Sweet Dream (1)

After that, the dinner went smoothly with only the duchess and Ophelia talking about the tea party tomorrow. After all, hosting an event at the duke's estate also concerned the duke's image, hence the duchess took great care of it so that there wouldn't be any mistake considering that it was Ophelia's first time. It had always been other people inviting Ophelia before.

Besides that, the other family members had their meals in silence. Sometimes Julian and Harte would converse with each other but it only lasted for a while. After that, since 'Alice' was still feeling unwell, she excused herself during dessert time.

"Don't you want some strawberry cake, dear? You've always loved them," asked the duchess as she looked at Alice worriedly. She was somehow delighted to see her tonight so, she didn't wish for her to leave too quickly.

Alice let out a 'warm' smile as she shook her head. "No, mom. I'm already full anyway. I just want to rest right now. I thought I was already fine since the fever seems to have gone, but turns out my body still finds it strenuous to sit too long."

She even went so far to adjust her voice so that it sounded especially tired and slightly raspy as if she was going to catch a cold if she were to stay a second longer. Since she had accomplished what she came here to do then, she should return now to start the preparation.

"Ah...I see. Let's have some tea after you've recovered then," said the duchess as she caressed her cheek. "Marilyn, take the young lady back to her room and make sure she's comfortable."

Marilyn immediately came forward and curtsied as she complied to the duchess' request happily, "Yes, Your Grace."

Thus, Alice was accompanied by Marilyn back to her bedroom. It was quiet now that she had returned to her room. She exhaled a heavy sigh of relief.

"Are you alright, My Lady?" Marilyn asked anxiously when she heard Alice exhaling. The lady was already tired at the dining hall, maybe the walk from there to the bedroom had strained her body more.

Kalliope pursed her lips and was about to dismiss her again when Argan's voice sounded in her head.

[Remember, My Lady, you need to act well.]

Thus, what came out of her mouth was a kind assurance, "No, I'm okay. I just want to to rest. So, help me change out of this clothes."

"Right away, My Lady."

It didn't take long for Marilyn to help Alice cleaned up and dressed herself up in a nightgown. Thereafter, she tucked Alice in bed before blowing out the candles.

"Good night, My Lady."

"Good night, Marilyn."

However, the moment the door was closed and Marilyn's footsteps faded away, the candles lit up once again. Kalliope was seen sitting on the bed while a devilishly handsome man lied beside her.

"You performed beautifully just now, My Lady," Argan wasn't stingy with his praise.

He was completely aware of his lady's unstable emotion when she had entered the dining hall. He even thought she would perform a massacre right there and then. But instead, she acted out a cute daughter perfectly.

"I thought you would kill them."

Kalliope raised a brow. "I thought the same, but I also understand my current condition. I'm not going to act recklessly. So, I reigned in my rage to just satisfy myself by making sure that it was Ophelia in the dream."

"But, you're not just going to let this go," Argan voiced out her thoughts. "So, what are you planning?"

Kalliope chuckled as she turned around to face Argan. "She welcomed me with a tea party. So, I should return her the same courtesy, no?"

Argan immediately burst into a fit of laughter at his lady's evil mind. But, he liked it. He liked it very much. They needed to settle the score with that insect anyway, so why not make it ironic?

"Someone did say there will be a tea party tomorrow in here."

Kalliope chuckled with the same mischief look on her face. However, she turned around next, and took out several strands of hair. She shoved it to Argan's face. With darkness painting her eyes and a malicious smile on her lips, she said.

"But before that, let's give our dear cousin a good night sleep. What do you say, Argan?"

To that question, the demon obviously welcomed it with a big smile on his face. "It would be a pleasure."

---------------

After finishing her dessert and spending some time with the duchess, Ophelia was escorted by her lady-in-waiting, Belladona, back to her room. She immediately took off her ribbon and threw it to the ground in mad frustration.

"How dare that stupid ugly girl humiliated me like that?! Who does she think she is?" Ophelia scoffed derisively. Her eyes were full of disdain as she thought of Alice's obnoxious appearance back in the dining hall. She had never seen Alice in such an attire before, completely charming and alluring.

Gritting her teeth, Ophelia gushed out in hatred, "That slut! Does she think she's worthy of the Chestarrow's name?! She might be the grand duke's daughter but she's nothing but trash in the public's eyes."

"My Lady, calm yourself," Belladona hurried to hold down her lady so she would stop throwing things.

"Shut up!" Ophelia reprimanded her, but Belladona who knew of the lady's mindset did not back down as she knew this was just another tantrum.

"Listen to this servant, My Lady!" Belladona grabbed on Ophelia arms and faced Ophelia towards her. "Someone might hear you and your admirable image will crumble."

Reminded by Belladona, Ophelia immediately clamped her mouth shut. She reigned in her temper as she sucked in a deep breath.

"Good. Now, this servant will help you dress into the nightgown and my lady shall sleep this off. When my lady is calm and clearheaded tomorrow, we shall come up with a plan to settle Alice."

Ophelia sucked another deep breath before nodding. "Right."

Even from the way Belladona address Alice showed how much this maid looked down on Alice. She deliberately left out the title 'lady'. But, no one was aware as like the master, the maid was also excellent in putting on a mask.

So, Belladona helped Ophelia prepared for bed and only left when the lady permitted her. With a burning hatred raging in her heart, Ophelia closed her eyes. The moment she dozed off, flashes of images emerged in her head.

A bloody red magic circle then, a pair of slender hands setting down a silver goblet. The images continued to flash before her mind until suddenly she heard a quiet humming.

"Hmmm....hum...."

An enchantingly beautiful melody along with an image of someone sewing a doll with a glistening golden thread among the candles. Then, it flashed forward to the person caressing the doll before they put it into the filled goblet.

Ophelia knitted her eyebrows with her consciousness still deep in her sleep. She tried to get up to no avail. Then, suddenly, she heard a string of foreign words being chanted along with her name.

"Lucidus somnum exterreri solebat pro Ophelia Penelope Brooks."

Thereafter, the images collapsed into darkness. Ophelia immediately snapped open her eyes and sat up in panic. The sight of her bedroom greeted her eyes as she breathed rigorously out of fear.

When her mind finally registered her surroundings, she finally exhaled a heavy sigh of relief. "It's just a nightma---"

Crack.

The sound stumped Ophelia into stone. It was especially clear in this peaceful night.

Crack. Crack.

Gulping down her fear, Ophelia slowly shifted her head to her left. Her eyes were met with a maid who had her back on Ophelia. But, when she noticed the maid's light brown hair, she heaved another relief.

"Bell--"

Crack.

"Bella....dona?"

Ophelia called with a trembling voice. The maid slowly turned around.