"No evidence was left to explain why the duke did it," Vinz said, the head guard if Kaelian Aurelio.
Kaelian turned sharply Vinz. So Dorian massacred everyone in the Oshens' estate?
"The man is truly terrifying." Kaelian's jaw tightened. "And he's much younger. A man like that will be a headache for any ruler of Tenusa. Father should be alarmed."
He knew the duke was targeting his late mother's family. But why did he have to kill everyone? And what could he possibly gain from taking that godforsaken place? None of this would help him reclaim the Ubian lands.
He laughed at the thought.
Jeshun Arit, the young master of the Arit Clan—one of the eight great clans—tilted his head.
"Do you think that information about him proposing to Lady Rashet is really true?" he said. "We need to be very careful, Your Highness. It could be a trap. Doesn't he have a beloved lover? The elite guards have seen her."
He suggested they invite Lady Rashet, and somehow make sure she learned about this lover. After all, Marquis Rashet wouldn't like his daughter to compete for a mere mistress.
"We can use Rashet heiress to get rid of that lover," Jeshun said, smiling. "And make the duke angry at the heiress."
Jeshun believed the duke had only used Vanery Kissell back then to protect his real lover. And the emperor's wrath had fallen on the Kissells instead.
The duke is truly merciless to every other woman. Except that mysterious one, he thought.
Kaelian said nothing. But deep inside, he knew the duke's intentions were never clear. He had known Dorian Alexei since childhood. Even though the man was younger, he had always outperformed everyone. Even those older than him. Even his own father had warned him: be careful of the duke.
Just then, Jeshun's sister, Lady Jorgia Arit, entered the room. Her eyes brightened the moment she saw the First Prince, and she greeted him warmly.
Kaelian smiled back.
"How was your vacation abroad?"
"It's great, Your Highness. Still nothing like Tenusa," she said brightly. She stopped, hesistating. But Kaelian's smile encouraged her to speak. "I heard you'll be attending the Queen Dowager's banquet next month. She'll be so delighted to see you."
Kaelian nodded, still smiling.
"Gia, I have a favor to ask. There's a lady who might be attending the banquet. Your task is simple: befriend her."
"A lady?" Her smile faltered.
"Lady Nyasia Sofia Rashet." He glanced at her sideways, calculating. "Have you seen her?"
Jorgia's eyes fluttered at the mention of another woman from Kaelian's lips. Of course, she had met the Second Lady Rashet at the Rashet banquet.
"I saw her. Once."
"What do you think of her?"
"I—she's pretty."
"Very, I must say," Kaelian said, remembering the first time he had seen Lady Rashet at the governor's manor. Back then, she was very smart, scheming against her cousin. She was the type that a man should need in order to succeed.
"Don't disappoint His Highness, Gia," Jeshun said. "Make a good impression on Lady Rashet."
But neither man noticed Jorgia's frozen smile. 'Why is the First Prince curious about her?'
...
WHEN DORIAN LEFT Paragon Hall, three ladies entered the courtyard. Nyasia had seen them all at the Rashet banquet. They were daughters from the branch families: Miss Nona Ochia, Miss Mariya Lao, and Miss Lilli Arceo.
Still inside the bedroom, she asked Fay who had summoned them. Fay replied it was the young master, and his secretary had told them to see Lady Rashet.
The young women rose when they saw Nyasia enter the courtyard. She glanced at them one by one as they curtsied, immediately spotting the differences in their personalities.
"My lady, I didn't expect you to be even more beautiful up close," Lilli said brightly. "Forgive my frankness, but I couldn't help it."
"My lady, we know you're busy. Thank you for your time," Nona said reverently.
"My lady," Mariya said, voice low.
Nyasia glanced at them. She had to be careful. They might look harmless, but they were still daughters from the branch families. Their bloodlines mattered more than Maryan's, who hadn't come from any prestigious branch at all, yet had somehow clawed her way into the main family.
As they sat down, Nyasia spoke. "The main family is unfortunate. There's no older married woman to guide the next marchioness of Rashet," she said with a faint smile. "If my elder sister, Maryan, were here, she should be the one guiding you."
She watched as the ladies froze at the mention of Maryan's name. At the very least, these women resented Maryan for entering the main family successfully.
"First Lady Rashet has only recently entered the main family," Lilli said carefully. "She may not be able to speak about life in the manor. After all, she's only been here five years—and was absent for one of them."
Even so, Nyasia caught the subtle meaning: that Maryan was incompetent to speak about being marchioness. And beneath Lilli's polite tone was a flash of offense, as if the very idea of Maryan guiding her was an insult.
"My lady, you're magnanimous. The First Lady Rashet is lucky to have such a benevolent sister who has accepted her," Lilli added.
Nyasia smiled.
Miss Arceo is truly a sycophant.
Meanwhile, Nona was simply listening to the exchange. But Mariya had an awkward face as if she didn't know what to say, while her hand was holding her biscuit. Her body froze when suddenly Lilli turned to her.
"Mariya, aren't you close with Maryan?" Lilli said with a faint smirk.
Mariya glanced at her sharply.
"She's just friendly to me."
*