Seeds of Chaos II

Delphine's gaze remained fixed on her mother's eyes, seeking reassurance and understanding. "Does that mean... I have that power too, Mother? Will I hurt you too in the future?"

Anastasia had no real answer to this. After all, a power strong enough to overtake one's mind had to be phenomenal, and such powers were extremely rare. She lovingly brushed her hand over Delphine's cheek. "Only time will tell. But for now, you need to behave and focus on recovery."

With the weight of the moment bearing down on her small shoulders, Delphine's eyes began to droop, exhaustion finally taking its toll. Her mother continued to hold her, singing a soft lullaby as Delphine drifted off to sleep.

Before slipping into slumber, Delphine, in her fragile state, whispered with a hint of vulnerability, "Did you punish Andromeda, Mother? And why hasn't Father come to see me?"

Anastasia's heart ached at her daughter's words. Delphine had been spoiled by her sister, and this sudden turn of events was difficult for her to comprehend. She stroked Delphine's hair gently. "Your father did come, my dear, but you were sleeping. As for your sister, we have addressed the situation, I promise."

With those soothing words, Delphine finally closed her eyes, her troubled dreams giving way to a peaceful slumber. The Duchess remained by her side, a worried shadow still lingering on her beautiful face.

Once her daughter was peacefully slumbering, Duchess Anastasia quietly rose from the bedside, her face still marked by a worried shadow. She knew that the flames within Andromeda held immense potential, but also great danger. Her resolve to protect and nurture both her daughters had never been stronger, for she understood that their destinies were intertwined with the unforgiving power and a complex life.

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Duke Eleftherios returned home to an atmosphere that felt palpably different. Whispers, hushed conversations, and the sudden silence of servants in the hallways were all too obvious to ignore. It made him frown with a growing sense of unease. As he walked through the echoing halls of his grand residence, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

He turned to his second-in-command, Peregrine, a loyal and trusted confidant who had served his family for years. Peregrine was a tall and thin man with an elegance in his every action.

"Peregrine," he inquired in a low voice, "do you sense that something is wrong? The household seems unusually tense."

Peregrine, a man of keen perception, nodded solemnly. "Indeed, Your Grace. It's as though a storm has passed through here. I'll make discreet inquiries and find out what's amiss."

As Peregrine went about his task, Duke Eleftherios continued his journey to his chambers. He noticed Head Maid Mariglen leaving the bedroom chamber, and he greeted her with a nod. Mariglen, who had been serving the Bethel family for generations, returned the greeting with a respectful bow before making her way down the hall.

Once he entered the chambers, the Duke found Duchess Anastasia standing in the middle of the room. She wore a lovely burgundy gown that brought out her beauty, and her presence was like a calming beacon in the midst of the turmoil he sensed in the house.

"Duchess," the Duke greeted her with a warm smile, crossing the room to embrace her. The maids, aware of the couple's desire for privacy, quietly left the chamber.

"Your Grace," she elegantly stepped forward, her usually curt and regal demeanor softened, and she became simply Eleftherios's beloved wife.

As he held his wife in his arms, he couldn't help but playfully comment, "My dear, it's good to be home. The mood outside had me worried. What is troubling our household?"

The Duchess, her dissatisfaction toward Mariglen for not having stopped the servants from gossiping still lingering in her eyes, pressed her hands on his chest. "Eleftherios, it's Lady Sylvette, Andromeda's tutor. She has issued a challenge to our daughter at the upcoming knowledge fair. According to Andromeda, Lady Sylvette insulted her."

The Duke's brow furrowed as he listened to his wife's words. The knowledge fair was a prestigious event, and challenges among the nobility's children were not uncommon. However, an insult was a serious matter.

"Insulted her, you say? Have you asked Andromeda about it?" he responded with concern. "This must be addressed swiftly and with prudence. Andromeda's reputation and our family's honor are at stake. We also cannot make a prestigious scholarly family like LeBlanc our enemy."

Duchess Anastasia nodded, her gaze fixed on her husband's. "I thought it best to bring this matter to your attention immediately. Andromeda was disturbed, and Lady Sylvette left without bringing it to my notice. Eleftherios, we must decide how to handle it and quickly."

The Duke held her closer, cupping her face gently. "We will handle it together, my love. Andromeda's well-being and our family's standing are our top priorities. We'll find a solution, and Lady Sylvette will be held accountable for her actions, if she is truly the one behind it."

The Duke guided his wife to the settee and gracefully sat beside her. "No, my dear, it's not that I doubt Andromeda's word, but I believe there is more to this matter than meets the eye. We should invite Lady Sylvette to our home and summon her father, Lord Joss LeBlanc, as well. It's crucial that we get to the bottom of this."

The Duchess nodded in agreement, her thoughts already racing about how to handle this delicate situation.

The Duke, showing concern for their other daughters, asked, "And what of Delphine's health? How is she faring? Andromeda, too, must be feeling the strain of this conflict."

Anastasia smiled warmly at her husband, touched by his genuine concern. "Delphine is recovering, though she's understandably shaken by the incident. As for Andromeda, she is a strong girl, but this challenge has undoubtedly taken a toll on her. She will need our guidance and support in the days to come."

With their conversation drawing to a close, the Duke excused himself, feeling the need for a refreshing bath after a long day. The Duchess, still deep in thought about the situation with Lady Sylvette, rose from her seat with grace and purpose. She would prepare for tea, a cherished ritual that had always brought the family together.

As the Duke immersed himself in the calming embrace of warm water, Duchess Anastasia began to make preparations for their evening tea. Yet, her mind remained occupied with the complexities of the situation at hand, determined to find a resolution that would safeguard both their daughter's future and their family's honor.

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Andromeda, having received the summons for tea with her parents and Lady Sylvette, decided to wear a soft pink frock for the occasion. Her fiery red curls were neatly braided, and she looked every bit the demure young lady as she made her way to the tea room. She knew the importance of maintaining appearances, especially now when the incident with Lady Sylvette had cast a shadow over her.

As she entered the tea room, she greeted her parents with a subdued nod, her voice soft and demeanor seemingly shaken by the recent events. The Duchess noticed her daughter's unease and offered a reassuring smile, patting the seat next to her.

Duchess Anastasia, her warm smile masking her concern, patted the seat beside her. "Come, Andromeda, join us for tea. I trust you're feeling better now?"

Andromeda took her mother's offered seat, her eyes downcast, and replied with feigned vulnerability, "Thank you, Mother. I'm just... still quite shaken by what happened with Lady Sylvette. It was so unexpected."

The Duke, his brow furrowing as he glanced between his wife and daughter, chimed in, "Indeed, Andromeda. Your mother and I were discussing this matter. Lady Sylvette's challenge at the knowledge fair is a serious issue. We need to address it and find a suitable resolution."

Andromeda nodded solemnly, her gaze flickering towards her father. "I understand, Father. I never wanted things to escalate this far, but she left me with no choice."

The Duchess exchanged a knowing glance with her husband before speaking gently, "We will handle this matter with the utmost care, Andromeda. But first, we must ensure that your honor is upheld and that there are no further misunderstandings."

Andromeda nodded again, a glimmer of gratitude in her eyes, though hidden beneath her façade of distress. "Thank you, Mother, Father. I just hope this situation can be resolved without any more harm to our family's name."

Unbeknownst to Andromeda, her portrayal of the wronged party had struck a chord with her parents, and they were determined to navigate the delicate situation with both her honor and the family's reputation intact.

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Lady Sylvette, on the other hand, had received an unexpected invitation for tea. It came from a student of the academy, a lady in her late teens with striking dark blue hair and golden eyes. Although not particularly striking in terms of looks, her presence was commanding. She hailed from House Montclair, a rival noble house, albeit a branch family. The Montclairs had a long-standing rivalry with House Bethel, and the tension between them ran deep.