Elaine's complexion darkened, suppressing her anger. What is Gerard planning? Heart hammering against her chest, she heaved a breath to calm herself and clear her mind. Estella is still a valuable pawn to the Duke, she rationalized. He currently had no reason to replace her. Besides, Elaine was in no position to refuse. Gerard gave her two choices—accept the unknown drug or stay in Geris. Elaine could only choose the former. She was the marionette, and he was the puppet master. Thus, defying would sow more suspicion between them, reaping her little benefits.

No longer hesitant, Elaine reached for the capsule. She placed it inside her mouth and swallowed without further scrutiny. "Are there other requirements?" she asked after ingesting the drug. Impatience colored her voice.

"No, no, milady. Please forgive my impudence," Yusef apologized and bowed. Yet, his gaze stayed locked on Elaine as though to confirm her intake. "Then, please allow me to excuse—"

"Did my mother and brother also take the medicine?"

"Unfortunately, I am not allowed to answer."

"Did my father specifically forbid this question?" Elaine countered.

The black-clad man paused and contemplated. A veiled smile returned to his face seconds later. "You are correct, Lady Estella. His Grace did not," he replied.

Elaine waited for him to continue.

"Her Grace and the Little Lord also accepted their gifts."

"I see." She nodded. "You may leave now."

"Thank you, milady." Yusef swiftly turned on his heel and withdrew from the antechamber.

Elaine's gaze followed the black-clad man until he vanished behind the door—a slight frown marked her expression. Though Elaine remained wary of the drug effect, his response to her last question assured her to a certain degree. At least it might not be a deadly poison. She did not know Gerard's motive, but she reckoned the solution would reveal itself tonight.

A few hours later, Elaine sat in her carriage and waited at the main manor's entrance. Peering out the window, she saw Estella's mother and little brother ambling toward their ride. After the 'incident' at the Summer Manor, Liviane's attitude toward her grew more distant, regarding her with increased skepticism. Though indifferent to the treatment, she sometimes wondered whether Estella and the Duchess were blood-related. However, Elaine's doubt always resolved after scrutinizing her reflection in the mirror. Estella inherited features from both parents, rendering her lineage unmistakable.

The Duke trailed behind Liviane and her son, entering his carriage at the front. Elaine had not seen him since their arrival home from the joint expedition. The battle scars on his countenance, earned while fighting outside the Insidious Forest, now faded, barely visible to the untrained eyes. Gerard wore a distinguished aristocratic attire, accentuating his tall, dignified figure. Deep silver eyes, like a cold and deadly winter storm, burying many secrets within them. Though time carved a few creases on his face, the Duke still retained the attractive features from his youth. Bathing under the light, he resembled other frail-bodied nobles in the Capital. If not for his fearsome reputation on the battlefield many years ago, no one would suspect the respectable-looking man was a battle-worn veteran.

The Duke's hand waved a signal from his carriage, allowing the entourage to depart. The coachmen steered their horses, heading outside the estate and following the familiar path to Orion.

Though it was no longer Elaine's first time traversing the route, its final destination always laced her with anxiety. Behind the translucent portal's gateway was a tunnel of white infiltrated by darkness. Ominous creatures lurking in the mists, licking their lips while observing potential prey. After leading their targets astray, these monsters would sneer with delight, whispering atrocities and threats in the victims' ears and savoring the outpouring of fear and panic. Despite the mass abduction, no one yet learned of the lost souls' eventual end. However, through personal experiences and deductions, Elaine could imagine countless nightmarish conclusions awaiting them.

"We have arrived," someone called, drawing Elaine from her reveries. She again glanced outside, soaking in the familiar scene. The tower's magicians approached the Croix's carriages and performed their routine procedures, then propelled them through the portal.

Inside the tunnel, Elaine convinced herself. It will be fine. It only takes a few minutes. However, her body's visceral reaction clashed with the logical mind. She clasped her hands together, attempting to suppress the nervous shaking.

A gentle knock resonated from the other side, penetrating the disturbing silence. "I am here, milady," Cecil called. His sudden statement was neither an assurance nor protection, yet it eased her tension, reducing the uncontrollable body's movements.

Elaine's fingers traced the wall, imagining the blonde-haired young man riding his steed beside her. The simple knowledge of another person's companionship helped Elaine endure the unsettling atmosphere. "Thank you, Sir Ascania," she mumbled.

Minutes passed, and the Croix's entourage exited the portal's tunnel, arriving at the Capital's satellite magician tower. Elaine opened the curtain, seeing other entourages surrounding them. Scanning the crowds, she noticed many Northerners. Based on Estella's memories and her book's knowledge, the North mainly contained barren land because of the prolonged winter occupying eight months of every year, not to mention barbaric 'savages' and vicious monsters. Within its treacherous terrains situated the mythical Canus Mountain, the Croix's ancestral homeland before they relocated to the South six centuries ago.

There are more of them than usual, Elaine noted. Due to the harsh conditions, most aristocrats avoided planting their roots on those lands. The ones who remained or migrated to the North had no other choices or got exiled—wanted criminals hiding from the soldiers or outcasts of society. Thus, the Northern governing noble Houses were sparse. The original Estella had never seen over two Northerners during previous events. Yet currently, she counted three different Northern entourages outside her carriage.