Lilian pressed her fingers to her temple, rubbing it in frustration. "This isn’t the first ti his na has caused trouble. We could have waited. But no, you had to make it seem urgent."
Edgar remained silent, his gaze lowered, offering no explanation.
"..."
Lilian narrowed her eyes, irritated by his lack of response. "What?"
He sighed softly but still said nothing, making her irritation spike even more. She shifted in her seat, brushing off imaginary dust from the golden silk dress she had specially arranged for today’s function. The embroidery shimred faintly in the afternoon light, but now it was wasted.
"I had this dress made just for today," she muttered, more to herself than to him. "Just to remind Belle and the others that I am still the Queen Dowager, and I am still above them. But thanks to you, Edgar, that plan is ruined."
Edgar finally lifted his gaze to her, his expression unreadable. "Madam," he said, his voice calm, "you were the one who instructed to inform you imdiately if there was any news regarding the girl."
Lilian’s face darkened.
"Yes," she admitted; her tone was quieter. "That girl."
She exhaled, her fingers tightening into a fist. "When I asked for news, I ant news of her pregnancy, Edgar. Is she incompetent, or what? Did we not check her?"
Edgar, unbothered by her growing frustration, responded evenly. "Madam, it has only been a few weeks."
Lilian scoffed. "Weeks? And still no sign?"
"These things take ti," Edgar reminded her, though he knew that reasoning with her was futile.
Lilian pursed her lips, leaning back into the cushioned seat; her irritation was still simring. "That girl better prove useful soon," she muttered under her breath. "I will not waste my efforts on a concubine who cannot fulfill her duty."
The carriage jolted slightly as it moved over a dip in the road, and Lilian let out a sigh, tapping her nails against the wooden fra.
"Edgar, be honest with ," she said, her voice carrying a sharp edge. "Do you think I made a mistake sending that girl to him?"
Edgar kept his face poker, no expressions at all. "Madam, it is too early to say. But if Lady Liora fulfills her duty, then it will not be a mistake."
anwhile, in the second carriage, Roseria was lost in thought.
She wondered what Lucien would say when he saw her. Would he be happy? Or would he push her away, just as he had done to everyone else? Her hands tightened in her lap
The wheels of the carriage creaked over the gravel road as they approached the estate. The ride had been more than an hour, but for Lilian, it had been a long and silent one. She was stiff and proper in the seat; she had not visited this estate in close to a year. The last ti she had been here, she had departed just as suddenly as she had arrived. And now, here she was again.
Inside the estate, Beatrice was walking around close to the front door. She had been preparing herself for the arrival of Queen dowager But she couldn’t get rid of the anxiety. Lilian’s surprise visit, her unexpected worry, did not feel right to Beatrice.
Beatrice had stood by Lucien since his youth, had seen the rise and fall of his na, and watched as his world was stripped away from him, piece by piece. She knew Lucien well. He was a man who prized control and hated pity. And Lilian’s visit? It seems sothing that is not a motherly concern.
Beatrice released a soft sigh, smoothing her uniform as she proceeded towards the gate. The carriage would arrive in a minute now.
Liroa had decided to stay in her dress today instead of changing into the plain maid’s attire she had been wearing yesterday. She stood in the kitchen while Mira was gone to help other maids with cleaning; as per Mira, she should not be seated in her room as Liora wanted to be there only.
She had been told beforehand that the queen Dowager was coming, and although nobody had directly inford her, she could sense the tension among all servants as they knew Queen Dowager was arriving. They all started to prepare dishes, cleaning every corner of the house, making sure it was up to her remark.
Beatrice had hardly spoken to her since morning; she was busy with chores and ordering for Lilian’s arrival. Liora understood what they all presud. That Lilian had brought her here, that she had picked her out specially. And yet, in spite of being accorded the status of a concubine, she still felt like an outsider here.
Mira and Lily stood with her; they were busy chopping vegetables and helping others
"Mira," Liora murmured, running her fingers over the edge of a wooden bowl. "Tell about the queen dowager, as you have been, living in the placae for a long ti, serving her."
Mira faltered, shooting a look at Lily before replying. "She is... ummm..." looking for perfect words, then she exclaid, "A woman who never allows feelings to dictate her actions."
Lily, as little Braver added, "And she does not accept failure, but..."
Liora’s hand clenched around the bowl, "But what?’
Before she could get the answer, the gaurd at the gate shouted as informing others, "Madam has arrived."
Beatrice, who had been standing by the entrance, stood upright as the carriage finally appeared. The black and gold-trimd, big vehicle slowed in front of the gate.
----------------
Liora’s steps faltered just as she reached the threshold of the kitchen. Her hands clutched the folds of her dress in nervousness. This eting with Lilian is bringing her old mory back. Just a few weeks ago, she rembered that she had been bought and handpicked by the Queen Dowager herself and this eting with her, even if for a mont, would be awkward.
Mira and Lily, standing just behind her, exchanged glances as they noticed their madam had stopped moving. Mira sighed and stepped closer, lowering her voice to a hushed tone.
"Madam, I understand why you’re hesitating," she said gently. "But we have to go."
Liora’s grip on her dress tightened. "Can’t we delay this?" she murmured, eyes darting between them. "I’m not ready."
Lily, standing to her right, shook her head firmly. "We can’t stand here any longer, madam," she whispered. "You are his concubine. If you don’t greet the Queen Dowager properly, it will be taken as an insult."
Liora turned her look to Mira, silently hoping for another answer, but Mira only nodded in agreent.
anwhile, outside, the grand black and gold-trimd carriage rolled to a halt at the entrance of the estate. Edgar was the first to step in. He moved, adjusting the wooden steps that had been prepared, before turning back to offer his hand inside.
Beatrice, standing at a careful distance, forced a polite smile towards Edgar, as he was the first one to erge. But as he turned to assist Lilian, her face expressions changed
Her lips pressed into a firm line, hands clasped together as the Queen Dowager finally stepped out.
Lilian was dressed in a deep erald silk robe, embroidered with golden thread in delicate patterns that shimred under the light. A fur-lined shawl draped elegantly over her shoulders, framing her sharp yet regal features.
Her deep green eyes, sharp as a hawk’s, scanned the estate the mont she stepped down. With asured grace, she adjusted the golden hairpin, securing her dark, neatly coiled hair.
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