distancing himself. I’m sad that he feels so far away.”

“Carlisle is acting correctly, Eris. You are to become the Crown Princess now, so you must be careful as well. Your mother always tells you.”

They looked like a family. Though the Marchioness spoke as if scolding her, the gentle voice was filled with deep affection. Everyone present knew it was nagging born of love.

Lynette took a sip of champagne as if to control the surging emotions. The cold carbonation seemed to clear her head slightly. Lynette forced a smile, but the corners of her lips trembled.

In the end, she was left with the realization that she was the most contradictory of all. She was the one who had sent Carlisle to the Cliffords, yet she was the only one unable to endure the consequences of that choice.

After chatting for a while, Marquess Clifford and the Marchioness approached Lynette and reached out their hands. She knew it was pure goodwill. She also knew that it was her own heart that was twisted. Lynette consciously pulled the corners of her lips up and shook their hands.