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Chapter #10
Elizabeth’s wish was never granted in the end. Stella had nearly lost her temper at the idea of her going out alone.
On top of that, she had apparently even spoken to the Duke, because Elizabeth was summoned to him.
Elizabeth sat quietly in the Duke’s study, waiting for him to speak.
The Duke’s blue eyes rested steadily on her. They were the same color as Kieren’s, yet somehow felt entirely different—cold, oppressive, and intimidating.
“So you want to leave.”
“Yes. I can’t keep imposing on you like this.”
“It seems I’ve been neglectful toward you.”
“No, that’s not true. You’ve been more than generous. It’s just that I…”
Elizabeth trailed off, unable to finish. The words I don’t want to stay here anymore stuck in her throat.
The Duke’s indifferent gaze lingered on her. Afraid her feelings might be exposed, Elizabeth lowered her head even further.
Perhaps misinterpreting her silence, the Duke suddenly said something unexpected.
“Come to think of it, it’s about time you thought of marriage as well. Kieren is getting engaged soon too—there’s no reason you couldn’t do the same.”
“No, I don’t mean I want to get married—!”
“I heard it from Stella. She said you’ve been looking rather lonely lately. I suppose I’ve been careless with you. I should have arranged a match for you long ago.”
“No, Duke. I have no intention of marrying. I just don’t want to impose anymore—”
“Elizabeth. I will personally find you a suitable match, so do not speak of leaving again.”
“….”
“If I were to send you and your mother away, what would people say? And if I let you leave alone, rumors would spread even more.”
His words cut off any chance of argument. The pressure in his voice made it feel as though resistance would be crushed immediately.
“I’m sorry.”
The Duke hated wasting time more than anything, so Elizabeth had no choice but to leave the study without further protest.
She didn’t know what Stella had said to make him act like this. At this point, leaving the castle would mean disobeying the Duke’s orders.
Her only choices were to marry and leave—or remain here.
The helpless reality of being unable to leave Agapel Castle made her clench her fists.
Her life was her own, yet there was nothing she could decide for herself.
On her way to confront Stella, a passing servant spotted her.
“Lady Ellie, there you are. Please go to the reception room at once. A guest has arrived looking for you.”
“A guest? Who?”
She had no appointments and asked in confusion, but the servant hurried off without answering.
Elizabeth touched her cheek awkwardly and headed toward the reception room.
Who could it be?
When she knocked and opened the door, a familiar voice greeted her.
“Come in.”
“…!”
Elizabeth hesitated, her hand still on the doorknob. It was Abigail Prairie’s voice from inside.
Taking a deep breath, she entered.
As expected, Abigail was seated inside. She gestured for Elizabeth to sit across from her.
They were not close enough to meet privately like this—outside of Ingrid gatherings, they had never even shared tea together.
Trying to guess the reason for her visit, Elizabeth sat down cautiously.
“What brings you here?”
Abigail set down her teacup and looked at her with a cold expression.
Her unsmiling face felt different from usual.
As a noble lady of a marquess house, Abigail Prairie had always carried herself with confidence and effortless pride. Even her usual smile held an air of superiority.
That was the natural aura of someone born into high nobility.
In contrast, Elizabeth had none of that refinement. A noble in name only had little pride to stand on.
So she always felt intimidated in front of Abigail.
Abigail said nothing at first, simply studying her in silence. The tension tightened around Elizabeth’s chest.
Does she already know?
At the banquet, people had been busy, but surely someone had seen her with Kieren.
James had seen them go to the terrace. And James was close with Austin… perhaps the rumor had reached the Prairie household.
If Abigail had come here directly because of that, it would make sense.
While Elizabeth sat like a guilty party, Abigail suddenly smiled brightly—as if her earlier expression had never existed.
“I was just passing by and thought I’d like to have tea with Lady Lua. We’re both members of Ingrid, but we’ve been rather distant, haven’t we?”
“I see.”
“I’ve actually wanted to get closer to you. I’ll be staying here soon as well, so it would be nice to be friends.”
Elizabeth’s throat went dry at her sweet smile.
It was inappropriate to speak of “after marriage” when there wasn’t even an engagement yet.
But in a world where it was natural for an engaged woman to stay in her fiancé’s home, Elizabeth feared that day approaching.
She needed to sort out her feelings before that happened. She couldn’t afford to be discovered by Abigail as well.
If that happened, it would truly look like she had done something wrong.
If Kieren had already decided on his engagement, then she was someone who should disappear from his life.
A stain that needed to quietly step aside.
To preserve whatever dignity she had left.
At that moment, Abigail placed a card on the table. It was an invitation to a flower-arranging gathering at a penthouse in the capital, a common venue for high society events.
Since it was typically limited to daughters of count rank or higher, Elizabeth simply stared at it.
Was this meant as a boast?
While she remained silent, Abigail spoke again.
“I had to get special permission from the club members. I’d love for you to join me, Lady Elizabeth.”
“No, I don’t really attend events like this—”
“It was difficult to obtain this invitation. You wouldn’t want to embarrass me, would you?”
Abigail’s tone remained sweet, but the pressure behind it was unmistakable.
Elizabeth felt suffocated—first by the Duke, now by Abigail.
She sighed faintly, pressing a hand to her chest.
“Thank you, but I’m not used to gatherings like that.”
“….”
“I’m sorry, but I’m not feeling well. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave. Thank you for thinking of me.”
As she stood to leave politely—
“Do you think you have a choice?”
Abigail’s soft voice turned razor-sharp.
Elizabeth froze.
Before she could react, Abigail suddenly stood and poured hot tea directly over Elizabeth’s upper body.
“Ah—!”
Elizabeth gasped as the scalding liquid soaked her clothes, burning her skin.
“That’s rude of you, Lady Elizabeth,” Abigail said calmly.
“I—what are you—”
Elizabeth couldn’t even form words properly.
Abigail continued expressionlessly.
“You went into the terrace alone with an engaged man.”
“!!”
“You really thought no one saw you? You really should have entered society properly before acting like this.”
Her voice dripped with contempt.
Elizabeth felt as though cold water had been poured over her entire body.
So she did know.
Abigail continued.
“This is a place I arranged so you would understand your position.”
“….”
“You know it yourself, don’t you? Someone of your status is not fit to stand beside Sir Kieren. Just because you joined Ingrid doesn’t mean you’re on the same level as me.”
Abigail looked her up and down with disdain.
“Whether you love the young lord of Agapel or not is irrelevant to me—as long as it doesn’t show in public.”
“….”
“But you failed even that much. I despise having my name dragged through gossip.”
“Lady Prairie, I—”
“You should have known what would happen when you crossed the line.”
With that, Abigail coldly ended the conversation.
“Then I’ll see you at the event.”
She stepped on Elizabeth’s foot deliberately as she left.
But Elizabeth barely felt the pain—Abigail’s words hurt far more.
She felt painfully confirmed as someone who did not belong beside him.
And at the same time, shame flooded her for having her feelings exposed.
Even though she already knew the truth, hearing it aloud felt like her heart was being torn apart again.
Elizabeth glanced at the invitation on the table.
It had never been about friendship—it had been a warning.
I know your feelings. So behave yourself.
Her collarbone, burned by the tea, was red and stinging.
She wouldn’t be able to wear dresses with open necklines for a while.
Weakly, she picked up the invitation.
She would endure it until Abigail’s anger subsided.
That gathering would likely be exactly that kind of place.
A place where Abigail could ridicule and humiliate her freely.
And yet, knowing this, Elizabeth had no choice but to go.
Because she had crossed the line.
Because she had foolishly reached for Kieren.
As she left the reception room, her steps felt heavy.
Without thinking, she walked down the corridor—and only then realized she had ended up in front of Kieren’s study.
Startled, she turned to leave immediately.
But at that moment, the door opened.
Kieren stepped out—and they came face to face.
His gaze immediately locked onto her soaked clothes and the red mark visible through the lace at her collarbone.
His expression was unreadable.
Elizabeth hurriedly covered herself.
He tilted his head slightly and asked,
“Is getting wet your hobby?”
