Mariel's satisfied gaze tracked Asella's fork as soon as she placed a delicate bite of dessert in her mouth.
"Well? How is it? Is it delicious?"
Asella smiled and nodded with deliberate enthusiasm.
At that moment, the door swung open noisily and several elegantly dressed ladies swept into the hall.
They were so thoroughly absorbed in their animated conversation that they failed to notice other customers occupied the room.
They ordered loudly and continued their discussion without waiting for the waiter to depart:
"Have you heard the latest scandal? That spicy story about Viscount Wilpin?"
"Is this regarding how he gifted the Viscountess property on Pairont's finest lands?"
Asella shifted uncomfortably, finding herself an unwitting eavesdropper on someone else's private affairs.
She rose to her feet and whispered softly, "Mariel, I believe it's time we departed."
"And that's how it should be! After all, he gave his illegitimate child a name—registering him under his own family line. And she's forced to endure it all."
Asella settled back into her seat. _I'll have to wait._
If the ladies realized she'd overheard such intimate details, they would find themselves in an extraordinarily awkward position. Besides, Asella could be easily recognized—her distinctive silver hair and status made anonymity impossible.
_We must wait until they leave._
Asella pressed her index finger to her lips and caught Mariel's eye. The girl immediately covered her mouth with both small hands and nodded silently, understanding they mustn't make a sound.
"What else could he possibly do if his wife has never managed to produce an heir?"
"So in his situation, it's perfectly normal. Having a child on the side."
"Well, yes—he's still his own flesh and blood. What can one say?"
"But the Viscountess? How could she possibly agree to such humiliation?"
"Well, what choice does she have? There's no one to truly advocate for her. Her parents are practically on the brink of financial ruin. And in exchange, there's quite decent monetary compensation."
The conversation grew increasingly frank:
"And what about Count Clarence? He actually abandoned his wife entirely and installed his mistress in the family residence."
"Well, the wife didn't lose out either, did she?"
"Of course not! A mansion in the capital and exclusive development rights to the Elfin mines."
"Not bad at all!"
Asella attempted to focus on her dessert once more. But her efforts proved futile. The customers spoke far too loudly—so much so that she had no alternative but to continue listening.
"Think about it. This is hardly uncommon in the capital."
"What do you mean?"
"If your spouse suddenly becomes generous and begins allocating substantial sums for your maintenance and household expenses, it signifies he either has a mistress or an illegitimate child."
The ladies erupted into peals of laughter. The mirth continued for some time. Then they composed themselves, clearing their throats delicately before continuing:
"Well, it's not a terrible method of securing additional income."
"Are you serious? Where would I even acquire an illegitimate child?"
"Well, I haven't the faintest idea. I'll have to give it some thought."
And the laughter burst forth with renewed vigor.
Then the animated discussion shifted: "This white geranium arrangement... I desperately want one too."
"Have you seen that luxurious carriage..."
The topics became increasingly mundane, and the once-excited voices transformed into a monotonous hum.
Meanwhile, Mariel—having consumed the entire dessert with obvious satisfaction—had dozed off sweetly with her head resting on Asella's thigh.
The older girl gently stroked her sister's silver hair, gazing out the window with a soft expression.
The streets bustled with peaceful life. People with cheerful faces hurried about their daily business.
A smile suddenly illuminated Asella's features, like golden rays of midday sun pouring softly through the glass.
The beautiful sunny weather, the steady breathing of a sleeping child, and even the lively conversation at the neighboring table created a sensation of peace she hadn't experienced in an extraordinarily long time.
_I wish time would stop. Just like this._
Asella allowed her eyes to drift closed. Perhaps the warm afternoon sun had relaxed her body beyond her intention.
_I shouldn't fall asleep._
But her body and weary mind had already surrendered to temptation, and she sank into deep slumber.
And then the nightmare returned.
---
## — The Vision —
At first, she could perceive nothing—as though submerged in thick fog. Then her vision gradually cleared.
_This place..._
The Grand Duchess's chambers. More precisely, the private sitting room.
Asella sat motionless in a chair beside a small, beautifully inlaid table. She couldn't move—even though it was her own body, she seemed to be observing from outside herself, as though watching a stranger.
Finally, she managed to turn her head slowly and look into the tall, gilt-framed mirror on the opposite wall.
She beheld a completely still figure and a face as pale as a corpse.
On the table before her reflection sat elaborately prepared dishes and two crystal glasses filled with wine.
_Am I waiting for someone?_
The arrangement resembled a romantic dinner for lovers.
At that moment, the door handle began to turn with agonizing slowness.
Terror seized her—a desperate desire to flee—but she couldn't command even the smallest movement.
"Asella!" A muffled voice emerged, as though rising from a grave. "Have you been waiting long?"
It was Grand Duke Calix Benvito.
But his appearance seemed unusual. Too casual. A simple white shirt and black trousers—though only at first glance. The uppermost buttons of his expensive silk shirt hung open, revealing tightly corded pectoral muscles, lending him a distinctly relaxed air.
He settled into the chair opposite and leaned back with comfortable ease.
"Answer me."
"No." The woman's lips parted automatically, entirely against her will.
She had become a puppet—completely dependent on its master's strings. Her body refused all commands. The only faculty remaining free was her racing thoughts.
"Good." Calix lifted the wine bottle and filled both glasses with practiced grace.
Red liquid—too similar to blood—swayed slowly in the beautifully cut crystal.
"Drink."
Her hand rose mechanically. Her fingers closed around the delicate stem.
_You shouldn't drink this..._
The panicked inner voice screamed with desperate insistence.
Asella couldn't tolerate alcohol. Even a single sip left her dizzy and disoriented. One full glass would render her completely unconscious.
But her body moved beyond her control. Asella could only watch in horror as her hand raised the glass filled with blood-red liquid toward her lips.
"I selected something sweet, knowing you're unaccustomed to wine. Do you find it agreeable?"
"Yes, thank you..."
The man's handsome lips curved into a captivating smile. However, Asella's heart froze with terror at the sight of his face.
Unlike the smile, his eyes remained as cold as death itself.
It was profoundly disturbing.
The eerie contrast between that fantastically beautiful face and the ugly, false smile created an unnatural impression—leaving her feeling painfully, viscerally uneasy.
"You've only taken a sip. Why? You must drink it to the bottom."
"But I cannot tolerate alcohol..."
"I chose this wine for you personally. Therefore, you cannot refuse."
He made a persistent gesture of encouragement, urging her to continue. However, the unsettling expression never wavered.
Asella took another hesitant sip.
In an instant, her body ignited with unbearable heat. Her throat felt as though it were on fire.
"Excellent!" Calix lifted his own glass and raised it to his lips.
Red lips... red wine.
_Too bright,_ Asella thought. _Burning._
He poured the wine slowly down his throat, sip by deliberate sip, never removing his gaze from Asella's face. As though waiting for something specific.
"Not yet?"
The words that escaped when he lowered his glass were strange. Ominous.
"You've held on quite admirably." The man spoke into a completely eerie silence.
She couldn't fully comprehend his meaning, but his words—delivered with incomprehensible intent—sent violent shivers cascading through her body. It felt as though vile spiders were crawling across her skin, their hideous legs twitching.
Suddenly, the sharp sound of shattering glass pierced her ears.
Asella's body collapsed to the floor. A groan tore from her mouth, followed by painful, wracking coughs. Broken crystal scattered across marble. Red liquid pooled around her dying form.
Along with the coughing, crimson blood gushed from her throat—quickly soaking through the fabric of her sleeves, staining her trembling palms.
_What is this?_
Asella wanted to scream, but her voice had abandoned her entirely. She only opened her mouth in silent agony.
Then she struggled to raise her head, and her astonished, desperate gaze met Calix's.
"Are you surprised?"
Asella felt she could no longer breathe properly. She clutched at her neck with weakening fingers. But it was useless—as though her throat had been stuffed with cotton wool.
"Is it difficult for you?" The man slowly leaned over her prone form and touched her blood-smeared cheek with mock sympathy. However, his tone carried unmistakable mockery. He carefully wiped away a tear that had rolled down Asella's face. "It would have been so much simpler if you'd agreed to sign the divorce papers. Then perhaps everything would be different."
Her eyes widened with horror.
"But apparently, that proved too difficult for you."
_No..._
"I didn't wish to harm you initially."
Asella felt all her organs slowly decomposing, ravaged by the terrible poison coursing through her veins. She forced her mouth open with immense effort.
_Why? How could you..._
"Because you're annoying."
The man's eyes narrowed, and he smiled with obvious delight. This beautiful smile was utterly at odds with the man who had just poisoned his own wife.
"It's your own fault, truly. I would have spared you—if not for your cursed curiosity. Why did you need to uncover Karma's secrets?"
A strangled sound escaped her throat.
"You should have been grateful for your freedom from Philip's household. And lived as quietly as though you were already dead."
Though Asella's consciousness was rapidly fading, she suddenly remembered the dream she'd experienced days earlier.
_A door bearing a symbol. The mark of Karma._
_So this man leads that organization._
"You must have deduced who murdered Adele. Didn't you?"
For a heartbeat, Asella's eyes froze in absolute understanding.
Then her gaze began darting around the room in wild panic.
Realization struck her mind like a lightning bolt.
"You've understood everything correctly, my lady."
Asella's body convulsed in the agony of all-consuming terror.
_...Benvito... beware of him..._
_Calix Benvito... take care..._
Her mother's dying warning echoed persistently through her fracturing thoughts.
But her poisoned body had already crossed death's threshold. The toxin spread with merciless speed. She could no longer draw breath.
"Unlike Adele, you were born without abilities. That's why I initially intended to keep you alive."
She could still hear the cold words of her murderer. Could still see the cruel fire blazing in those blood-red eyes.
"I've changed my mind."
The woman could no longer support her upper body. She collapsed completely against the cold floor. Her labored breathing gradually weakened, fading to nothing. She no longer felt her body—only the flickering light in her dimming pupils.
Calix brought his lips close to her ear and whispered with terrible sweetness:
"The story of the Charts family ends here."
---
"Your Highness! Your Highness!"
Asella jolted awake to a loud commotion and an alarmed voice. The coachman's worried face swam into focus before her eyes. A purple sunset already stained the sky outside. The noisy patrons had vanished—they must have departed long ago.
"My lady, we must return to the castle. It's grown quite late."
She barely registered how she'd been helped into the carriage. Mariel hadn't awakened; they'd laid her gently on the cushioned seat beside Asella.
Watching the sleeping child, Asella pressed her hand against her own chest.
Her heart was still pounding frantically.
_Did I just witness my own death?_
In a dream that felt far more like prophecy, Grand Duke Calix Benvito had poisoned her.