A Touch of Shadow: The Duke's Obsession

Chapter 91: The Account Of Human Ties

She wore garments of quiet elegance, her hair arranged with impeccable care, her bearing composed and proper. A smile rested upon her lips—graceful, measured.

Yet beneath that smile... something else lay hidden.

Caelith saw it at a glance.

"Lady Caelith," Isabella greeted, stepping forward as though in gentle familiarity. "You have finally risen."

Both her greeting and her comment were filled with mockery––the absurd discrepancy between her non-existent title and the way she had chosen to live her life.

Caelith remained by the doorway, her gaze steady, posture composed.

"To what do I owe the honor of the Lady of House Tanmin, arriving so early?"

For the briefest instant, Isabella’s smile faltered.

"I... I have come to offer an apology."

She lowered her head, her voice softening.

"Those rumors... it was my failing. The servants spoke carelessly, and I did not restrain them in time. You have suffered for it."

When she lifted her head again, her eyes had already reddened.

Ah.

Understanding dawned within Caelith.

So this was why Rhaegar had left so abruptly the night before.

"Miss Caelith... will you ever forgive me?"

Before Caelith could answer, Yvaine suddenly rushed forward.

"Forgive you?" she snapped, her voice sharp with anger. "Do you even know what happened here yesterday? Several grown men burst in, ready to strike! This wound on my face—do you see it? They shoved me to the ground!"

She pointed at the red mark upon her cheek.

"If not for someone shouting that Lord Rhaegar’s men had arrived, who knows what might have become of us? And now you come here asking for forgiveness?"

Isabella froze.

"Men... came here?" Her voice trembled. "I did not know... I truly did not know..."

She looked toward Caelith, tears falling more freely now.

"Miss Caelith, I am sorry. This is all my fault. Had I not allowed those rumors to spread, none of this would have happened. I... I..."

She covered her mouth, as though unable to continue.

"Stop crying!" Yvaine retorted, glaring at her. "What use are these tears? My sister was slandered because of you, nearly beaten—and you think shedding a few tears settles it?"

"I know, I know—this is all my fault," Isabella said quickly. "I am willing to make amends. Whatever you require, name it. Only..." She hesitated, then spoke more softly, "Caelith, Lord Rhaegar is angry with me. Might you... speak a word on my behalf?"

"What did you say?" Yvaine nearly flared with outrage. "You commit wrong, and now you want my sister to plead for you? Dream on! I tell you, this is not over—I will report this to the authorities at once!"

"Sister," Caelith interrupted gently, lowering her voice so that only Yvaine could hear, "the reigning Empress... is her aunt."

Yvaine’s words caught in her throat.

In this moment of anger, she had completely forgotten that Isabella was not simply the woman of privilege––she was of royal blood.

Caelith stepped forward, taking Isabella’s hands in hers.

"O accept your apology, Lady Isabella," she said with calm kindness. "But as for interceding on your behalf—I cannot help you in that matter."

"Caelith..."

"You and he share a bond from childhood," Caelith continued evenly. "His anger will not be lasting. There is no need for you to worry. As for me, I must prepare for work. I shall not detain you further."

Isabella lingered for a moment, then, after a brief hesitation, left behind the pastries she had brought and took her leave.

***

On the road to the atelier, Yvaine followed closely behind Caelith.

The morning light stretched long across the streets, yet between them lingered a silence—heavy, unresolved—like the quiet before something yet to unfold.

The red mark upon Yvaine’s face had yet to fade. As she walked, her eyes darted anxiously from side to side, as though fearing that at any moment someone might leap forth from the shadows.

Caelith glanced back at her. "Why are you following me?"

Yvaine lowered her head, her voice small. "I... I’m afraid to stay alone."

Caelith said nothing; only a quiet sigh escaped her lips. They walked a few more steps before Yvaine spoke again, hesitant.

"Do you think... those men will come back?"

"I do not know."

Yvaine’s face paled further. She drew closer behind Caelith, nearly clinging to her shadow.

Caelith stopped and turned. "Following me will not help. I am going to the atelier."

"I’ll go with you!" Yvaine said quickly. "I can wait outside—I won’t disturb you."

For a fleeting moment, Caelith recalled the sight of her the night before—curled in the corner, trembling.

"...Very well. Come."

Yvaine blinked in surprise.

"Come," Caelith repeated, already turning forward. "We shall see whether there is work for you at the atelier. You cannot remain idle forever."

Yvaine hurried after her, almost trotting to keep pace.

***

Within the Ostenton Brocade Atelier, the embroiderers were already at their tasks.

Caelith led Yvaine through the courtyard and inward. Yvaine’s eyes widened as she looked about, wonder lighting her face.

"Sister... this is where you work? It’s magnificent!"

Caelith did not respond.

At that moment, someone approached from ahead—it was Lucas.

Clad in a suit of soft blue, a ledger scroll in hand, he brightened slightly upon seeing Caelith.

"Lady Caelith, you are early today." His gaze shifted to Yvaine. "And this is...?"

"My cousin, Yvaine," Caelith said. "She seeks work here, if any may be found."

Lucas studied Yvaine briefly. His gaze lingered for a heartbeat upon the mark on her face—then moved away.

"Can you embroider?"

Yvaine shook her head.

"Can you cut cloth?"

She shook it again.

"Keep accounts?"

Another shake.

Lucas had no more questions to ask.

Yvaine’s cheeks flushed crimson. She lowered her head, wishing the ground might open and swallow her whole.

Just as Caelith was about to speak, the man suddenly smiled.

"No matter. What one does not know may be learned." He beckoned to a steward nearby. "Take this young lady to the rear courtyard. Let Mrs. Dillvine teach her to sort and prepare threads. Wages-wise—set them at apprentice level."

The steward bowed and led Yvaine away.

Caelith turned to Lucas, stunned. "Thank you, my lord. It was very gracious of you."

He waved it off lightly. "There is no need. She is your kin—helping her is only natural."

Caelith regarded him with a long look. "Are you always like this?"

"Like what?"

"Kind to everyone."

Lucas laughed softly. "Lady Caelith, I am a merchant. My kindness is not without measure. I treat you well because you saved my father. I assist your cousin because she is your family. That is not kindness to all—it is... good accounting."

Caelith paused, faintly amused. "And what account is this?"

"The account of human ties," he said with mock solemnity. "The hardest debt in this world to repay. I help you—you remember. And when I am in need, how could you refuse me?"

A soft laugh escaped her.

They spoke a while longer of patterns and deadlines, before Caelith departed the front courtyard, making her way back toward her embroidery chamber.

She passed through the drying yard. Silk panels of every hue hung upon wooden poles, swaying gently in the breeze. Sunlight filtered through the fine fabric, casting a soft, shimmering haze of color all around.

And then, a hand seized her from behind.

One palm clamped over her mouth. The other circled her waist, pulling her sharply backward.

She collided with a body—warm, strong, unyielding.

Cool pine scent soaked her very skin.

Rhaegar.