Several days passed at Benvito Castle following the unfortunate incident with the horse. Asella found herself confined to her chambers for an extended period. When the physician had examined her that day, he assured her that everything appeared fine—but recommended complete rest, simply as a precaution.
"You must get plenty of rest and attend carefully to your health. Nothing that might prove too strenuous for your body."
Margot and Mariel's lessons grew increasingly intensive, which meant Asella spent most of her hours alone.
In a way, this arrangement suited her purposes perfectly.
The maids and guards were pleased with their new mistress. Contrary to their expectations, the seemingly sensitive and fastidious Grand Duchess had proven neither particularly capricious nor demanding. Her range of activities remained extremely narrow. Serving her required minimal effort. This gradually relaxed their vigilance.
Some even began to warm toward her.
"Your Highness! Do you wish to visit the library again?"
"Yes. I didn't have time to finish a very interesting book yesterday."
"Of course. I'll ensure everything is prepared for you."
A young maid of Asella's own age had been appointed to replace the now considerably occupied Margot. Since the girl was still young and trusting, Asella had decided to keep her close. As expected, she proved quite capable without being overly intrusive—qualities that made her a suitable attendant, perfectly matched to Asella's needs.
Asella walked along the corridor accompanied by her entourage of servants until she finally stopped and turned to face them.
"I'll remain here until dinner. So you may rest."
"But, Your Highness—"
"It's quite all right. I wish to be alone." Asella cast a pointed glance at the guards stationed at each doorway. "And is there a safer place on earth?"
When these confident words reached the guards' ears, they inclined their heads slightly to conceal the satisfied smiles spreading across their faces.
"If I require anything, I'll summon you. I promise."
"Yes, Your Highness." The maids' cheeks flushed with anticipation of their unexpected leisure.
"Please, Your Highness." The guard opened the door for her with a respectful nod.
---
The vast study, which also served as a library, was lined with tall bookcases stretching toward the ceiling—their shelves burdened with countless volumes on countless subjects. The space between them lay covered with a wide, plush carpet that softened the otherwise austere atmosphere. Asella crossed this expanse easily and approached the tall windows at the far end.
This was her reading nook, positioned in the brightest corner of the library.
She settled onto the now-familiar sofa and lifted a steaming cup of tea from the small table beside her.
_Warm..._
A few sips of the fragrant brew seemed to calm her anxious mind somewhat. Her gaze relaxed as she surveyed the cozy surroundings.
Initially, this room had resembled a working study more than anything—dominated by a massive desk and several formal chairs. But after Asella had visited several times, it had somehow transformed into something resembling a luxurious salon.
When she had inquired about the changes, the maids exchanged meaningful smiles.
"His Highness ordered that everything be arranged for Your Highness's maximum comfort."
"But... how did he know?"
The maids preferred to remain silent. None wished to admit that they reported *everything*—literally *everything*—concerning the Grand Duchess to the prince.
"Um. Perhaps the guards mentioned it? It's... part of their duties..."
Unlike Margot, who never uttered anything unnecessary, these younger maids often let things slip—apparently due to inexperience. Thanks to their inadvertent revelations, Asella had become certain of at least one truth.
_Her every move was being watched._
So the library had become nearly the only place where she could hide from prying eyes.
_I must hurry._
Asella rose from the sofa, her tea only half finished. There was still much to memorize. She walked toward the farthest section of the study, where tall shelves stood in orderly rows. This corner was dim and slightly unsettling.
_Third shelf on the left. Fourth book from the right._
There.
Asella extracted a book so large and heavy it nearly obscured her entire upper body.
_Now I need to leave the handkerchief._
She placed the silk cloth on the empty shelf space—a marker that would allow her to return the volume to its proper position. Even if she'd been granted solitude for a while, that didn't mean servants couldn't notice disordered books and deduce what she'd been reading.
That was absolutely unacceptable.
The book was incredibly heavy. By the time Asella had dragged it to the large desk, beads of perspiration had formed along her hairline. She barely noticed. With trembling fingers, she quickly undid the metal clasp, and the cover swung open like the lid of some precious, beautiful box.
It was a detailed description of Benvito Castle—the fortress itself and all the prince's territorial holdings. The pages featured elaborate diagrams and illustrations.
More precisely, it contained *maps*.
For several days now, Asella had been attempting to commit these layouts to memory. She needed to identify a safe exit beyond the fortress walls.
Escape would not be easy. Thorough preparation was essential.
She had been meticulously memorizing the castle's architecture and discreetly stockpiling small valuables. She had made a point of disturbing the maids and guards as little as possible, allowing their vigilance to relax. She planned to flee the moment Mariel's powers fully awakened. Then everything would become considerably easier.
They possessed only one chance. Failure would mean the end—for both of them. She had to consider multiple options and select the most reliable path.
_This corridor is too heavily trafficked—she would certainly be noticed. And here there are too many doors. What if some are locked? And this route carries too high a risk of encountering guards..._
Deep in concentration, Asella glanced up from the book only when darkness had nearly claimed the windows. Realizing her time had expired for the day, she carefully closed the volume and returned it to the spot marked by her handkerchief.
For some reason, she felt as though—
No. Everything seemed fine.
_Which book should she take?_
She selected the first volume she encountered from a nearby shelf—one bearing no connection whatsoever to her actual studies.
> *Little-Studied Flowers of the Southern Continent*
The cover displayed an illustration of a bloom in impossibly vivid colors.
She tucked the book under her arm. All that remained was placing it on the table, as though she had finally finished reading it.
_There._
Asella exhaled with relief, satisfied that she'd worked diligently today and everything had proceeded smoothly.
Then a black shadow materialized on the floor and blocked her path.
Asella couldn't even scream. She simply squeezed her eyes shut, her heart hammering with wild, irrational terror. Yet somehow, she heard no sound of the book slipping from her grasp and striking the floor.
Instead:
"Asella."
A quiet voice sounded directly above her head. Her breathing accelerated further, and despite her fear, she couldn't help but open her eyes.
When she finally did, she realized someone had caught the book safely before it could fall.
Her gaze traveled slowly upward—from the long fingers clutching the volume's corner, to the sleeves fastened with crimson cufflinks, to the perfectly tailored white silk shirt without a single crease.
"Your Highness...?" Asella could barely form the words.
_How long had he been here? What could he have seen?_
Such anxious tension gripped her body that her palms began to perspire. She fought desperately not to glance toward the spot where she'd concealed the precious map.
Meanwhile, Calix silently extended the book toward her.
"Thank you..." Asella accepted it and clutched it against her chest, as though hoping to hide behind its substantial cover.
"Why are you here—" She stopped mid-sentence, realizing how foolish the question sounded.
"I needed to find a particular book." His answer was simple, matter-of-fact.
Indeed—before her stood the master of Benvito Castle. No door was closed to him. *She* was the outsider in this library, which belonged entirely to his domain.
"Forgive me. I'll leave immediately." She set the book down and attempted to slip past him as quickly as possible.
"Wait."
Asella, who had nearly reached the exit, froze mid-step. She barely managed to turn her head before meeting those crimson eyes.
Her heart seemed to stop entirely. A dangerous thought flashed through her mind: *They were completely alone here.*
"It's late. You probably intended to take it to your chambers to read before sleep."
"...Yes. If His Highness permits."
_Please let him not notice. Please let him not suspect anything._
Asella prayed silently, willing strength into her trembling legs.
What felt like an eternity passed before the man's handsome lips finally parted.
"Certainly."
The instant permission was granted, Asella approached cautiously, nervously retrieved the book from the table, and fled the study.
---
## — Calix —
Calix watched her retreating figure with a contemplative frown, then turned and moved between the rows of bookcases where he had discovered his wife moments before.
He walked slowly, leisurely scanning the spines of books—approaching his quarry like a predator cornering prey.
Suddenly, his steps halted.
He stood exactly where the handkerchief lay.
He considered for a moment, then with one fluid motion extracted the book—the same volume Asella could barely lift due to its considerable weight.
A muffled word escaped into the library's silence.
"Management..."
It was an instruction manual detailing the complete layout of Benvito Fortress.
_But why would she need this?_
Such documents contained sensitive information regarding room arrangements, communication systems, secret passages—essentially all the secrets of a complex structure designed to withstand prolonged siege. Every noble family maintained similar records. And because such intelligence could prove invaluable to enemy agents, access was severely restricted.
_So that's how it is..._
Calix grinned, recalling the image of the woman frozen before him—clearly attempting to conceal something, feigning composure with all her might. But he had noticed. His instincts were too finely honed to miss such details.
His reflexes had detected his wife's presence the moment he entered the study.
_With those eyes... Who exactly do you think you're deceiving?_
Her blue eyes were utterly incapable of dishonesty. They had trembled so violently with anxiety—as though she'd been caught in the act and couldn't determine how to extricate herself.
---
"Her Highness has requested permission to read books."
"Then allow her to seek whatever she requires in my study."
"Did I understand correctly? She may enter your library?"
"Yes."
"But perhaps we should arrange to open the Grand Duchess's study for her instead?"
"No need. The Grand Duchess's library hasn't been opened in twenty years. It will require considerable time to restore everything to order."
The Grand Duke's library, like his private study, was a space restricted to everyone except Calix himself. Even Raizen couldn't set foot there without explicit permission.
Therefore, news that His Highness had granted Asella access to his personal library astonished everyone.
"The Grand Duchess's study has remained closed for nearly two decades..."
The prince's explanation, while seemingly reasonable on its surface, hardly justified such unprecedented favor.
_But she cannot lie._
Calix glanced at the handkerchief Asella had forgotten—still clutched in his palm. He recalled again how pale her face had become, how she'd flinched with obvious guilt when caught off guard. He remembered how her delicate knuckles had whitened with tension as they gripped the book.
Yet he couldn't quite determine what she was planning.
He had several theories.
With a completely impassive expression betraying no emotion whatsoever, Calix spoke his wife's name in a quiet voice.
"Asella Benvito."
He could fabricate as many justifications as necessary, but in truth, his reason for granting Asella access to his study was something else entirely.
A faint, painful sense of guilt stirred within him whenever he witnessed his wife suffering because of him. He worried constantly, attempting to divine what she truly wanted. But she offered no clues—preferring silence regarding her desires and needs.
He departed the study and regarded Raizen thoughtfully as his aide hurried toward him along the lengthy corridor.
"Assign someone to observe her. Closely." His voice carried a strange, obsessive edge. "Report every movement to me personally. In complete detail."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Calix clenched his fists, a subtle frustration coursing through him alongside another emotion—something he could barely recognize yet felt acutely, painfully.
A sense of betrayal.