A Touch of Shadow: The Duke's Obsession

Caelith stumbled back, but then shook her head softly.

"It is nothing. I am fine."

She then carried the dishes out into the main hall, hiding the slight tremble in her hands.

Rhaegar sat at the table, loosening the sword from his waist. As she entered, he lifted his gaze, and his eyes lingered upon her face for a brief moment as if searching for something out of the ordinary.

"What did you do today?"

Caelith set the dishes down, carefully minding her movements.

"I embroidered for a while. Then I helped Yvaine prepare supper."

Rhaegar gave a faint nod. "Did you go out?"

At once, her heartbeat stumbled. "No."

Rhaegar looked at her steadily. His expression appeared perfectly ordinary—no different from any other day. Yet Caelith could not shake the feeling that something lay hidden beneath that calm gaze.

She lowered her head and quietly arranged the silverware upon the table.

"Let us eat. You must be hungry."

Rhaegar rose and walked toward her, pausing just for a heartbeat as if wanting to say something else. Then, however, he simply seated himself beside her and started eating.

The meal passed in distracted silence.

Yvaine chattered brightly about the events of the day—how Lance had come again, how he had returned with yet another injury, how she herself had bandaged him properly this time. Rhaegar responded now and then with absent acknowledgment, while Caelith kept her eyes lowered, speaking almost not at all.

When the meal ended, Yvaine gathered the bowls and dishes to wash them.

Caelith stepped out into the courtyard alone and looked up at the moon. A moment later, Rhaegar came to stand beside her.

"Caelith."

She turned her head slightly, fearing to face him head-on.

He looked at her in silence, but then sighed and finally spoke again, "Today... you truly did not leave the house?"

Her heart skipped painfully again.

"No," she lied.

Rhaegar held her gaze for a long while. Then, without another word, he reached out and drew her into his arms.

"Nothing to be nervous about," he murmured from above her head. "I was merely asking."

Caelith buried her face against his chest and said nothing.

Yet he could feel it clearly—she couldn’t hide the tremor in her bones.

At once, he tightened his hold around her, sensing her fragile state. "Are you cold?"

She nodded faintly.

Rhaegar loosened his outer robe and wrapped it around her, enclosing her entirely within his warmth. "Come inside."

But she did not move. She simply remained there, leaning quietly against him.

Moonlight poured over them both in pale silver. Caelith closed her eyes.

Within her heart, she whispered a silent apology.

But she had no choice. She could not tell Rhaegar the truth. She could not place such a burden upon his heart.

***

The following afternoon, Lady Lian came again under the pretense of delivering embroidery goods.

Caelith was hanging freshly washed garments in the courtyard when she saw her approaching. The moment she saw the woman, her body tensed, her heart fluttering like a caged bird.

Lady Lian walked close and lowered her voice.

"Did you see him?"

Caelith nodded.

At once, the woman’s eyes reddened. "He... is he well?"

Caelith fell silent for a brief moment, then shook her head. "No."

Tears immediately slipped down Lady Lian’s face.

Caelith gently caught hold of her hand, trying to sound reassuring. "My lady, this matter ends here. In the future, do not ask about it again. Please... it is dangerous."

Lady Lian stared at her in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"You already risked an enormous danger by helping me enter that place," Caelith said quietly, looking around like a criminal in hiding. "If anyone were to discover it, you could lose your life."

Lady Lian shook her head at once. "I am not afraid, my child."

"But I am." A firmer edge entered Caelith’s voice. "You were my mother’s friend. You have already done so much for me. I cannot allow anything to happen to you."

Florentine looked at her in a motherly way, tears flowing even more fiercely now.

"Miss Caelith... you do not understand how kind Ayana was to me in those days. My husband died young. I raised Nareen alone, and life was unbearably difficult. Time and again, Ayana secretly helped us—she helped with the store, she helped me manage the household. Without her, Nareen and I would have lost our title long ago."

Her grip around Caelith’s hand tightened.

"And now Ayana’s brother is about to be executed. The last blood relative her child has left in this world is about to disappear." Her voice broke. "How could you expect me to stand aside and do nothing?"

Caelith’s eyes reddened once more.

"Lady Lian..."

"Miss Caelith." The woman looked at her earnestly. "If there is anything you need, anything at all, you must tell me. This life of mine was given by Ayana long ago."

***

When Lady Lian returned to Ostenton Embroidery, her eyes were still swollen red from crying.

Head lowered, she walked inside without noticing the figure standing near the entrance.

"Godmother."

Startled, Lady Lian looked up sharply. Lucas stood before her, watching her closely.

"Did you go to see Caelith again?"

Lady Lian hesitated briefly, then nodded. "I brought her some embroidery goods."

Lucas’s gaze lingered upon her reddened eyes. "Did something happen?"

She shook her head, trying to hide her emotions.

"No... only..." Her voice faltered slightly. "I remembered some matters from long ago. They made me sad."

Lucas continued looking at her steadily. "Godmother... are you hiding something from me?"

Lady Lian opened her mouth as though to speak, but whatever words rose to her lips were swallowed back down.

In the end, she only said softly, "Lucas... Miss Caelith is a good girl. In the future... look after her well. Do not abandon her."

Lucas froze. "Godmother, what do you mean by that?"

But Lady Lian only shook her head and continued walking inward. After several steps, she paused and looked back once more.

"Be good to her. She deserves nothing less."

Then she disappeared inside.

Lucas remained standing where he was, watching her retreating figure, his brows slowly drawing together.

Something had happened. He was certain of it.

***

Two days later, the men Lucas had sent to investigate finally returned.

"My lord, we have indeed discovered something. Caelith Emberlyn visited the imperial prison several days ago."

Lucas’ expression changed instantly.

"She went to the imperial prison?" His voice lowered. "For what reason?"

"We do not know. She disguised herself as someone delivering food. Someone inside arranged her entry. She remained only a quarter of an hour before leaving."

Lucas fell silent for a very long time, his mind refusing to piece the bits and pieces together.

The imperial prison... Why would Caelith go there?