The Frost General vs The Duchess

Caught off-guard, the Duchess froze momentarily before snapping back to attention. "Well, I know a few orphans... But I've never heard you ask about a man before."

Ester leaned closer to the Duchess before whispering, "I've heard he's around your precious daughter, so you must know something. He is not who he seems to be."

"I see," the Duchess replied, surprised but unwilling to let it show on her face. 'She seems to have learned something about project 'subject one',' the Duchess thought, scrutinizing the General. 'Does the wedding have something to do with the project?'

Although the Duchess knew of the project's existence and its correlation to Ryan, she was as clueless regarding the empire's goals as Ryan.

"I've also heard a rumor that you and the Grand Empress aren't on good terms," the Frost General suddenly said.

The Duchess tensed, expecting the Grand Empress to appear and slit her throat any second. 'Does everyone know that we aren't on good terms? I might be ruined!'