Blair often fell into reveries about his younger sister. These thoughts disrupted his focus, and this time was no exception. “Everyone changes,” he mused, but Odelliana’s transformation was jarring. She seemed unrecognizable.
“Have you adjusted to your work?” he asked Malena.
“Yes, I’m doing fine,” she replied.
“Has Odelliana been treating you poorly or harassing you?”
Blair had always listened to complaints from the annex staff about Odelliana’s cold demeanor. She favored Matthias, neglecting the other servants.
Even Blair found the staff’s claims credible. He was concerned about Malena’s ability to adapt to such a demanding environment.
“There hasn’t been anything like that at all. She’s still a bit guarded, not completely trusting me yet, but she hasn’t been unkind.”
Blair sighed, a flicker of worry crossing his face. “I hope you understand if she seems a bit distant. She’s a child with a lot of pain… it takes time for her to let people in.”
Malena nodded, her eyes filled with empathy. “I understand. I see where she’s coming from.”
Contrary to his fears, Malena seemed to be settling in well. A wave of relief washed over Blair as he took a deep breath. He hesitated, his mind racing with a question he feared might stir trouble. But finally, he mustered the courage to ask.
“What do you think?” he began cautiously.
Malena’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“The difference between the Odelliana you’ve heard about and the Odelliana you’ve seen in person.”
Blair wanted a candid assessment from Malena, who had been observing Odelliana closely for nearly three weeks. She was the only one who could offer an unbiased perspective, free from the influence of anyone in the mansion.
“The other servants have shared a lot of stories about the lady,” Malena said. “I’ve heard she’s mad, violent, cruel, and has a messy private life. Frankly, I was a bit scared.”
Blair tried to mask his tension, his knuckles white from the tightness of his grip. Malena watched his pale fist, her voice calm.
“But the Odelliana I’ve met here is nothing like the rumors,” she continued. “She has a very sound mind.”
“Really?” Blair asked, his grip loosening slightly.
“Of course, I haven’t been here long, and people can be different in private,” Malena replied. “But she’s not as bad as they say. She’s gentle, not violent. And while she might seem cruel, she’s always generous with medicine for injured servants, tending to their wounds herself. The rumors about her and Matthias are probably just gossip. She treats him like a younger brother. I’ve watched her closely for three weeks, and there’s nothing scandalous between them.”
Relief washed over Blair, and he couldn’t help but smile.
“Odelliana isn’t mad,” he said. “She’s just weak and sick, which makes her a bit more sensitive and fearful. She’s kind. She’s not bad!”
It felt like a long-awaited validation of his unwavering faith in Odelliana, which no one else recognized. But his relief was short-lived. Blair’s expression darkened. “Odelliana’s been encouraging me to seek independence.”
Malena raised an eyebrow, her confusion evident.
“To be precise, she’s trying to push me towards independence to secure her own future with that boy… no, with Matthias,” Blair explained.
Malena’s eyes widened. “Secure her future? The young lady?”
“If I become independent as Odelliana suggested, I would take her with me. Would you be willing to join us then?”
Malena’s face softened, but a hint of hesitation lingered. “Well, that’s unexpected. If you seek independence, does that mean you’ll be settling elsewhere?”
“Seems like it,” Blair replied.
“In that case, I’ll need to consider the logistics of leaving this place,” Malena said thoughtfully.
“Fortunately, Odelliana doesn’t seem to have any reservations about you,” Blair reassured her. “So I’d like to take you along as well. Although nothing is decided yet, it’s something to think about as the situation could unfold that way.”
“Understood,” Malena replied. “I’ll keep it in mind.”
As Malena concluded her business and stood up, the voice of a servant echoed through the hallway, announcing the arrival of guests at the door.
“Please escort them to the reception room,” Blair instructed, getting to his feet. He gently patted Malena’s shoulder twice. “You’re doing a great job,” he said.
Malena smiled modestly. “Not at all.”
“Please take good care of Odelliana,” Blair urged.
“Yes, young master,” Malena replied.
After sending Malena off, Blair headed straight to the reception room. The door creaked open, revealing Adolf, the sole heir of the Duke of Schaller’s family.
“Adolf,” Blair greeted, a warm smile spreading across his face.
“Oh, Blair!” Adolf replied, returning Blair’s greeting with a warm handshake. The two men had been friends for years, their bond deepening over time. Their friendship was more than just companionship; it was a family-like connection.
“I was surprised to receive your telegram,” Adolf admitted, his voice laced with a hint of surprise. “I didn’t expect you to invite me to your home!”
Despite their close friendship, it was unusual for either of them to extend such an invitation. Both felt uncomfortable about inviting the other into their personal spaces, and their fathers’ political rivalry added another layer of complexity. The Duke of Schaller, who supported the first prince, and the Duke of Grüsewald, who supported the second prince, were not sworn enemies, but their political differences had strained their relationship.
While the dukes didn’t outright forbid their children from interacting, they were not particularly pleased about it. As a result, the two friends often preferred to meet in private locations rather than at home whenever possible.
