Derrik watched Charys retreat.
'Such audacity', he thought.
He turned to Maryan.
"We're not quarelling, Lady Rashet," he smiled politely. "She understands why. Father won't be pleased to know we're causing trouble at Rashet banquet."
"O—oh, I'm used to these things, Your Highness," she said with a sad smile. "I mean... I'm not a real Rashet. Unc—I mean Father is just so kind to me."
"You are his daughter, no matter what people say," Derrik said, a familiar resentment rising in his chest—the same feeling he'd carried for years toward the palace. "Lady Rashet, the marquis clearly treasures you. He would be disappointed if you let anyone step on you."
Maryan gave a shy smile.
The reason why she had to provoke the Second Princess was to get this man's attention.
She had studied him well.
He was the son of a concubine—a woman of great beauty, and favored. Yet people still looked down on her, because she was just the daughter of a low-ranking official. Meanwhile, the First Prince was the son of the late first empress. 'That difference never fades.'
And he knew what it felt like... being an outsider of the Tenusa elite society.
"Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness," Maryan said. "This is my first time attending a banquet in a while. I always chose to stay at the Jade Temple—I feel at peace there. But Father wanted me home, and I couldn't bear to make him sad."
Derrik looked at the Second Lady Rashet and felt a pang of guilt over Charys's behavior. 'It's rare to find a woman this pure among the noble ladies. Most these days they just want to gossip.'
"Marquis Rashet is a loyal ally of the imperial family, and he is not to be trifled with. Again, I apologize for what happened here," he said, his voice gentler.
He decided to invite Maryan to his table. Envious glares followed her from the ladies as she was seen beside the prince.
...
THE OLD Nyasia—the fragile doll in Paragon Hall—would have burned with jealousy over her father's favor of Maryan. She could admit that now. Before the visions, in another timeline, she had resented him when Maryan was favored and she was treated like a daughter.
But that was the point.
She was supposed to feel bitter. Supposed to cause a scene tonight and ruin her own debut. And she'd fall into Maryan's trap.
But that wasn't the real issue.
It was this small note, slipped beneath the door of Paragon Hall. The sole reason she was late for the banquet.
'I'll wait at the garden.'
Dorian Alexei?
She looked up and saw Fay hurrying into the bedroom, almost running, frantic. Then Fay poured everything out.
"She knows she'll be bullied," Nyasia said dryly, with a bored exhale. "She just knows how to use it to her advantage."
Fay looked at her lady and realized how much she had changed. She once thought of her only as a great beauty, a fragile flower, an easy target for cruel hands. She liked this version of her lady better.
Nyasia lifted her eyes.
"Is the duke here?"
"I haven't seen him yet."
Nyasia's gaze returned to the note.
'I'll wait...'
...
THE HANDMAID, Liz waited at a corner until Maryan finally left the grand hall. In the corridor, she approached the lady.
"How did it work?"
"The note was sent to Paragon Hall, my lady," Liz said in low voice.
Maryan smiled.
'Is that why she isn't here yet?'
She had hired an expert who knew how to copy handwriting. 'Nyasia's probably still debating whether to go to the garden. But she'll go. For sure. If she weren't going, she wouldn't be taking this long in her hall.'
"Is our man there already?"
"Yes," Liz replied. "I told him to do whatever he wants once he sees a woman enter the garden."
Maryan could only laugh.
"Alright."
Returning to the grand hall, Maryan spotted her mother near the stage where an orchestra played. Divya was in charge of the performances and couldn't roam freely. Too many Rashet members watching her every move.
She finally saw the marquis speaking with the Third Prince. She smiled and quickly approached. The prince noticed her first, then excused himself; the marquis followed his gaze and turned.
"Father," Maryan said, then turned to face Ezekias. "Where do you think... Nyasia is?"
Ezekias's brow arched.
"Sia? Levon insisted on escorting her himself. Don't worry. She'll be here," Ezekias said.
"It's just that... people are waiting. I mean, this is still Nyasia's debut, Father. She should be here now, with all the important people waiting."
Just then, Levon appeared.
A clusters of ladies whispered to each other about how tall and handsome he was. It was clear he was a sough-after young master in Tenusa.
"Where's Sia?" Levon asked immediately when he reached them.
"What do you mean? I trusted you to take care of your sister. Why is she still not here?" Ezekias said.
Levon's brows creased.
"But I thought she's here already. I went to her hall, and no one's there."
"Even her handmaid?" Ezekias exhaled.
Levon's heart pounded.
'Could something happen?'
*