Three days had passed since the Archduke's return to the castle. By now, everyone from the noble knights serving at Benvito Fortress to the lowliest stable hand knew what had truly befallen the Marquis of Charts. Of course, none were foolish enough to mention it within earshot of the Grand Duchess.
The demeanor the Grand Duke had displayed toward Her Highness upon returning from the destruction of his own wife's family told them everything they needed to know about how to conduct themselves.
"His Highness went directly to visit his wife the moment he returned."
"They say he didn't leave her chambers until late into the night."
"The physician examines Her Highness every morning and every evening now."
"The Master has given strict orders—only dishes that please Her Highness are to be prepared." The servants whispered among themselves in hushed tones.
"But why did he treat her relatives so cruelly?"
"Think about it. Was it acceptable for those people to steal the title and fortune from the legitimate heirs of the Charts family? His Highness simply... *settled accounts*."
"What about Miss Mariel?"
"I heard it from a knight who serves His Highness directly," one servant murmured, glancing carefully in all directions before continuing. "He said she's been registered under her biological father's name. She now belongs to the Loktrin family. Miss Mariel is the sole heir, and Her Highness has been named as Mariel Loktrin's legal guardian."
"Oh, gods! Is this truly so?"
"It is. I would stake my life on it."
"Does Her Highness know?"
"I heard the Master is keeping this secret from his wife. But I expect she'll be informed soon enough."
The courtesy of servants and guards—indeed, everyone within the fortress—had reached unprecedented heights. Yet Asella, consumed by recent events and uncertain of what the future held, noticed none of it.
---
It was midday when Mariel and Asella finished lunch together. Asella watched her sister happily devouring dessert, then spoke with careful hesitation.
"Mariel."
"Hm?" The girl didn't look up from her plate.
"Do you like this place? Benvito Castle, I mean."
"Of course, Sister!" Mariel beamed, finally meeting her eyes. "I truly enjoy my lessons with Lady Roman. And the greenhouse—it's so beautiful there. Everyone treats me wonderfully. It's *much* nicer here than where I lived before."
But her sister's bright smile only deepened Asella's unease. Her thoughts drifted unbidden to the night of the Archduke's return from the capital.
_"Come here."_
The image of that man—eager to embrace a useless commodity in his powerful arms—had been unexpected. She had never seen him like that before.
_No._
Asella severed the thought before it could take root.
_This could never mean anything. There is no reason for it. It's simply the whim of a man drunk on power and wealth. A momentary fancy._
_A fleeting interest in a doll who suddenly dared to speak her mind. I must exploit this mood and buy myself time. Nothing more._
So Asella had made herself pleasing to him. She communicated with extreme submission, asking only one thing: that Mariel not be taken to the capital.
_We need to run. As quickly as possible._
Though Calix Benvito had personally assured her that no harm would come to Mariel, Asella couldn't bring herself to believe him. A man's mind couldn't be changed with a wave of the hand.
She had no way of knowing when this man might grow bored and decide to kill them both. She had managed to buy a little time—nothing more.
In the Empire, neither of the Charts daughters could ever feel safe.
They no longer possessed even a family name to serve as a shield. In that case, it would be better to flee the Garmanian Empire entirely—escape to somewhere no one knew anything about them.
_All we need to do is get beyond the Empire's borders. Mariel should awaken very soon. We simply need to wait it out in a safe place._
"Mariel, what if..." Asella struggled to find the right words.
Guilt pricked at her as she watched her sister tilt her sweet silver head, trying to understand.
"What if I can't get into the Academy?"
"Mariel..."
The girl's expression shifted, growing suddenly serious. Her small hand came to rest atop her older sister's. Asella stared at her in surprise, startled by the abrupt change.
"It's all right." Mariel's voice was steady. "It doesn't matter whether I get into the Academy or not."
"Mariel?"
"I know what happened to our family."
The words struck Asella like a hammer blow. Her ears rang. She hadn't told Mariel anything—and the maids had been extraordinarily careful.
"But how? How did you find out?"
"Everyone's been acting so strangely lately." Mariel's eyes held no innocence now—only quiet knowing. "So I used my manipulation abilities."
"I see..." Asella lowered her gaze.
She had hoped so desperately that Mariel would never learn the truth—or at least not for many years. Her heart ached at the thought of how shocked her sister must have been. And worse, that the child had been forced to pretend she knew nothing.
Asella reached out and gently stroked the girl's hair.
"You must have been surprised?"
"A little."
"I'll take care of you." The words came out soft, almost as though Asella were speaking to herself. "I will."
"Sister?"
"No matter what happens..." Asella's voice hardened with resolve. "I *will* get you out of here."
"You want to leave?" Mariel studied her older sister's face intently.
"Yes. I want to leave this place. As soon as possible."
When she thought about it honestly, Asella hadn't felt as comfortable as she did at Benvito Castle in years. Yet her situation differed little from what it had been at Charts Manor. This was simply a more luxurious prison.
Just as before, she couldn't trust anyone. Calix Benvito's eyes and ears were everywhere. Any attempt at disobedience threatened punishment—or death.
If it were only her life at stake, she could endure. But Mariel...
"It's too dangerous here."
In this place, both their lives lay entirely in *his* hands. Asella could envision her fate with terrible clarity: a creature kept on a leash forever, her existence manipulated according to his whims alone. And when that grew tiresome, she would be disposed of without mercy.
"We'll leave as soon as your awakening is complete. I've prepared everything. We'll flee the Empire and hide somewhere safe."
Asella had memorized every possible route out of the fortress. She constantly replayed the layout of Benvito's grounds in her mind. She had hidden the gold coins they would need to survive after their escape.
"Then let's leave today."
Asella's eyes widened at the unexpected words.
"You only need to say the word, Sister." Mariel snapped her fingers.
Across the room, the latch on the terrace door slid open with a soft *click*. The door swung slowly inward.
Asella clapped a hand over her mouth, shock rendering her momentarily speechless.
"What kind of ability is this?"
"I haven't fully awakened yet—this only appeared this morning." Mariel paused, then narrowed one eye mischievously. "My powers are still limited, and I tire quickly. But... getting out of here? This should prove quite useful. Don't you think?"
---
## — Midnight —
At the appointed hour, Asella's eyes opened in the darkness of her bedchamber. It was well past midnight. Everyone assigned to watch her had long since surrendered to sleep.
She had to hurry.
Everything had happened far sooner than expected—she hadn't been able to prepare fully. But there was no choice. In a world where these people had finally decided to exterminate the Charts family entirely, any delay was too dangerous.
Asella rose from her bed and moved as silently as a ghost toward the dressing room. She changed into her most practical clothes and wound her long silver hair into a tight bun atop her head. Then she donned a wide-brimmed hat, pulling it low to completely obscure her face.
She crossed to the chest of drawers. Her fingers found the locket, and she fastened it around her neck once more. Finally, she retrieved the small purse containing jewels and gold coins, clutching it tightly against her chest.
_Mariel must already be waiting._
She eased the balcony door open, moving with excruciating care to make no sound. Cold night air rushed over her, raising gooseflesh along her arms. But already she could hear her sister's whisper drifting from the neighboring balcony.
"Sister."
"Mariel!" Joy sparkled in Asella's eyes.
Mariel smiled—and then snapped her fingers.
In an instant, she vanished.
"Mariel?"
"I'm here."
The whisper came from exactly where the girl had been standing.
"But what happened?"
"Don't worry. It's just an invisibility spell."
Another quiet snap—and suddenly Mariel stood beside her, their bodies close enough to touch.
"When we're in contact, we can see each other."
"How remarkable."
Mariel grinned and seized Asella's hand in a firm grip. She led her older sister to the balcony railing. After assessing the landing spot below, she cast a protective spell—Asella felt warmth bloom around her like an invisible cocoon.
Mariel looked at her with steady eyes.
"Ready, Sister?"
"Yes."
It felt as though a warm cloud had enveloped Asella's entire body. Two heartbeats later, she stood on solid ground.
Mariel patted down her skirts, straightening the fabric, then met Asella's gaze.
"Sister—we need to reach the city."
But Asella suddenly heard heavy footsteps nearby. Instinct took over. She seized Mariel's arm and pulled her behind a nearby tree just as a night patrol passed within arm's reach.
"They can't see us," Mariel whispered reassuringly.
As Asella marveled at how Mariel had rendered their bodies invisible, hoarse male voices drifted through the darkness.
"No—it was nothing. Just my imagination."
"Who would you expect to find out here at this hour? Unless Her Highness climbed out her balcony and decided to take an extravagant midnight stroll."
"Ha! She's been asleep for hours, I'd wager."
The guards' voices faded gradually into the distance, then died away completely.
Asella waited—counting heartbeats—until they had moved far enough. Then she nodded to Mariel.
Fortune favored them. They encountered no one else.
A great stroke of luck.
Soon, two identical figures stood before the towering ramparts of Benvito Castle. They exchanged glances in the moonlight.
"I haven't tried teleporting another person yet," Mariel admitted, studying Asella's face. "But... are you ready?"
Asella nodded without hesitation.
Mariel snapped her fingers.
And both sisters **vanished**.