*Hic!*
A sudden, unexpected sound erupted from the chest of the completely stunned girl.
Asella felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She tried desperately to stop it—pressed her lips together, held her breath—but nothing worked. She continued to hiccup in fear, each small sound betraying her rattled composure.
She only managed to calm down after draining an entire cup of cold water that Calix silently handed her.
"Is it really that strange?" He studied her with an unreadable expression. "If anyone had witnessed our conversation, they'd hardly think I'd said anything inappropriate."
"It's not that it's strange. It's just that I... No, I'm surprised... it's strange... I..." Asella, thoroughly flustered, trailed off into silence.
"Don't worry about it." Calix exhaled—a bitter, almost resigned sound. "I won't touch you. And in any case, I'll sleep elsewhere."
The man kept his word.
Soon after, he departed and did not return.
---
*I simply need to return to the Grand Duchess's chambers.*
Sitting before the coffee table, Asella sighed with a guilt she couldn't quite name. It felt as though she had deliberately commandeered the Archduke's bedroom—though of course she had done nothing of the sort.
*But how can I leave if they won't permit me to go?*
Suddenly, a commotion arose outside the door. A familiar voice called through the heavy wood:
"Your Highness, this is Margot. May I come in?"
"Lady Roman!"
Asella sprang from her seat so quickly that the newspapers on her lap scattered to the floor. She didn't even notice. She rushed to the door and flung it open before the guards could react.
Margot stood in the corridor, a tender smile gracing her lips.
"Good evening, Your Highness."
"Lady Margot!" Asella seized her hands, relief and joy flooding her voice. "How *happy* I am to see you!"
She pulled the older woman into the bedroom, guided her to the sofa, and settled herself in the chair opposite—close enough that their knees nearly touched.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Margot's smile softened further. "It was only because of your intervention that we were all spared."
But Asella felt she deserved no gratitude. On the contrary, the weight of responsibility pressed heavily on her chest.
"I'm so sorry you had to endure all of that. Because of me."
"Please, it's nothing, Your Highness."
"How is your health? Were you seriously injured?"
"Everything is quite well, I assure you."
Asella, who had spent days tormented by uncertainty over the fate of her people, only began to relax when Margot repeatedly confirmed that the guards and servants were all safe and unharmed.
"I should mention that I am the only one of your attendants permitted entry to His Highness's chambers. This may cause you some inconvenience, but I will do everything in my power to be of assistance."
"You needn't concern yourself with that," Asella shook her head firmly.
Compared to the suffering of people who had spent several long days in a damp cellar because of her reckless escape, any personal discomfort was utterly trivial.
Moreover, thanks to her years at Charts Mansion—where she had lived in near-complete isolation—she deeply appreciated having a companion like Margot.
They discussed recent events for some time longer. Then Margot's demeanor shifted subtly; she straightened her posture and adopted a more formal tone.
"Actually, there is something I must convey to Your Highness. I have prepared carefully for this conversation."
"What is it?" Asella tilted her head with curiosity.
In response, Margot clapped her hands twice—a sharp, commanding sound.
The door opened, and several secretaries filed into the room. Each carried something in their arms. Asella watched the procession with growing bewilderment as they arranged their burdens before her with meticulous care.
At first glance, there were several rather plain boxes and one truly exquisite casket—its surface inlaid with mother-of-pearl and traced with gold filigree. But what puzzled Asella most were the folders of documents laid out on the coffee table, accompanied by a ring of ornate keys.
"What... what does all of this mean? Lady Roman?"
"His Highness wishes for you to assume all the powers of the Mistress of the Principality of Benvito."
Asella's eyes went wide. Her voice emerged in a stammer:
"Why... why *suddenly*..."
Margot cast a knowing glance at one of the secretaries, who approached as though he had been awaiting precisely this moment. He opened the precious casket, revealing three internal tiers nestled within silk-lined compartments.
Each tier contained jewelry of breathtaking beauty—necklaces dripping with sapphires, earrings crowned with diamonds, bracelets heavy with rubies. The precious stones caught the bright afternoon sunlight and scattered it throughout the Archduke's bedroom in a dazzling display of multicolored reflections.
"This casket has been passed down through generations," Margot explained. "Everything within belongs rightfully to the wife of the head of the Benvito family."
She then placed the ring of keys into Asella's trembling hand. Five keys hung from the ring, each unique in shape. Magical stones were set into the head of each one: four were crystal-clear, and one gleamed a deep, luminous blue.
"The blue key opens the family treasury. Please remember this, so you may use it when needed."
"His Highness instructed you to give this to *me*?" Asella stared at the keys as though they might vanish at any moment.
"Next is the key to the castle's inner doors—all of which Her Highness will now control." Margot retrieved the topmost folder and opened it before Asella. "Please review the contents."
Asella extended a hand that trembled with barely suppressed emotion. She turned to the first page and found herself looking at detailed financial reports: the castle's annual budget, a comprehensive list of all employees, their positions, and their salaries. Everything was clearly presented in elegant graphs and meticulously organized tables.
"From this day forward, all financial expenditures—as well as all operations both inside and outside the castle—will require your personal approval. Your signature will authorize everything."
Asella drew a deep, shaking breath.
The Grand Duke had genuinely delegated to her all the powers a true mistress of the house should possess.
"But *why* did he..."
She could not comprehend how his plans had shifted so dramatically in a single night. Not long ago, he had imprisoned her in a room without exits. He had blackmailed her with Mariel's safety, forcing her to accept the terms of his contract. Eventually, she had managed to persuade him to release her from that dreadful chamber—but he had still refused to let her leave his bedchamber until she recovered fully.
And now he was placing the reins of Benvito Castle directly into her hands.
The contradiction made no sense whatsoever.
"May I ask... *why*?"
"Is Your Highness not the mistress of the Principality of Benvito?" Margot's smile was gentle but matter-of-fact. "Well, we must begin somewhere."
"But I cannot *believe* it."
The position of Grand Duchess had always seemed to Asella nothing more than a beautiful decoration—an ornamental title she would hold only until she was killed.
*So what purpose does any of this serve? Why would the Archduke grant her such power?*
She remembered Philippe's advice from what felt like a lifetime ago: remain quiet, expect nothing from this marriage. She had heard that His Highness's vassals had always managed all internal affairs within the principality.
It had never occurred to her to protest that this arrangement was unfair to the mistress of the castle.
*And what would be the point of speaking up, when everyone already knew her true position?*
Moreover, she was not a proper bride with a dowry and family support. Asella was simply a commodity to be sold—a decorative ornament placed upon the Grand Duchess's throne. It would be absurd to demand recognition as a true partner to the Grand Duke.
"You don't like it?"
"No! What are you saying!" Asella managed an awkward smile. "It's just... rather unexpected."
Margot, noticing the Grand Duchess's obvious discomfort, quickly dismissed all the secretaries from the bedroom. When they had gone, she sank into a deep curtsy before Asella.
"Your Highness, please tell me frankly. What is troubling you so deeply?"
Asella hesitated, struggling to find the right words. Finally, haltingly, she spoke:
"But *why* would His Highness do this? He has no reason. To do such a thing... I simply cannot understand..."
"You're curious why His Highness has entrusted you with management of the castle—even though you don't trust him."
Asella's eyes flew wide when she heard the question she would never have dared voice aloud.
"How did you know?"
"Let's say it's simply my personal observation." Margot smiled softly. "As a wife."
A flicker of something—hope? confusion?—stirred in Asella's blue eyes.
*"You are my only wife."*
Asella quickly shook her head, startled by the unbidden memory of his voice.
*Don't trust them, Asella! This is another trap. He's merely spinning your mind, confusing you.*
*"I didn't kill Adele. I had no reason to. What makes you think I would ever harm your little sister?"*
Asella clenched her fists until her nails bit into her palms. She reminded herself—*again*—that she could not trust this man. She could not trust anything he said or did.
"Your Highness, you are his only wife. And he wishes to care for you and trust you."
"That's not true!"
The words erupted from Asella with startling force. She stopped short, shocked by her own violent reaction.
Margot regarded her with obvious surprise.
Realizing her outburst had been a mistake, Asella scrambled to explain:
"Ours is simply a marriage of convenience. Therefore..."
"So what?" Margot interjected gently. "Many couples have entered into marriage unions this way. But that doesn't prevent them from respecting one another and caring for their spouse." She paused, a knowing warmth entering her expression. "Like my husband and myself, for example."
Asella's eyes flickered with uncertainty.
Margot, sensing an opening, pressed carefully forward:
"How about asking His Highness personally?"
"Oh no." Asella's face paled. "How could I possibly..."
"If you ask him this question during your walk this evening, I believe he'll answer. I'm quite certain of it."
"Walk?" Asella blinked in confusion.
"Indeed. I've been instructed to convey His Highness's request. He asks if you would accompany him on a walk. This evening."
"This *evening*?" Asella glanced toward the window, where the last light of day was already fading. "But it's quite late now. That doesn't seem very convenient."
"You don't wish to accept his invitation? Then perhaps you could say you're feeling unwell?"
Asella considered this for a moment, then slowly shook her head.
"No. That won't be necessary."
For reasons she couldn't articulate, she sensed that refusing might somehow harm Margot. Moreover, given that the Grand Duke had effectively saved Mariel's life, declining his invitation felt... impossible.
"Are you certain? His Highness has no intention of forcing you."
"No, everything is fine." Asella managed a weak smile.
Margot's eyes brightened with barely concealed anticipation.
"Well, we don't have much time to prepare, but I believe we can manage beautifully. Let's give this man a proper surprise."
---
## — The Evening Walk —
Some time later, Asella walked along the garden path at Margot's side, marveling at the sensation of real grass beneath her slippered feet.
The sun had already vanished completely below the horizon, but the surroundings remained pleasantly illuminated. Magical stones were scattered throughout the grounds, their soft radiance creating an atmosphere that was equal parts enchanting and mysterious—as though she had wandered into a fairy tale.
*Is everything all right?*
Asella asked herself the question as she stepped carefully across the verdant lawn. She had no way of knowing what she looked like. For some inexplicable reason, there was no mirror in the Grand Duke's bedchamber.
*Of course, I must trust Lady Roman's impeccable taste. But still...*
Unease prickled at the edges of her thoughts. She hadn't been able to verify *anything* for herself.
*At the very least, it would be unacceptable for this man to mock my appearance.*
While Asella remained preoccupied with her anxious doubts, they approached a set of glass doors that led into an elegant greenhouse. The structure glowed softly from within, its crystalline panes reflecting the scattered light of the magical stones like captured starlight.
---