A Touch of Shadow: The Duke's Obsession

Marina Walerick truly came again.

Only two days later, she appeared once more at the entrance of Firefly Pavilion. This time, she brought along a handkerchief she had embroidered herself, saying she wished to seek Caelith’s guidance.

Caelith accepted the silk cloth and examined it carefully beneath the light.

The stitching was acceptable. The color arrangement, however, lacked refinement.

She offered several quiet suggestions, and Marina listened with remarkable attentiveness, even taking out a brush pen to note everything down meticulously.

From the side, Yvaine watched with visible admiration.

"Miss Walerick is truly humble and eager to learn."

Marina smiled softly. "Miss Caelith’s craftsmanship is exceptional. I sincerely wish to learn from her."

She remained for more than half an hour, speaking almost entirely about embroidery and silkwork. Before leaving, she purchased several embroidered handkerchiefs yet again.

Caelith escorted her to the entrance personally.

"Travel safely, Lady Walerick."

Marina turned back toward her and smiled. "Miss Caelith, I shall visit again another day. I liked our little session."

And just like that, she departed.

A moment later, Erian emerged from the rear courtyard and stopped beside Caelith.

"Every time she comes," he said quietly, "her eyes wander everywhere. It’s suspicious."

Caelith arched her eyebrows. "What is she looking at?"

Erian thought for a moment before answering. "It feels like she’s observing something. Or searching for something."

Caelith sighed. "I see..."

If that was true... why exactly was she coming here then?

***

Several days later, Marina came to visit them again. This time, while she was speaking with Caelith inside the shop, Erian suddenly stepped out from the rear courtyard, then stopped near the doorway and stared directly at her without moving.

His gaze was far too straightforward––so direct that it was impossible to ignore.

Marina visibly stiffened beneath it.

"Miss Caelith," she said with forced calmness, "this gentleman is..."

"One of the workers at the shop," Caelith replied. "His name is Erian."

Marina smiled politely and inclined her head toward him. "Greetings, Mr. Erian."

Erian said nothing; he simply continued looking at her.

For a fleeting instant, Marina’s smile froze upon her lips before she quickly recovered her composure.

After remaining a little while longer, she rose to take her leave. This time, however, her steps were noticeably quicker than usual.

Yvaine watched her retreating figure before lowering her voice to whisper, "Erian, staring at someone like that is rather impolite."

Erian remained silent, while Caelith turned to look at him.

He did not avoid her gaze. Instead, he met it directly.

"She’s wrong," he said coldly.

Caelith nodded. "I know."

***

That night, Rhaegar returned unusually late. Caelith had already gone to bed, but hearing the sound of the door opening, she slowly opened her eyes.

Rhaegar entered the room quietly, removed his outer robe, and lay down beside her.

"Did Marina come again today?"

Caelith widened her eyes in surprise. "How did you know?"

"Lance saw her."

Caelith did not answer immediately.

Rhaegar drew her into his embrace, his arms wrapping securely around her waist.

"What did she come for?"

"She came to buy things," Caelith replied softly. "And to learn embroidery."

Rhaegar lowered his gaze toward her. "Do you believe that’s all she wants?"

Caelith hesitated. "...No."

Rhaegar tightened his arms around her. "No matter what her purpose is, don’t indulge her. She does not know when to stop while hovering over the line."

Caelith rested quietly against his chest. "Alright. If you say so."

Yet deep down, she knew the matters were not so simple. Behind Marina stood the Old Madam. Behind the Old Madam stood the Thorne family itself.

She could choose to ignore Marina and her schemes. But she could not ignore the duke’s family.

Outside the window, the moonlight spilled across the courtyard like silver frost.

Caelith slowly closed her eyes, but sleep never came. Not for a long while.

***

Meanwhile, Rhaegar had arranged a residence for Lance near Firefly Pavilion.

The house was not particularly large, merely a modest two-courtyard residence, yet it had been kept exceptionally neat and orderly. Two oak trees stood within the courtyard alongside a flourishing evergreen tree. The main hall was bright and immaculate, while the side chambers were more than spacious enough for comfortable living.

The first time Lance brought Yvaine to see the house, she stood frozen in the middle of the courtyard for a very long time.

"Lance... this... this belongs to us now?"

The knight nodded. "Lord Rhaegar helped arrange it. I had enough coin to furnish it luxuriously, but the duke gave us this modest estate as a wedding gift."

Yvaine immediately covered her mouth as tears began tumbling down her cheeks one after another.

Lance panicked at once. "Why are you crying? Don’t you like it? We can refurnish it again! I have money!"

Yvaine shook her head frantically before throwing herself into his arms.

"I like it! I like it so much!"

Although she was used to living in lavish buildings since birth, now that she had lived so long on her own, seeing something this outstanding presented to her once more was almost heartbreaking.

Lance held her tightly, grinning so foolishly that he seemed almost incapable of hiding his happiness.

Caelith stood quietly by the entrance, watching them, the corners of her lips lifting unconsciously into a faint smile.

Erian stood beside her as well, silently observing the scene.

"Are you happy?" he asked quietly.

Caelith nodded. "Yes. Very happy."

Erian said nothing. He looked at the couple embracing one another before shifting his gaze back toward Caelith.

His eyes lingered upon her face for a fleeting moment.

Then he lowered his head once more and remained standing there in silence.

That evening, Yvaine was so excited she could not fall asleep. She ran into Caelith’s room just to continue talking.

"Sister, do you think I should start learning how to manage a household now? Cooking, washing clothes, cleaning the rooms... there’s so much I don’t know how to do."

Caelith looked at her anxious expression and laughed softly.

"If you can’t do something, you can hire a maid or two. The estate is way too large for you to manage alone, and Sir Lance earns enough to provide you with servants, too."

Yvaine nodded eagerly before immediately shaking her head again.

"But he treats me so well. I can’t be too greedy, right?"