The next morning in Ramiro's study…
The steady scratching of a quill filled the air as Ramiro sat at his desk, poring over documents with a tired expression. The faint scent of ink and parchment lingered in the room when a knock at the door broke the quiet.
"Enter," Ramiro said without looking up.
Esteban stepped inside, holding a neatly sealed letter in his hand. "My lord, a letter from Duke Alejandro de Castillo has arrived."
Ramiro paused, his quill hovering mid-air as he glanced up. He raised an eyebrow. "Duke Alejandro de Castillo? But I..." His voice trailed off as a sudden realization struck him. The last letter Alejandro had sent—he hadn't even read it, let alone replied.
Esteban, ever the embodiment of patience, stood silently for a moment before offering a pointed look. "Let me guess, my lord. You forgot to read and reply to his last letter... again?"
Ramiro sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I had... important matters to handle."
Esteban nodded sagely. "Of course, my lord. I'm sure Duke Alejandro will understand that ignoring his correspondence ranks just below matters of the utmost state importance..."
Ramiro shot him a look. "You're enjoying this too much."
"I wouldn't dream of it, my lord," Esteban said, placing the letter neatly on the desk. "Shall I prepare an apology draft in advance?"
Ramiro exhaled heavily. "No need. I'll—" He hesitated, glancing at the unopened letter. "...I'll read this one first. Then, I'll think about how to respond."
Esteban inclined his head, the ghost of a smirk on his lips. "Very wise, my lord."
Ramiro muttered something under his breath as he broke the seal, silently vowing to himself that this time—this time—he'd respond promptly.
Ramiro unfolded the letter and quickly scanned its contents, his expression darkening with every word. With a long, weary groan, he dropped the letter onto his desk and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples.
Esteban, standing patiently nearby, arched an eyebrow. "What does it say, my lord?"
Ramiro let out a sigh. "He's inviting Luzia to his son Ignacio's birthday party."
Esteban's lips twitched. "Ah. A social event."
"Exactly," Ramiro muttered, drumming his fingers on the desk. "A grand, over-the-top, noble affair with too many people, too many expectations, and too many opportunities for trouble." He shook his head. "I can already hear Luzia complaining about it."
Esteban tilted his head thoughtfully. "Well, my lord, does the young lady have a certain... aversion to such gatherings?"
Ramiro scoffed. "Aversion? She seems to be sooner wrestle a bear than endure an evening of polite conversation and dance."
"Perhaps," Esteban mused, "but an invitation from Duke Alejandro is not something easily declined."
Ramiro sighed again, eyeing the letter like it was a ticking time bomb. "I suppose I can't just say she's busy studying, can I?"
Esteban gave him a pointed look. "I'm afraid the duke might see through such a transparent excuse, my lord especially after you ignored his letter."
Ramiro groaned again. "Fine. I'll talk to Luzia about it later."
Esteban smirked faintly. "Very wise, my lord."
Luzia sat in front of the vanity, her tired eyes staring blankly at her reflection as Elena gently combed through her hair. The faint shadows under her eyes betrayed the sleepless night she had endured. Despite Elena's careful touch, Luzia's mind was elsewhere—fixated on the silver-haired boy who had once again slipped through her grasp.
In the end, I couldn't catch him… Luzia thought bitterly, her gaze sharpening as she studied her own reflection. The memory of his fleeting yet deliberate touch gnawed at her, leaving an unsettling feeling in its wake.
Through the mirror, Elena observed Luzia's weary expression, her grip tightening slightly on the comb. A flicker of guilt crossed her normally composed face.
Lady Luzia must be exhausted... she couldn't catch the intruder, and I was of no help this time, Elena thought, a rare softness breaking through her aloof demeanor.
After a moment of silence, she spoke, her voice quiet but firm. "My lady, perhaps you should rest a bit longer today. Exhaustion won't help you catch the intruder."
Luzia shook her head, determination flickering in her eyes. "No, I can't just sit around and do nothing. I have to find out who he is and why he keeps coming back." Her jaw tightened. "If he's watching me, I need to know why."
And I still have to visit Alicia and the other children at the orphanage, Luzia reminded herself, the thought pressing on her mind.
Elena nodded in understanding, saying nothing more as she continued combing through Luzia's hair.
Once Elena finished styling Luzia's hair, a knock echoed at the door. Before Luzia could respond, the door swung open, revealing Beatriz standing in the doorway with her usual bright smile.
"My, my! Good morning, my lady," Beatriz greeted cheerfully, stepping inside with an energetic grace.
Luzia barely glanced at her, resting her chin on her hand. "What's so good about this morning?" she muttered, her voice heavy with fatigue.
Beatriz's eyes widened in surprise as she took a closer look at Luzia. "My lady, you don't sound like your usual self... and, if I may say so, you don't look it either."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Luzia replied tiredly, her gaze drifting back to the vanity mirror.
Beatriz huffed, placing her hands on her hips. "My lady, you're dressed in such a beautiful gown, and your hair has been done so elegantly... your face should be bright and full of life, not looking like you've been up all night chasing ghosts!"
Luzia sighed, unwilling to argue, while Elena, standing behind her, exchanged a knowing glance with Beatriz.
"Perhaps a delicious breakfast might do you some good," Beatriz suggested, leaning in with a conspiratorial smile.
Luzia thought for a moment, her fingers idly tracing the edge of the vanity. With a tired sigh, she finally relented. "I am hungry anyway... let's go."
Beatriz beamed, clapping her hands together. "That's the spirit, my lady! A good meal will work wonders, you'll see."
Elena offered a small, approving nod as she stepped back, allowing Luzia to rise from her seat.
Beatriz linked her arm with Luzia's, gently tugging her toward the door. "We'll have warm pastries, fresh fruit, and—oh! I heard the cook prepared that spiced tea you love so much."
Luzia allowed herself to be led out of the room, exhaustion still clinging to her, but the thought of something warm and sweet was a small comfort. "You'd better be right about this, Beatriz," she murmured.
Beatriz grinned, unbothered. "Have I ever been wrong?"
Luzia gave her a sideways glance. "Do you really want me to answer that?"
Elena stifled a quiet laugh behind them as they made their way down the hall, the morning feeling just a little brighter.
They arrived at the dining hall to find Ramiro already seated at the table, a cup of steaming coffee in hand as he flipped through a stack of papers. His eyes flicked up at their entrance, lingering on Luzia for a moment before he arched a brow.
"You look like you've been running through the streets all night," he remarked dryly, setting the papers aside.
Luzia rolled her eyes as she took her seat across from him. "Good morning to you too, Dad," she muttered, reaching for a piece of bread.
Beatriz, ever the optimist, smiled brightly as she poured tea into Luzia's cup. "My lady just needs a good breakfast, and she'll be back to her usual self in no time."
Ramiro hummed in mild amusement. "Let's hope so. You'll need your energy, Luzia."
She looked up at him warily. "Why do I get the feeling you're about to ruin my morning?"
Ramiro leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee with infuriating calmness. "Because Duke Alejandro has invited you to his son Ignacio's birthday celebration."
Luzia groaned, rubbing her temples. "Not another noble gathering..."
Beatriz gasped excitedly. "Oh, my lady, that's wonderful! The dresses, the dancing, the—"
Luzia shot her a sharp look. "No."
Ramiro smirked. "It's not optional, Luzia."
I know that. One can never refuse Duke Castillo's invitation, Luzia thought, slumping in her chair. I should've stayed in bed...
"It's in one week's time," Ramiro added, watching her reaction.
Ah... so I'm finally meeting Ignacio... the male lead... Luzia mused, her fingers idly tracing the rim of her cup.
Noticing her silence, Ramiro studied her closely, his brow furrowing with concerned. "You really don't look well."
Luzia sighed, waving him off. "Forget about it, Dad. Let's just eat."