After his first visit, Owen started visiting the Harriston mansion often. News about the frequent visits of Count Lottway's son to Count Harriston spread throughout the empire. Many people believed Count Harriston was recruiting Owen Lottway to marry her daughter, Elizabeth Harriston.
Upon her debut at the Imperial Ball, she immediately became popular because people admired Elizabeth's beauty and elegance. Her suitors and the number of ladies who wanted to befriend her doubled.
Due to the rumors that are spreading like wildfire about Lord Owen Lottway and Elizabeth's possible engagement, Count Harriston is delighted.
Count Harriston became the wealthiest merchant in the empire because of his business in textiles like silk, fur, leather, and cotton which was the most expensive because it was hard to obtain. And due to the rising demand for steel and iron, he ventured into trading, and his business grew. Count Lottway, the leader of the aristocratic faction, owns numerous banks throughout the empire. If the marriage between the two occurs, it will profit both Houses, giving them immense fortune and fame.
On the other hand, Elizabeth has been restless all day upon hearing the rumors about her and Lord Owen.
"My Lady, a letter for you came," Mia said as soon as she entered the chamber of Elizabeth. Elizabeth snatched the letter from Mia and saw the familiar handwriting.
"Give me a letter opener." Mia handed her the letter opener.
Elizabeth immediately opened the envelope and read the contents. Then her face lit up. Mia saw how her Lady's mood changed as she stood near her. Then Elizabeth faced Mia.
"Mia, I need you to do something for me," Elizabeth said with a smile that confused Mia.
Night came, and it was time for dinner. The dining room was filled with chatter and laughter. The Count and Countess of Lottway and Owen joined the Harriston family for dinner.
When she finished eating, Elizabeth excused herself first. "I have finished eating and wanted to retire for the night. Please excuse me."
"Oh! Are you done? Why don't you walk with Owen in the garden?" The Countess suggested.
"No- I mean, I'm just feeling a little bit tired, and that's why I want to rest early," Elizabeth replied.
"Then let me escort you to your room." Owen offered as he stood up from his seat.
Elizabeth faked a smile. "I am grateful to you, My Lord," she said, then turned to the guest and her family, "Please enjoy the rest of the night."
Then they left the room. As they walked to Elizabeth's room on the 2nd floor of the mansion, Owen talked to her about the rumours.
"I know those rumours are exaggerated, but please know that even if your father didn't favour me from the start, I would still court you and love you." Then he kissed the back of her hand.
"I know, My Lord. Thank you for escorting me. Good night, Lord Owen." Elizabeth responded.
"Good night, Lady Elizabeth." Then she goes into her room.
Elizabeth snatched a fresh napkin and wiped the back of her hand as soon as she entered the room. She then turned to face Mia.
"Did you read it?"
"Yes, My Lady. But may I ask why you would need a cloak?"
Elizabeth glared at her. "Mind your business. If you are done asking questions, prepare my bath."
"Yes, My Lady," responded the poor maid.
Owen was so delighted while walking in the corridor on the second floor. Then he saw a maid walking at the end, which made him frown.
"Ash-grey hair?" he muttered. Then he tried to follow the maid, but she had already entered the room at the end of the corridor.
"Maybe because I drank too much wine, I saw the wrong colour," Owen said as he walked to the dining room. The dinner didn't last long, so they retired for the night. Soon the dining room became quiet.
The night was deep, but Ashley couldn't sleep. She kept on gazing at the night sky through her small window. As she watched the moon and the stars in the sky, Ashley remembered her mother's last moments.
"Don't cry, my love. Do you remember what I told you about the stars?" her mother said weakly. Little Ashley nodded as her tears kept falling, and her mother smiled. "I will become one of them and watch over you from above."
"I don't want you to be a star, Mother. Stay with me here. You promise that we will stay together forever." The small girl tried to hug her mother, but the pub owner stopped her. Her mother coughed so much that blood came out of her mouth. The pub owner got out to grab some clean clothes and help her mother.
The little girl just cried, unable to do anything for her mother. When her coughs stopped, she smiled again at little Ashley.
"I'm sorry that I couldn't keep my promise to stay with you here forever." then tears from her golden eyes started to drop. "But I promise you; we will see each other again someday. So, stay here until then."
She coughed again, but it was short, so she continued. "Live your life without regrets. Be strong and kind always."
Then she pointed at the night sky. "Remember that I will always watch over you there. So whenever you are happy, facing hardship, or missing me, look upon the stars." Then she smiled. "I will be listening."
"Don't cry, Ashley. Smile. Because I love your smile."
Ashley, who had been crying the whole time, wiped her face. She faced her mother with a bright smile. Then her mother smiled brightly.
"Be happy, my Ashley." Then she closed her eyes forever with a smile on her lips. Ashley's smile faded.
"Mother." She cried again, shaking her mother to wake up. She called her many times, but she never woke up.
Ashley's sight turned blurry as she remembered that day. She wipes her tear and looks at the sky again.
'Mother, are you watching? Your daughter has grown up now. I hope you are happy there. Did you meet up with Uncle Ben? Please keep watching over me from there.' She thought as she gazed at the stars.
A cool breeze enveloped Ashley's body. It was as if someone were hugging her; she felt safe and warm. She returned to her bed and tucked herself in. Then she dozed off to dreamland, where she could see her mother again.
It was a quiet night. The cool breeze made the night-shift guards doze off a little. A silhouette moves in the darkness of the night. The knight who dozed off didn't notice that it had already passed them and exited the mansion. Then it proceeded to the garden wall, where a secret passage was hidden. Suddenly, the wind blew a little too hard, and the upper portion of the cloak was removed. Elizabeth's long black hair and blue eyes shone under the moonlight. She wore it back again and passed the hidden passage. When she got out, a horse was already waiting there. She climbed it up and travelled to the town.
"Count of Lottway's son and the daughter of Count Harriston?" A man with a cold tone read a report handed to him by his assistant.
"Yes, Your Highness. But it was still a rumour because both sides didn't confirm it," his assistant responded.
"Then we should keep an eye on Count Harriston too, Gilbert."
"As you wish, Your Highness," Gilbert said before he exited the room.
Then the man leaned against his chair and looked at the tall tower of papers on his table. He closed his heavy green eyes for a while. He ruffled his short blonde hair and read the report given to him.
"Count Harriston, huh," he said as he put the report in his drawer.