Chapter 29
“Illina.”
Cecilia’s voice rang out, cold and sharp.
“I swear I sent invitations to every family on the list!”
Illina, realizing this wasn’t something to brush off, quickly defended herself. She clearly remembered checking the list and the invitations multiple times.
“There must have been a mistake in delivery, or someone else messed up. I truly sent them all, Your Grace.”
Illina pleaded with a desperate expression, as if begging Cecilia to believe her. But Cecilia turned her head away, her face expressionless, offering neither belief nor doubt.
“We’ll speak about this after the banquet, Illina.”
Cecilia’s tone was emotionless. Normally, she responded to Illina’s words kindly, with a smile. The sudden coldness made the difference all the more painful. Illina couldn’t bring herself to cling to her mistress and teared up silently.
“Bring me paper and a pen. I need to write letters to both families. Apologize on our behalf, send them gifts, and extend a personal invitation to dine with us at a later date.”
Cecilia wrote quickly, her script hurried and tense. The guests were already gathered in the banquet hall—there wasn’t much time.
“Has something happened?”
Eden appeared, having heard that all the guests had arrived. Dressed in a black jacket trimmed with gold and white trousers, his tall, graceful figure was striking. Yet at that moment, even Illina barely registered his presence.
“Duke Somerset and Marquis Clinton didn’t attend. Though invitations were sent, they didn’t respond, which suggests something went wrong during delivery.”
Cecilia pressed the Burnett seal onto the letters and handed them—still wet with wax—directly to Lady Monte. Evie had already rushed out to prepare the gifts Cecilia mentioned.
“I’m so sorry… Of all times… What should we do…”
Cecilia squeezed her eyes shut, her face twisted in frustration. This wasn’t just any event—it was a banquet in honor of the Grand Duke himself. If something had gone wrong due to her oversight, it would be her failure.
“It’s all right. Duke Somerset and Marquis Clinton are not unreasonable men. We can invite them to dine later and settle things then.”
Yet Eden didn’t blame her. Standing close, he reassured Cecilia that this was something easily resolved.
“You’re not planning to enter the banquet hall wearing that frown, are you?”
At Eden’s words, Cecilia hesitated, then forced herself to smooth her expression. This was the first event she had hosted as Grand Duchess. The success of the banquet reflected directly on her honor—of course, she couldn’t help feeling upset.
“I’m sorry.”
“Stop apologizing, Cecilia. It wasn’t your fault.”
Eden’s gaze shifted beyond Cecilia’s shoulder, toward the one who had caused the problem.
“Let’s go.”
His gaze was cold. Even from a distance, it was clear he was rebuking her. Illina bit her lip hard, holding back tears.
Cecilia took Eden’s arm and looked away from the dejected Illina. She had brought Illina here intending to use her, but now she seemed so pitiful, it was hardly worth it.
She had gotten what she needed—perhaps it was time to be done.
That was all Cecilia thought.
“It’s as grand as a theater.”
“The performers are amazing—almost like watching a real play on stage.”
Though there had been issues with the invitations, the banquet itself proceeded smoothly.
Cecilia had planned every detail carefully, and there were no problems with the garden arrangements or food. The guests mingled, conversed with the Grand Duke and Duchess, and enjoyed the performances.
“Congratulations again, Your Grace.”
“Thank you.”
Everyone in attendance was smiling, yet Cecilia couldn’t relax. The two empty tables weighed on her mind.
“Are you still thinking about it?”
Eden reached out and gently stopped her hand as she brought a glass to her lips. He calmly took the glass and placed it back on the table. He knew all too well how strictly Cecilia controlled her drinking.
“Everyone’s enjoying themselves. Don’t worry too much—it’s fine.”
“Once people return home, they’ll start talking about those empty tables and speculate why they were left vacant.”
If those two families held power, the mistake would carry even more weight. Cecilia was certain of it. Every time someone passed the empty tables with a curious glance, her heart sank.
“Even so, no one foolish enough to show it openly.”
“….”
“And I won’t allow it.”
Eden’s arm slid gently around Cecilia’s slender waist. He pressed a soft kiss to her temple, as if to comfort her—like a newlywed couple lost in their own world.
“But that maid should be dealt with.”
“I will. I meant to offer you a gift today, but I’ve only brought trouble.”
All eyes turned to Cecilia and Eden. Eden simply smiled briefly, pretending not to notice the attention.
“I’m not upset.”
“….”
“How could anyone know what kind of person someone will turn out to be? You extended kindness, Cecilia. That’s all.”
Eden was telling her not to feel guilty. Cecilia smiled politely and expressed her gratitude for his understanding.
After reassuring her, Eden briefly stepped away. Cecilia greeted the approaching noblewomen with ease, smiling as she exchanged pleasantries.
“Cecilia.”
Among them, of course, was Siena. Cecilia greeted her warmly, as if welcoming an old friend.
“You must have prepared thoroughly. Everyone’s full of praise.”
“It’s the first event since my marriage. Still, it wasn’t perfect.”
Cecilia smiled faintly. Siena followed her gaze, glancing at the two empty tables.
“That’s not a mistake someone like you would usually make, is it?”
“I may as well have made it.”
Ultimately, the responsibility was Cecilia’s. She accepted that fact calmly.
“Making sure the invitations were properly delivered is the maid’s task. A Grand Duchess can’t handle every little detail—that’s why you have maids.”
Siena’s words were sharp, but her tone was more protective than accusatory.
What she truly resented was Illina. While Cecilia should have been consoled and assisted, Illina was nowhere to be found—when she should have been groveling for forgiveness, she had disappeared.
“To leave the Grand Duchess alone just to save her own skin… utterly disgraceful.”
Siena clicked her tongue. There was much more she wanted to say, but since Illina wasn’t her maid, she held back. She didn’t want to overstep and risk offending Cecilia.
“She’s the only maid I have. I may have given her too much responsibility.”
Siena’s expression twisted as though she’d just heard nonsense. Writing a list and sending invitations—how hard could that be? Anyone who could hold a pen could do it.
“And by having her handle so much, she’s ended up crossing paths with His Grace far too often. For an unmarried young lady, that’s not appropriate.”
The moment Cecilia spoke, Siena’s expression froze. Though her words were gentle, Siena immediately understood: Illina had been making moves on Eden.
“Oh, dear.”
Siena sighed sharply. To her, Cecilia seemed like a young and naïve Grand Duchess—barely twenty, oblivious to her maid’s flirtations.
“You’re worried about your maid at a time like this?”
Siena sighed again. What Cecilia should be worrying about was not Illina’s reputation—but her own, and that of her newlywed husband. Of course, Siena didn’t say it aloud.
From Siena’s reaction, Cecilia saw a glimpse of the future.
“I’ll be sure to tell His Grace—no, the Grand Duke—to take good care of his wife.”
Illina Nova would never find an easy place in the social circles of the Capital. Even if she eventually married and gained the title of lady, it would be the same.
“You’re worrying over nothing, Siena.”
“That remains to be seen.”
If Siena chose, she could crush Illina’s footing in society entirely. Though social circles were seen as mere playfields for noblewomen, they had far-reaching influence.
To be cast out wasn’t just to lose access to tea parties and dances—it meant losing the ability to build connections, gather information, and gain influence.
The House of Nova would never live as they had before. Even if they barely escaped Cecilia’s grasp with their lives, the result would be the same. A beast with its limbs severed can no longer hunt.
