I stood as still as a statue, the sapphire gown cascading down my form like a waterfall kissed by moonlight. Beside me, Kat was a whirlwind of excitement, her hands fluttering around my waist, adjusting a fold here, smoothing a crease there.
"You look absolutely radiant!" Kat exclaimed, her eyes dancing over my transformed figure. She paused, tilting her head as she admired the way the dress shimmered with each breath I took. "And your hair... it's like the night sky decided to fall upon your shoulders."
With delicate fingers, she brushed through my dark locks, marveling at their softness.
"Why all this effort?"
Kat's lips curled into a secretive smile. "The Duke insisted on the best for you." Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, "He wants you to feel... welcomed."
"Is he always this generous with his hospitality?"
"Hardly," Kat chuckled, shaking her head. "Truth be told, we rarely entertain guests overnight, save for family." Her gaze held a flicker of mischief as she imparted this last piece of information, studying my reaction with barely concealed glee.
I feigned ignorance, deflecting the implication with practiced ease. "Why so few visitors? Isn't the castle a hub of social gatherings in the Duchy?"
"Quite the opposite," Kat replied, her hands resting on her hips as she adopted a more somber tone. "We're leagues away from the capital, where most nobles reside, basking in the hustle of court life. His Grace and Lord Aster prefer the solitude of their domain. Nobles aren't keen on the journey out here, either. And when they request an audience, they wait for his grace to return to the capital."
"An audience sought rather than given," I mused aloud, my thoughts racing. Was there more to this seclusion than mere preference?
"Indeed," Kat affirmed, her eyes alight with the shared secret of understanding between two souls privy to the whims of the powerful.
"Come now, let us descend. The Duke awaits, and I daresay he's not a man accustomed to waiting."
As we left the chamber, the air thickened with anticipation, and the castle's stone walls seemed to lean in, eager to witness the unfolding drama below.
The grand corridor echoed with the whisper of my sapphire gown as I followed Kat, my mind a tangled web of curiosity and unease.
As we reached the dining hall, the sight of Duke Aster pacing the length of the opulent room took me by surprise. The usually composed Duke was a picture of restless energy, like a storm brewing over his lands. The staff exchanged glances, clearly unused to seeing him so visibly unsettled.
I stepped through the doorway, feeling the room's atmosphere shift as all eyes turned to me.
Duke Aster's gaze fixed on me, his thoughts seeming to scatter like leaves in the wind. Theo, ever observant, cleared his throat. "Miss Mara," he said, breaking the silence. "You look absolutely radiant this evening."
"Stunning," Duke Aster finally said, his voice low and almost reverent.
As we took our seats at the grand table, the staff began bringing out platters of food, each dish more elaborate than the last. I couldn't help but notice the way the Duke's gaze kept lingering on me as if he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.
The silence that followed was heavy, almost suffocating, broken only by the soft clinking of cutlery. I tried to focus on my food, but my mind kept wandering, trying to make sense of the evening's events.
Theo, perhaps sensing the tension, leaned forward. "The knights at Verdantvale report that your friend Jean is recovering well. And all remains peaceful in the town."
"That's good to hear," I replied, my voice sounding distant even to my own ears.
The silence returned thicker than before. I could feel his eyes on me still, and when he finally spoke, it was a simple, almost awkward question.
"Do you like the food?"
"I do, especially the zucchini," I said.
"Zucchini? Is that what you call it in your... home?"
Realizing my slip, I quickly nodded. "Yes, that's the name we use where I come from."
"Xolteca," Duke Aster murmured as if the word held some deep significance. "Lumicrestia holds very few records of such a place. I would be most interested in learning more from you while you're our guest."
Panic fluttered in my chest, but I kept my voice steady. "Of course, Your Grace. It would be my pleasure to share what I can."
The rest of the meal passed in a blur, each of us dancing around the truth, hiding behind polite conversation and carefully chosen words. Duke Aster seemed lost in thought, his usual commanding presence replaced by something softer, more uncertain.
When the meal finally ended, Theo suggested that it was time to retire for the evening. I couldn't have agreed more. The tension was starting to wear on me, and I longed for the solitude of my room.
But before I could leave, Duke Aster spoke again, his voice laced with a hint of urgency. "Miss Mara, might I invite you to take a turn with me through the gardens before you retire? It is a mild night, and the moon is full upon the flower beds."
I hesitated; the thought of being alone with him was both thrilling and terrifying. But to refuse would be rude, especially on my first night here. Kat's reassuring glance gave me the courage I needed.
"It would be my pleasure, Your Grace."
The evening air was cool, carrying with it a hint of mystery as if the garden held ancient secrets whispered by the rustling leaves. I walked beside Duke Aster, our footsteps falling into sync on the gravel path, yet an awkward silence stretched between us like an invisible barrier. I could sense his occasional glances, the way his lips would part slightly, as if on the verge of speaking, only for him to swallow the words back down, disguising his hesitation with a convenient cough.
I could feel my heart beating a nervous rhythm against my ribcage, urging me to break the silence, to say something—anything. But just like him, I found myself mute, tongue-tied by the strangeness of our connection, still so new and uncertain. Instead, I let my eyes wander, escaping into the lush greenery where the plants thrived under the soft glow of the moon.
Jasmine and peonies caught my attention, their familiar scents stirring memories of childhood books. But there were other, more exotic blooms I didn't recognize, flowers that seemed almost too strange, teasing the edges of my knowledge with their unfamiliarity.
Then, amidst the vibrant foliage, I spotted a bush adorned with roses of an impossibly vivid blue. They seemed to shimmer in the moonlight, almost ethereal, as if they didn't quite belong to this world. I found myself drawn to them, reaching out with delicate fingers to touch the velvety petals, half-expecting them to vanish at my touch.
"Those are Aster Roses," Duke Aster's voice broke the spell, and I turned slightly to find him standing closer than I had realized.
"They're beautiful," I whispered, afraid to disturb the tranquility of the night.
With a practiced motion, he plucked two of the roses from the bush, revealing how their stems were curiously entwined, a natural emblem of unity. He caught the look of wonder on my face, and a soft smile graced his lips, softening the usually stoic lines of his features.
"They're unique to the grounds of Aster Mansion," he explained, pride evident in his voice. "Their color, the way they grow together... it's what makes them special."
Recognition sparked in my mind as I connected the sight of the entwined roses with the emblem on the Aelorian banners. "That's what's on your family crest," I said, the realization clicking into place like the final piece of a puzzle.
He nodded, his silver-gray eyes reflecting the moonlight as he extended the intertwined roses toward me. I accepted the gift, my fingers brushing against his as I took hold of the blooms. As I held the roses, their soft petals against my skin, I felt a curious sense of connection—not just to the land but to the Duke and to something in my past that felt just out of reach.
"Could they be a product of crossbreeding?" I asked, still captivated by the rare blooms. My mind raced with the possibilities of genetic manipulation and selection.
"No crossbreeding was needed. These Aster Roses have bloomed here for as long as our family has kept records. We've tried to cultivate them elsewhere—in the capital's gardens and even in foreign lands—but the seeds yield nothing, and if they do, the flowers revert to common hues."
"That's fascinating," I murmured, turning the roses slowly between my fingers. "There must be delphinidin in the soil," I added, more to myself than to him.
"Delphinidin?" he echoed, curiosity evident in his voice.
"It's a specific pigment necessary for producing the blue color in certain flowers," I explained, glancing up to meet his gaze.
He smiled, intrigued by the concept. "I shall have the gardener investigate this... delphinidin."
I hesitated, surprised by his response. "It's just a hypothesis; you don't need to trouble the gardener," I said, doubting such tests were even possible here.
But he simply nodded as if accepting my words as fact.
"But they're special because they only grow here. Why try to grow them elsewhere?" I added, the sentiment slipping out before I could stop myself.
His chuckle was low and warm, resonating through the stillness of the garden. He stepped closer and, with a gentle touch, tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear. The contact sent a shiver down my spine, a warmth spreading through me that I couldn't quite explain.
Our eyes locked, and without thinking, I found myself lost in the depth of his gaze.
"Your eyes... they hold the moon and stars within them," I breathed, captivated by the moment.
Duke Aster leaned in slightly, his breath warm against my cheek. "And yours are like the night sky itself, dark and endlessly deep," he replied, his voice a soft caress in the night air.
Heat flushed my cheeks; the intensity of our connection was overwhelming, and I stepped back, breaking the spell between us.
"I'm glad you invited me for this walk," I said quickly, trying to fill the silence with a rush of words. "The garden is lovely under the moonlight—a testament to the gardeners' work. The way the shadows play among the leaves, the fragrance that lingers in the air, the..."
I rambled on, desperate to shake off the intimacy that had sprung up between us, my words tumbling out like a waterfall as I spoke about the intricate stone pathways, the trimmed hedges, and the nocturnal symphony of crickets that filled the night.
"It's late," he said softly. "You've had a long day; you should rest."
I hesitated but then took his hand, feeling the warmth of his grasp as he pulled me to my feet. Together, we left the garden behind.
"The castle will be hosting some visitors tomorrow," Duke Aster mentioned as we walked through the castle's hallways.
Why was he telling me this? Was it a polite way of suggesting I stay out of the way?
He must have noticed my confusion because he quickly added, "While they are here, please do not feel like you have to be confined to your room. You are free to explore the estate."
I couldn't help but remember what Kat had said—that nobles didn't usually travel out to the duchy just to see the Duke. They waited for him to return to the capital. So, who could be making the trip out here? My curiosity got the better of me.
"Are they very important visitors?"
A wry smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Some do consider them to be important."
I pondered his response. Other than the King, a Duke was about as high up as you could get in the noble hierarchy. So, there weren't many people who could be more important than him, right?
"It is the High Priest and the Saintess," Duke Aster finally revealed, almost as if he had read my mind.
"Oh, are they coming to give you a blessing too?" The words slipped out before I could stop them.
The look that flashed across the Duke's face made me instantly regret my question. His expression hardened, and I felt the need to explain.
"They came to Verdantvale the day before I headed to Aeloria," I began, trying to clarify. "I believe it was the High Priest and Saintess—I've never seen them before, so maybe I was mistaken. But from the way they carried themselves and how the townsfolk reacted, it was clear they were very important members of the clergy."
The Duke's scowl deepened, and I caught him muttering, "That bastard." When he turned back to me, there was a coldness in his eyes that sent a shiver down my spine. "Are you sure they gave a blessing?" he asked, his tone sharp.
I hesitated but then explained what I had witnessed: how the veiled woman—who I assumed was the Saintess—had chanted something, and then golden sparks appeared out of nowhere, falling all around us.
"The sparks actually stung a bit," I added without thinking, "but everyone else in town seemed to enjoy them."
The Duke suddenly stopped in his tracks, his serious gaze locking onto mine. "The blessing stung you?"
I felt like I had said something wrong again from the way he was looking at me. "It felt uncomfortable where the light touched my skin," I admitted, trying to cover up my slip. "But that's probably because I'm not from this kingdom and don't follow their religion. Since I'm not a follower..."
His piercing gaze made it clear he wasn't convinced by my explanation at all. The tension between us was thick, and I was relieved when we finally reached the door to my bedroom.
Duke Aster faced me, his presence towering in the dim corridor. "If you need anything during your stay, please ask without hesitation," he said, his voice sincere and his expression softer than it had been a moment before.
"Your company is something I look forward to each day," he added, his smile warm.
"Goodnight, your grace," I replied, my lips curving into a smile despite the fluttering in my stomach.
"Please call me Mikhail."