Chapter Fifteen.

Lady Elisabeth sat alone in her room, her mind restless with the emotions of the day. Today, she would see her son, a moment she had longed for yet dreaded in equal measure. Kneeling by her bedside, she clasped her hands together and prayed silently, her heart heavy with hope and apprehension. Afterward, she prepared herself for the evening's ball, selecting her finest gown and jewels, her hands trembling as she laid them out. She even took the initiative to arrange a simple yet elegant supper for the household before the festivities began.

Meanwhile, Lady Victoria and Hazel arrived home after a long day at the shop. Lady Elisabeth greeted them warmly from the living room. "Good evening, Lady Victoria, Hazel. Welcome home."

"Good evening, my lady," both mother and daughter responded in unison, curtsying slightly.

"You must be famished," Lady Elisabeth continued, a kind smile on her face. "I've prepared a light dinner. Once you've freshened up, do come down and eat."

"You shouldn't have troubled yourself, my lady," Victoria said with a bow of gratitude.

Hazel, however, couldn't hide her delight. "Thank you, Lady Elisabeth. I can only imagine how delicious it will be!" she said, beaming before heading upstairs to wash up.

"It's no trouble at all," Lady Elisabeth reassured Victoria, who smiled appreciatively before retreating to prepare herself as well.

Soon, the three of them sat together, enjoying a modest yet sumptuous meal of roasted vegetables, seasoned lamb, and a fresh loaf of warm bread with butter. It was a dinner befitting their countryside life but elevated by Lady Elisabeth's culinary expertise.

"This is absolutely delicious, my lady," Hazel praised as she savored each bite.

"Thank you, Hazel," Lady Elisabeth replied. "I learned a great deal during my time at culinary school. Those skills serve me well even now."

Hazel looked at her thoughtfully, sensing once more that there was something refined, almost aristocratic about Lady Elisabeth. Attending a cooking school was no small feat and often required considerable wealth. Deciding not to pry further, Hazel simply enjoyed the rare delicacy.

After dinner, it was time to prepare for the festival ball. As the ladies began discussing their attire, Lady Elisabeth excused herself momentarily. When she returned, she carried in her hands a stunning dress. It was burgundy in color, with intricate beading and delicate embroidery that shimmered in the candlelight.

"Happy birthday, Hazel," Lady Elisabeth said, holding out the gown. "This is my gift to you. I hope you'll wear it to the ball tonight."

Hazel gasped, her eyes wide with wonder as she stared at the exquisite garment. "I've never worn anything like this before," she murmured. "Thank you so much, my lady. But…I cannot accept this. Surely, it must have cost a fortune!"

Lady Elisabeth walked over to her and gently lifted her chin. "You, Hazel, are worth far more than any fortune. You deserve the very best."

Hazel's eyes brimmed with tears as she looked to her mother for reassurance. Lady Victoria nodded with a soft smile, silently giving her blessing. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Hazel hugged Lady Elisabeth tightly, her voice trembling as she whispered, "Thank you, my lady. This means a lot to me."

Lady Victoria then remembered a special box her mistress had gifted her years ago. Inside were exquisite gold jewels,

untarnished and gleaming. She selected a necklace, earrings, and a bracelet to complement Hazel's gown.

"Happy birthday, my dear," Victoria said as she presented the pieces to her daughter.

Hazel's jaw dropped at the sight of the jewels. "Mother, where did these come from? They're so beautiful…and surely expensive."

Victoria waved off the question with a gentle laugh. "That's not for you to worry about, my sweet girl. Just know that you deserve this and more." Hazel embraced her mother tightly, her heart full of gratitude.

As the final preparations were made, Lady Victoria fashioned elegant masks for each of them. Lady Elisabeth's mask, however, was designed to cover most of her face, revealing only her eyes, a deliberate choice that hinted at her desire for anonymity.

Dressed to perfection, the ladies stepped out into the cool evening air, their elegant figures illuminated by the golden glow of the street lanterns. They hailed a carriage that would take them to the Duke's estate, the host of this year's grand celebration.

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Meanwhile, at the Duke's Estate

In his private chambers, Garet sat in quiet contemplation as maids fussed over him, ensuring every detail of his appearance was flawless. His formal attire, a rich ensemble fit for nobility had already been laid out. The deep hues of his coat and the intricate embroidery along the lapels spoke of his rank as the Duke's heir.

From his window, Garet watched as guests arrived in carriages, their laughter and chatter floating up to his room. Even the King and Queen were among the attendees, a mark of the ball's significance. Garet's thoughts wandered to Hazel. Would she be among the crowd? And if so, would he even recognize her beneath her mask?

A knock at the door pulled him from his reverie.

"Come in," he said curtly.

The butler entered with a bow. "My lord, the Duke requests your presence. The guests have begun to arrive."

Garet nodded and followed him through the opulent halls. His father had planned this evening as a formal introduction of Garet as his heir. As tradition dictated, Garet would remain in a waiting room until summoned, then escorted into the ballroom by two guards to make his grand entrance.

While outwardly compliant, Garet's mind churned with plans of his own. Immediately he gather information about his mother. Once he had what he needed, he intended to leave the countryside without a word to his father. The thought brought a dark satisfaction to his heart.

"He will feel the pain of my absence," Garet thought bitterly. "All his grand plans will crumble when his 'heir' disappears."

For now, however, he played the part of the obedient son, patiently awaiting the call to the ballroom.