Today, Asella had decided to visit the library considerably earlier than usual. However, an unpleasant surprise awaited her.
"Renovations?"
"Precisely correct, Your Highness. His Highness ordered the study to be properly refurbished so the Grand Duchess would find it more comfortable." The maid, noticing her mistress's crestfallen expression, hastened to add reassurance. "Please don't worry—it won't take long at all. And once everything is completed, using the library will be far more pleasant. So there's truly no need for concern."
She noticed with some bewilderment how Asella's face had gone suddenly pale.
_Renovations? Why so suddenly?_
_Perhaps he noticed something?_
As she recalled their encounter in the library the previous evening, a wave of helpless anxiety washed over her. She fought to conceal it.
"Of course. Nothing... nothing unusual happened."
"Oh, yes! His Highness has also ordered renovations for his former study."
"Another renovation?"
"Yes. This has never occurred in the castle's entire history."
When Asella's eyes widened with confusion, the maids rushed to explain.
"The castle used to maintain two separate offices, Your Highness. The study in the North Tower belongs to His Highness the Grand Duke, while the other—located in the South Tower—was used by the previous Grand Duke. However, the South Tower study hasn't been occupied in many years, so it's fallen into considerable disrepair. That's why His Highness decided to renovate both spaces."
The maid's explanation sounded almost defensive. Meanwhile, one of the younger maids couldn't resist clapping her hands in undisguised delight.
"In truth, everyone in the castle speaks of nothing else!"
"What are they saying?" Asella tilted her head, genuinely perplexed.
"About how His Highness cares for his wife."
"...What?"
Asella felt genuinely flustered, then caught herself and attempted to arrange her stunned features into something resembling sternness—unable to comprehend where the servants could have conjured such absurd notions.
"No one was ever permitted into His Highness's private study. You could say you were the only person he's granted access."
"Do you know why there are two offices and a library in the castle? There have been many Grand Duchesses throughout this castle's long history, but none of them—" One of the maids wanted to elaborate further, but she was swiftly interrupted.
Now the servants were positively buzzing with excitement, competing to share details that would astound anyone: *He presented you with the priceless "Glory of the Goddess" tiara as an engagement gift; he permitted Miss Mariel to be brought to the estate; it's confidential, naturally, but everyone knows he plans to provide Your Highness with a vast independent fortune.*
The maids' curious glances converged simultaneously on Asella. Uncertain what they were discussing, she tried desperately to avoid their burdensome scrutiny. But they paid no heed, fussing around her with increasing enthusiasm. Their excitement mounted as they continued: *"We believe he would gladly fulfill any request you might have—you need only ask His Highness directly."*
Asella, who had been silently enduring this nonsense, smiled with bitter amusement.
_What utter foolishness._
_It's entirely characteristic of Calix Benvito to care only about maintaining his own prestige._
She smiled vaguely at the maids, neither confirming nor denying their assumptions.
Suddenly, the servants fell silent. A profound hush descended over the corridor.
Asella followed their collective gaze with curiosity and observed Lady Margot Roman approaching.
"Good morning, Your Highness. I trust everything is well?"
"Yes, Lady Roman."
Margot, who had been summoned to His Highness's presence that morning, was returning from a brief audience with him. She quickly retrieved a shawl from one of the maids and draped it carefully over Asella's shoulders.
"The morning air carries a chill. You might catch cold."
"Thank you..."
"And *you*!" She fixed the servants with a stern glare. "Cease chattering such nonsense! There's no need to trouble Her Highness with idle gossip."
The maids, who had been thoroughly enjoying themselves, displayed obvious disappointment. Noticing this, Asella attempted to intervene.
"Please don't be too severe with them, Lady Roman. They were merely attempting to comfort me. I'm quite distressed that I cannot access the library. They simply wished to lighten my spirits somewhat."
Margot opened her mouth to respond, then apparently reconsidered and merely released a resigned sigh.
"Of course, Her Highness is far too kind to you all. But that doesn't mean you may forget proper discipline. This time, Madame Benvito hasn't taken offense at your behavior—and I shall overlook it as well. But next time, don't expect such leniency. Worse still would be incurring His Highness's displeasure. He has no tolerance for those who cannot guard their tongues. And it's merely a matter of time before he discovers you've been speaking too freely."
In truth, Margot feared the Grand Duke's wrath above all else. The maids' excessive gossip could prove extraordinarily damaging. She understood perfectly that the relationship between the spouses was far from the loving, trusting marriage the servants imagined. If the maids revealed too much, His Highness might regard it as betrayal—and punishment would be swift and inevitable. Perhaps even her own family would suffer consequences.
The Grand Duke had never been known for mercy. And since this concerned Her Highness directly, he would prove even more merciless.
The moment Raizen had informed her of the Archduke's particular interest in his wife, Margot had grasped one crucial truth: whether it stemmed from affection, concern, or simple curiosity, it was not to be taken lightly.
He also visited Her Highness's bedchamber frequently—arriving in the depths of night and departing long before dawn. Yet nothing unusual appeared to be occurring within those walls. Margot's experienced feminine perception would not have missed such signs. The bed linens always remained pristine, and no traces of passionate physical intimacy marked the princess's delicate body. Moreover, it seemed likely the lady didn't even suspect her husband was visiting her bedroom after dark.
"Lady Roman, I would like to inquire about something."
Madame Benvito's clear voice pulled Margot from her contemplations.
"I'm listening, Your Highness."
"Last night... did someone enter my bedchamber?"
Margot responded immediately. She discreetly followed Asella's gaze toward a chair positioned beside the bed. It wasn't difficult to deduce who had occupied it during the night hours.
_Be cautious, Margot._
The Countess steeled herself, remembering His Highness's explicit orders to maintain absolute discretion.
With a perfectly composed expression that betrayed nothing, she finally answered:
"No, Your Highness. No one entered your chambers."
"I see..."
"I seem to have forgotten to return the chair to its proper position when I departed yesterday evening. My apologies."
Asella smiled awkwardly, feeling somewhat foolish for her pointless worry. However, Margot swiftly redirected the conversation.
"Your Highness, Miss Mariel should be arriving shortly."
Indeed, the light patter of hurried childish footsteps echoed in the corridor, and Mariel burst into the room.
Though Asella hadn't expected to see her sister so early, she smiled with genuine happiness.
"Oh! I assumed you were still sleeping."
"No! I don't feel sleepy at all!" Mariel shook her head vigorously.
Asella regarded the little girl—who had awakened before dawn—with mild disbelief.
"Truly? But why?"
"Because today is a *special* morning!"
"Special?"
Mariel nodded enthusiastically and announced:
"Today we're venturing outside! And we'll spend the entire day together. Just the two of us!"
Asella's expression went blank.
"What are you saying, Mariel? That's completely impossible."
But Mariel seized her hand cheerfully, her smile radiant with anticipation.
---
## — The Carriage —
Very soon, two nearly identical figures occupied a large, luxurious carriage emblazoned with the Benvito coat of arms.
Mariel watched contentedly as her sister stared fixedly through the carriage window. Though Asella struggled to conceal it, Mariel could easily sense her profound excitement.
_Sister... how can I possibly help you?_
In truth, today's excursion was entirely Mariel's doing.
Following the incident at the riding arena, Asella had barely left her chambers. Finally, Mariel could endure it no longer and had approached the Archduke directly.
For a child, this action required such courage that the prince hadn't even had time to grow angry.
"We require your permission to take a walk. After all, it's already spring, and the weather is absolutely wonderful."
"So what's preventing you?"
"But I wish to spend time with my sister alone. Although... we'll need a carriage and a driver, naturally."
At these words, Calix had grown visibly wary.
From the girl's phrasing, it became clear they intended to venture out without an escort.
"What of Lady Margot and the guards?"
"We won't require them."
"How interesting." The prince's gaze had hardened as he assessed her intentions.
However, Mariel had maintained the untroubled demeanor of a naive child. If he detected her nervousness, it would arouse suspicion.
"Our father forbade me and my sister from seeing each other and never permitted Asella to leave the mansion." Mariel had continued quietly, watching those long fingers drumming against the armrest of his chair.
"But if you would allow it, my sister would be extraordinarily happy."
*Click-click.*
The fingers that had been tapping the smooth wooden surface suddenly stopped.
After a prolonged silence, permission had been granted—along with detailed instructions.
Everything had proceeded exactly as Mariel planned.
When Asella realized this was genuinely happening, she had nearly gasped with joy and quickly covered her mouth with both hands. She was simply *happy*—sincerely and without pretense.
Even now, she couldn't conceal her excitement. She gazed around the streets with unabashed curiosity, her beautiful blue eyes sparkling with anticipation.
_I'm so sorry, sister._
Observing Asella like this, Mariel silently looked away. The guilt that had always lurked in the recesses of her mind surged forward once more.
_It's all because of me._
---
The memories of what had transpired at Charts Mansion—when Mariel had been brought there to attend her older sister's wedding—returned with sharp, lancing pain.
The joy of their reunion had been devastatingly brief. Mariel was forcibly torn from Asella's embrace and locked in a back room on Philip's orders.
Then, after what felt like hours, Philip had appeared in the chamber. The man looked disheveled, his clothing in disarray, completely drenched in perspiration.
"Mariel, you must understand something. Asella bears responsibility for her little sister's outrageous behavior. So think *very carefully* before you consider doing anything foolish in the future."
The girl couldn't comprehend what she had supposedly done. However, she sensed that something terrible had occurred. The man, breathing heavily, reeked foully of blood.
"Father, please. *Please* let me spend time with my sister."
"What sort of stupid whim is this? You'll be separated soon enough when she departs after the wedding. So there's no purpose in cultivating friendship now." Philip had cut her off angrily.
The girl hadn't dared insist further, terrified of causing additional trouble for her older sister. She possessed only one option: to swallow her tears in silence.
_Hernia, please help me and my sister... Please help us..._
She had cried throughout the day until exhaustion finally claimed her, constantly whispering those desperate prayers.
---
She jolted awake suddenly. The loud clatter of footsteps in the hallway had disturbed her rest. None of the servants thought to exercise care or walk quietly to avoid waking the child.
Just as Mariel managed to pull the blanket up to her chin and feign sleep, the door swung wide open. The maids entered without bothering to knock. Discovering the girl apparently asleep, they nevertheless remained in no hurry to depart.
"Finally unconscious," remarked one.
"Yes. She wept incessantly all day and begged to see her sister," grumbled another.
"His Excellency certainly won't permit that. This morning he was absolutely beside himself with fury."
"By the way, what provoked such rage?"
"I don't know precisely, but he taught the eldest a thorough lesson."
Mariel shuddered beneath the blanket, realizing the servants were discussing Asella.
"Yes, I heard the master demanded the whip be replaced because it had become too soaked with blood and wouldn't strike properly anymore. And the maid who cleaned the room afterward complained bitterly that everything was spattered with blood—she spent hours scrubbing."
"Yes, today His Excellency was simply *rabid*."
Mariel's mind clouded with horror. She had known, of course, that Philip treated Asella harshly. But it seemed that had been merely the visible tip of a monstrous iceberg.
"Yes, both sisters were cursed with terrible fortune..."
Mariel cowered beneath the blanket, unable to recover from the shock as the maids' voices pierced her heart like daggers.
_It's all my fault._
_Everything... is my fault._