CHAPTER 5 Part 1

She checked every plausible location, but he was gone, as if he vanished into thin air. How could someone outmaneuver a ghost? That bloody duke is definitely not just human!

Alena was fuming and unable to calm down. No one had ever made her feel this kind of frustration and anger.

"Just wait until I find you, Duke Donovian," she muttered venomously, gliding through the sprawling courtyard, where the hushed conversations of maids unexpectedly reached her.

"When can we see the duchess?" One of the maids said. "I can't wait anymore. Ever since I heard she's going to marry our master, I've been so eager to see her!"

"You think you're the only one excited? Everyone's looking forward to finally seeing the most beautiful woman in the kingdom."

"Surely, she's in the duke's chambers right now," another maid mused. "After all, I've heard that the Duchess’ wing is still unoccupied."

“Everyone’s talking about her stunning looks, so I can’t wait to see for myself if the rumors are true.” The maids' conversation continued.

One maid who seemed to be the group's elder nodded thoughtfully and added, “You girls have no idea. I caught a glimpse of her once at the royal court. The way she moved, the elegance that seemed to radiate from her—she's in a league of her own in Claveria. Her beauty is beyond compare!”

Another maid, who was absently twirling a strand of her apron’s lace with her fingers, contributed with a dreamy tone, “Every courtier spoke of her warmth and how she could light up even the dullest of royal gatherings with her charm. Quite the opposite of our brooding master, I must say.” Her words ended with a light, mirthful laugh, echoing softly among the group.

“Careful with your words. Our master might be cold, but he’s our hero.”

“I know, and I’m just saying that the Duke and Duchess really feel like they're destined for each other. They say opposites attract after all.”

“Right! And that’s why, when I heard about their union, I imagined her to be the sunlight that will finally bring this estate to a bright and breathtaking place.”

"Agreed. But it's rather unusual, isn't it? To not even catch a fleeting glimpse of the duchess?"

"Now that you mention it, it’s really strange that I didn’t even hear anyone, not even the ones who were assigned near the grand hall, talk about seeing the duchess at all.”

Another maid hesitated before sharing her thoughts, “Do you think the duke might be keeping her away intentionally for now? You know how private he can be.”

Unable to hold herself anymore, Alena approached the maids, wondering if she could interact with them as she had with the Duke.

She extended her hand, trying to touch the nearest maid's hand.

But her fingers passed through her.

The group stiffened, their eyes suddenly widening in collective fear. The maid Alena touched, whispered hoarsely with ashen face, “Did anyone else feel that cold breeze?”

"Can anyone hear me?" Alena tried to speak to them, hoping that maybe they could hear her.

But the maids hugged themselves, looking around. “Something’s off here. I feel goosebumps all over me.”

“Me too," one of the maids said, breaking off and gasping. “Could it be... A ghost?!”

In a frenzied flurry, the maids rushed away, leaving Alena standing there, rooted to the spot.

The feeling of watching them run away with horror in their eyes was strangely awful. And when she was suddenly reminded of what that red-haired spirit told her—about her soon turning into a mindless, malevolent phantom forever stuck in this world—a sickening feeling coursed through her.

But quickly, Alena lifted her chin up, refusing to be overcome by any fear. Because she was going to fulfill her vengeance in time before that happened!

Alena forced herself to shift her focus to what the maids had been talking about before she approached them.

"They're calling me Duchess," she pondered aloud, trying to connect the dots. “Everyone is talking about my marriage to the duke instead of my funeral or my assassination?”

She looked at the grand palace, then whipped around to look behind her... out towards the distant gates. “Where... is my body right now?”