The following morning, Amelia knocked on the door repeatedly but received no answer, which happened most of the time. So, she entered the room to find Olivia wrapped in blankets. She spoke to her several times, yet Olivia remained sound asleep, forcing Amelia to start shaking her to wake her up. "My lady, wake up, it's getting late. Today is the tea party, so there's much to prepare."
Olivia sat up in bed but dozed off again, nearly falling forward to the floor if not for Amelia's timely support.
"My lady, wake up. Otherwise, I'll have to splash water on your face."
Half-asleep Olivia responded. "But I am awake, Amelia."
"Rose, Sofia, help me take the duchess to the bathroom; otherwise, we won't get her fully awake."
The two girls assisted in escorting a groggy Olivia to the bathroom and into the bathtub. Startled by the cold water, Olivia awoke completely and exclaimed, "The water is cold."
As Amelia washed her hair, she said, "Had you risen earlier, the water would be warm."
"Rose, could you add some hot water?"
"Certainly."
After bathing her, Amelia dried her hair, while Sofia brought Olivia's breakfast. Once Olivia had eaten, she dressed in a simple outfit since she had to change again later. She went to look for Bandit, who was chasing his tail in the garden. She fed him and they walked together until Amelia called her back to finish preparing for the party.
Amelia allowed Olivia a small lunch, claiming they were running late. Once Olivia was ready, she headed to the entrance where a carriage awaited to take her to the palace.
Olivia was surprised to find Leonard there, also waiting. She asked, "Are you attending the party as well?"
"Of course not. I must speak with the crown prince at the palace."
They both departed in the carriage, and Leonard said, "I'll be at the Palace all afternoon, so if you need anything, don't hesitate to look for me."
"Alright."
Upon arrival, Leonard helped Olivia from the carriage, leaving her near the garden where the tea party was to be held. He kissed her lightly on the lips and said, "See you later."
Olivia blushed, hoping no one had seen them. A servant approached and led her to where the other noblewomen were. The princess greeted her with a warm hug, expressing her pleasure at seeing Olivia again.
"The pleasure is mine, thank you for inviting me."
Taking Olivia's hand, the princess said, "Come, let me introduce you to some ladies."
They approached a table with several young women, including Liria. As the women stood and curtsied, they offered Olivia afternoon greetings.
"Hello, everyone. I'd like you to meet the Duchess of Forest."
"It's an honor to finally meet you, Duchess."
"The honor is mine to meet such esteemed ladies."
"The Duchess is indeed charming."
Despite her worries, Olivia found the ladies to be kind and pleasant. She joined them at the table.
Servants served tea and delicious cakes. Dalia, a countess's wife inquired about Olivia's married life.
"It's going well; the duke is very kind."
"All of us noticed that at the ball."
"Yes, it was wonderful when the duke carried you from the room," added another lady.
Olivia blushed at the memory.
While discussing her marriage, the princess's beautiful child was brought in. Holding him, she said, "I hope you don't mind him joining us. He's still too young to be away from his mother or father."
"No worries, Your Majesty, I understand perfectly. My son is the same, always following me," Dalia remarked.
"That's true; children that age are often attached to their parents," stated Lucrecia, the Viscountess of Ras.
As the prince clung to the princess's dress, she gently stroked his head. Observing this, Olivia was reminded of Bandit and his similar behavior.
Petting her son, the princess asked Olivia, "Have you and the duke considered having children?"
"We haven's discussed it."
Hopefully, the duchess will have a child soon; if it's a girl, maybe she can marry my son."
Seeing the princess with her child, Olivia envied her and wished Leonard would express a desire to have children.
After an uneventful tea party, Olivia left with Leonard at the entrance, where the carriage awaited. The other ladies watched, thinking Olivia fortunate to be married to such a handsome man.
As the carriage began to move, Leonard pulled Olivia into his lap and asked, "Did you have fun?"
"Yes, everyone was very kind, and meeting the prince's son was a delight. He's such a cute child."
"Do you like children?"
"Yes."
Hearing this, Leonard thought he should try harder for their own children. Before he could share his thoughts, the carriage halted abruptly. Leaning out the window, he asked the coachman the reason.
"I'm sorry, sir, a cart has overturned. Please wait while it's cleared."
Leonard stepped out to assess the situation but re-entered the carriage as the cart was cleared. They resumed their journey shortly after.
Upon arriving at the mansion, Leonard assisted Olivia in alighting from the carriage. Upon entering the residence, Alfred informed Leonard that Darius was awaiting him in the study with a matter of great urgency. Leonard excused himself from Olivia's company and went to inquire about Darius's intentions. As he opened the study door, he found Darius serenely sipping tea. Upon seeing the Duke enter, he rose and greeted him.
"Good afternoon, Your Grace."
Leonard approached and responded, "I trust the news you bring is of substantial import."
"Yes, sir. I've come with the details you tasked me to uncover."
Darius handed Leonard a sheaf of papers. Taking a seat behind his desk, Leonard commenced scrutinizing the documents Darius had handed over. After reviewing them, he confirmed, "Are you certain of this intelligence?"
"Indeed, sir. It appears Baron Norris has been trafficking opium and is rumored to be purchasing slaves from the black market for nefarious experiments."
"Hmm... A 'courtesy call' on Baron Norris seems prudent."
"My lord, it appears he is out of town at present. Sources claims he's traveled to Ludo port to receive a shipment of slaves and opium. Thus my presence here, for it might be opportune to catch him red-handed."
"A sound plan; we shall leave forthwith."
"Yes, sir."
Exiting the study with Darius, Leonard encountered Olivia descending the stairs, now dressed in a tunic and trousers ensemble, with Vandalo nestled in her arms. The animal snarled upon noticing Leonard and Darius.
Realizing the duchess was cradling not a dog but a wolf cub, Darius remarked, "Er... Your Grace realizes you're holding a wolf, right?"
"Yes, I know. I found him in the woods a few days ago. Isn't he adorable?"
Leonard shot Darius a menacing glance, a silent warning not to speak ill of the creature Olivia had fondly adopted, given her sensitivity concerning it.
Darius took the hint, thinking the duchess unusual but held his tongue. Leonard unusual but held his tongue. Leonard stepped closer, caressing her face, and told her, "I'll be away for a few days. Behave yourself."
"What are you going?"
"I have matters to attend to."
After sharing a passionate kiss with Olivia-a sight caused the surrounding servants to discreetly avert their gaze, save for the dumbfounded Darius who couldn't fathom the duke's tenderness towards a woman-Leonard bid farewell to his wife and took his leave with Darius.
Olivia felt a tinge of sadness as Leonard departed, especially since it would be days before they reunited. That evening, she opted to dine with the servants, preferring their company to the solitude of the vast dinning hall.
Exhausted after supper, Olivia retired to her room, Vandalo clinging to her trousers with his teeth. The maids assisted in dressing her for bed before leaving her to rest. The capacious bed felt all the more empty, so she invited Vandalo to slumber, beside her.
The following morning, Olivia awoke to Vandalo's playful licks, tickling her feet. Amelia was surprised when Olivia bid her enter upon knocking, as she was usually a heavy sleeper.
Amelia and the other maids served breakfast and helped Olivia dress. While strolling in the garden, Alfred presented Olivia with a stack of invitations received that morning. Each noble seemed eager to host her. Overwhelmed, Olivia told Alfred she would attend to the invitations later.
However, Alfred gently insisted, "My lady, you must respond to each invitation before your leisure."
"Ha, I see," Olivia replied.
Assigning Rose to walk Vandalo, Olivia spent the day engrossed in reading and replying to invitations, her hand aching by nightfall.
After dinner and a bath, an exhausted Olivia cozied up with Vandalo and swiftly fell asleep.
Busy with tea parties and ladies' gatherings, Olivia hardly found time for walks with Vandalo in the ensuing days.
Meanwhile, Leonard's journey to Ludo occupied his thoughts with Olivia, realizing the growing difficulty of being apart. Arriving in Ludo, a gentle sea breeze ruffled his hair, the moored ships painting a scene he wished to share with Olivia.
Leonard and Darius stayed with an acquaintance while they plotted to find Baron Norris and determine the arrival of the opium and slave-laden vessel.