Chapter 11
Elizabeth’s wish was, in the end, not granted. Stella had thrown a fit at the idea of her going out alone.
And apparently, she had even spoken to the Duke, because Elizabeth was summoned to his study.
Elizabeth sat properly in the Duke’s office, waiting for him to speak.
The Duke’s blue eyes rested on her. They were the same color as Kieren’s, yet somehow they felt different—oppressive, authoritarian, threatening.
“So you want to leave.”
“Yes. I can’t keep relying on you like this.”
“It seems I’ve been neglecting you.”
“No, it’s not like that. 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 caught in her throat.
The Duke’s indifferent gaze remained on her. Misreading her hesitation, he said something unexpected.
“Come to think of it, it’s about time you considered starting a family. Kieren is getting engaged soon as well—you have no reason you can’t do the same.”
“No, I’m not saying I want to get married—!”
“Stella told me. She said you seem to be feeling lonely lately. I suppose I’ve been too inattentive. I should have arranged a match for you earlier.”
“Duke, that’s not it. I don’t intend to marry. I just don’t want to impose—”
“Elizabeth. I will personally find you a good match. So stop talking about leaving.”
“….”
“If I were to cast you and your mother out, what would people say? And if I sent you out alone, even more rumors would spread.”
His words shut her down completely. The pressure in his tone made it clear she would be overruled if she resisted.
“I’m sorry.”
The Duke hated wasting time, so Elizabeth had no choice but to leave the study in silence.
She had no idea what Stella had said to make things turn out like this. At this point, leaving the castle would mean disobeying the Duke’s direct order.
Her only choices were to marry and leave—or stay.
The hopeless reality made her fists clench tightly.
Her life belonged to her, yet she had no control over it at all.
On her way to confront Stella, a passing servant stopped her.
“Lady Ellie, there you are. Please go to the reception room. A guest is waiting for you.”
“A guest? Who?”
The servant hurried off without answering.
Elizabeth touched her cheek awkwardly and headed toward the reception room.
Who could it be?
She knocked and opened the door—
A familiar voice came from inside.
“Come in.”
“…!”
Elizabeth froze with her hand on the doorknob. It was Abigail Prairie’s voice.
After several deep breaths, she stepped inside.
As expected, Abigail Prairie was sitting there. She gestured for Elizabeth to sit opposite her.
Outside of Ingrid meetings, they had never once shared tea together. They were not close enough for an unannounced visit.
Elizabeth sat down, trying to guess her purpose.
“What brings you here?”
Abigail set down her teacup and looked at her coldly.
Her expressionless face felt different from usual.
As a marquess’s daughter, Abigail Prairie had everything one could want. Her usual smile always carried a faint arrogance and confidence.
That was the natural aura of someone born into high nobility.
In contrast, Elizabeth had none of that. A noble in name only had no pride to lean on.
So she always felt intimidated by Abigail’s presence.
Abigail said nothing at first, simply watching her in silence. The tension tightened Elizabeth’s chest.
Does she already know?
She recalled the banquet. Someone must have seen her with Kieren.
James had seen them head toward the terrace. And James was close to Austin… the information could have reached the Prairie household.
If Abigail had come because of that, it would make sense.
While Elizabeth sat like a guilty party, Abigail suddenly smiled brightly—as if nothing had happened.
“I was just passing by and thought I’d like to have tea with Lady Lua. We’ve both been members of Ingrid, yet 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 if we became friends.”
Elizabeth’s throat went dry at her smile.
She spoke about “staying here soon”—before even an official engagement.
But in this world, it was natural for an engaged woman to stay in her fiancé’s estate, and that future terrified Elizabeth.
She needed to resolve her feelings before that happened.
She couldn’t let Abigail find out too.
If she did, it would truly confirm she had done something wrong.
If Kieren had chosen engagement, then she was someone who should disappear from his life.
A stain that needed to quietly remove herself.
At that moment, Abigail placed an invitation on the table.
A flower arrangement gathering in a penthouse in the capital—an exclusive social event.
Only daughters of count rank or higher were typically allowed.
Elizabeth stared at the card.
Was this just a boast?
Abigail spoke again.
“I had special permission from the club members. I’d like you to come with me, Elizabeth.”
“No, I don’t really attend events like this—”
“This invitation was very difficult to obtain. You wouldn’t want to embarrass me, would you?”
Her tone was sweet, but the pressure beneath it was unmistakable.
Elizabeth felt suffocated—first by the Duke, now by Abigail.
She sighed and touched her chest.
“Thank you, but I’m not used to such gatherings.”
“….”
“I’m sorry, but I’m not feeling well. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
As she stood—
Abigail spoke.
“Do you think you have a choice?”
Her soft voice turned cold, like a blade pressed to the throat.
Elizabeth froze.
Before she could respond, Abigail suddenly stood up and poured hot tea directly onto her upper body.
“Ah—!”
Elizabeth gasped as the boiling liquid soaked her clothes, burning her skin.
“Rudeness came from you first, Lady Elizabeth.”
“I—what are you doing…!”
She couldn’t form proper words.
Abigail continued, expressionless.
“You went into the terrace with an engaged man.”
“!!”
“You really thought no one saw?”
Mockery laced her voice.
Elizabeth felt as though she had been drenched in ice water.
So she did know.
Abigail went on.
“This was arranged so you would understand your place.”
“….”
“You already know, don’t you? Someone like you is not qualified to stand beside Sir Kieren.”
Her gaze swept over Elizabeth in contempt.
“I don’t care whether you love the young lord of Agapel or not—as long as it doesn’t show.”
“….”
“But even that much, you failed to control. I dislike having my name dragged through gossip.”
“Lady Prairie, I—”
“When you crossed the line, you should have been prepared for the consequences.”
With that, Abigail turned away.
“See you at the gathering.”
On her way out, she deliberately stepped on Elizabeth’s foot.
But Elizabeth barely felt it. The words hurt far more than pain.
She felt as though she had been confirmed as someone who did not belong beside him.
And worse, shame for having her feelings exposed.
Even though she already knew the truth, hearing it aloud tore at her again.
Elizabeth glanced at the invitation.
It had never been an invitation—it had been a warning.
I know everything. So behave.
The tea burned at her collarbone, leaving a red mark.
She wouldn’t be able to wear open-neck dresses 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—a place where she would be humiliated.
And yet she couldn’t refuse.
Because she had crossed the line.
Because she had dared to want Kieren.
As she left the room, her steps were heavy.
Without realizing it, she found herself standing in front of Kieren’s study.
Startled, she turned to leave—
But the door opened.
Kieren stepped out.
His gaze immediately fixed on her wet clothes and the reddened collarbone visible through the fabric.
His expression was unreadable.
Elizabeth quickly covered herself.
He tilted his head slightly.
“Is getting wet your hobby?”
