Barbara's life continued on its unchanging course for another month, with the only significant shift being an increase in her workload. On this particular day, her maid assisted her in donning a beige dress adorned with intricate golden patterns, paired with comfortable flat shoes. To complement her outfit, Barbara wore a delicate, tear-shaped necklace along with a bracelet gifted to her by Richard.
As she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, a warm smile spread across her face. Her lustrous hair was elegantly swept back, with a scattering of delicate, spiralling curls gracefully framing her face and cascading down over her shoulder.
Barbara went out and waited in the hall. A moment later, her parents descended with Aurora to their side. "Mother, Father," she greeted receiving a pat on her head by her father and a curt nod by her mother.
"Sister," Aurora called, wanting to go to her but her mother stopped her.
"What I have told you. You are the Marquis' daughter, be more poise and act like Madam Sophia thought you," she stated firmly.
"Mother—"
"We are getting to the hunting tournament where all the nobles will be present. It would be best if you behaved according to your new identity," Susie interrupted, advising her daughter. Despite having a stern face, her eyes swelled with gentleness and consideration.
Barbara observed their interaction, feeling a flood of memories from her childhood. Her mother hadn't changed one bit. She retained her air of unmatched elegance, standing there with a grace and strictness that seemed timeless.
"The carriages have arrived," the steward announced.
"Let us proceed," directed her father, indicating for them to go.
The family of four walked out. Seeing the carriages and the knights riding their horses, Aurora squealed with happiness. Barbara went directly to the second carriage since it was hers. "Sister, wait for me," Aurora yelled.
"Aurora, you will sit with us," her mother spoke, preventing her from taking another step.
Barbara frowned as she felt something was amiss with her mother concerning her relationship with Aurora. In the previous days, whenever Aurora went, talked or interacted with her, her mother would stop her, creating different excuses just like now.
"Let the girl take a carriage for themselves. They will feel free to chat with each other and thus become closer," Bernat suggested, letting Aurora ride with Barbara, not giving a chance for his wife to refute.
Aurora jumped from happiness and ran to her after thanking her father. She rode the carriage first. Barbara's lips curved upward. As she walked ahead, she felt a piercing stare toward her, shifting her gaze to the left, to meet her mother's brown eyes.
"Take care of your sister. Do not let her be hurt like the previous time," she said, following her father inside their carriage.
Barbara froze, convinced that her instincts had not failed her. Her mother's eyes bore an unmistakable weight of reprimand. Was she holding her responsible for the fire incident even after the passage of more than a month? This realization pierced Barbara's heart. She hung her head low and then entered the carriage.
The journey to the hunt tournament felt never-ending and tedious. Throughout the trip, Aurora chattered away, while Barbara could do little more than a nod in response or offer a few brief words.
The hunt tournament, a grand annual festival orchestrated by the royal family, served as a show of power for the noblemen. Meanwhile, the women in attendance harboured hopes that their husbands would emerge victorious, thereby providing them with additional cause for pride.
They reached Crest Forest in the evening, shrouded in an air of mystique and surrounded by countless rumours of its magical nature. Despite numerous organized events held there, nothing out of the ordinary ever seemed to occur, much to the disappointment of those who believed in its mystical reputation. Each event seemed to unfold in the same dull pattern, featuring the same uneventful competition and declaring the same predictable winner.
The Marquis family went to their spot. Other families had already unpacked and swarmed around their tents. Her parents were already greeting some of their friends while Barbara went to meet Count Clarkson's family, halfway, Aurora followed after like her tail.
Barbara talked with Richard's mother as Richard and his father went out. The day turned into night and Barbara didn't see Richard as the king ordered the knights to survey the forest to see if any danger lurked around.
The next day,
Barbara put her utensils down, wiped her mouth and stood up. "I am going for a walk," she said, striding out.
"Wait for me," Aurora yelled behind her.
Barbara frowned as she didn't know why Aurora had been tailing her. The previous day, whenever she went, Aurora would follow her. As she went out, she saw Richard rushing to her. She smiled and greeted him.
"Where have you been? The knights have all returned before sunset, only you," she asked, crossing her hands over her chest.
"My horse was tired from running. I stopped to make him rest, thus I returned late at night," he replied, patting his nose.
The two of them walked side by side. "Are you going to compete in the hunt?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied.
Barbara stopped and raised a brow at him, remembering that he never engaged in such events before telling her that he found them boring and a waste of time.
"So did you prepare a handkerchief for me?" he asked and she avoided his stares.
"I — I," she stuttered, not knowing what to say as she didn't prepare any handkerchief.
In preparation for the hunt, each participant would await the presentation of handkerchiefs from their wife, fiance, or loved one. Consequently, the days leading up to the hunt would find all the ladies preoccupied with their knitting needles, diligently crafting these tokens of affection for their respective lovers.
"In reality, I am-"
"Sister, you dropped this," Aurora said, running after her. When she arrived at them, she handed her a white handkerchief with a blue rose embodied to one of its borders.
Barbara stood in astonishment. 'Where did this come from?' She thought.
"Is it for me?" Richard said, taking the handkerchief from Aurora. "It is beautiful."
Barbara looked at Richard's glowering blue eyes; a surge of guilt rose in her chest. As she was about to tell him the truth, Aurora interrupted her, "Sister's work is beautiful indeed."
Barbara forced a smile as Richard complimented her work. She felt something was off completely. Did Aurora make this for someone else or Richard? But why did she choose a blue rose? She didn't want to think any unnecessary thoughts but a mix of doubt and uneasiness rose in her chest making her heart thumb restlessly.