The first servants were already preparing the palace gardens for the celebration. Valentina watched from her balcony as they set up wooden tables on the lawns and strung garlands between the trees.

The rising sun made the complex Essence patterns that impacted the fountain sparkle with color. Master Lucian worked to intensify the patterns in the garden, his hands moving in precisely through the air. The roses in the flower beds seemed to bloom even more intensely, their colors became deeper, their scent more beguiling.

"My lady?" Jenny stood in the doorway, her arms full of lavender-grey silk. "The duke wishes for you to wear the new dress he commissioned for you from Master Silkhand today."

"Of course he does." Valentina smiled. The dress was a masterpiece of the finest fabric, the color perfectly matching the duke's own wardrobe. An unmistakable message to the court.

While Jenny helped her put on the complicated dress, Valentina continued to watch the preparations. Servants set up gilded chairs, arranged flowers in elaborate vases and polished silver platters until they gleamed in the morning sun.

"They go to such trouble for you," Vyxara purred, amused. "The mighty Duke Cosimo Greystone is parading his new favorite in front of the court."

"Oh, it's not just about me, Vyxara," Valentina thought back as Jenny artfully braided her hair. "It's also a display of his wealth, his generosity, his influence."

"And how skillfully he can turn a farmer's daughter into a lady," Vyxara added with a laugh.

A discreet knock interrupted her thoughts. Master Lucian, apparently finished with the patterns in the garden, was now standing in the doorway, elegant as ever in his dark robes. "Ah, perfect timing. May I come in?"

Valentina nodded and the duke's personal Essence Weaver approached, his sharp eyes scrutinizing her from head to toe.

"Beautiful," he said approvingly. "Silkhand really is a master of his art and knows what to look out for. The dress is perfect – elegant enough for a lady at court, but not so extravagant that it would make the duchess look bad."

"Will she be there today?"

"Oh yes." Master Lucian sat down in one of the dainty armchairs. "The duchess knows exactly how important her unspoken public consent is, expressed by her presence. She will stand by her husband's side, dignified and composed as ever."

Valentina nodded thoughtfully. The duchess's cool approval of her position was invaluable.

"Let me talk you through the most important guests," Master Lucian continued. "Baron Sebastian will appear with his consort – be careful with her, she is very young and jealous and has no knowledge of the permissiveness of the duke's inner circle with each other and if she did, she wouldn't approve. Not that I would expect this to be a problem in public, but I wanted to warn you. Your friends Lady Vivienne and Lady Celestine are coming, of course, this time accompanying Master Amadou and Master Bloomfield.

He sighed. "Unfortunately, Kindle Superior Beatrice will be there too, she insisted, as the duke recently made a generous donation to the city's Kindle monastery. The woman is a terribly pious, terribly moralistic old battleaxe and she hates the duke and the court's debauchery. Avoid her if possible."

He went through the guest list, described alliances and enmities, warned of hidden traps. Valentina listened attentively, memorizing every detail.

"How far you've come," Vyxara remarked, teasing mockery and pride resonating in equal measure. "From a shy farmer's daughter to a duke's mistress who moves in the intrigues of the court like a fish in water."

"I almost forgot," Master Lucian leaned forward, his voice softer. "Lady Hazel will also be present, of course. She's calmed down lately... since she's been working at the hospital. But don't give her cause."

"Don't worry." Valentina smiled thinly. "I know she still hates me, but through our work at the hospital, we've come to an... understanding. I'm not going to irritate her."

"Very well." Master Lucian rose elegantly. "Use this connection. Show the court that you can be generous – even to those who despise you."

When he had gone, Valentina stepped out onto the balcony again. The garden had been transformed into a veritable wonderland. Crystal wine glasses sparkled on the tables, velvet cushions invited guests to linger, and the scent of Essence-enhanced roses filled the air.

"A perfect stage," Vyxara commented with satisfaction. "Use it wisely. Be charming, but not too familiar. Humble, but not submissive. Show them all that you belong here."

"I do," whispered Valentina. "I really do."

The first guests arrived, their magnificent robes shining in the morning sun. Valentina took a deep breath and stood up. It was time to fill her role.

~

The duke and duchess received their guests at the entrance to the garden, a picture of perfect courtly harmony. Duchess Rosalind wore an elegant dress in the Greystone colors, her cool beauty accentuated by exquisite jewelry. Duke Cosimo stood tall, heavy and dignified beside her, his charismatic smile and booming voice weapons he used skillfully.

Valentina waited at a suitable distance, exactly where Master Lucian had assigned her – close enough to the duke to emphasize her position, but far enough away not to snub the duchess. Lady Celestine had placed herself next to her as if by chance, her presence a subtle shield against unfriendly interactions. Fearing her sharp tongue, no one in their right mind wanted to mess with Lady Celestine.

"Relax," whispered Lady Celestine as she greeted a passing courtier with an elegant nod. "You're doing wonderfully. Look how they're all watching you – not with contempt, but with envy. Half the noblewomen here would like to be in your place or see their daughter in your place in the duke's bed – and every man here would like to have you in his bed."

"She's right," Vyxara purred amusedly. "The noble ladies may turn up their noses, but secretly they all wish they had your influence over the duke."

Guests streamed into the garden, their silks and brocades shimmering in the morning sun. The Essence-enhanced scent of the roses mingled with expensive perfumes. Muted conversations and cultivated laughter could be heard everywhere.

Lady Rosemary Wicklethorne approached with her three daughters, all dressed in carefully coordinated pastels. "My dear Valentina," she greeted them with affected cordiality. "How wonderful you look. One could almost forget that you weren't born..." She let the sentence hang meaningfully in the air.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

"You are too kind," Valentina replied with a smile that did not reach her eyes. "But of course, I can only hope to be half as elegant as you one day, when I'm old."

Lady Celestine suppressed a laugh, while Lady Rosemary withdrew with a sour expression. Her daughters gave Valentina poisonous looks.

"Perfect," murmured Lady Celestine approvingly. "Polite, humble and yet a dagger straight to the heart."

A cry interrupted the refined atmosphere. Lady Miranda, a young noblewoman from a collateral line of the Seahalls, had slipped on the still slightly damp grass. She lay on the ground, her ankle twisted at a very unsightly angle.

Without hesitation and out of sheer healer's reflex, Valentina rushed to her side. She knelt next to the whimpering lady and carefully examined the injured ankle, which was very unfortunately broken quite badly – a complex injury that was difficult to heal without the hospital's Greystone Cascade.

"Will you allow me to help you?" she asked formally, while a crowd of onlookers was already gathering around her. Lady Miranda nodded through her tears.

Valentina took a deep breath and concentrated. She could sense the Ambient Essence around her, still influenced by Master Lucian's work that morning. Carefully, she began to weave, combining Leb and Ard Essence in the familiar pattern to heal bones. Without the overwhelming amounts of Leb Essence provided by the Greystone Cascade in the hospital, however, it was much more difficult to fuel and precisely control the healing.

"Just take some Distilled Essence," Vyxara advised. "This is the perfect moment to combine generosity with showing off."

Valentina nodded imperceptibly and pulled one of the precious vials from a pocket in her skirts. The audience murmured appreciatively – Distilled Essence was sinfully expensive, a clear sign of the generosity Valentina was showing through her commitment to healing Lady Miranda.

With the added power of the Distilled Essence, her Essence pattern became stronger and more precise. She carefully aligned the broken fragments, fusing them back together and healing the surrounding tissue. Lady Miranda groaned with relief as the pain subsided.

"Try to stand up," Valentina gently urged her and helped her to her feet. Lady Miranda carefully took a few steps, then beamed in surprise.

"It doesn't hurt at all anymore! That's... that's amazing!" She bowed to Valentina. "I am deeply in your debt, my lady."

"You don't owe me anything," Valentina replied modestly. "It is an honor to put my humble skills at the service of the court."

She felt the duke's appreciative gaze on her. The duchess also tilted her head slightly – a small smile on her lips. The surrounding nobles whispered excitedly.

"That was neat," said Master Wilford, who had also been attracted by the scream, but had already found the injured woman in Valentina's care and had seen no reason to interfere. "Performing such a comprehensive mending without the Greystone Cascade is difficult. You are a credit to the hospital."

"I had an excellent teacher," Valentina replied humbly, which earned her a tight smile from the grumpy healer.

Lady Celestine hooked into her and gently led her away from the slowly dispersing crowd. "That was brilliant," she whispered. "Look at the way they're all looking at you now – there's respect underneath all that envy."

"Let's take a walk through the maze," Lady Celestine suggested. "There are a few people you should meet. Besides, Lord Lorenzo is coming our way, and I think it would be wiser if we stayed out of his way for the moment."

Valentina took a quick glance over her shoulder and saw Lorenzo, who was indeed heading in her direction. His expression was difficult to interpret. She let Lady Celestine lead her into the winding paths of the garden, past artfully trimmed hedges and babbling fountains.

"Clever move," commented Vyxara. "The poor boy looks like he's about to do something stupid."

Lady Celestine led Valentina deeper into the labyrinth. The tall hedges muffled the sounds of the party, and the sweet scent of Essence-enhanced roses was overlaid here by wilder, spicier notes – lavender, thyme and other herbs growing in hidden beds.

They came across a group of young nobles playing cards in one of the many alcoves. Lady Celestine exchanged a few charming words with them, elegant as ever. Valentina noticed Lady Millicent, one of the players, eyeing her with barely concealed envy.

"She'd die to be in your place," Vyxara commented with amusement. "Look at her trying to find out what your secret is."

They continued through the labyrinth, past increasingly ornate topiaries, where the sounds of the party became a far whisper. Just as Lady Celestine was about to explain the complicated relationship between the different lines of the Seahalls to Valentina, they heard quick footsteps behind them.

"Valentina!" Lorenzo's voice made them both pause. Lady Celestine gave Valentina a meaningful look.

"I think I'll go and find Lady Vivienne," she said with a knowing smile. "You'll excuse me?"

Before Valentina could protest, Lady Celestine had already disappeared around the next corner. Lorenzo reached her, slightly out of breath.

"I've been looking everywhere for you," he said. His green eyes scrutinized her intensely. The sunlight falling through the hedges made golden speckles dance in them.

"We should get back to the party," Valentina replied cautiously. "People will talk."

"People are always talking." He made a dismissive gesture with his hand. "Come on, I want to show you something."

Against her better judgment, she followed him through the labyrinth. Lorenzo obviously knew every path, every shortcut. Finally, they reached the heart of the maze, a hidden courtyard. A stone bench stood under a blooming chestnut tree, its blossoms swirling through the air like red snowflakes.

"This is my favorite place," Lorenzo said quietly. His voice sounded softer than usual. The wine from the party had loosened his usual reserve. "I used to read here as a child when the court got too much for me."

He sat down on the bench and tapped invitingly next to him. Valentina hesitated, then took a seat – at a safe distance. The chestnut blossoms rained gently down on her.

"You know," he began, his eyes fixed on the dancing flowers, "when I first saw you at Bridgewater, you were so... different. So focused on your studies, so determined. I often watched you in the library."

"You've been watching me?" Valentina raised an eyebrow in surprise.

He smiled sheepishly. "From a distance. You were too busy to notice. Always engrossed in your books, surrounded by Essence patterns..." He was silent for a moment. "Now you're so... changed. Relaxed. Elegant. Sophisticated. And even more beautiful than then."

"Oh, how cute he is when he's drunk," Vyxara cooed.

"Lorenzo..." Valentina shifted uneasily on the bench.

"No, let me finish." He turned to her, his eyes feverish with suppressed emotion. "Is this really all you dream of? To be my father's playmate? You had such big plans."

"Of course, I still have plans," she replied fiercely. "I want to become one of the best Essence Weavers. I want to see the world, make it a better place. The hospital is just the beginning."

"And you can achieve that? From my father's... From his..." He broke off, clenching his fists.

"From his bed?" Valentina smiled bitterly. "No. But his protection, his connections, his influence – they're stepping stones. I come from nowhere, Lorenzo. I have to take the opportunities that come my way."

"You're worth so much more than that." His voice became hoarse. "So much more..."

The intensity of his gaze made her heart beat faster. She could see the despair in his eyes, the longing. The faint smell of wine on his breath mingled with the scent of chestnut blossoms.

"Lorenzo, please..." She didn't know whether she was begging him to stop or to continue.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered. His hand stroked a stray flower out of her hair. The touch burned her skin. "So smart. So strong. I wish I could..."

He broke off, his face now dangerously close. For a moment she lost herself in his eyes, felt the heat radiating from his body. It would be so easy to lean forward, to touch his lips...

"Think of everything you're risking," Vyxara warned sharply. "The duke will never forgive you."

The warning snapped her out of her trance. With trembling hands, she pushed Lorenzo away from her.

"We can't do this," she said firmly. "You know we can't do this."

"Valentina..." His voice was rough with suppressed desire.

"No." She shook her head. "Go back to the party. Please."

For a moment, it looked as if he wanted to object. Then he nodded curtly and turned away. The red chestnut blossoms swirled around him as he left the hidden courtyard.

Valentina leaned against the hedge and closed her eyes. Her heart hammered in her chest.

"That was close," commented Vyxara. "But you made the right decision. Even if it hurts."

"I know." Valentina took a deep breath. "I know."

It took her a few minutes to regain her composure. When she returned to the party, she immediately felt the duke's gaze on her. His eyes narrowed slightly when he noticed her flushed cheeks and slightly disheveled hair.

The duchess, who was standing next to him, gave her a knowing look. There was a hint of pity in her eyes, as if she had understood exactly what had just happened.

"Be careful," warned Vyxara. "The duke may like to share you – but only on his terms. His son is off limits."

Valentina straightened her shoulders and put on her best smile. She had achieved too much to risk everything now. No matter how much her heart yearned for something impossible.

At that moment, Master Lucian approached with a serious expression. He discreetly motioned for her to follow him.

"I want to talk to you," he said quietly. "I just received news from Bridgewater that might interest you."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.