A Touch of Shadow: The Duke's Obsession

Caelith was already inclined to leave. She had no desire to linger in Yvaine’s company, and now that Yvaine had clearly lost her composure, remaining any longer would serve no purpose.

"Sister, I shall return to my courtyard and rest," Caelith said calmly.

Rising from her seat, she turned and departed with Dolly at her side.

Only once they had walked beyond the pavilion did Dolly lower her voice.

"Lady Yvaine clearly came today just to show off—"

Before she could finish, Caelith interrupted her sharply.

"Mind your words. Do not speak so again."

In truth, Yvaine’s display meant nothing to her. Caelith no longer felt the slightest attachment to Dorian Valehart. If not for the necessity of remaining in the Valehart estate and maintaining appearances, she would already have asked for a formal separation.

Dolly said nothing more. She merely supported Caelith’s arm and quickened their pace toward the courtyard.

Behind them, Yvaine watched Caelith’s retreating figure with blazing fury.

With a violent motion, she swept the wooden box from the table. The jeweled hairpins scattered across the stone floor, their red and gold ornaments clattering loudly.

The man and the position she had fought so desperately to secure—both seemed utterly worthless in Caelith’s eyes.

Charlotte dropped to her knees in fright.

"My lady, please calm yourself! These are gifts from Lord Valehart!"

"That wretched bitch Caelith!" Yvaine spat bitterly. "She did not show even the slightest hint of jealousy!"

"Perhaps she is only pretending to be composed," Charlotte said cautiously, trying to soothe her mistress. "She may simply wish to hide her feelings in front of others."

Yvaine let out a cold laugh.

"She truly is my dear little sister. Caelith Emberlyn—just you wait. One day, I will make you watch as I take everything you have."

Charlotte crept closer, speaking carefully.

"My lady... these things were bestowed by our lord. If he were to see them broken—"

Yvaine understood the warning. For now, she depended upon Dorian Valehart; she could not afford to alienate him.

"Pick them up," she ordered at last, forcing down her anger.

***

At the same time, Caelith had returned to her own courtyard.

She had only just rested for a short while when a servant’s voice sounded from outside, "Lord Valehart has arrived!"

A flicker of irritation crossed Caelith’s mind.

She did not wish to see Dorian right now. Merely looking at his face stirred a wave of revulsion within her. Yet her position as his wife meant she had no choice but to face him.

Dorian entered the main hall and dismissed the servants with a wave of his hand.

"You seem quite at leisure today," he said, looking at her. "You even have time to take a nap."

Ever since their wedding night, Caelith’s manner toward him had grown distant and indifferent—so unlike the eager devotion she once showed.

Had she discovered something?

Caelith lowered her gaze and bowed politely.

"Greetings, my lord."

Dorian seated himself in the velvet chair opposite her.

"These days you appear rather distracted," he said slowly. "You barely concern yourself with the affairs of the estate anymore. Are you feeling unwell?"

Dorian had the distinct feeling that Caelith had suddenly changed.

In the past, she had been warm and attentive toward him. Yet recently, she had grown increasingly indifferent. She rarely came to greet him when he returned to the estate, and most days she either remained quietly within her courtyard or occasionally went out alone.

"My lord is too considerate," Caelith replied, lifting her eyes. "My health is perfectly well."

"Is that so?" Dorian clearly did not believe her. "Yet it seems to me that you have been hiding something from me of late."

Caelith remained calm. "My lord is my husband. Why would I have reason to conceal anything from you?"

"If there is something troubling you, you can tell me," Dorian said. "I will see that it is resolved."

He suspected her unease might stem from Yvaine’s recent stay in the estate.

"I truly have no concerns," Caelith answered briefly.

"If you dislike Yvaine’s presence," he continued, "I can have her move to the front courtyard."

At that, Caelith felt a wave of weary disbelief.

"My cousin has come only for a short stay. I am quite pleased by her company—how could I possibly dislike her?"

Dorian rose from his chair and stepped closer.

Suddenly, he paused, his nose twitching faintly as though he had caught a scent of something familiar.

"The fragrance on you today... what is it?" he asked slowly. "It is not the usual orchid perfume used in the estate. It smells more like... pinewood."

The moment he spoke, Caelith instinctively stepped back, widening the distance between them.

That faint trace of pinewood was from earlier—when she had been in Firefly Lane with Rhaegar Thorne. Although she had changed her clothes upon returning to the estate, a subtle lingering hint of the scent remained.

She had not expected Dorian to notice it.

Was he some kind of hound, to sniff it out so easily?

"My lord seems unusually attentive to the perfumes I wear lately," Caelith said lightly. "Did my cousin perhaps mention something to you?"

With that single question, she deftly shifted the matter toward Yvaine again.

Dorian’s expression changed slightly.

In truth, Yvaine had indeed been speaking frequently of Caelith’s supposed faults these past days. Being confronted so directly by Caelith stirred an unexpected trace of irritation in him.

"What nonsense are you speaking?" he replied stiffly. "She is your cousin. Why would she gossip about such trivial matters? I merely noticed you seemed somewhat unusual today and asked out of concern."

"I see," Caelith said, as though enlightened.

"Still, since my lord acknowledges she is my cousin, it would be wise to keep proper boundaries. After all, men and women should observe propriety—and my cousin has not yet married."

Dorian’s face darkened.

He had come intending to question her, yet somehow he now found himself rendered speechless.

"If your health is well, then you should attend properly to the rules of the household," he said coldly. "Do not wander outside so often without reason."

Caelith inclined her head slightly.

"I understand."

"I have other matters to attend to," Dorian said curtly. "I will return to the front courtyard."

Without sparing her another glance, he turned and left.

Caelith watched his departing figure.

The calm expression in her eyes slowly faded, replaced by a faint chill.

If Dorian could detect even that trace of unfamiliar fragrance today, she would have to be far more careful in the future.

"Dolly," she called quietly.

"Yes, my lady?"

"In the future, whenever I leave the estate, prepare more of the orchid perfume for me."

Dolly nodded quickly. "Yes, my lady. I shall be careful in the future."

Caelith turned toward the inner chambers. "Prepare water for a bath."

"At once." Dolly hurried off to make the arrangements.

After bathing, Caelith carefully confirmed that no trace of the faint pinewood scent remained upon her body. Only then did she allow herself to relax.

Dolly entered carrying a folded set of garments and spoke up as she did so.

"About an hour ago, a messenger from Marquise Yonathan’s estate delivered an invitation. In three days’ time they will host a flower-viewing banquet at their home. My lady, will you attend?"

"Will Dorian and my cousin be going?" Caelith asked.

"Yes," Dolly replied.

"In that case," Caelith said quietly, "we shall attend as well."