*Warning: Some scenes contain child violence. If reading the chapter makes you uncomfortable, kindly skip it.*

The noble ladies are chatting incessantly, which helps the tea garden party go off without a hitch. The Duchess Astrid's intriguing attire is the center of their attention.

"Your Majesty, forgive our impudence, but we really admire your attire, particularly the stylish hat. It was rumored to be your creation. Could it be introduced to the local designers here so that we could wear it?".

With grace, Rachel beamed. "I didn't realize how popular this hat was in the South. Then I'll ask my royal designer to give your local designers permission to create this hat so that you can wear it too."

"This...our heartfelt gratitude to Your Majesty for your generosity."

As the noble ladies were giggling in excitement and joy, they were interrupted by the arrival of the Crown Prince and his companions. He motioned to the ladies not to perform their curtsies and walk over to his wife.

"You did a good job organizing the tea banquet, Crown Princess. The ladies appeared to be enjoying themselves."

"It's my responsibility to encourage harmony among the nobles." Ara responded politely while maintaining her demeanor of meekness.

Hugo acknowledged with a nod before turning to face the Duchess. There she was sitting serenely, her face expressionless. But that face shine so brightly which resembles a celestial being, made his heart race. His body moves uncontrollably toward the Duchess whilst she remains in her seat.

"This Crown Prince greets her Majesty, Duchess Astrid". He bowed and awaited Rachel to extend her backside hand.

Rachel slightly raised her eyebrow. She had no choice but to extend her back hand since this is a proper greeting according to royal etiquette. Hugo reached out and kissed her back hand as soon as she made the motion. Before releasing her hand and completing his formal bow, he lingered a little bit.

"Thank you for your acknowledgement, Your Majesty. This subject wishes you to enjoy the rest of your time here in the tea banquet".

"I am enjoying my time. I thank the Crown Princess for this wonderful preparation". Rachel dismissed the conversation because she felt uncomfortable of the Crown Prince attention.

'What the hell was that? He holds my hand longer than is appropriate according to etiquette. Thank god she followed her husband's direction today and wore a thick glove.'

"Then I shall leave you in peace. Ladies, enjoy the rest of your time". Hugo was disappointed since Rachel abruptly dismissed him when he wanted to stay longer. He turned to sneak one final look at her before leaving the area.

The noble ladies frowned as they exchanged quick glances with one another.

'Ho ho ho ho, did the Crown Prince just ignored his wife and gave his attention to the Duchess? They personally witnessed this juicy royal insider information firsthand. What an intriguing turn of events; nobody anticipated that another royal drama would take place.

Ara tightens her fist while trying to act as though nothing important just happened. She wanted to slap Hugo for humiliating her in front of the high-ranking noble ladies.

'What now, do you like her too? It seems the feeble dog's memory has come back because his acting like a teenage boy in love. Rachel! Why do you have to take what's mine? I will never forgive you'.

"Ladies, should we resume the banquet? My husband just made a little detour. Ha ha!". She motioned to Baroness Juliana to carry out their plan while she pretended to laugh.

"Your Majesty, this subject wants to know if you have any plans to have a tea banquet in the Astrid Castle? Please pardon my impudence, but we are eagerly anticipating the Duchess's banquet hosting."

Baroness Juliana looked excited and said it hesitantly. The other noble ladies agreed and started to talk about how eager they were to hear the Duchess' decision.

"If the ladies persist, I will have to organize then." Rachel sighs in resignation, but she is expected to respond because these intense noblewomen have already cornered her.

"Oh my! Your Majesty, what an honor this will be for us to attend your banquet."

"Alright, settle down ladies. I may have to excuse myself first". Rachel left the noble ladies and head to the royal parlor. She must have drunk a lot of the tea because she felt the need to relieve herself.

***

While heading inside the palace, she was accompanied by her ladies in waiting and knights. She chuckles to herself at how overbearingly protective her husband is.

'Who will be bold enough to harm me within the Carlyle palace? They wouldn't dare, dear husband, knowing how powerful you are.'

As she entered the royal parlor, she instructed Anne to wait outside because she would be finishing up shortly. There was a royal maid waiting outside the door as she went to the corner restroom. They are there to assist royalty and high-ranking nobles at banquet events.

"Please wait outside as well. I will not require your assistance". Rachel ordered and entered the cubicle. The royal maid bowed and walked away.

After organizing herself, Rachel attempted to open the door cubicle, but it would not budge. She then tried to open again by repeatedly turning the knob, but it remained closed. She resigned in frustration and called for Anne, but no one answered. As she became more nervous, her anxiety kicks in, and her back began to shiver.

"Okay Rachel, deep breaths. Remember your therapy session. Calm down. Deep breaths".

She calmed herself down but suddenly the room turned dark and eerie. Because of the enclosed and dark space, she was having a panic attack, which caused her breathing to slow down as she gripped her chest. But she didn't give up though and kept banging on the door to get the head lady's attention, who was standing outside the parlor.

She continues to bang on the door when all of a sudden, a flashback memory causes her head to throb severely. A memory of a little girl crying, in a very dark and eerie room....

"I beg you, let me out. I want to go home. I want to see my mother and father. Huwaah. Huwaah. Huwaah".

A little girl who was placed inside a crystal box with only a tiny opening intended to suffocate her, is struggling to control her breathing as she lets out a loud cry.

The door burst open, and a noblewoman entered the room. Her heels clack echoed, which just contributed to the atmosphere of dread inside. The woman was dressed in a black robe, but a lace net hid her face. She looked at the little girl crying as she moved closer to the crystal box.

"Sshhh, sweet child. Stop crying. If you're a good little girl, I'll let you go home and see your parents." She then taps the box with her long nails and places her index finger in her lips while gesturing a quiet sound.

Because she wanted to get out from the suffocationg box and see her parents, the little girl put an end to her crying and obeyed with the noble woman. She tried to control her tears, but they wouldn't stop flowing because she was almost out of breath. She heard the very last word of their conversation before she passed out...

"Duchess, should we let her out first, I think the child will die of suffocation".

"Arthur, you're such a weak man. She will not die. This child has a mana similar to the celestial beings"...

The flashback abruptly ended, and Rachel's body jerked forcefully before she collapsed to the ground.

Before she passed out, she last noticed the door opening with a loud crash and hearing hurried footsteps near the cubicle.

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Authors note: Writing this chapter absolutely breaks my heart because the FL is my first baby character and is one of my favorites 😢 😭 . Also, thanks for all the votes! We reach 60k reads, my heart is full and overwhelmed. Thanks to my seasoned readers and new readers 😍 🥰 😘