A Touch of Shadow: The Duke's Obsession

Caelith thought about it for a moment. "As the lady of the house, you have to know how to manage your spending and keep a ledger. Tomorrow, I will teach you record-keeping. Sir Lance is a busy man, so such work will be on you."

Yvaine’s eyes lit up instantly. "Really?" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Really."

Yvaine immediately threw herself forward to hug her tightly. "Sister, you’re the best!"

Caelith gently patted her back.

"Alright, enough. Go back and sleep now. We still need to wake early tomorrow."

Yvaine nodded happily before skipping out of the room with light, cheerful steps.

Caelith sat quietly at the bedside, watching as Yvaine’s excited figure disappeared through the doorway.

She suddenly found herself remembering the girl from several years ago.

Back then, Yvaine had still been the proud and arrogant young miss of the Emberlyn family, the sort who would roll her eyes disdainfully whenever she saw her.

Never once had she shown any interest in work, while her only goal in life was to marry a rich nobleman and live a life free of labor or concern.

And now?

Now she was preparing to be married and live a life of a responsible adult, overflowing with happiness like an innocent child who had finally grasped the sweetness she had long dreamed of.

A faint smile touched Caelith’s lips. She lay down slowly upon the bed, already creating a learning plan for her cousin.

Outside the window, moonlight flowed across the courtyard in silvery brilliance.

She closed her eyes, letting the quiet of the night take her deeper into its embrace.

***

On the day of the wedding, the weather was so perfect it felt almost unreal.

The afternoon sky stretched endlessly above the capital, clear and luminous beneath streams of golden sunlight. A soft breeze drifted through the streets, carrying warmth instead of winter’s lingering chill, as though even the heavens had chosen to bless the occasion.

Long before dawn had fully broken, Yvaine was already awake.

Caelith sat behind her before the bronze mirror, carefully combing through Yvaine’s long dark hair, strand by strand, with slow, patient hands.

The polished mirror reflected the two of them together beneath the warm candlelight.

"Are you nervous?" Caelith asked softly.

Yvaine nodded instinctively before quickly shaking her head again.

"I don’t know," she admitted with a quiet laugh. "I’m nervous... but happy too."

Caelith’s gaze lingered on her reflection in the mirror.

Yvaine’s delicate brows had been carefully shaped, her lips brushed with soft crimson rouge. Her dark hair had been gathered into an elegant bridal coiffure adorned with intricate gold hairpins and gleaming jade ornaments that shimmered whenever she moved.

She was breathtaking.

And suddenly, without warning, Caelith found herself thinking back to years ago.

Back then, the Emberlyn family had only just fallen into ruin.

Yvaine had appeared at her doorstep with nowhere left to go, dressed in worn clothing far too thin for the season. She had been so slender she looked almost fragile, as though a stronger wind might have carried her away entirely.

At the time, her eyes had still been filled with caution and exhaustion, yet she had stubbornly refused to lower her pride before anyone.

Who could have imagined that the girl standing at her gates all those years ago would one day become a bride radiant enough to outshine the entire capital?

A gentle smile curved across Caelith’s lips.

"There," she said softly. "Finished. Take a look."

Yvaine immediately rose and turned in a circle before her.

"Do I look pretty?"

"You do."

At once, Yvaine’s eyes shimmered with tears. "Sister..."

"Don’t cry," Caelith said with a helpless laugh. "Your makeup will smear."

Yvaine quickly sniffed back her tears and forced them down again.

Outside, the sharp crackling sound of firecrackers suddenly erupted through the courtyard.

Sir Lance had arrived to fetch his bride.

He stood outside dressed in a celebratory black wedding suit, so nervous that he scarcely seemed to know where to place his hands or even how to stand properly.

The moment Yvaine was escorted out, his eyes widened in shock. He stared at her in utter amazement, speechless as if his mind had gone blank.

The surrounding crowd immediately burst into teasing laughter.

"Sir Lance, have you gone stupid?"

"The bride is too beautiful. He’s completely stunned!"

Lance’s face flushed all the way to the tips of his ears.

Meanwhile, Yvaine kept her head lowered shyly, her own face burning just as fiercely.

The two of them stepped forward together to bid farewell to Caelith.

Yvaine held tightly onto Caelith’s hand, her eyes reddening once more.

"Sister... will I still be able to come back often in the future?"

Caelith laughed softly. "This is your home," she replied gently. "You may return whenever you wish."

Yvaine nodded quickly, but tears still slipped uncontrollably from her eyes.

Soon, the bridal carriage closed its doors. Caelith stood at the entrance, watching as the snow-white procession slowly disappeared farther and farther down the street.

Erian stood beside her in silence, his gaze resting quietly upon her profile.

"Why are you crying?"

Caelith lifted a hand to her cheek and realized there truly were tears there.

"They’re happy tears," she said softly with a faint smile.

Erian said nothing. He simply remained standing beside her, loyally accompanying her in silence.

***

The wedding banquet was exceptionally lively.

Neighbors from nearby streets came to offer congratulations, along with familiar faces from the embroidery workshop. Several of Rhaegar’s knights from the Imperial Guard attended as well. Lance had served under the Imperial Guard for many years and was well-liked among his comrades, so nearly everyone arrived bearing gifts and cheerful blessings.

Rhaegar sat at the seat of honor, watching as Lance and Yvaine bowed before heaven and earth in the wedding rites.

Caelith sat right beside him.

The two exchanged a glance, and both smiled.

Marina Walerick had come as well.

She wore elegant pale robes today, refined yet understated, her hair arranged flawlessly as always. Accompanied by her maid, she stood amidst the crowd with a graceful smile upon her lips, quietly watching the newlyweds complete their vows.

The moment Caelith noticed her, she paused briefly in surprise.

Then she rose and walked forward to greet her. "Lady Walerick... What a pleasant surprise."