That morning, Dorian returned from his once-a-month hunting trip. Theodore followed him quietly into his chambers, carrying his lord's belongings.
Dorian stood before the tall mirror, a dark robe draped loosely over his shoulders. His hair was damp, drops of water sliding down as he dried it carelessly with a towel. Even dressed in something so casual, he carried the same sharp presence—the kind that made the room feel smaller just by his being there.
Theodore set the boots aside and cleared his throat. "My lord, I trust your hunt went well?"
"It was decent." Dorian tossed the towel onto the chair, his voice calm but edged with command. "Now tell me, how did last night's ceremony unfold? I heard the Arrowwind girl finally had her coming-of-age."
Theodore straightened, his hands folded behind his back. "Yes, my lord. The King himself gave her blessing, but… he was acting strange. He seemed unusually interested in Lady Amelia."
Dorian's eyes flicked toward him, sharp as a blade. "Strange, how?"
"He spoke to her at length and even called her forward personally. Many nobles noticed. And…" Theodore hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Something else happened. Lady Amelia was pushed from the balcony."
Dorian's gaze darkened instantly. "Pushed?"
"Yes, my lord. Fortunately, Lord Edwin was close enough to catch her before she struck the ground. It caused a stir among the guests."
For a long moment, silence filled the room. Dorian's hand tightened slightly on the edge of the desk, his jaw sharp.
Finally, he spoke, his voice low. "And if Edwin hadn't been there?"
Theodore lowered his head. "Then she would have fallen, sir. Hard."
Dorian leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. A faint, cold smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "I see."
Theodore shifted uneasily, but said nothing further.
Dorian leaned back in his chair, one hand resting on the armrest as the other slowly turned the document pages.
"Theodore," he said calmly, his tone heavy with command. "Keep an eye on those young ladies. I don't want them sneaking around after hurting my wife-to-be."
"Yes, my lord," Theodore answered, bowing his head. He had served Dorian long enough to know when his master's voice carried warning instead of request. "I will personally watch them. If they try anything again, you will know immediately."
"Good." Dorian's eyes dropped back to the papers before him, but his mind was still on Amelia. Though his face showed no concern, he had already decided she was under his protection, whether she realized it or not.
Elsewhere, in another part of the city, Edwin sat at his desk with Amelia's letter in hand. He had read it more than once, and each time, he found himself frowning.
Her gratitude was sincere, yet it troubled him that such a thing had even occurred. Pushed from a balcony? That was not an accident. He took up his pen and wrote back to her.
"Lady Amelia,
I only did what anyone present should have done. Still, you must be careful. Not all dangers come from strangers. I hope to see you again, under better circumstances.
— Lord Edwin"
After sealing it, Edwin gave the letter to his messenger and instructed that it be delivered swiftly to the Harrowind mansion.
At the Harrowind estate, Amelia sat quietly in her chambers. Grace was arranging the flowers near the window when a maid came to announce a visitor.
"Lady Rose is here to see you, my lady."
Amelia raised her brows in surprise. Rose was one of the few people who had treated her kindly since her return. "Show her in."
Lady Rose entered quickly, worry written across her face. She held Amelia's hands at once. "I came as soon as I heard. Are you alright? I was so worried."
Amelia blinked. "Heard what?"
"My little sister, Mary, told me everything. She saw what happened at the ceremony. She said you almost fell from the balcony."
Amelia stiffened. So Mary had seen it too. The girl had been there with the other children, but Amelia hadn't realized her eyes had caught so much.
"I'm fine," Amelia said softly, forcing a smile. "It was… just an accident."
"An accident?" Rose frowned. "Mary said otherwise. She saw how those girls were around you."
Amelia's smile faded. She had expected this. "I couldn't exactly stand up in the middle of the king's blessing and shout about being pushed, could I? That would have caused a greater scandal. And here, scandals don't hurt the guilty. They crush the weak."
Rose squeezed her hands. "That's exactly what worries me. You're strong, Amelia, but you're surrounded by people who want to see you fall. You can't face them alone."
Amelia's chest tightened. She had never considered herself weak, but she knew Rose was right. This place thrived on silence and oppression. Those with power could do as they pleased, and those without could only suffer in silence.
"I'll manage," Amelia finally said. "Don't worry about me, Rose. I'll find a way to handle it."
Rose hesitated, but she didn't press further. Instead, she changed the subject slightly, though her tone was still cautious. "Have you heard about Princess Julia's tea party?"
Amelia tilted her head. "Tea party?"
"Yes," Rose nodded. "She's planning to host one soon. Invitations will only be given to those she considers worthy. It's been the talk among the noble families. Many are desperate to be included."
Amelia's lips tightened. "I see."
Rose sighed. "You'll likely receive one. After all, you've now been recognized properly at your coming-of-age. But Amelia…" She trailed off, clearly debating if she should say more.
"But?" Amelia pressed.
"Princess Julia… she isn't what she seems," Rose said at last. "I've only met her once, but there was something odd. The way she looks at people—it feels like she's studying them, measuring them. Mary said she noticed it too, the way Julia stared at you during the ceremony."
Amelia recalled that moment vividly. Princess Julia's eyes had lingered on her longer than they should have, sharp and searching, almost as if she were trying to peel away her skin and read what lay beneath.
A chill went through her, though she masked it quickly.
"I remember," Amelia admitted quietly. "She did stare. It was… unsettling."
Rose bit her lip. "Just be careful. If you're invited, go prepared. Not everyone smiles with kind intentions."
Amelia nodded. "Thank you for telling me. Truly."
The two women spoke for a while longer before Rose finally rose to leave. Amelia walked her to the door, promising to send word if anything else happened.
When Amelia returned to her room, she sat down heavily at her desk. Grace entered soon after, setting a tray of tea before her.
"Lady Rose seemed worried," Grace remarked softly.
"She has every reason to be," Amelia replied, her voice low. She stared out the window, her hands clasped together. "This place… it doesn't forgive weakness. And if I stay silent, they'll think they can continue to trample me. That ends here."
Grace bowed her head. "Then what will you do?"
Amelia's eyes darkened. "I'll play their game. If Celina, her friends, or anyone else thinks they can treat me like before, they're mistaken. No more kindness. No more pretending not to see. If they want to destroy me, I'll strike first."
She thought back to the dead rabbit, the ruined flowers, the sneers of Celina's friends, and the hand that had shoved her at the balcony. The memory burned in her chest.
Then her mind turned to Princess Julia's stare—the strange, calculating look that still haunted her. She had a feeling the tea party was not going to be simple.
"Grace," she said firmly, "when the invitation comes, prepare everything. I have a bad feeling about it, but I won't shy away."
Grace bowed again. "Yes, my lady."