Outside, Fay stood with cold, damp hands. She was under the trees across the road and helplessly watched the carriage for an hour now. Earlier, someone had knocked. She opened it and saw no one. Confused, she stepped out and saw Bern standing at a distance.
He told her the duke wished to speak with the lady. She couldn't argue. Now she waited for this whole time nervous, terrified the young master might appear.
Finally, a guard came and whispered to Bern, who, after a while, walked to the carriage and knocked. As she drew closer, she heard him report that the boulder had finally been rolled away.
Then he lowered his voice.
"That thing's been found."
A few moments later, she saw the duke step out and stride away, his gaze sharp and straight. Bern turned to her and handed a box. Inside were bottles of medicine from a doctor at the Royal Academy. He also gave her a list—what the lady should eat and drink with the medicine.
Later, the trip toward Green Valley was quiet. The lady hadn't said a word. Fay knew she must be deep in thought—whatever the duke had said to her still lingering.
...
INSIDE THE Clearwater Hall, Mirelle stood at her bedroom and smashed a porcelain cup on the floor. Her thought kept playing over the event this morning. How she had to kneel, beg, shake in front of the governor's wife.
She clenched her fists.
"Just because of a stupid maid, now I'm suffering," she said, gritting her teeth.
She remembered the marquis's face when he found out. He hadn't looked at her once. He simply told her mother that Mirelle must hand-copy the book on Women's Etiquette for seven days and musn't leave her hall for a month.
Earlier, at the Rashet's main hall, she was forced to listen to Nyasia explaining what had happened, whereas she had to kneel on the ground and ask for mercy. 'I didn't know Nyasia was there? How could she?' She gritted her teeth.
"What's gotten into you? There was a clear order to leave the shop. Why did you go out today?" Divya hissed in anger. "You've ruined everything!"
"Mother, could you beg Uncle—"
"I can't!" Divya said, cutting in.
The marquis was already in a foul mood over the poisoning case. If she begged, he'd grow suspicious.
"You embarrassed the governor and his wife over your maid's behavior. Even if your uncle let you attend the banquet, everyone would whisper. The governor and his wife will be there. Use your head!"
Mirelle flailed her arms.
"But aren't I supposed to meet important people there? You told me to prepare for the Third Prince—"
The door suddenly opened.
They turned.
Mirelle frowned at her elder sister, who had just returned yesterday from a year at Jade Temple. Marian walked gracefully, head high, lips curved in disdain.
"Mirelle," Maryan Rose Nox began. A hidden smile curled at her lips—one Mirelle knew all too well. "Even the prince will avoid looking at you now after what happened. This isn't some rumor you can brush off. Everyone knows it's true."
Mirelle's eyes flickered.
You—
Maryan did this to her.
It was she who had told her earlier that new dresses would arrive at the shop today. 'She set a trap for me!'
"You knew Nyasia was inside!" Mirelle said, her finger pointing accusingly at Maryan.
"It's not a secret that cousin would be there today, Mirelle. Did you think her carriage was headed somewhere else with the banquet days away? It was obvious." Maryan's voice was cool. "Don't blame anyone for your own stupidity. You've embarrassed Mother most of all, and now you're making Uncle angry at us."
Mirelle stomped.
"Still, you didn't tell me she's there!"
"I assume you knew."
"You assume? You—"
"Shut up, already!" Divya said in repressed tone, then exhaled deeply. "Goodness, if only your brain's as good as your face, Mirelle. Look at your elder sister. Don't you pity her good reputation will be ruined because of you? She even had to volunteer to go to the Jade Temple to study traditional arts, to improve. But you?"
Maryan gave a faint smirk, watching Mirelle began sobbing. She didn't spend a year to learn advanced skills and end up competing with Mirelle. 'This is for ever having ambition to get the Third Prince's attention. You think you're worth it?'
"I know you want me badly not come at the banquet because I'm prettier than you!" Mirelle said, clearing her tears away. "But have you seen Nyasia's face? She's no longer that sickly girl. If the Third Prince sees her, he'll fall in love!"
Maryan's smirk deepened.
'You wish.'
*