The Boundaries of Possession - Chapter 17
Elysia couldn’t find the words to respond, her lips barely parting. Her father’s worried tone made it difficult for her to say anything else. She knew that the unease he felt whenever he mentioned Andreas stemmed from herself.
“Thank you, Father,” she said with a clear, gentle smile.
Just then—
“Miss!”
Sei burst in, handing her a letter. The Viscount, who had been watching, furrowed his brow. It bore the familiar seal of Eperthier.
Elysia’s ocean-blue eyes flickered with confusion, and her pale gold hair swayed gently, as if caught by a sudden gust of wind.
***
Elysia visited the Eperthier Duchy’s estate later that afternoon. Upon seeing the letter she presented, the guard at the entrance bowed deeply.
The letter was from Andreas’s mother, Helen, inviting Elysia to discuss matters related to the engagement. As expected, the letter made no direct mention of ‘marriage’.
Elysia pressed her lips together and looked around. Towering columns stretched up to the ceiling, elegantly decorating the hall. The intricate carvings on the walls, the gold-plated railings, and even the roses beyond them proudly displayed the family’s wealth.
“Look at that, Miss,” Sei said, prompting Elysia to turn her head.
She saw an old painting with slightly charred edges hanging in the corner. A short sigh escaped her lips as she stood still, mesmerized by the familiar artwork.
It was a landscape painting of the imperial palace at night, a treasured piece that the late Duke had loved most. Even as a young child, Elysia remembered how coveted this painting had been.
“It’s still beautiful, no matter how much time has passed.”
Startled by a voice, Elysia flinched. Helen, the Duchess of Eperthier, stood at the entrance to the drawing room. She lightly tapped the edge of her thin lips with her folded fan, her gaze on Elysia full of disapproval.
Elysia’s eyes widened briefly before she lifted the hem of her silk gown and gracefully lowered her head. Her fair skin shimmered faintly under the gown’s sheen. Helen’s eyes, which had been scanning her from head to toe, stopped at the delicate lace and pearls embroidered around her neckline.
“You’re wearing something quite exquisite. It must be expensive,” Helen remarked.
“If you’d like, Madam, I can acquire one for you,” Elysia replied smoothly.
Helen exhaled sharply through her wrinkled lips.
“Still as bold as ever, Elysia.”
Elysia was pleased that Helen remembered her. She smiled warmly, but Helen turned without a word and led her into the drawing room.
Once seated, the servants brought in tea and an assortment of desserts on a cart, placing them carefully on the table. For an unplanned visit, the reception was surprisingly lavish.
“I didn’t expect you to come so quickly, Miss Elysia. My son must be in quite a hurry,” Helen said without the faintest hint of a smile.
Her pale green eyes, slightly brighter than Andreas’s, gleamed sharply as she scrutinized Elysia. Her gaze was blatant but not particularly unpleasant—just tense and probing.
“The current Eperthier estate is nothing like it was before. My son rebuilt everything after my husband’s death,” Helen said.
“I’m well aware,” Elysia replied calmly.
“In some ways, I suppose the two of you are similar in that regard.”
Nine years ago, the Eperthier manor had burned down, taking the life of the previous Duke, Roxen Eperthier. The scandal surrounding the mentally unstable heir and the widowed Duchess’s lavish lifestyle had once been the talk of high society.
But the rumors were short-lived, extinguished as quickly as they had ignited. The public preferred to remember the harmonious image of the Eperthier family, and the incident was quietly labeled a tragic accident rather than a scandal.
“Come to think of it, the Viscountess didn’t meet a pleasant end either…”
Helen’s words trailed off as she quickly brushed her hand over her lips. Elysia, sensing the awkwardness, responded with a faint smile to indicate she was fine. Helen cupped her cheek with one hand, deftly changing the subject.
“Elysia, your presence would have been a great comfort to him during those difficult times, you know? No one—neither you nor anyone else—visited him back then. Not even those he had been close to.”
