In the main house, the Grand Duchess sat in her drawing room, sipping wine from a crystal glass. Her expression was unreadable, her posture perfect.
Alice stood nearby, her hands folded in front of her, gaze fixed on the floor.
"She reacted," Alice said quietly.
The Grand Duchess didn't spare a glance and coldly stared at the abyss before she parted her lips. "How badly?"
Alice hesitated. "More than expected."
The older woman set her glass down. "Then you were careless." Alice flinched at the comment.
"I didn't poison the tea," Alice said. "It was the cup. The glaze. I didn't know she was that sensitive."
The Grand Duchess turned slowly, her gaze as sharp as blades as it landed on Alice. "You didn't ask."
Alice's throat tightened. "I thought it would be mild.. Just enough to unsettle her."
The Grand Duchess rose, her gown trailing behind her like smoke. She didn't say anything.
Alice looked up. She was panicking inside, knowing that she couldn't read the duchess at all. "She'll recover."
"Perhaps," the Grand Duchess said. "But the Duke won't forget."
Alice's lips parted, but no words came. The duke would be the one most shaken from this incident—knowing him, he would be the one drowning in self-blame.
The Grand Duchess stepped closer. "You've made your move. Now you must live with it."
Alice nodded slowly, her composure slowly crumbling inside.
Back in the annexe, Theodore sat in silence, watching Selene's chest rise and fall.
He had never felt so helpless before—not during war. Not during negotiations. Not even when his father died.
This was different,
This was her—the love of his life, supposedly.
And she was slipping with uncertainty.
Theodore couldn't sleep; his gaze would always fall toward Selene's motionless body.
Her skin had cooled slightly, but the bandages remained. Her body was still, her face pale against the pillow.
He stood suddenly, pacing the room. His steps were uneven. He had to do something to distract himself from horrible thoughts.
He couldn't just sit here and wait.
Anna looked up from the corner, startled. "Your Grace?"
"I'm going to the main house," he said. His voice was calm, but it carried weight.
Anna hesitated. "Should I send word?"
"No," he said. "I won't be announced."
"Send word to my Mother. I want to speak with her. Now."
Anna hesitated. "..She may not receive you."
"She will," Theodore said, his voice icy. "Tell her it's not a request."
Anna nodded and left.
Theodore turned back to Selene.
Her eyes were still closed.
He knelt beside her, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead.
"I'll fix this," he whispered. "I swear it."
The halls of the main house were dim, lit only by the occasional wall sconce. The servants had retired for the day, and the air smelled of wax and old perfume.
He walked through the arches with the face of a determined man, someone with unwavering purpose. As if he would never step foot outside if he hadn't fulfilled his purpose.
The Grand Duchess's drawing room was still lit; she never sleeps early.
He entered without knocking, barging in, dragging his boots that carried a heavy weight.
Alice was there, seated by the fire, her hands folded in her lap. The Grand Duchess sat across from her, swirling wine in a crystal glass.
They both looked up, startled by the uninvited and definitely unwelcome guest.
Theodore didn't speak immediately. Instead, he stepped forward until the firelight caught the edge of his coat.
"She's in pain," he said.
Alice merely blinked.
"She's blistered. Her skin is raw. She's barely conscious."
The Grand Duchess set her glass down. "And why have you come here?"
"To ask why," he said. "Why this was allowed?" he said, pointing at the cups that looked alike from the ones at the gazebo.
Alice stood. "I didn't mean for it to be that severe."
"You meant for something?" he said, eyes narrowing. "You watched her touch the cup. You watched me drink—and what did you do? You waited."
Alice's voice faltered. "I didn't know—"
"You didn't care," he said.
The Grand Duchess rose slowly. "You're upset."
"I'm furious,"
She stepped closer, her expression unreadable. "And what will you do with that fury?"
Theodore looked at her, his eyes bloodshot red. "I'll protect her."
The Grand Duchess tilted her head. "Even if it costs you everything?"
He didn't blink, he didn't waver either when he uttered "Yes."
Alice's breath hitched.
The Grand Duchess studied him for a long moment. Then she turned to Alice. "Leave us."
Alice hesitated, then bowed and exited the room,
Closing the door behind her.
The Grand Duchess walked to the window, her silhouette framed by moonlight. "You were warned."
"I was," Theodore said.
"And yet you defied me."
"I did."
She turned, her tone growing in anger. "You think love is enough?"
"I think cruelty has limits," he said. "And you've crossed them."
Theodore curled up his fists on his side so tight that his nails dug into his palms. He was angry, restless and reckless—and he knew it.
She stepped forward. "You forget who you are."
"No," he said. "I remember. I'm the man who let her suffer... and I won't let it happen again." He knew he couldn't defy the Grand Mistress anymore—for she still held power over the elder court. He marched into the lion's den to propose something—but what he was doing now was nothing short of venting, and he could no longer control himself.
The Grand Duchess's eyes narrowed. "Then choose. Her—or the house."
Theodore didn't hesitate. "Her."
The silence that followed was long and cold.
Then the Grand Duchess nodded once. "Very well."
She turned away, and Theodore left, his steps quickened at the thought of Selene regaining consciousness.
Back in the annexe, Selene stirred.
Her eyes opened slowly, the candlelight soft against her skin. Anna leaned forward, her face bare and worn. "You're awake."
Selene blinked. "Where is he?"
Anna smiled faintly. "He went to the main house."
Selene closed her eyes again.
She didn't speak; her energy was to be preserved.
But something in her chest felt lighter..just slightly.