“Your first tea party already! M’lady, we’ll have to make sure you are the talk of the town!”

Noela’s words still lingered in Riven’s ears as she stepped out of the carriage, arriving at the new duchy. It was different from the home of Duchess Dina, and Riven took in the sight of the estate, feeling a slight pang of surprise at its understated elegance. This was nothing like the sprawling, overly adorned grounds of Duchess Dina's home; instead, the estate bore a quiet dignity, with tall, darkened stone walls softened by climbing ivy and clusters of delicate white flowers blooming along the path to the main entrance.

“Lady Riven of House Marlowe,” Riven took a deep breath as she was introduced, following the maid that led her toward the gardens. She still had no idea who owned this brand-new duchy, but she had noticed it was on the border of the capital. It had taken them all morning traveling at a brisk pace to arrive in time for the tea party, so it was clear it had been established quickly. Her dress was more appropriate for a tea party in the heart of the capital city, not this countryside estate.

“Well, it's not like Noela knew,” Riven whispered to herself, taking in the lush but restrained beauty around her. As they reached the center of the garden, Riven spotted several young women seated at a table beneath a pergola draped in white jasmine. Soft laughter floated on the breeze as Riven approached, but her attention immediately settled on a girl at the head of the table. She had bright hair the shade of morning frost, framing a face alight with curiosity and a mischievous glimmer in her gaze. Eirlys, Riven realized, her heart skipping a beat as the girl turned, spotting her with a welcoming smile.

“Oh, you must be Lady Marlowe,” Eirlys greeted warmly, rising with effortless grace as Riven curtsied. “We’ve all been eagerly waiting to meet you.”

The young girl was a spitting image of how Kaelen had described his sister to Lyra in the book, reminiscing about his life before his curse had been discovered and gotten him exiled from the kingdom. Kind and with a calming aura around her, always willing to see the good in others regardless of prophecies or superstitions. But then that meant…

“Lady Riven?” Eirlys’s voice pulled Riven from her thoughts, and she blinked, collecting herself with a small smile, inwardly chastising herself for letting her thoughts wander so far. She could wonder about all of that later.

“Yes, forgive me. The journey here was so peaceful, I found myself momentarily lost in admiration for your gardens,” Riven replied smoothly, taking in the admiring glances from the other young ladies. It seemed her poised response had struck the right tone, easing the air of curiosity that buzzed around her like static. Eirlys’s smile grew, and she motioned for Riven to join them at the table, where delicate teacups rested on floral saucers and small platters of honeyed pastries sparkled under the dappled sunlight.

“Your admiration is too kind, truly,” Eirlys said with a soft laugh, her voice warm and inviting. “My brother Kaelen has done much of the work himself since we’ve moved in. He seems to think the garden will help us adjust to our new life here.”

“Oh yes, I heard you came from Qatia Empire,” one of the other girls commented, and Riven quickly realized it was Galica Vesper, one of the girls at her debut who had magic. She had been chosen by Noctyra and would soon be approached by Calia, since they shared the magic of the goddess. It was clear that she was here to probe the Taren’s family allegiance to Emperor Lirian. “It’s not common for a foreign family to be granted such a high rank in Vassoria.”

“I was surprised when Father told me as well,” Eirys answered calmly, “but we were forced from our home because of my brother’s condition and we are grateful to the aid Emperor Lirian has extended to our family.”

Eirlys’s voice held a careful politeness, revealing just enough to answer Galica without actually divulging anything meaningful. Riven noted the skill in Eirlys’s response: a carefully chosen deflection that was both polite and firm.

‘Kaelen’s condition…’ Riven’s thoughts began to wonder again, tuning out the meaningless gossip the girls engaged in. Qatia was the name of the kingdom that Kaelen was from, but it seemed that it had become an empire in the merged stories. From how Eirys spoke, it sounded as if Kaelen was still cursed and prophesied to bring ruin to Qatia but rather than abandon his son, Aurelian has chosen to take his family and leave. Of course a former emperor could easily land such a high position in Vassoria, especially if Lirian wanted to use Kaelen’s father to take over Qatia in the future.

“May we explore the garden a bit more?” Riven looked back to the table as Galica spoke again, gesturing toward the shaded paths winding deeper into the lush greenery. “As Riven said, they are truly magnificent, and the weather is perfect for us to take a stroll.”

“Of course!” Eirys agreed, and it only took a moment for all the girls to begin exploring the grounds. Riven was quick to distance herself from the other girls, not wanting her actions to draw any suspicions. As soon as she was sure none of the other girls could see her, she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.

“I wish Myelia was here with me,” she whispered, feeling relieved as she heard a small meow at her feet.

“You don’t have to waste my power to call me to your side,” the goddess sassed, her eyes glinting with amusement. Myelia looked remarkably nonchalant, her silvery, star-dappled fur shimmering faintly in the light that filtered through the leaves. “All you have to do is call me.”

“Well, now I know,” Riven sighed, sitting down on one of the benches as Myelia hopped up beside her. “I wanted to test how well my wishes worked on a sunny day.”

“I told you–”

“I also want to see how a girl gifted with Liora’s magic will react,” Riven corrected, toying with the edges of her dress as she continued in a softer voice. “One of the girls gifted with her magic is here and I noticed her staring at me.”

“I see. Well, I don’t need my sister’s attention, so if you don’t mind,” Riven barely moved as Myelia faded from view, no doubt returning to her bedroom as Riven waited. Even while she had been lost in her own thoughts, she couldn't ignore the hole that Yvette Vale had been glaring into her face. Yvette had been chosen by Liora the year before and she was engaged to Duchess Dina’s oldest son, a fact she was glad to brag about.

On cue, Yvette stepped into sight, smiling in a way that barely concealed the malice simmering beneath her polished exterior. Her dress was impeccable, a bright yellow that complimented her own ethereal aura, one so subtly cultivated that it could only come from Liora’s influence. Yvette's blue eyes, sharp and assessing, lingered on Riven as if picking apart a rare artifact at auction.

“Lady Riven,” Yvette greeted, her voice as smooth as honeyed tea. “It seems you’ve managed to capture more than a few eyes recently. I hardly expected to see someone with… Myelia’s blessing here.”

Riven allowed herself a soft, patient smile, refusing to rise to Yvette’s bait. “The honor is mine, Lady Yvette. I’m merely grateful to be in such esteemed company.”

Yvette’s gaze flickered, a shadow of surprise crossing her face before she quickly recovered. She had likely expected Riven to appear nervous, to feel threatened by someone who had been blessed by one of the twins. However, Riven had no reason to feel threatened; Yvette was merely a victim, thinking she had moved up in the world. Her head would fall beside her future husband’s when Calia returned.

“I do wonder, Lady Riven,” Yvette continued, tilting her head thoughtfully as she took a step closer, “what does a goddess such as Myelia gain by choosing someone like… you? It’s not often she’s even spoken of among the noble families.”

“Perhaps Myelia values something beyond the more obvious qualities, Lady Yvette,” she replied, her voice gentle yet unwavering. “After all, the stars see what even the sun cannot.”

Yvette’s smile faltered, and for a moment, there was a flicker of something darker in her gaze, a bitterness lurking just beneath her carefully constructed façade. Riven could practically feel the tension rising between them, the silent push and pull of rival goddesses’ influences coiling between their words. The air felt charged, a tug-of-war masked by courtly smiles, as though both young women were wielding the full weight of their patron’s blessing through each glance and syllable.

“Lady Yvette,” Riven was surprised as a new voice reached her ears and both she and Yvette turned to see a knight stepping into the small area. His eyes were a striking shade of gray, as if forged from tempered steel, and his short black hair fell neatly around his face as he bowed to both ladies. “Your lady-in-waiting is looking for you.”

“I see,” Yvette her expression tightening as she glanced once more at Riven before turning back to the knight. “Thank you, Sir…?”

“Elias.”

“Very well, Sir Elias,” Yvette murmured, inclining her head with a refined grace that barely hid her irritation. She cast one final look in Riven’s direction before sweeping away, her figure dissolving into the foliage as she walked back toward the main garden.

Riven released a quiet breath, relieved but wary. Yvette’s questioning had been a reminder of how thin her defenses truly were, of how she couldn’t afford even the slightest misstep if she hoped to navigate this world with any success. The moment stretched in silence, and it wasn’t until she felt Elias’s gaze on her that she pulled herself fully back to the present.

“Forgive my intrusion, Lady Marlowe,” he said, bowing slightly with an air of calm that contrasted sharply with Yvette’s earlier scrutiny. “It appeared as though you might need an excuse to part ways with Lady Yvette.”

“I… thank you,” Riven managed, frowning as Elias stood back up. He must have been one of the knights the duke brought with them from Qatia, but there was something… too familiar about him. “I doubt she will be the last however. I will have to defend myself from others who agree with her views.”

“If I may be bold, m’lady, if it’s defense you’re needing, a subtle approach will often yield better results,” Elias’s voice was steady, and he offered a faint smile, one tempered with an unexpected warmth. His gaze was frank yet respectful, carrying none of the veiled scrutiny so common among the court.

“Perhaps you’re right, Sir Elias,” she replied, carefully tucking her hands behind her to conceal the hint of tension she still felt. She knew it would only take a moment for Yvette to realize she had been tricked, and it would be better for Riven if she was nowhere to be found when the future duchess returned. “I will take your words to heart.”

“I am but a knight m’lady,” Elias bowed again, his head tilting slightly as he regarded her with that same calm, almost disarming gaze. “Yet I find that simplicity often has its own charm.”

Riven allowed herself a small smile in return, her curiosity piqued by his unexpected insight and the gentle humor that danced around his words. There was something unusually refreshing about the way he spoke—direct, and without the careful maneuvering typical of a noble. He reminded her more of the people she had encountered when she was still Shin; people who lived simple lives and enjoyed simple pleasures.

“I’d best be scarce before Lady Yvette returns. Until next time, Sir Elias,” Riven inclined her head in a polite farewell, taking a few graceful steps back toward the main garden path, leaving the knight with his composed, attentive gaze still fixed on her.