I entered the room with Alice following closely behind. The human girls were being dressed in white gowns, their faces smeared with ash. Unease lingered in their expressions as the maids worked carefully around them. No doubt, they had already heard rumors about how the ceremony was conducted.
The maids stepped back gracefully, bowing, leaving us alone with the girls. The plain girl, Bella, had her eyes shut tightly, her fingers clutching her dress. Rose, on the other hand, sat quietly in thought.
"Ahem," I said, clearing my throat to gain their attention.
Startled, they rose quickly and bowed in unison. They learned quickly, which was good—if they both intended to survive.
"Rise. I hope you both had the rest you needed."
"Of course, my lady. Thanks to your arrangements, we rested well," Rose replied, her tone notably more restrained than before.
"Good." I paused briefly. "I came to ensure you understand what is expected. As you have likely been told, this is your initiation ceremony. You will walk to the large silver platter at the front of the hall, before the idol, and sit. Whatever the priest instructs, you are to follow without hesitation. Do so, and it will be over quickly."
"Thank you, Your Highness, for coming all this way to explain," Bella said sweetly. "You have been nothing but kind to us."
"There is no need to thank me. I am only performing my duties." I turned slightly. "The auspicious hour approaches. I will leave you to prepare."
They bowed again. A part of me wished they possessed both honesty and wisdom—but such things were rarely granted where they were now.
I made my way to the ceremonial hall, my arrival announced as I entered. The sharp scent of burnt offerings hung heavily in the air, placed near the altar. They sure took great care of their divi. Rows of chairs filled the space, occupied by nobles and officials dressed in all black. Above us, elevated seats held the elders, watching from above like silent judges. It felt less like a ceremony and more like stepping into a predator's enclosure.
New paintings lined the hall, depicting previous Holy Stewards, leading toward the front. Fredrick's portrait stood among them—his stubborn expression as unyielding as ever. I wondered briefly whether my warning had reached him. I had no desire to dirty my hands, but people had a way of forcing one into unpleasant measures.
I took my seat beside Elizabeth, who had already been seated. Soft murmurs filled the room as we waited.
At the front stood a golden idol of Sangro—crafted in the image of a beautiful man. Delicate in form, yet embodying something vicious beneath the surface. It mirrored the nature of vampires well—especially those of the capital.
The duke stood nearby in a fitted black suit, his coat draped neatly over his shoulders. Beside him stood the Holy Steward and several priests, preparing for the ritual. The silver platter lay before them, gleaming under the light—a perfect reflection of the ritual's intent.
The sound of a trumpet cut through the hall, and everyone turned their gaze to the entrance of the hall.
The girls had arrived.
They walked slowly, aware of the many eyes following them—predatory, curious, calculating—until they reached the front and knelt within the silver platter.
"Today, Bella Williston and Rose Anderson, you sever your ties and become one with your husband, His Highness," the Holy Steward declared. "Bound to him, so too are your responsibilities. The blood within you belongs to him, as does your soul—until fate parts you."
With that, holy water was poured over them, drenching them.
Now they had become his.
I had always wondered why humans agreed to such things—offering their very souls for so little in return. A faint trace of pity surfaced, though I knew it would not change what awaited them.
The priests draped black robes over their shoulders as they shivered, completely drenched. Fear flickered in their eyes—barely contained. I believe they realized that they sat surrounded by those who only know how to consume.
"You will now slit your palms and offer your blood to the idol," the priest instructed. "Sangro must taste before your husband."
Bella hesitated, her gaze fixed on the blade. Rose did not. She took it and cut her palm cleanly, letting her blood flow into the cup. After a moment, Bella followed.
The scent of blood filled the air—thick, sweet, intoxicating. Some in the room shifted, unable to hide their reaction.
They winced, though the cuts were shallow. Enough blood was drawn to fill both cups.
The Holy Steward poured the first at the idol's feet, then the second.
Then he handed the cups to Eliot.
He drank without hesitation.
Silence fell over the hall as all eyes remained fixed on him. A few swallowed hard.
The girls looked visibly disturbed by the action.
When he finished, the orchestra began to play, as though nothing had happened, and he walked off the altar, his subordinate following closely behind.
The girls were quickly led away. My gaze lingered on Bella as she turned slightly—her eyes wide, filled with tears, while Rose walked on, shaken by the experience but trying to hold it together.
A part of me felt for them.
****
But the madness had only just begun.
I sat beneath the dim glow of my lamp, writing a letter to Father. My cheek rested against my palm as I considered my wording. I would have preferred to call, but he remained stubbornly opposed to telephones—always insisting they were tools for imperial surveillance. Writing, in his mind, was safer.
It had been some time since I had contacted either of my parents. To do so now—for a favor—felt… unbecoming. But I had little choice. This was not a matter I could resolve as duchess.
So I would use his hand instead.
"My lady," Alice called softly.
"Enter."
"The duke has requested your presence for dinner. The other high-ranking consorts will be there, as well as the new ones."
I glanced at the clock. Eight. It will take a while to get ready.
"I see." I rose slowly. "Very well."
Alice dressed me in a deep green gown, the fabric heavy and deliberate. Emeralds rested against my neck—their weight unmistakable. A wedding gift from my mother-in-law. My hair was tied with matching ribbons.
As my father taught me, one does not go to war unarmored.
The Jade Estate was already lit when I arrived.
Elizabeth stood waiting, dressed in orange that complemented her figure. Her honey-brown hair fell loosely over her shoulders, a diamond necklace resting lightly at her throat—the duke's gift from her last birthday. Great minds do think alike; to think she would resist the pull. Time had done little to diminish her; no one would believe she was older than me.
Her eyes flickered briefly to my necklace; a faint grin played on her lips.
"We brought wine," I said, breaking her out of her thoughts.
"How thoughtful of Your Highness," she replied with a smile before leading us inside.
Once again, she had decorated the dining hall beautifully. This time, it was calmer; the scent of rose-lit candles hung in the air.
Only Lillth, Sarah, and Angelica were present, along with the new consorts. Lillth wore a dark purple gown, her fingers idly tracing the rim of her glass. Sarah and Angelica kept to simpler attire, choosing not to draw attention. The new consorts, however, had made an effort—as expected, given it was their first dinner as the duke's wives.
Angelica spoke gently with the girls, attempting to ease the tension. Though human, she understood enough to stay clear of open conflict.
We waited.
When the duke entered, Vincent followed at a distance, taking his place among the staff. Conversation died instantly. The room grew heavy with anticipation.
We all stood.
He took his seat at the head of the table.
I sat only after he did, and all the others after me.
"Apologies for the delay," he said.
"We did not wait long," Elizabeth replied, rising to serve him first before attending to the rest in order of rank. Bella was served before Rose.
Rose had noticed, that being the first shot of the night.
"All of you look lovely this evening," Eliot said, cutting into his meal.
His gaze lingered briefly on my necklace. I adjusted it slightly.
"Does it not weigh on you, Caroline?" he asked.
"It does. The gems are quite heavy."
"Then why wear it?"
"Because you once said you liked it on me."
For a moment, he said nothing.
I waited patiently.
Then he laughed.
The sound filled the room, sharp and unexpected, startling everyone, including me.
"You never fail to amuse me," he said. "It suits you. Few others could wear it as you do." His words settled over the table.
He had given me exactly what I wanted them to hear.
And in return—
he heard exactly what I wanted him to hear.
"His Highness would not let anyone else wear it but her," Lillth said, her words cold, cutting through the room as she took a sip of her wine.
Her words made everyone feel out of place. What did she want to accomplish by saying that? To think she would be the first to bare her fangs.
"Do you wish to wear it?" he offered casually, his gaze focused on Lillth across the table. She looked baffled by his question. The tension grew. Was she going to accept the offer? Was he really going to strip me of my necklace?
"I was just teasing. How can I wear it? It belongs to Her Highness," Lillth answered, trying to brush it off.
"Perhaps you have not heard me. I asked if you wanted it. Yes or no," he said, his tone serious. It felt less like he was asking Lillth—more like he was throwing it on the floor for anyone to take. I bit my lip.
Was he really going to? Part of me wanted to know whether he was capable of doing so.
"I do," Rose answered without thought, her words cutting through the tension.