12.

The meal was taking place in a heavy silence. The marquis and Lucian dined without exchanging a word, the atmosphere even more tense since Helia's departure for the borders two days ago. Lucian chewed slowly, his gaze fixed on his plate, still bitter towards his father for allowing his sister to embark on such a mission. On the other hand, the marquis, though upright and impassive, appeared lost in thought, the silent anxiety weighing on his shoulders with each bite.

At that moment, Barthold, the marquis's steward, a man in his fifties, entered the room cautiously. The marquis raised his head, immediately furrowing his brow, slightly irritated.

"Barthold, you know I despise being disturbed during my meals," he said, dropping his napkin onto the table.

Barthold advanced nonetheless, visibly nervous. "Forgive me, my lord, but… I've received an urgent report concerning your daughter. I thought it important to inform you immediately."

The marquis froze, a flicker of concern passing through his eyes, while Lucian, who had stopped eating, shot him an alarmed look. The father's heart clenched, fearing the worst.

"What's happened? What's wrong with my daughter?" he asked in a curt tone, the voice blending anxiety and impatience.

Barthold, a bit unsettled by the marquis's sharp reaction, raised his hands to soothe the marquis's worry. "My lord… No, no, it's not bad news, quite the opposite. I beg your pardon for the confusion."

At these words, the marquis relaxed somewhat, regaining his composure, though his gaze remained fixed on Barthold. Lucian, less patient, slid his knife across his plate with a faint metallic sound before exclaiming:

"Then what is it with my sister, damn it?"

Barthold, still somewhat shaken, continued with a glimmer of astonishment in his eyes. "Well, it seems that Lady Helia has managed to find a cure capable of saving the life of a knight who had just been poisoned by venom."

The marquis stood speechless, and Lucian, shocked, sat up straighter in his seat.

"This venom kills almost instantly... how is this possible?" Lucian asked in disbelief, slowly setting his cutlery down.

Barthold nodded, sharing their astonishment. "Yes, that's what I was told, young master. Your sister is the first to achieve such a feat since this crisis began. The emperor himself was astonished."

The marquis placed a trembling hand on the table to collect himself, struggling to find his words. "And she… How is she? She wasn't harmed, was she? Sir Aldric is taking good care of her, I hope?"

Barthold attempted to reassure him, though his information was still limited. "So far, I have only received official reports from the imperial palace, but nothing indicates otherwise, my lord. I am therefore confident that Lady Helia is in good health. We will receive a detailed report from our contacts on-site this evening."

Lucian, still dumbfounded, shook his head, a half-smile of disbelief on his lips. "It's barely believable… That stubborn girl really managed to accomplish something."

The marquis regained his composure, adjusting his collar as though to conceal a mix of pride and concern. He cleared his throat lightly, then asked, "Since you're here, Barthold, do you have any other news concerning her?"

Barthold nodded. "Lord Adrian sent her a letter yesterday, and Lady Elysia came to the manor this morning to see her. We informed her of Lady Helia's absence."

The marquis frowned, deep in thought. "Now that I think about it, Helia had instructed the servants to pretend she wasn't there during each of Lady Elysia's recent visits… Do you know why?"

Before Barthold could answer, Lucian interjected, crossing his arms. "I heard the servants whispering something about a quarrel between them. Honestly, it's no bad thing. I've never liked that girl."

The marquis sighed, carefully setting his knife down. "Don't get too cheerful, Lucian. They'll likely reconcile eventually."

He waved his hand towards Barthold, thus freeing the steward from his duties. "You may go, Barthold."

***

Meanwhile, at the Magnolia Pavilion, a refined and peaceful building reserved for the nobility for social meetings and gatherings, the soft afternoon light spread across the vast wooden terraces and carefully maintained gardens. Elysia moved with assurance between the flower-lined paths, greeting familiar faces with a feigned expression of concern and sweetness, masking the satisfaction that burned within her.

That morning, Elysia had spent hours pacing her rooms, deeply irritated. The rumors from the capital had reached her swiftly, praising Helia's accomplishment at the borders, and even the emperor seemed to praise her efforts. The idea inflamed her rage: not only had Helia ignored all her invitations and avoided every meeting since their altercation, but worse still, she had dared to challenge her directly, telling her that she finally knew the truth about her intentions. Since then, nothing had gone as planned, and Helia hadn't come back to her asking for forgiveness as Elysia had anticipated.

How could she distance herself like this? It was severely damaging her plans. Then, suddenly, an idea had come to her: Adrian. Helia could hardly defy him without arousing suspicion. And knowing where he spent his time at the same moment, meeting him by "chance" might prove more than useful. Elysia had then prepared herself carefully, her hair and dress perfect, and donned an expression of subtle worry. Very well, my dear Helia, if you will not come to me, then I will destroy you by another path.

She spotted Adrian not far off, leaning against the railing of a shaded terrace, his gaze fixed on the majestic trees in the gardens below. His strict, upright posture, his arms crossed, and his serious expression seemed to intensify his rigid appearance. Upon seeing him, Elysia adjusted her expression discreetly and took a light step forward.

"Lord Adrian?" she murmured with a hint of feigned surprise, placing a delicate hand over her chest. "What a lucky chance to find you here."

He turned his head toward her, visibly caught off guard. His face softened slightly at the sight of the young woman, though his expression remained serious.

"Lady Elysia," he greeted her with a nod. He studied her for a moment, sensing a certain tension in her face. "You seem troubled. Is everything well?"

She hesitated for a moment, as if wanting to conceal a deep concern, then responded, her voice slightly trembling:

"Oh, do not worry about me, Lord Adrian. It's nothing important..."

Adrian furrowed his brow, not easily convinced.

"You don't seem sincere. Something is bothering you."

She appeared to reconsider, then let out a small resigned sigh, briefly meeting his gaze, her eyes tinted with sadness.

"Well... Perhaps I do need advice, then. It concerns Helia..." She looked away, as if embarrassed. "But I probably shouldn't be telling you."

Adrian looked at her with increased interest.

"You can tell me everything, Lady Elysia. After all, she is my fiancée, and she has always been your friend."

"Exactly... I fear that may no longer be the case," she replied softly, her eyes suddenly filled with emotion. "For some time now, she seems to be ignoring me, and she even refused my invitations. I tried to understand, to speak to her, but she treats me with a coldness I do not recognize... It worries me."

Adrian appeared surprised. His jaw tightened slightly.

"Ignored? Helia... avoided you?" he repeated, shaken. "I would never have thought that possible of her. What is happening with her?"

Elysia placed a light, compassionate hand on Adrian's sleeve, gently brushing the fabric with her graceful fingers. 

"You are so understanding, Adrian... I wish I knew why she is acting this way, but I have no answers. And now, she is leaving for the borders, putting her life in danger, when even..."

She trailed off, letting a worried sigh slip between them, her head tilted, playing the role of the concerned and affected friend perfectly.

Adrian, visibly moved by her words, clenched his fists. "She had no reason to go there in the first place," he growled, somewhat exasperated. "To go to the borders, put her life at risk, and now act like this with you... It's madness."

Elysia lowered her eyes, letting a few seconds of silence settle before slowly raising her head again, her gaze filled with vulnerability.

"Perhaps she has changed... I don't want to abandon this friendship, but I fear she is turning away from everyone who cares for her."

Her fingers subtly slid along his arm, reducing the distance between them. Adrian looked at her, troubled, as though something within him hesitated in response to the closeness. He inhaled, seemingly absorbed by the soft atmosphere and the light fragrance emanating from Elysia. Almost involuntarily, he murmured:

"Perhaps... she just needs someone to remind her who she is and what she has here."

Elysia gave him a faint smile, her eyes sparkling with a secret gleam of satisfaction.

"You are right, Adrian. I will do everything to not abandon this friendship... It means so much to me, and I know that with someone like you by her side, she will be well surrounded."

She gently squeezed his arm, gazing at him with admiration.

"Thank you for your support, Adrian. It is a comforting relief to know I can count on you."

Adrian, shaken, softened his gaze and nodded, feeling his doubts waver under the charm of Elysia.

"Of course, Lady Elysia, you can count on me. I will speak to Helia as soon as possible and try to understand her behavior."

A satisfied smile crept imperceptibly onto Elysia's lips as she thanked Adrian, inwardly triumphant to have him by her side, ready to steer Helia back onto the "right path" she had drawn for her.