"Your Highness, Sir Dylan has co to escort you to the celebration party," Philip knocked on the door of the grand duchess’s bedroom.
"Tell him to wait at the entrance. I will be done soon," Sitting before her dressing table, Cynthia closed her eyes as she spoke.
"Your Highness, let put on these diamond earrings. They will suit your outfit so well!" Anni exclaid excitedly.
Cynthia nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She was surprised by how seamlessly everyone acted as if her outburst the previous night had never occurred. She had been certain she’d overstepped, yet the next morning, when she woke, Anni, Zane, and Hilda were serving her without a trace of concern, as though they were entirely unaware of what had happened.
What was even more startling, was how the other servants, who had always maintained a respectful distance, suddenly began to engage with her—greeting her warmly and inquiring about her food preferences.
Though Cynthia couldn’t quite grasp the shift in their behaviour, she decided to go along with it. Building rapport with Lucian’s household staff could only work in her favour. More importantly, it would make it easier to keep a watchful eye on him when he returned.
"And done!" Hilda, Jane and Anni exclaid in unison.
"Alright. Let’s get going," Cynthia rose from her seat, heading outside of her dressing room.
"Your Highness! Have you ever t Sir Dylan?" Anni asked, her eyes glimring with curiosity.
"Dylan..." Cynthia mumbled. "I have."
"Is he a good person?"
"A good person?" Cynthia repeated, trying to rember the familiar na— Dylan, from the mories of her past life.
Back then, all of Lucian’s knights harboured a grudge against her, but none more openly than Dylan. He never made an effort to hide his contempt; in fact, he seed to wear it proudly. Whenever their paths crossed, his light blue eyes would darken, the shift so palpable that even the other knights noticed the disdain radiating from him. Sotis, he didn’t even bother with subtlety—he would curse her openly, his words sharp and bitter.
What stung Cynthia the most was how easily Lucian forgave him. Instead of facing the severe punishnt that insulting royal blood warranted— punishable by death— Dylan was rely ordered to run a few laps around the training grounds. It was a mockery of discipline, a reminder that Lucian’s leniency for his n often left her vulnerable to their scorn.
Why is soone who hates so much here to escort ?
Cynthia couldn’t help but wonder. Philip had told her that Dylan had been staying with the knights under Lucian’s orders; which never happened in her past life, making her even more curious.
"Greetings, Your Highness," the blond-haired man bowed slightly, looking up at the young lady who stood before him.
His cheeks flushed pink as he took in her appearance—she was effortlessly stunning.
Her silver hair was elegantly swept into a side bun, with soft locks framing her face, falling gracefully in front of her ears. The diamond necklace and earrings she wore shimred, perfectly complenting the silvery hue of her hair and accentuating her pale, porcelain-like skin. Her dark green, sleeveless gown, adorned with intricate silver embroidery, seed to radiate sophistication, while a delicate rose made of pearls at the center of her chest added a touch of softness to her natural beauty.
She was srizing, every detail of her attire amplifying her graceful allure.
For a mont, Dylan couldn’t help but think, "a... fairy."
However, he quickly clenched his jaw, realizing who the young woman before him was.
Snap out of it! She is an Eldorian! The witch who has been manipulating the grand duke into doing weird things!
Dylan shook his head, regaining his reasoning.
"Good evening. I heard you were sent by the grand duke to live in the mansion," Cynthia grinned, masking her disgust at him.
The man who had caused her a lot of trouble in her past life— Dylan Jwan, stood before her. If she could, she would stab him right there; however, she needed to remain composed.
"Yes... he asked to..." Dylan paused.
If I tell her that he wanted to make sure she was alright, she might think the grand duke likes her and she will start making him dance to her every tune!
"He wanted to make sure the mansion was well guarded and his people were safe during his absence. The demons could attack anyti, even if the case is not quite common," Dylan glared at her, making sure she understood that she wasn’t part of the Grand Duke’s people.
"Alright... if you say so."
Cynthia turned back to Anni who carried the sword she bought for Countess Gionhard’s son.
"I will get going then," she smiled at her three maids who nodded in agreent, a grin on their complexions.
"Oh, right. Put this inside the carriage and let’s go," she ordered Dylan before entering the carriage.
"Ordering around..." Dylan gritted between his teeth, the frown on his face making his anger evident.
He can’t hide his feelings, can he?
Cynthia scoffed, watching the blond-haired man carry out her orders. The very man who had once been eager to kill her was now obediently following her every command, and the irony wasn’t lost on her.
The shift in power was intoxicating, filling her with a sense of control that she hadn’t felt in a long ti.
A smile of satisfaction curled on her lips as she glanced down at Dylan, who stood stiffly beside the carriage after placing the gift box inside. His usual defiance was absent, replaced by a begrudging obedience that only heightened her sense of victory.
"Go sit beside the rider and let’s get going," Cynthia sneered, her evil smirk obvious to Dylan.
Dylan nodded, clenching his fist. He wanted to pull his sword from his sheath and...
However, he needed to remain calm and patient. At least until the grand duke returned and he had exposed her vile side to him!
And then you will see what I do with you, Icy Witch. You won’t even be in a state to laugh at like that!
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