"I think we should leave Your Grace to enjoy her breakfast now," Ellen said with a warm smile.
"Very well. Return to your duties. I'll summon you when needed."
"Thank you, Your Grace," the two women echoed in unison.
Althea nodded, leaving the maids behind as she followed the stone path winding through the garden toward the estate's main wing.
"I'm relieved Her Grace has finally matured," Annis, the older maid, remarked. "It's about time she recognized that Edith was acting more like the mistress of the estate than a mere maid."
"I agree. Edith really overstepped this morning. I can't believe she had the audacity to throw cold water at Lady Althea!" Ellen replied, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Serves her right! Did you see her face when she was dismissed? She looked like a swollen tomato. I was secretly cheering for Lady Althea the entire time."
"Burning those letters was satisfying too," Ellen said, her tone growing serious. "That man, Caspian, was no good. It's a relief to see Her Grace finally letting go of him."
"True. But burning a few letters doesn't mean she's rid of him for good. We'll see how things unfold."
"You're right. Only time will tell. Now, let's tidy the rooms before she returns."
---
In the Estate's Main Wing:
"Where is Althea?" The Duke of Aldridge's voice thundered, frustration creasing his ageing face.
"It seems she has no desire to join us," Duchess Elodie said sweetly. "Let's not wait forever, dear. We should eat." She gestured for Serena and George to sit as the maids began to serve.
"I only wish Althea could be more like Serena. How could I be cursed with such a—"
"Good morning, Father," Althea interrupted, her voice light, though tension flickered in her eyes.
Surprise briefly passed across Elodie's face before she quickly masked it, arching a brow at Althea. She gave Serena a nudge to speak.
"You kept us waiting. Have you forgotten your place, or perhaps your sense of style?" Serena asked with a sneer, glancing at Althea's plain leather dress.
"It's you who seems to have forgotten yours," Althea replied calmly.
"Oh? And how is that?"
"If you continue to speak to me with such disrespect, I will have no choice but to ignore you and your childish tantrums."
"Althea!" The Duke's sharp voice cut through the air.
"Yes, Father?" Althea turned toward him, composed.
"You will not address me as 'Father.' You lost that right when you dragged this family's name through the mud."
Althea's lips pressed into a thin line. His words stung, as they always had. In her previous life, she had caused him immense pain, damaging the family's reputation with her rebellious ways. She had fought against his marriage to Elodie, her late mother's best friend, and in doing so, she had severed their bond.
But none of that could break her now. This was her second chance, and soon, she would prove how right she had been all along.
Serena smirked, eager to twist the knife. "I'm surprised you even bothered to come down, Althea. You look like a ghost already, so why not live like one?"
Ignoring her, Althea turned her gaze to the Duke. "Shall we eat?"
The table was laid with an array of dishes, each prepared with care. Dalia, the head maid, hesitated as she approached Althea, uncertain of her preferences since she rarely dined with the family.
Just as Dalia was about to serve her Baklava, a dish made with nuts, the Duke interjected sharply, "Althea can't eat that. Serve her the rice dish instead."
Althea looked at him, surprised by the gesture. He offered no explanation, simply returning to his meal, but a flicker of warmth spread through her. She masked it with a calm smile.
Elodie's hand tightened around her spoon, her knuckles turning white as she fought to maintain composure. She could not allow the Duke and Althea to reconcile; it would ruin everything she had worked for.
Althea quietly began eating, her father's gaze flickering toward her from time to time. For the first time in years, he seemed... satisfied.
When the Duke finished, he cleared his throat, commanding everyone's attention. All heads turned toward him, curiosity piqued.
"I have an announcement," he said with authority. "It concerns you, Althea."
Althea's heart sank as a suspicion formed in her mind. She had an idea of what was coming.
"Go on, Your Grace," she replied, her voice measured.
"I've received a marriage proposal for you."
[So, that's what this is about]
"From whom?" Serena asked eagerly, mischief dancing in her eyes.
"The King himself."
Silence fell over the room, the weight of the words hanging heavily.
"The King wants to marry Althea?" George asked, disbelief in his voice. "But she's not even—"
"It's not the King," the Duke interrupted. "It's his son."
A stunned silence followed. Rumors about Prince Alvah's return from war had circulated for the past year, none of them flattering. It was said that the King had been struggling to find him a bride, but the prince had rejected every candidate, putting each through a series of mysterious tests.
Some even said the prince was mentally ill and acted strange, giving rise to his nickname 'The Mad Prince'. Some said he could move things without touching them, but such rumours were dismissed due to the ban on magic that the King had ordered. Moreover, no one had seen his face in years, as he always wore a mask.
"The King has proposed on behalf of Prince Alvah of Valoria," the Duke continued. "The betrothal ceremony will take place in a few days. I expect you to conduct yourself properly and uphold the Caldwell name."
"Yes, Your Grace," Althea responded calmly.
"I doubt she'll fare better than the others," Elodie muttered under her breath.
"Did you say something, stepmother?" Althea asked coolly.
Elodie forced a smile. "Only that I wish you congratulations, dear."
"Thank you," Althea replied with an unreadable expression.
"You two will be perfect for each other," George quipped, laughing. "The Mad Prince and his ugly duckling."
"Mind your words, George," Elodie said, though her voice lacked any real reprimand.
The Duke shot a cold glance at George before returning his attention to Althea. "There's also a masquerade ball at the Hawthornes for their younger daughter's coming-of-age. Do you wish to attend?"
Althea thought of her plans for the night and Caspian, who still needed to be dealt with.
"No, I'll be occupied with matters in my chambers," she said.
Serena muttered under her breath, "More like wasting time doing nothing."
But Althea merely smiled. When the meal ended, the family dispersed, leaving the maids to clean up.