BETRAYAL OF DIGNITY
Part 12
The Duties of a Duchess
Birch Tower, situated at the kingdom's old northern boundary, was originally a watchtower used for border defense. Following the elevation of Damien's great-grandfather, Count Thisse, to the rank of duke, the tower had undergone a series of expansions, eventually evolving into an opulent mansion.
More than a century later, it had emerged as the splendid edifice known as Castle Birch.
The romantic architectural style of the castle, constructed with white bricks arranged in a circular shape, bore a resemblance to that of the kingdom's capital, Swane. However, the pointed tower and turrets at the center, along with the jagged walls of the balcony at the castles apex, hinted at the castles original purpose.
"It's larger than I expected," Gilles murmured softly as the castle finally came into view. To access the castle, one had to traverse through two gates on the path in the birch forest.
"Indeed, it is," said Chloe in a small voice.
The carriage they occupied had neither wheels nor a roof, resembling a large sled in structure. Beyond its main function of preventing sliding on the snow, it served the secondary purpose of offering an unobstructed view of the breathtaking surroundings.
The sled-like carriage glided through the snow-covered garden. The grass was neatly trimmed, and in the center stood a large fountain. The nude male figure sculpted in the heart of the frozen fountain was beautiful and dynamic. However, Chloe could not help but feel a chill seeping into her bones, causing her to bury her face deeper into her thick coat.
At last, amidst the gently falling snowflakes, the carriage and the luggage wagon came to a halt in front of the magnificent castle.
"Greetings, your ladyship. I am Eliza, the head maid and acting steward."
Eliza bowed to her, a large set of keys jingling at her waist.
Chloe immediately grasped the reason why only a single servant had come to welcome her to this vast castle, which boas ted over 150 bedrooms in addition to the study, drawing room, reading room, tea room, piano room, and various other rooms for leisure activities.
"Her Grace the Dowager Duchess is waiting for you," Eliza informed her.
That can only mean I am not welcome here. This was not entirely unexpected. Chloe lifted her face, reddened from the cold wind, and offered a polite smile.
"Thank you for the warm welcome."
"I shall send for someone to attend to your luggage," Eliza responded stiffly.
She cast a fleeting glance at Gilles, who stood by Chloe's side. Her words implied that Gilles was no longer required and should be dismissed. Even if Eliza had not explicitly mentioned it, it was time for Gilles to leave in order to catch the train back.
"Would you prepare some food and tea for my attendant to take on his return journey?" Chloe requested. "He is weary from escorting me here."
"Once l've shown you in, I shall have a maidservant find something for him. He can wait here for a moment." Chloe looked up to meet Gilles's eyes one final time. Snowflakes clung to his dark curls, and there was a glimmer of worry in his puppy-like eyes. Chloe fought to hold back the tears threatening to spill from her eyes. She could not burden Gilles further. When he relayed the details of her arrival to her father, who would be anxiously awaiting news of her, she could not bear for him to say that she had been in tears.
"Lady Chloe," Gilles said softly.
"Thank you, Gilles. Have a safe journey back."
In the end, Chloe was the first to turn away. Farewells were among the things she detested the most, yet now she had to navigate them with the composure of an adult.
