
In the drawing room, Dianne waited for everyone to arrive before recounting what they had gathered. Dylan occupied the seat near the east window, Duke Hellenberg on his left while Prince Reginald in front stood near the fireplace with a hand resting on the mantle. On His Highness left sitting prim and straight is the Grand Duchess Havenstorm with Beatrice beside her on a wide brocade seat. A little over an hour later, the butler announced the arrival of the Rozenberg couple.
The men stood to salute.
Ayan quickly curtsied, "I'm so sorry for coming in late,"
She flushed in shame.
"Come sit on this side, child." Lady Tatiana beckoned.
When everybody is settled comfortably and tea is served, Lady Dianne begins to tell what experience they had when they arrived at the Plaguelands. The facts about the Order of Light founded to manage the remaining citizens of the In Between and those of the drifters coming out of the Rift Valley making a long march towards this direction.
The prince already has a contingency plan in mind. The threat from the south was temporarily stalled when their government erupted into internal disputes breaking the chain of command. Many of the leaders withdrew, taking advantage of the chaos to form their own militia hoping to overpower the other. Although the empire appears to be safe for the time being, they still have to keep up with the preparations and cover the loss from the deserters recruited by the dowager on her planned rebellion.
"The citizens, you say, how do they manage to survive, Your Grace?" Dylan queried.
"The people of the Plagueland thrive in farming and hunting just like the olden days. It was not much but they are able to live with it." Lady Dianne cued on Beatrice to continue.
"Oh, yes… um, Lassa, the village who took us in was kind enough to share their daily activities with us. They were able to plant in a small portion of arable land that was not contaminated by blight. This is where their sustenance comes from. A small portion of livestock was kept for their consumption. Also, the men were skillfully trained from young to hunt for game in the woodlands to reduce fatalities."
"The survivors have adapted to the harsh environment splendidly however the food is only enough to go by and avoid starvation." Ayan added. "The monsters are no longer their main concern but their livelihood."
"About the arcane stone in the deep of Gladius Valley, if we could access it once again we may be able to establish a connection in the Plaguelands." The prince said.
"You mean trade?" The Grand Duchess raised an eyebrow.
"I must confess I have not reached that conclusion yet." There was nothing that the Plaguelands could offer for the time being. His worries are the drifters scattered about the place and the possibility of them reaching the borders.
"Consider it soon before any other countries take an interest in it first," she said.
All eyes turned to the senior matron.
"May I ask Your Ladyship to please clarify." Prince Reginald exhorted.
"Have any of you ever thought of the reason where those monsters come from? Although the Plagueland appears to be broken on the surface, there is wonder and mystery beneath it. Along with the arrival of the curse, gift also follows. In one of my conversations with the elders of Lassa, I determined that so few of them have attempted to investigate the root of the problem."
The men began to slowly realize what she was trying to point out. That is the existence of the catacombs— ruins as others call it. Animals evolve to furies either from too much exposure from the miasma of the Dark Continent or they were born directly from a source. These catacombs appearing intermittently are the said source.
"Outside the protection of the In Between exist several catacombs hidden underground which few have dared explore until now."
In a time when food is more precious than gold, nobody cares about those riches and treasures anymore. The catacombs are full of rewards no doubt, but it was also full of monsters.
Duke Hellenberg looked at Clayton and Dylan.
"I had a talk with an old friend, he said that once a catacomb is raided and cleaned, it disappears naturally."
Dylan said thoughtfully, "Perhaps the more of those things are gone, the quicker the recovery."
The ladies also thought it possible.
"I may need more of your reviews on this matter." The prince stood away from the fireplace and began pacing, "I have been mulling over the idea of sending a scouting party via the device to observe the other side. It will be quicker to draw up plans this way rather than opting to travel the distance and risk informing those unwanted parties. If there is that great hope to recover, those who are left will be able to carry on for several generations. What do you say, Your Ladyship?"
The Grand Duchess asserted, "I believe the Plaguelands can recover but it is best to be done gradually." Better not let those conceited aristocrats lest they begin putting their own interest.
No matter how strong the influence of the Dark Continent spreads, humans will continue to thrive. He had to organize a report before proposing the idea of rehabilitating the Plaguelands to the emperor. This has to be made as soon as possible as there are lives at stake.
Palace gardens…
Ayan changed to an afternoon tea gown and hurried down to meet with the ladies. She was silent all throughout the discussion earlier because from time to time, she would crash into Clayton's smiling eyes. She barely even paid attention to the topic. If Clayton's blatant teasing bothered her, it did not show.
She moved quickly to the garden party and was running late again when she met with several women from the peerage sitting under the pergola of flowers. Ayan paused for a quick curtsy then left after a brief wordless greeting.
"How ill Mrs Rozenberg is, her complexion is so white." commented Countess Baxter. "And so thin. Poor little thing could be blown over by the wind."
"Did you see her hair, ladies?"
The question was deliberately put forth. Since Ayan is new to the Circle, most of the topic will naturally fall on her and it was inevitable that a few outrageous ones would get mixed in.
"Oh, yes. It was so red one could hardly believe it was natural."
"Did you think she purposefully used dye?"
"The Grand Duchess will be most displeased,"
"I think not," Lady Marissa interjected, she had kept her peace on this side of the garden when these women came to gossip.
As one of Her Majesty's ladies in waiting, it was among her responsibilities to help keep the gathering in harmony.
"You do not think so, Lady Marissa?"
"I see no benefits for Lady Rozenberg to dye her hair such and I am certain she is aware of it herself."
"This I have to disagree with you dear," Lady Baxter said, her malice barely hidden. She'd been looking for an opportunity to refute the proud woman and render her speechless, "Ayan Rozenberg is the woman I view with neither wit nor beauty, her coloring that hair is most disagreeable and displeasing. And her manners, oh! Deplorable. She will only incur Her Ladyship's wrath, mark my word."
Lady Marissa scoffed, "Has Lady Baxter met her personally?"
"I have not."
"Then, don't you think it is unfair to have biased opinions on someone who is a complete stranger?"
"But dear, the rumors are countless."
Lady Marissa smiled thinly. "As of the moment the lady you speak of is on her way to meet the Grand Duchess."
Countess Baxter whirled to her side and was startled by what she saw.
"May I suggest you take this time to observe whether your conjecture is correct."
"This…" Countess Baxter's smug smile fell.
She had an unnatural pale face when she saw Ayan walk directly to the Grand Duchess side and curtsied.
"She cannot be thinking of foolishly introducing herself?" one of the ladies laughed mockingly.
Right. Lady Baxter thought so as well.
To their horror, the senior matron smiled cordially and invited Ayan to sit on their table.
The women around the garden let out gasps of surprise. It cannot be… She's a woman of fallen nobility and of questionable ancestry!
Why did the esteemed Grand Duchess welcome her herself?!
Lady Baxter broke into a cold sweat so were her companions.
"Impossible…"
"How did they know each other?"
"What's not possible?" Lady Seton, who also sat from the same table, stood and gave the answer, "The acquaintance was made just recently and Her Grace Dianne was the one who introduced them together. They met during the royal hunt and I heard the senior matron is most fond of the lady."
Lady Marissa, who is on the same side as her, added, "The formal address will change soon."
Lady Baxter had a bad premonition about this.
"The final decision about the reestablishment of the Rozenberg's ducal title is already underway. We will have another duke in our ranks." Lady Seton said cheerfully.
The new was akin to a thunderclap. The words held a clear warning that silence the group of garrulous women.
Lady Baxter softened on her seat. She was just thinking of using the tea party to openly and secretly humiliate Ayan Rozenberg. Unfortunately, Lady Marissa and Lady Seton's sharp tones stumped her. Considering what she said a moment ago… Her back trickled with cold sweat.
"D-Ducal title, my lady?" asked by someone in disbelief.
Lady Seton nodded then smiled softly as ever.
"Ladies? We will be on our way first."
The ladies curtsied to each other and broke away.
As soon as they were gone, the former queen's cronies flocked on Lady Baxter's side.
"Is what they said true?"
"Humph! They act so proud and arrogant now that the queen is deposed." Lady Baxter said bitterly. Not once did she retract the frown frowning at the back of Lady Marissa and Lady Seton.
Conceited, hateful women! They aimed to embarrass her!
She wished it could have been them who was removed from the freylina post. Being reminded of her troubles, her expression turned even more sour. Now that the queen has no more power, their family who leaned on her faction is in a very precarious situation!
The court is currently investigating all officials under the queen's faction.
"This is unbelievable… a ducal title?"
Not far from them, the women erupted into another topic to feast on. Not even half an hour passed that the juicy bits had been diligently circulated all over the palace by those interested.
On the farther side of the garden. The families attending the royal hunt enjoyed the privilege of strolling around their monarch's sprawling estate. The fact that there are only a selected few people in the society has this pleasure of belonging made the activity all the more invigorating. As the hunt ends and they return to their city mansions, they bring along with them honor and delightful experience which they are more than eager to share with their envious peers.
"How I love this part of the park," cried Lady Georgina Eidloth. "The whispers of water under the bridge and the splash of color over the hills, it is most relaxing."
"I, too, am most fond of this scenery." replied Lady Kitty Breitling. "Thank goodness the ban for staying indoors has been lifted, I've been dying to stretch my limbs. If only the senior matron Lady Havenstorm did not come then I could enjoy these ten times as much."
"Then you can rejoice," Lady Georgina smirked. "For we have not seen that pompous, frightening old crone since the other mornings. I suddenly feel the air is so refreshing, is it not?"
The girls giggled.
"The Grand Duchess is not around, you say?" Miss Guildford stopped and looked at her companions.
"Were you looking for her?" Lady Georgina inquired, eyeing her with subtle disdain.
"N-No, I just asked casually."
Lady Kitty chirped. "We saw her during the opening ceremony but the palace servants informed her acquaintances that she will be in her assigned chamber before the banquet starts."
"Ugh, then I do hope she stays there for the remainder of our stay." Lady Georgina muttered sourly then turned to the sickly Lucille Guildford with one of those nasty smiles of hers, "Why do you ask about her? You wish to get into her picky eyes and earn her approval?"
Lucille denied it again.
"Do not be modest, girl. There is really nothing to be ashamed about wanting to meet her. But be forewarned, the Grand Duchess is not to be trifled with for she is known to have the most volatile temperament. Even I, who is an earl's child, have suffered from this— there is also the crown prince."
The ladies listened in attention while Georgina exaggeratedly spoke about her miniscule connection to the crown prince. But who is not used to it?
"Poor, poor Prince Reginald, it is known how she takes joy from berating him."
One of her faithful lackey echoed. "Lady Georgina, how could you and His Highness suffer so?"
"Oh hush, knowing that I had the same unfortunate experience as the crown prince does not seem so miserable at all." She said shyly with flushed cheeks.
Her flatters giggled, "Indeed!"
Lady Georgina twirled her parasol then turned to Lucille, "What I say is true, dear. If aristocrats of our rank could be willfully reprimanded for trivial reasons, what more if a mere tradesman's daughter like you were to approach her?"
Lucille smiled modestly and lowered her head.
Across the lake a picnic was spread with large umbrellas and several footmans awaiting on the side. Lady Georgina recognized who they were and narrowed her eyes.
"Come everyone, it is tiresome to stay in one place for a long time. We shall make a round in the park."
As they came closer and closer, the more they saw of the overly extravagant spread. Lucia Neu sat on a cushioned chair with her bright green dress with yellow ribbon trim.
"I heard Baron Malory and his wife hurriedly departed the other day but their adopted daughter seems to have come as a replacement." Lady Georgina remarked loudly.
"Notice that none of her servants were from the Malory's." Lady Kitty added.
Lady Georgina's face changed.
"Oh, I did see," said one girl.
"How quickly her position changed in just a few months."
"That's because she is now the empire's Diviner." Kitty blinked. "Dear Georgina, don't you think those people are familiar to you?"
Georgina turned to Kitty sharply. The other was still smiling so innocently. But how could she mistake her intention? She is not a fool.
Her brother James became Lucia Neu's assigned escort, she did not know that aside from guarding he would also do as much as sponsor her living too, which is highly preposterous! An adopted daughter of a lowly baron dare to foist herself upon her excellent brother? He is a future earl!
How dare she accept his favors much better than her, his biological sister?!
Gnashing her teeth, Georgina shot the audacious woman with a deadly glare.
"But did you notice the Diviner's clothes, dear? My goodness, she still wore those atrocious hoop skirts from thirty years ago."
"Has nobody even told her this?"
"I doubt it, she only has a number of friends and it appears none of them has the taste for fashion."
The ladies laughed amused by their discovery. But as much as they wanted to continue speaking ill of Lucia their short attention was then taken over by something else.
"Look, isn't that the Crown Prince himself?" Someone gasped while looking over a group of men on horseback.
"Duke Hellenberg, Sir Dyaln as well and, and… oh goodness, if that is not Clayton Rozenberg!"
"Dear, what splendid and excellent men."
"I never thought their relationship was at this level of amicability." Lady Kitty said thoughtfully.
"Why do you say so, milady?" Miss Guildford asked puzzledly.
"Hmm, it just seems odd. I remember how frantic they were the other day in search of their families yet here they are suddenly about to play polo as if nothing out of the ordinary happened."
"You were referring to the disappearance of the women during the hunt? It was a misunderstanding apparently. It appears that the ladies went deeper into the valley unbeknownst to everyone. Many people saw them return with their hunted trophies. Alas, the hunt was canceled making all their efforts in vain."
"Oh, so that's it." Lady Kitty's eyes shone with a shrewd light.
Whether she believed it or not, no one knows.
"But that is not what is most interesting." Another girl squealed. "Talks are abound that Clayton Rozenberg will soon join the very scarce ducal ranks in the realm and inherit all the fortunes of Thornwood. But even before that, it is already widely known that he bought two large estates, one in Arpeggio and one just outside Ava."
"But wasn't it rumored recently how destitute and pathetic he is?" Lady Georgina rolled her eyes haughtily.
"My sweet Lady Georgina, rumors can never be trusted. This, I say, is a fact. His bloodline is undeniable as well as his claims to the title. Fortunes aside, he has two sons who very much keep their almost lost family tree alive."
Georgina was not convinced. Like her brother, she hated upstarts the most and she thought the Rozenbergs were people beneath her rank. But all of a sudden they jumped over several times higher than their rank?! Unacceptable!
The group on horseback happened to pass nearby, the ladies either giggled covering their mouth or waving their handkerchiefs.
Clayton rode close to the edge of the fence and his tall and masculine profile was presented most clearly on everyone. He held the long mallet, accurately smashing the wooden ball straight to the enemy's goal post.
"Ahh! He is so… so divine!"
"I must say, his looks are indeed top notch." Lady Kitty smiled as she playfully tapped her fan to her chin. "Too bad he is already married to Ayan Elford, that infuriating little redhead."
"Oh, yes that infamous one from Lattice."
"Married does not prevent him from dancing at the ball, don't you think so? I wonder if I could add him to my dance card. I must ask my mother!"
"Indeed!"
"Who can resist the beauties of the empire?" One said so proudly.
Georgina lost her words somehow but the rest of the ladies just thought she was brewing one of those fits.