Unrestrained giggles spilled outside of the Crystal Room, making Lorelei stiffen at the familiar sound.

She had to face what was awaiting her inside, but her knees were traitorously shaking before the perilous task of meeting those two. Between the shadows of the past that entangled her and Pricilla and the dark secrets that dug a chasm on the way to Noah’s heart, she was starting to doubt her ability to deal with the task at hand in a rational way. But it was too late to go back.

Turning around, Lorelei measured up her sullen friends and steeled herself.

“I’m about to have an important meeting. Whatever I do or say shouldn’t be questioned, lest you want the ducal household to be seen as weak. Do not act out of order. If you can’t do this, I’m going in alone.”

“You lead, we follow, my lady” Jessup dipped his head.

“You sound like you are about to enter a battlefield!” Rish’s joking words couldn't quite hide the tension in her voice. Beside her, Milly gaped and blinked confused.

“You are not far from the truth.” Lorelei took a breath and pressed the handle.

Inside the Crystal Room, a large table was set just in front of the gorgeous stained-glass window, allowing for an unobstructed enjoyment of the view. Fine tableware and fragrant dishes were mindfully placed on a white tablecloth as four people were currently enjoying their breakfast in merry conversation.

Lorelei’s sudden appearance cut the lively chatter and four pairs of eyes glared at her. Judging from her father’s blood-shot gaze and the goblet nearly tipping in his hand, he had chosen to rely on a healthy diet of grape liquids. As expected, Stone-face Willam’s mien was as mellow as a mountain slope in winter, which was completely opposite to Pricilla’s blushing exaltation. But only one face was of importance to Lorelei.

Like a lone raven in a flock of songbirds, Noah sat between Pricilla and Count Orten with a straight back and impeccable smile. Only, today his perpetually black attire was disturbed by a splash of color. A fine, white handkerchief with golden embroidery played the role of an eyepatch, covering his left eye and burn scar.

Despite the storm brewing in her chest, Lorelei fixed gazes with Noah. It lasted only for a second before he turned away.

“Good morning to the Lords and Lady,” she greeted coldly and looked at the four from above. “Forgive me if I’m disturbing your gathering.”

“What are you doing, barging in here like that!?” Before anyone could respond, Count Orten raised his voice and banged his goblet on the table, splattering red droplets all over the pristine tablecloth.

“Father!” Pricilla gasped and her eyes darted between the Count and Noah. “Quell your anger! I’m sure Sister had something important to discuss if she even had to forgo basic etiquette.”

“I just went inside a room in my own home.” Lorelei tilted her head. “Is this place now off limits to the mistress of Norden?”

“Of course not.” The corner of Noah’s mouth almost invisibly twitched and he cleared his throat. “But it would have been appropriate to knock first. Or rather, you should have ordered your presence to be announced, as it is expected from Norden’s Duchess.”

“My lord, don’t be angry!” Pricilla jumped at the opportunity like a well-trained hound. “My sister didn’t mean any offense with her actions, I’m sure. I have always admired how free-spirited and unbound by the constraints of noble conduct she is.”

“Noble conduct you say?” Lorelei let her gaze travel slowly from person to person. “I do see now a prime example of such conduct, as guests and host dine merrily together in the absence of the hostess.”

“Watch your tongue,... child.” Count Orten hesitated briefly before spitting the word. “You dare question the decision of your husband before outsiders and order him around? The Duke invited us here. Your absence is also his decision.”

“It does seem so.”

“Calm down, Duchess.” Leaning back in his seat, Noah drew a hand through his hair and smiled apologetically. “It was an act out of consideration for your frail health. As your father is busy all day going through the duchy’s ledgers with William, there are only a few chances to have a casual exchange. I didn’t want to rob you of your sleep for something like a simple breakfast.”

“I appreciate the thought, but I was already robbed of sleep.” Saying that, Lorelei waved at the stunned trio behind her and the stacks of documents in their hands. “Aren’t I supposed to plan His Imperial Highness’ visit? But I can’t do it, despite all my efforts, since the representative of the Crown Prince’s Palace is absent.”

A crease split Noah’s forehead.

“Having documents pertaining to my esteemed brother’s visit out of the security of the library was a poor decision. My order was clear - treat the visit as a high-security event and-”

A loud gasp and the clatter of utensils interrupted him mid-sentence.

“Oh, Lorelei! I’m so sorry!” Genuine tears streamed down Pricilla’s cheeks. She jumped from her seat and grabbed Lorelei’s hand. “I’m sorry for the delay! I was indisposed yesterday and missed our appointment. It’s my mistake. It was just a silly dizzy spell. It shouldn’t have interfered with our task. Forgive me. It won’t happen again. It’s just…”

Pricilla threw a glance over her shoulder in the direction of the still frowning Noah.

“The Duke personally ordered me to have some rest out of consideration. I didn’t dare reject his kindness. After all, the Duke’s word is a law, and who am I to rebel against it?”

“Excellently said!” Count Orten snorted and threw Lorelei a side glance. “Your younger sister knows the virtues of a lady. You too should strive to polish yourself. As they say, ‘A willful shrew is a nightmare come true.’ Don’t you think so too, Your Highness?”

“A virtuous lady is a husband’s blessing, indeed,” said Noah slowly and a dangerous glint ignited in his eye. “But I do hope you aren’t calling your own daughter a shrew.”

“Of course not!” Before the count could open his mouth, Pricilla interjected. “Father just values the old folk wisdom and has always used it to show us children how we shouldn’t behave.”

“Remarkable.” Noah seemed somewhat placated by the explanation and returned his attention to Lorelei. “Duchess, I do think you need to reflect somewhat on what transpired here. Now please, return to the library. We'll be arriving shortly to start with the welcoming preparations.”

“W-we?” His final statement caught Lorelei off guard.

“Indeed. Since it’s my dear brother’s visit, it would be rude to leave all the hard work to you, ladies. Besides, since you are both new to Norden, you might need some guidance in the local ways.”

“Oh, my! That’s wonderful, Your Highness!” Pricilla clapped her hands. “I’m so relieved. Now the Crown Prince’s visit will surely go on smoothly.”

“Indeed,” muttered Lorelei and hurriedly bowed. “Then, excuse me. I’ll be expecting your arrival at the library.”

Without saying further pleasantries, she spun on her heels. With a head shake, she gave a sign to Jessup and the rest to follow her and stormed out of the Crystal Room.

Marching down the hallway, her speed was so great that friends were forced to almost run to not trail behind. Jumping forward, Rish managed to reach Lorelei’s shoulder and grab her to a halt.

“What was that just now!?” The young Binshi screamed but quickly lowered her tone as some passing servants turned around to look at them.

"Nothing much. Just a little misunderstanding."

“Misunderstanding? Right, and I'm a Limerian lady. What has gotten into you and the Duke!? And that mutra!? How can you allow her to talk to you like that? Why didn’t you let me punch her? I don’t give a damn about her being a guest or some princeling's representative, she-”

“Rish!” Jessup pulled her sleeve and motioned with his head towards Lorelei who was standing motionless in the middle of the hallway.

“Are you alright, my lady?” Milly also came closer with a worried expression.

“I’m perfectly fine,” replied Lorelei calmly, although her hands sook. “But two Ortens early in the morning at the same time are bad for the health."

"This is no joking matter!" Rish was persistent. "You can't just brush this off!"

"I can and I will. A true Limerian wife obeys her husband and seeks peace and propriety-"

"Enough with the crap! His Highness isn't one for such nonsense. What happened between you two? Ever since the welcoming banquet, you two have been acting strange."

"That's enough, Rish!" Lorelei snapped, her anger forcing all three of her friends into silence. "My personal life is not something I'm willing to discuss whenever you feel like it. Just... Just let me be for once! Can't you all, just for once, believe me when I say that it's fine? Can't you just have some trust in me? Or is this too much to ask?!"

Biting her lips in fear she would say more things she would later regret, Lorelei ran away, leaving her friends behind.