Fay hurried back to Paragon Hall after Nyasia sent her to check on the wedding hall. "The young master seems... drunk," Fay said, her voice frantic. "I couldn't get near him. And the new madam is there."
Nyasia rose, pacing quietly.
"Have you seen Cael?"
Levon's most trusted guard.
"Couldn't find him," Fay sighed.
Nyasia drew a sharp breath. It was unfortunate she couldn't leave Paragon Hall. But where could Cael be? Of all times, he should be nearby.
"Have Lea look for him."
Fay nodded and went away again. Minutes later she returned and said that Cael couldn't leave at the frontyard.
"The young master might have thought he needs Cael to guard the main house from possible... unwanted objects going inside?"
"Go to the wedding hall again," Nyasia replied with a repressed, worried expression. "Tell Mrs Reniel I need her."
"Not the young master?"
Nyasia shook.
"If you go to him directly, the crowd will say I'm sabotaging the wedding."
It was easy for people to think she was the "doted" sister whose brother had married a woman who might now divide his attention. The usual narrative, spun by those who loved drama.
Fay nodded, then left the hall again.
...
LEVON HAD NO CHOICE. Grooms were expected to drink wine and grow merry. It was tradition. Unfortunately, his body had little tolerance for alcohol. Even after just a few cups, he was already feeling tipsy.
Meanwhile, Nona decided it was time to head to Rosemary Hall, the bridal chamber. She glanced at her father, who shot her a sharp look before turning away. He wanted her to act now, while the guests had thinned and Levon was slightly drunk.
"Young master, should we go to—"
But before she could finish, she saw Fay entering the hall. Immediately, she flicked her eyes toward her mother, who sat nearby. Concubine Hina, the mother of the bride, stood and approached Fay.
"Go back," she said. "Maids are not supposed to be here."
She and her daughter had fought too long for this opportunity: to finally make a name for themselves, even beating out that Arceo girl. Nothing was stopping them now. Not even this sickly girl's maid.
"I'm here to speak with Mrs. Reniel," Fay said firmly. "I don't plan to stay long."
Fay's words gave Concubine Hina pause. She had expected the maid to approach the young master. Meanwhile, Mrs. Reniel spotted Fay, who told her to go to Paragon Hall.
Quickly, Mrs. Reniel left her post.
...
"MY LADY, is something wrong?"
Mrs. Reniel asked as soon as she entered Nyasia's bedroom. She thought the lady had gotten sick again. But Nyasia was sitting quietly on a couch and glanced up peacefully when she saw her.
"Where is the bridal chamber?"
The question caught Mrs. Reniel off guard. "Oh, it's in Rosemary Hall."
"Has anyone checked everything there? Everything—including the newlyweds' first toast?"
"Of course, my lady." Mrs. Reniel grew more confused. "What is it? Surely you don't think something is amiss?"
Nyasia frowned.
So everything's been checked.
"I'm probably just overthinking." She smiled jokingly. "I thought there might be a sword waiting for Brother. Or something tucked in a pillow. I've been reading too many horror novels these days."
Mrs. Reniel's eyes widened.
"Oh, my lady, that's a wild thought! No, no. The guards are very alert. No objects have entered the hall without inspection. Not even from the bride's family. The new madam herself was thoroughly checked."
Nyasia's gaze drifted. She walked to the terrace and let the cold night air wash over her.
"Mrs. Reniel, I'm sure you know our clan has been fractured ever since Father stubbornly chose to marry Mother—an outsider," she murmured. "The elders must have thought about Levon and me with disgust."
Mrs. Reniel said nothing, while watching the young lady in her white satin dress, ethereal against the moonlight. She knew the lady wasn't really looking for a response.
"Anyway, they must have wanted our line to end, because they think we don't deserve to be in the main family."
Mrs. Reniel's face went pale.
"You mean the Ochia family is planning to make the young master... impotent? But that's—"
She stopped, unable to finish the thought. Yet what she couldn't understand was how a young woman could even conceive of such a horrific thought.
"My lady, this is impossible. Everything has been thoroughly checked. If you're worried about the tea in the bedchamber, there's nothing there. I prepared it myself. I swear on my life, the young master can drink it safely."
The cold breeze passed again.
Nyasia frowned even more.
Because she wasn't thinking about cups or any drinks. She was thinking of... She felt the wind again. The scent of pine trees.
Should I go out?
...
ROSEMARY HALL
Levon didn't spare a glance to his bride when it was her turn to offer him the cup. With an expressionless face, he took it and drank.
Nona smiled.
"Young Master, I know this marriage wasn't born of love. And I know you don't trust me. But both of us share the same goal: we want the Rashet clan to prosper and rise. Please, teach me if I make mistakes. I'm willing to learn."
He turned to her slightly.
"Rise?" His voice was cold. "I don't know what the Ochia family taught you, but that has never been the goal of the Rashets."
When he turned away, she quickly knelt. "Young Master, I'm asking that you not leave the chamber tonight," she said, gritting her teeth. "This is to protect both our reputations and the peace within our clan. Please, sleep in the bed. I will sleep on the lounge."
Levon exhaled sharply.
He had planned to stay in the chamber until midnight anyway. And he was drunk enough to feel genuinely tired.
But he wasn't that heartless.
"You can take the bed."
He began to smell a honey scent.
"It's alright. I—"
Tok!
Their eyes turned toward the door.
*