As we approached Lady Evelyn's study, the air buzzed with anticipation. The study was packed with people, all waiting to hear who would be chosen to accompany the Duke to the capital. Among them, I noticed Cassandra and her friendsBridget and Eveline, standing haughtily apart from the rest. Sophia and I weaved our way through the crowd until we reached Amelia and Lila, who were standing near the back, their faces a mixture of curiosity and impatience.

“It’s about time you got here,” Amelia greeted us, her tone half-joking, half-serious.

“Sorry we took so long,” Sophia responded with a sheepish grin.

“Shush! Lady Evelyn is about to address us,” Lila hissed, her eyes flicking to the front of the room where Lady Evelyn stood behind her table, the head maid standing dutifully by her side.

The room fell silent as Lady Evelyn began to speak. “Good afternoon, everyone.”

“Good afternoon, my Lady,” we all replied in unison.

“Before we stick the list of people joining the Duke to the capital, I want to assure you that we have thought long and hard about what the Duke needs and who is capable of fulfilling those needs,” Lady Evelyn began, her tone firm yet comforting. “So, for those who are not on the list, this doesn’t mean you are irrelevant to the Duke. No, it just means I need you more here, helping with managing the castle in the Duke’s absence.”

Her words weighed heavily on my heart, almost confirming the sinking feeling in my chest that I wouldn’t be on that list.

“With that being said, the head maid will now post the list in the hallway for you to check.”

As soon as Lady Evelyn finished speaking, the head maid walked past the crowd, out of the study, and into the hallway. The tension in the room was palpable as she pinned the list to the wall and then walked away, leaving the crowd to descend upon the list like a flock of hungry birds.

Excited voices erupted from the hallway as the names were read. Some of the maids chattered excitedly about sightseeing in the capital during their days off. For many, it would be their first time visiting the capital, and the prospect filled them with joy. But amid the excitement, a sharp, frustrated voice cut through the noise.

“Get out of my way, you low lives,” Cassandra snapped as she elbowed her way to the front. Her frustration was evident as she saw the list. “That’s not fair,” Bridget, one of Cassandra’s friends, complained. “Why did the head maid not include you on the list?”

Too angry to respond, Cassandra huffed and stormed away, her two loyal shadows, Bridget and Eveline, following close behind.

Sophia turned to me, her eyes full of determination. “You stay here, and I’ll check the list,” she said before squeezing herself into the crowd.

I watched her disappear into the throng of bodies, my heart pounding in my chest. The moments stretched out like hours, and when Sophia finally returned, her face was a mix of confusion and disappointment.

“Let me guess, I was right,” I said, already knowing the answer.

Sophia’s face softened with sympathy. “I’m sorry, Lady Elara,” she said quietly.

The other ladies gathered around me, their faces full of concern. “Let’s go to the kitchen and ask the head chef if she can give us some cookies,” Lila suggested, trying to lift my spirits.

“Yeah, that will definitely cheer you up. Cookies always cheer me up,” Amelia added with a bright smile.

We all laughed at Amelia’s obvious excitement over the cookies, but as we began walking toward the kitchen, I couldn’t shake the heavy sadness settling in my heart. The thought of the Duke leaving for the capital without me was almost unbearable.

We were nearly at the kitchen when Gareth suddenly appeared in front of us. “Oh, it’s good I ran into you, Lady Elara,” Gareth said, slightly out of breath. “The Duke would like to see you privately in his study.”

I exchanged a confused glance with the others, wondering what this could be about. “We’ll bring the cookies to your room once you’re done meeting the Duke, Lady Elara,” Lila said, her voice full of encouragement.

“Thank you, Lila,” I replied, trying to muster a smile as I followed Gareth back to the Duke’s study.

****

As Gareth opened the door to my study, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. He announced Elara's arrival, and as she stepped inside, I could see the nervousness in her eyes. Gareth left us alone, closing the door quietly behind him. The room seemed to grow even quieter, the weight of our silence pressing down on us.

"Please, have a seat," I said, gesturing to the chair across from me. I kept my tone neutral, though I could sense her anxiety.

She sat down, her posture tense, hands folded tightly in her lap. I studied her carefully, noting the slight tremor in her fingers. 

"I will be leaving for the capital in a few days," I began, keeping my voice calm and measured. I watched her closely for a reaction.

"I heard," she responded, her voice carrying a hint of disappointment. The slight pout on her lips didn’t escape my notice, and to my surprise, it pleased me. It meant my absence would affect her, just as she affected me. 

I allowed a small smile to tug at the corners of my mouth. "And I was wondering if you would like to accompany me," I continued. "I think you might find more information about who you are and where you come from in the capital than you would here."

Her reaction was immediate—her eyes widened in shock, and I could see the excitement building as my words sank in. For a moment, she seemed too overwhelmed to speak.

"But only if you—" I began to add, but before I could finish, she leaped from her chair and threw her arms around me. The suddenness of the embrace caught me off guard, and I froze, uncertain of how to respond.

Her warmth was unexpected, and for a moment, I simply sat there, my mind racing to process the situation. But just as quickly, she pulled back, her face flushed with embarrassment.

"I-I’m so sorry, Your Grace!" she stammered, clearly mortified by her actions as she sat back down in the chair.

I could feel the heat rising in my own cheeks, a reaction I hadn’t anticipated. Yet, instead of chastising her, I found myself smiling—a real, genuine smile. "No need to apologize," I replied, keeping my voice as steady as possible. "I take it from that reaction that your answer is yes."

She nodded eagerly, her excitement barely contained. "Yes, I’d be honored, Your Grace."

Her joy was infectious, and I felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that I had been the cause of it. "You may bring Lila, Amelia, and Sophia with you," I added. "Ask them to help you prepare for our departure."

"Yes, Your Grace," she said, her smile widening. It was a rare sight to see her so openly happy, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride that she would be by my side in the capital.

As she left the study, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted between us. The walls I had carefully constructed around my heart seemed just a little less sturdy now, and it was all because of her.