It was the early hours of the next morning, with the sun only just peeking through the horizon when Zelphina was found sitting under a particularly large tree in the orchard.
She had her knees drawn close to her chest, staring emptily into the field in front of her, lost in thought.
A few seconds later, she let out a sigh and buried her face in her hands. "Zelphina, what have you done?!"
It felt like the hundredth time she had asked herself that question.
Ever since Lyra had escorted her out of Ashelia's room the day before, what had happened replayed in her mind for the rest of the day and she wanted to bury herself in shame.
Ashelia had not come out from her chambers since that afternoon, even when Lyra returned later to check on her. The doors had been locked.
Zelphina supposed that the only person who might have been able to lure Ashelia from her room was the Duke, but he had skipped lunch too and his meal had been taken to his study where he was very occupied.
