A Touch of Shadow: The Duke's Obsession

Chapter 156: More Than Me

The Old Madam treated her courteously as well, asking several questions about the embroidery workshop and praising the delicacy of her craftsmanship.

Yet Caelith could hear the difference.

The politeness the Old Madam showed her was not the same as the warmth she showed Marina.

When the elder woman looked at Marina, her gaze carried the affection reserved for one’s own child.

But when she looked at Caelith, it was the gaze one offered an honored guest––reserved and somewhat detached.

Marina soon began speaking about a recent visit she had made to a temple beyond the city outskirts.

"My lady, you cannot imagine how beautiful the maple leaves were upon the mountain behind the temple. Every tree had turned crimson red. The scenery was breathtaking. Next time, shall I accompany you there to see it for yourself?"

The Old Madam smiled warmly and nodded at once. "Yes, yes. Once the weather clears, we shall go together."

Marina then mentioned a newly opened confectionery within the capital whose pastries were said to be exceptional.

"I brought a few pieces especially for you to taste."

She accepted a decorated food box from one of her maids and opened it delicately. Inside rested several exquisitely crafted pastries, each one more refined than the last.

The Old Madam sampled one piece and immediately began praising it without restraint.

"You are always so thoughtful. You remember every little thing about me!"

Marina smiled sweetly, her eyes curving like crescent moons.

Caelith sat quietly beside them, still holding the unfinished pastry in her hand.

She lowered her eyes to it, and for some reason, she found herself unable to swallow another bite.

After sitting together for a while longer, Marina finally rose to take her leave.

"Lady Thorne, I should return now. I will come visit you again another day."

The Old Madam nodded with obvious fondness. "Good, good. Come often when you have time."

Marina then walked over to Caelith and offered her another gentle smile.

"Miss Caelith, I shall visit your embroidery workshop someday. I especially adore the butterflies you embroider. They will look lovely on my hand fan."

Caelith nodded politely. "You would be most welcome."

Marina departed soon after.

Silence gradually settled over the great hall once more. The Old Madam turned toward Caelith and smiled.

"My child, do not overthink things. Marina has visited this estate since childhood, so naturally, we are close."

Caelith nodded softly. "I understand."

The Old Madam patted her hand reassuringly. "You are a good girl as well. If Rhaegar likes you, then I like you too."

Caelith looked at her quietly. Those eyes appeared kind and benevolent, yet beneath that gentleness lay something she could not fully decipher.

Something hidden too deeply for her to see clearly.

When she finally left the duke’s estate, Caelith boarded the carriage alone.

Rhaegar had not yet returned.

She sat quietly inside the carriage, gazing absentmindedly through the window curtains.

Outside, the streets overflowed with life. Merchants called out from both sides of the road while crowds moved endlessly through the bustling avenues of the capital.

Yet her mind remained trapped within the scene she had just witnessed.

The way the Old Madam and Lady Marina had spoken together had been so natural, so intimate, so familiar... And she remembered herself seated beside them like an outsider who had wandered mistakenly into a place where she did not belong.

A strange heaviness slowly tightened within her chest. Not so long ago... she was just as noble in position and could fit with any crowd. But now...

She did not know how much time had passed before the carriage curtain was suddenly lifted. Rhaegar stepped inside and seated himself beside her.

"Have you been waiting long?"

Caelith shook her head.

Rhaegar studied her expression carefully. "What is wrong?"

Caelith forced a smile. "All is fine."

Rhaegar reached out and pulled her into his embrace.

"Do not think too much about the Walerick family girl," he murmured quietly. "The Old Madam simply watched her grow up from childhood. There is nothing more to it."

Caelith rested silently against his chest. "I know."

Rhaegar lowered his head and breathed in the faint fragrance lingering in her hair.

"You are the only one I want."

Caelith did not answer, but deep within her heart, there was one sentence she never spoke aloud.

You want me.

But what your family wants is more than just me alone.

***

After returning from the duke’s estate, Caelith could no longer find peace within her heart. The Old Madam’s words lingered endlessly in her mind, repeating themselves over and over like a quiet echo that refused to fade.

On the surface, the elder woman had appeared accepting and kind. Yet hidden beneath that kindness was restraint.

And Caelith had heard it clearly.

Noticing her absent expression, Yvaine leaned closer and asked curiously, "Sister, what are you thinking about?"

Caelith shook her head softly. "Nothing."

But she knew very well that something was wrong. Something subtle yet impossible to ignore.

Two days later, another servant arrived from the duke’s estate.

A young maid stood at the entrance and respectfully conveyed the Old Madam’s invitation, saying the elder woman had been thinking of her and wished for her to come keep her company.

Caelith changed into a fresh dress before following the maid to the estate.

This time, Rhaegar was not there, the Old Madam received her alone.

The great hall was quiet and spacious, occupied only by the two of them. After serving tea, the maids withdrew silently, leaving behind an atmosphere so still that even the faint sound of porcelain touching wood seemed unusually clear.

The Old Madam held Caelith’s hand affectionately, smiling with practiced warmth.

"My child, have you been busy these past few days?"

"Not particularly."

"And how is the embroidery workshop faring?"

"Thanks to your blessings, business has been good."

The Old Madam nodded approvingly. "You are a capable girl. A woman needs to keep busy."

She patted Caelith’s hand lightly before her tone shifted almost imperceptibly. "You have met Marina Walerick already, haven’t you?"

A quiet tension stirred within Caelith’s chest.

"Yes. Miss Walerick is very kind."

The Old Madam smiled.

"She is indeed. I watched that child grow up with my own eyes. She has a gentle temperament, and her family background is excellent as well. She and my Rhae were childhood companions. They often spent time together when they were young."

A faint sigh escaped the elder woman’s lips.

"But Rhaegar has always been stubborn. Once he sets his heart on someone, he refuses to change it. As his grandmother, all I can do is indulge him."

Caelith listened quietly, a polite smile still resting upon her face. Yet inside, her heart slowly sank deeper and deeper.

On the surface, the Old Madam’s words sounded as though she were supporting her. But the meaning beneath them was unmistakably clear.

Marina Walerick had been the girl the family originally favored. Only because Rhaegar insisted had they chosen to compromise.

"My child." The Old Madam looked at her steadily. "You are a clever girl. You should understand what I mean."

Caelith lowered her eyes briefly and nodded. "I understand."

The Old Madam patted her hand once more.

"You need not worry. As long as you and Rhae remain well together, I will not mistreat you."

Caelith forced another smile. "Thank you, my lady."

After sitting for a little longer, she finally rose to take her leave. The Old Madam personally escorted her to the entrance.

"Come visit often when you have time."

Caelith nodded before stepping into the carriage. The curtain fell shut behind her, sealing away the sunlight outside. Alone within the dim carriage, the smile slowly faded from her face.

She remembered once more the way the Old Madam had looked at Marina.

That effortless closeness.

That natural affection.

It was the gaze reserved for one’s own family.

And what about her?

The Old Madam looked at her the way one looked at a stranger.

Caelith leaned back against the carriage wall and slowly closed her eyes, her emotions tangled into an indescribable bitterness.

A clever scheme, she thought, to let Rhaegar believe that he can marry me, while parading Marina in front of me to shatter my confidence and step aside. A clever, cruel scheme...

***

Several days later, Marina Walerick truly came to visit.

That afternoon, Caelith was seated inside the embroidery shop, carefully working silk thread through stretched fabric beneath the afternoon light. Hearing movement at the entrance, she instinctively lifted her head.

Marina stood at the entrance of the embroidery shop dressed in elegant simplicity, her pale robes refined yet understated. Her hair was arranged flawlessly without a single strand out of place, and upon her beautiful face rested a graceful smile warm enough to make anyone lower their guard instinctively.

Behind her stood a maid carrying a woven basket in both hands.

"Miss Caelith," Marina said gently, "I came to admire your embroidery work."

Caelith paused briefly in surprise before rising at once to welcome her.

"Lady Walerick, please come in."

Marina stepped into the shop and slowly wandered through its interior. She lifted one embroidered piece after another, her fingertips brushing lightly across silk and thread while praise flowed continuously from her lips.

"Miss Caelith, your craftsmanship truly is extraordinary. These butterflies look so lifelike, they seem ready to flutter away at any moment."

She selected several embroidered handkerchiefs and placed an order for a number of sachets as well, spending money with remarkable generosity.

Caelith wrapped the items carefully before handing them over.

"I am glad someone like Lady Walerick likes them."

Marina accepted the bundle and looked at her with smiling eyes.

"The Old Madam mentions you often," she said softly. "She always says you are a good-mannered young lady."

Caelith offered her a kind smile. "Lady Thorne overpraises me."

Marina’s lips curved gently again. "I shall come visit another day. Please save a few unique pieces for me."

And just like that, she departed.

The moment she left, Yvaine immediately leaned closer.

"Sister, this Lady Walerick seems quite nice," she whispered. "She’s beautiful too, and so gentle when she speaks."

Caelith remained silent.

At that moment, Erian emerged from the rear courtyard and stopped beside her.

His gaze lingered upon the entrance through which Marina had just disappeared, his brows faintly furrowed.

"She’s wrong."

Caelith turned toward him. "What?"

Erian slowly withdrew his gaze and looked at her quietly.

"Her lips smile," he said in a calm voice, " but her eyes don’t."

Caelith froze. In her mind, she suddenly recalled Marina’s crescent-shaped eyes, which curved so sweetly whenever she smiled.

Her expression had looked sincere, almost flawless. Yet beneath those eyes... There had been nothing of real substance.

And suddenly, Caelith thought of Erian’s past. Twelve years beside Osvald Grandien.

Twelve years spent surviving in blood-soaked shadows with a blade forever hanging over his throat.

A life like that taught a person many things, and most importantly, how to read people.

Faces could lie, but eyes could not.

After a long silence, Caelith nodded. "You are right."

Erian looked at her steadily.

"Will she come again?"

Caelith hesitated, but then, her voice came out on its own, cold and somewhat malicious, "She will."