Valentina was on her way back to her chambers when she heard voices coming from one of the salons. She immediately recognized Lorenzo's soft baritone and Hazel's cutting voice. She was about to go on, but something in Hazel's tone made her pause.

"Curious, little Weaver?" teased Vyxara. "Go on, you know how to eavesdrop."

Valentina hesitated for a moment, then activated her Essence Listening ability. The voices became crystal clear, as if she were standing right next to them.

"...just don't understand why you have to be so cruel to her," Lorenzo just said. His voice sounded tired, as if they'd had this conversation many times before. "You're only hurting yourself, Hazel."

"Oh, how noble of you to defend her." Hazel's voice dripped with sarcasm. "But don't waste your time, you love-struck fool. She won't let you have it anyway – she's far too busy getting shagged by our father."

"Hazel!" Lorenzo sounded shocked. "This is beneath you."

"Beneath me?" Hazel laughed bitterly. "What do you know about it? You with your eternal kindness and patience. Always so perfect, always so noble!"

"I'm just trying to-"

"Of course!" Hazel's voice became shrill. "You're always trying to help! The perfect heir, the perfect son, the perfect Essence Weaver! Do you know what it's like to be nothing? Nothing at all?"

Valentina heard something – probably a vase – being thrown to the floor and shattering.

"Hazel, calm down-"

"No! I don't want to calm down!" Hazel's voice almost broke. "You don't understand, you can't understand! You're the heir, you have the gift, you can weave Essence – you mean something! But me? I'm just another daughter who can be married off as profitably as possible! He said he would find me a strict husband!"

A brief silence followed. Valentina only heard Hazel's heavy breathing.

"If I had even a spark of your gift," Hazel continued more quietly, but her voice quivered with suppressed emotion, "if I could weave even a little Essence – maybe then Father would take an interest in me. Maybe then he would see that I am more than an asset that he can trade away for the right price."

"That's not true, Hazel. Father loves you-"

"Oh PLEASE!" Hazel's bitter laughter cut through the room. "He loves me so much he won't even speak to me unless I need a lesson in courtly behavior. But his little pet Essence Weaver peasant whore? He'd love to talk to her all day!"

"Your presence at court obviously hits a very sore spot with her," Vyxara murmured thoughtfully.

"And you?" Hazel wasn't finished yet. "You with your bloody understanding all the time – you don't do anything either! When have you ever stood up for me with Father? You get everything – the gift, the inheritance, the education, the freedom to make your own decisions, of course you're happy with everything as it is. And what do I get? The prospect of being sold off to some ageing vassal with a heavy hand in some forsaken backwoods while you all live your wonderful lives!"

Valentina heard the rustling of silk as Hazel walked through the room.

"This Valentina," she spat out the name like something poisonous, "she comes from nowhere, from the bottom of the barrel, but because she can weave Essence, the world is suddenly open to her, oh what am I saying, my father willingly lays the whole world at her feet. And me? I am his daughter, but without the gift I am nothing but another noble laying hen waiting to be taken to market!"

"That's not true," Lorenzo tried again, but his voice sounded helpless. "You're so much more-"

"STOP IT!" screamed Hazel. "Just stop with your damn kindness! I don't want your pity! I want-" Her voice broke. "I just want a DAMN CHANCE."

Valentina heard a stifled sob, then hurried footsteps. The door to the drawing room flew open and Hazel rushed out, her face streaming with tears. She ran straight past Valentina, who was standing around the corner without noticing her.

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"Well," Vyxara said quietly, "that was... enlightening."

Valentina nodded silently. She thought of Innogen, her best friend, who, despite all her privileges as the daughter of a Marquess, lived in a gilded cage. And she thought of all the doors that could one day be open to her through her gift – doors that would remain closed to Hazel forever.

"She's trapped," thought Valentina. "Just like Innogen. Just like I once was. Except I had a way out – my gift. She doesn't have one."

She could exploit this weakness, she knew that. But for the first time, she no longer saw Hazel as just the spoiled duke's daughter who made her life difficult. She saw a girl who rebelled against the boundaries of her cage – and felt the bars again and again.

"What are you going to do with this knowledge?" Vyxara asked curiously.

Valentina shook her head. She didn't know yet. But she would have to think about it. Maybe there was a way to show Hazel that she wasn't her enemy – even if that meant she had to get creative.

She continued on her way with one last glance at the open salon door. But Hazel's words echoed in her mind for a long time.

~

The next two days hardly left Valentina a moment's peace. She spent the days at the hospital, where she immersed herself in her work and tried hard to meet Master Wilford's high standards. The evenings belonged to the court – and the art of finding her feet in her new position.

"The duke is giving you time to settle in," Vyxara remarked with amusement on the second evening when the duke once again failed to call her in the evening.

"Maybe he regrets it," Valentina thought back as Jenny helped her get dressed.

"Oh, certainly not," purred the demon. "Can't you see the looks he's giving you? He tries to make you hungry. Make you yearn."

Valentina had to smile. "He won't succeed."

"No," Vyxara agreed. "You're too smart for games like that. But it's cute that he's trying, isn't it?"

In fact, the duke was charming and attentive without being intrusive. Small gestures, furtive touches, meaningful glances over the rim of a wine glass – it was a subtle dance of seduction that they both enjoyed. To Valentina's surprise, she felt comfortable in his presence. His natural way of dealing with their relationship made it easy for her to settle into her new role.

The ducal library proved to be a real treasure. Master Ashworth, the librarian, gave her a personal tour of the shelves and showed her some of the most valuable works – including volumes that aroused Vyxara's particular interest.

"Fascinating," the demon murmured as Valentina carefully leafed through an ancient tome. "Some of these Essence Patterns are much more exciting than what is taught at your university. More subtle. More dangerous. You should definitely copy down a few of these pages."

The duke's inner circle met her with a mixture of curiosity and cautious acceptance. Master Gregory Bloomfield, the duke's closest friend, greeted her with an elegant bow at an informal dinner.

"Ah, the enchanting Lady Valentina!" His dark eyes twinkled with amusement. "I am so pleased that we will soon have the opportunity to get to know each other better."

Lady Vivienne Blackraven, an attractive widow in her thirties, eyed her with cool interest. "Welcome in our little circle, my dear. I hope you find your feet quickly."

Her smile was calculating, but not unfriendly. She pointed to the seat next to her. "Come and sit with me. I know all the exciting stories of this court – and I'm happy to share them."

The evening became a lesson in courtly politics. Lady Vivienne knew every intrigue, every secret liaison, every hidden grudge. Her sharp tongue spared no one, but her observations were razor-sharp.

"Do you see Lady Margaret over there?" She discreetly pointed to a young woman in a light blue dress. "She is the paramour of the Earl of Meadowshire – and also his wife's lady-in-waiting. Ingenious, isn't it? The countess knows, of course."

"And Baron Sebastian there?" Lady Vivienne sipped her wine. "He is not a born nobleman, he was actually born a commoner, a merchant, but the duke has managed to petition the king to elevate him for his loyal service over the years. He finances and organizes some of the more delicate pleasures of our little circle. Very discreet, very efficient. You will get to know him better."

Valentina observed the complex relationships and alliances that unfolded before her. Master Raphael, the younger son of a noble family, maintained close ties to various artistic troupes. Countess Rosamere was known for her intimate "musical evenings". And Lady Celestine seemed to mediate between them all, elegant as a dancer.

"The duke's private pleasures are... stimulating," hinted Lady Vivienne. "But don't worry – no one will pressure you into anything. Just observe for now."

The duke himself stayed in the background, but his benevolent gaze often rested on Valentina. She could feel the court watching her, the rumor mill was churning. But the inner circle already knew about them.

Later that evening, Lady Celestine pulled her aside once more. "You are doing well," she said quietly. "The duke is very pleased with you. And more importantly, the duchess has spoken very favorably of your discretion so far."

"I'm glad to hear that," Valentina replied sincerely.

Lady Celestine smiled knowingly. "Prepare yourselves," she said. "Things will get more interesting soon. The duke is planning one of his... very special evenings. Tomorrow."

When Valentina sank into bed later, her head was buzzing from all the new information and impressions.

"You're doing well," praised Vyxara. "The inner circle accepts you, the duke is enraptured, and even the duchess tolerates you. Not bad for a peasant girl."

"I'm a quick learner, or so I am told," Valentina murmured sleepily.

"You are," the demon agreed. "And soon you'll learn a lot more. I'm already very excited about these... special evenings.

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