A Touch of Shadow: The Duke's Obsession

The private chamber was located in the deepest part of the rear courtyard.

It was exceptionally quiet. The moment the doors closed, the lively noise from outside vanished completely.

Several embroidery masterpieces hung upon the walls, each one clearly the work of master craftsmen. Caelith stepped forward and examined them one by one.

Lucas remained standing behind her.

"What do you think?"

"They’re all excellent," Caelith replied honestly. "This peony piece uses remarkably mature needlework, and the colors are exceptionally elegant. And this landscape embroidery..."

Her voice stopped abruptly because she suddenly sensed the man behind her step closer.

And closer.

Close enough that she could feel the warmth of his breathing.

Caelith immediately turned around. Lucas stood directly before her now, less than a foot away. And the way he looked at her... Was completely different from before.

Instinctively, Caelith stepped backward until her back met the wall behind her.

"My lord?"

Lucas took another slow step forward, then he lifted one hand and braced it against the wall beside her, trapping her between himself and the carved wooden screen behind her.

"Miss Caelith."

His voice was low, touched with a faint hoarseness as though emotion had been restrained for far too long.

"You’ve avoided me for so long." His gaze remained fixed upon her without wavering. "At last, today, we can finally speak alone."

Caelith’s heartbeat thundered violently in her chest.

She looked into his eyes. Within them lingered emotions suppressed for too many days—so deep and overwhelming they had become almost impossible to conceal.

"Lord Ostenton," she said steadily, "if you have something to say, then say it plainly."

Lucas looked at her for a long moment and finally said, "I love you."

His voice was quiet, yet within the silence of the chamber, every single word rang painfully clear.

"I liked you from the very first time I saw you selling embroidery in the marketplace. After you saved my father, I only became more certain that I could never forget you." He stepped closer still, his eyes darkening. "Later, when you began working at the embroidery house, I went there every day just to see you. Do you know why?"

Caelith did not say a word.

Lucas leaned nearer, close enough that the warmth of his breath brushed against her skin.

"But your eyes only ever see him." A faint bitterness entered his voice for the first time. "Rhaegar."

"What is so special about him?" he then asked angrily. "Everything he can give you, I can give as well. Everything he cannot give you... I can give too." His eyes searched hers almost desperately. "Why won’t you look at me?"

Caelith did look at him now, but that gaze was devoid of warmth or affection.

His face was still the same handsome, refined face she had always known. Yet now, for the first time, it felt utterly unfamiliar.

"My lord, I’m sorry." Her voice remained calm and unwavering. "There is only him in my heart. I cannot do anything about it."

Something changed instantly within Lucas’ gaze. For a brief moment, something dark flashed across his eyes—pain, humiliation, and something frighteningly close to madness.

"I don’t want your apologies." His voice lowered further. "You won’t even spare me a glance." His fingers tightened against the wall beside her. "Why?"

Caelith’s back pressed tightly against the wall. Her heartbeat raced so violently she thought it might burst from her throat.

And then—

Bang!

The chamber doors were kicked open from outside. Lucas spun around sharply and saw Erian standing in the doorway.

Sweat covered his body as though he had run there without stopping. His eyes locked onto Lucas with a coldness sharp enough to freeze the air itself.

"Move away from her." His voice was surprisingly soft, yet the moment those words fell, the color drained visibly from Lucas’ face.

Slowly, he released his hold upon the wall and stepped backward. Almost immediately, that familiar gentle smile returned to his features once more.

"Miss Caelith," he said lightly, "your servant is remarkably protective."

Erian ignored him entirely. He walked straight toward Caelith and positioned himself in front of her protectively.

"Let’s go."

Caelith nodded silently and followed him out of the chamber. But just before stepping through the doorway, she instinctively glanced back one final time.

Lucas still stood exactly where he had been. Watching them. Smiling.

Yet that smile sent a chill creeping through her entire body.

After returning from the embroidery exhibition, Caelith remained deeply unsettled.

She told no one what had happened inside the private chamber.

Yet Erian knew. And Yvaine could clearly sense that something was wrong.

"Sister, what happened? Your complexion looks terrible."

Caelith shook her head, forcing a fake smile upon her lips. "It’s nothing. I’m just tired."

Yvaine did not believe her, but she asked no further questions.

***

That night, when Rhaegar entered the chamber, Caelith was sitting silently beside the window, lost in thought. Lamp light spilled across her face, turning her already pale features almost ghostly white.

Rhaegar walked over quietly and wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"What are you thinking about?"

Caelith leaned quietly against his chest, melting into his embrace. "Nothing."

Rhaegar lowered his head and inhaled softly against her hair.

"Something’s troubling you?"

She shook her head, trying hard to conceal her emotions. "...No."

Rhaegar said nothing. Slowly, he released her and walked toward the table before taking a seat.

"Where is Erian?"

Caelith froze for the briefest instant. "He’s in the rear courtyard. Why?"

Rhaegar looked at her steadily as if trying to read her mind. "He’s been following you constantly as of late."

Caelith’s heartbeat skipped violently. "He... he’s only trying to do his job properly."

Rhaegar remained silent. A long while passed before he finally spoke again.

"Caelith." His voice was low and calm. "What are you hiding from me?"

Caelith lifted her head to look into his eyes. He could clearly see a blend of suspicion and concern swirling inside them. He was losing his patience.

"I’m not hiding anything."

Rhaegar rose to his feet and walked toward her.

"I investigated Erian." His gaze never left her face. "There’s nothing strange about him."

Caelith’s expression changed instantly, and Rhaegar noticed that change.

"No one in this world appears from nowhere." His voice grew colder. "Who exactly is he?"

The chamber fell utterly silent. Outside the window, even the distant chirping of night birds sounded painfully clear.

Caelith parted her lips as though wanting to explain, but no words came.

She could not tell him.

She dared not tell him.

Rhaegar kept looking at her, his expression growing colder with each passing moment. Slowly, the light within his eyes dimmed little by little, too.

Then he turned away and walked toward the door.

"Rhaegar."

He stopped. But did not turn around. "I’m returning to the Imperial Prison."

The door closed behind him.

And Caelith remained standing there motionless, unable to move a single step.