章 23: Chapter 23

Duchess Grandis paused, she looked at her daughter if she was listening. Satisfied that her princess has shown interest, she continued.

"The Imperial Earl always has trouble controlling his desires and has lost his beloved daughter," She took a sip of her tea, "I won't be surprised if the child ran away."

Cailina remained silent, it wouldn't be surprising if a young woman decided to run away from her family, considering the horrific things that happen behind their doors. How pitiful. The Imperial Earl was known for his extreme hobbies, few only knew his pastimes.

Her mother narrated the story of the missing daughter, some said that she was taken by the enemies of the Earl, and most believe that the young woman had enough of her father's treatment. A rumor was just a rumor, the Earl himself never confirmed anything.

"Alright, enough of this nonsense. I was informed that you've been holed up for many days," Her mother patted Cailina's hair, "Why don't we go shopping?"

She nodded in agreement. It would be nice to gather a few more pets.

Her mother continued telling Cailina what outfits became a trend throughout the ladies. Jewelry and cosmetics that women would fight for. Things that made a woman sparkle were at the bottom of Cailina's likes.

Dresses that bloomed like flowers of spring, lips red as blood, and cheeks as pale as snow. Cailina would choose papers rather than powders, She looked at her mother, trying her best not to appear disrespectful.

A game of chess would be more entertaining than simple backstabbing.

She sighed in her heart, only if her mother would see that she was not as the little ladies of the empire.

"The toy you picked up months ago, is it dying?" Duchess Grandis asked, "Worry not my daughter, we'll find a better one."

She comforted Cailina as she signaled a servant to place a box near her daughter. Cailina looked at her with a questioning look. Duchess Grandis opened the box and tags were displayed inside. Her mother concluded by herself that Cailina no longer wanted Aris.

"If you still wish to have a few playmates within your control, I ordered some of the qualified."

The smile painted on her mother's lips shone brighter as she explained each of the tag's owners. One was a young boy talented in musical instruments. A few young ladies who excelled in embroidery.

The things they have in common were they're either from fallen families or commoners with amazing talents sold by their homes to earn. She stared at the tags and thought that she only needed Aris. None can match with her puppy's adorable face.

Cailina looked at her mother, "I'm satisfied with Aris being my playmate. I apologize for making mother troubled."

Duchess Grandis brushed off her daughter's refusal. She still has yet to display all of the amazing tags she collected. She even competed with a few nobles to have the perfect marked ones for her daughter.

She was sure that the dog her daughter favored would only cause her setbacks. A traitor's fellow would have a higher possibility of becoming one.

The best must be what her sweetheart has. If ever Cailina got tired of the puppy, it would be immediately disposed of.

A servant placed five more boxes for Cailina to pick from. Duchess Grandis never understood why her husband allowed a vermin to be with his gem. His mind was one of the greatest mysteries of this family.

It's no use fretting over Duke Grandis' mind. She happily presented the tags to her dear daughter.

For what seems an eternity of her mother's persistence, Cailina took the opportunity to dismiss herself when Fione whispered a matter related to Ria. Her former maid appeared as shallow but underneath her front of obedience...

"I will take my leave now, mother. I have assignments to finish," Cailina curtseyed and left.

She took a letter was on top of her books. Fione stepped forward and said, "This was found in Ria's belongings."

"Did father read this?" Cailina asked to which the maid shook her head.

Alone with her thoughts, she opened the letter. Silence accompanied Cailina, along with a few sips of tea. The contents earned her curiosity; she furrowed her brows as she finished reading the lines.

"Lilian," She whispered.

A letter was written by someone who's been a maid for almost her life then miraculously learned how to write as if she was a noble lady, what was baffling was a maid learned to write.

Cailina looked at Fione, "Tell my father about this Lilian," she handed the letter, "Leave."

An outside factor may have affected the medicine's effect on Ria, but it was far-fetched to include within the range of possibilities. After all, her father's work was perfect.

Cailina has no means and enough understanding of the matter, so she let her father worry about the greater things; she was still learning the ways of her father.

She listed down the people that may have influenced Ria's emotional state, and the person who had raged her heart was her puppy.

A burst of light laughter floated in her room, "How pitiful. Pets fighting for affection."

Cailina opened a glass of life force and happily drank. It was amusing to witness her things bickering with each other. Among the pets she has, Aris would be the best. The thought of her puppy made her want to see him, but the doctor has advised her not to visit Aris much. She longed to see her puppy's smile.

She returned to her desk and read through the journals Ria had. Duke Grandis has given her these things for her to read and ponder. Her former maid organized her thoughts in different notebooks.

One for her preferences, another for her observation within the residence. Cailina flipped through one by one, Ria was indeed a vampire.

A particular journal has caused Cailina to frown. It was a record of her. A list of what she liked, hated, and expressions through different scenarios. Sometimes written in long paragraphs and broken sentences.

"Today, my Lady seemed to like strawberry cakes…"

"I made my Lady mad for being careless with the teacup… must be wary next time."

"A dog has taken my Lady's attention… must get rid of it."

Cailina tapped her fingers on the table. She failed to understand the reason Ria would write a detailed observation of her. Ria would have caused a few stains on the white robes of the Grandis. Her writings made Cailina guarded, Lai's words held some truth.

"My Lady hated a certain tea that I made… must change."

Ria's way of noting Cailina's preference was more accurate than any other, and the journals that contained her information were more than the rest. She smirked, how pitiful. A great pawn wasted just because of an impossible dream. Cailina shook her head. If only a person's heart wasn't covetous, then things would stay the same.

Notes of Cailina filled the entire journal. After reading Ria's account, she inspected the journal, and a piece of paper fell.

"Serve the masters well. They are my way for salvation."

Cailina sat across her father, it's almost been an hour since they started discussing her father's plans. She understood most of what measures he will take, but Cailina would wholeheartedly follow her father.

The matter concerning her marriage with the Crown Prince would happen ten years from now. Duke Grandis informed his daughter that the Prince was sent to the neighboring kingdom to learn a few things. He laughed, indeed the Emperor was the same as the former.

The Crown Prince's return would be the end of her leisure ways. She was aware of the Prince's attitude when it came to attention. He hated whenever someone took one of his belongings' focus.

"Father, can I really not keep Aris?" Cailina asked. She looked at her father with pleading eyes, the same card she used to get what she wanted.

Duke Grandis sighed, "No."

Cailina stared at her father as if he had grown an extra limb. Her father turned her down, she lowered her gaze, and the ring on her finger twisted and turned, Cailina waited for her father to give in. Silence stayed inside the room, and the cups emptied. She puffed her cheeks and looked at her father.

Duke Grandis has expressed his disagreement with a look. He approved of his daughter's moment of fun but prolonging it until it might disrupt their goals.

"Your attachment to Aris will pass. I always told you we aren't just nobles," He comforted his daughter with a small smile, "Sacrifices are needed to achieve the greater good."

Cailina bit her lip. A heavy feeling in her heart drowned her wishes. It's better to cut off ties with her puppy sooner. She nodded at her father's reminder.

"Yes…" She whispered, "Aris… can he stay here?"

There was no other safe place for her puppy than here. Aris was too pure for the world to see, he was Cailina's peaceful haven. Duke Grandis took a deep breath, "Alright. You should've picked a few tags."

He was aware of her daughter's gift. Her eye for talents was better than his, and it would greatly contribute to their works. Although his daughter was oblivious of her capabilities, he would sharpen the dagger that would end whatever comes its way.