To be honest, I had never been able to boast that I was good with children or knew how to approach them. In Irene’s case, I simply tried to be sincere. I said what I truly felt. And, probably, that was ultimately more important than any correct words or educational speeches.
It turned out that my words had indeed affected her.
The very next day after our conversation, Mrs. Farris came to me on her own — with eyes full of tears. Seeing her in such a state, I was even frightened at first: had something happened? But as it turned out, the old woman was crying from happiness.
"Today, Lady Irene agreed to go to the academy."
"That is wonderful!" I rejoiced sincerely.
"And what is more..." Mrs. Farris’s voice trembled. "She came to me herself. And apologized. She said she was wrong..." The woman caught her breath, as if she still could not believe what had happened. "I have been serving this house for so many years, Miss Rider... but I have never heard such words from the young lady before. Never. She had always been so proud... And now..." The old woman shook her head, wiping the corners of her eyes. "You are simply a magician. What did you say to her that she changed so much?"
"He-he..." I smiled awkwardly, scratching the back of my head. "Nothing special, really. We just... had a heart-to-heart talk, that is all."
Of course, I was also glad that Irene’s behavior had changed. I sincerely wished this girl happiness and had no doubt that a kind and sensitive heart was hidden inside her — it was just that circumstances and the cruelty of others had wounded her too deeply.
And yet... I understood perfectly well that my words alone were not enough.
Yes, I had managed to calm and support Irene a little, but this was only a temporary measure. A band-aid placed on a wound that continued to bleed.
Because, in the end, this girl’s happiness did not depend on me at all.
It depended on her older sister.
On whether Kayla could come out of her shell. Whether she would stop hiding from the world. Whether she could finally begin to live, rather than just exist day after day.
That meant... I still needed to talk to Kayla herself.
And not only for Irene’s sake. But for her own as well.
So, as originally planned, I intended to start this conversation during the next purification procedure. Only... In the end, this plan failed miserably.
Because as soon as I finished the procedure, I was immediately shown the door.
I did not even have a chance to open my mouth!
Now, during the purification sessions, Butler Gerald was invariably present in the room. He stood in the corner — silent, motionless, like a statue — and bored into me with his gaze from behind his glasses. Apparently, this measure had been introduced precisely after that memorable night incident.
And now, as soon as I finished the treatment, the old man immediately rose from his place, opened the door, and said dryly:
"Miss Rider, that is all for today."
Not a word more. Not a single extra second.
Ugh... how annoying this was!
Every time I walked out into the corridor, I seethed with indignation and mentally showered the butler with every possible curse. Did you really think I was some kind of deranged, perverted psychopath just waiting for an opportunity to pounce on the Grand Duchess?!
Well, all right... let us say that sometimes I did behave not entirely rationally. And yes, my love for Kayla might have been slightly beyond the bounds of common sense. And yes, I might have been just a tiny bit of a pervert...
But a psychopath?!
That was going too far!
Nevertheless, despite the failure of the first attempt, I was, of course, not about to give up.
I had a backup plan.
So, I decided to act at night.
For this, I had to wait until very late in the evening, remaining in the living room on the first floor.
And finally, when the time approached one in the morning...
The long-awaited footsteps sounded on the stairs.
I looked up and saw Kayla. She was carefully, almost silently, descending the stairs, dressed in a cloak. Her faithful butler Gerald was supporting her by the arm. Apparently, they were once again heading out on that secret night walk.
I did not waste a second. I rose from the sofa and, trying to make my footsteps audible but not too loud, approached her.
"...Good evening, Your Grace," I greeted.
Nevertheless, the moment Kayla heard my voice, her expression instantly darkened.
It was the look one gives an unexpected obstacle suddenly appearing in the middle of the road precisely when one least wants to encounter it.
"You... what are you doing here?" she asked gloomily, and even the blindfold could not hide the irritation contorting her face.
In turn, Butler Gerald also looked at me with great suspicion, his whole demeanor radiating: What does this woman want again at such a late hour? But I, not at all embarrassed by this, withstood the gazes of them both and calmly, even with a slight smile, continued:
"Your Grace, if you will permit me, I would like to accompany you on today’s walk."
After my words, Kayla’s face seemed to freeze. Not a single muscle twitched.
"...And why would you want that?" she asked coldly.
"Nothing special," I shrugged casually. "I simply need to discuss something with you. And a conversation under the starry sky in the fresh air — is that not wonderful?"
However, Kayla only frowned more deeply. A deep furrow appeared between her brows.
"If it is truly important," she cut off, "we can talk tomorrow. But now... do not bother me and leave peacefully. I am not in the mood for conversation."
"Your Grace, that is what you say now..." I muttered offendedly. "But tomorrow you will again show me the door right after the purification and not let me get a word in. I already know!"
After this, her face darkened even more. Her jaws clenched tightly, and muscles worked beneath her cheekbones — a sure sign that my persistence was beginning to get on her nerves.
Although Kayla had already descended the stairs and was clearly intending to walk past me to the exit, now because of my interference she had to stop. Her fingers tightened on Gerald’s elbow, and then she exhaled loudly and irritably.
"Damn..." she hissed. "Do you absolutely have to be this annoying? Do you not understand hints at all? I clearly said — leave."
"But I waited for you specifically to go for a walk together..." I did not give up. "I sat in the living room for several hours and did not close my eyes once!"
"So what?" Kayla snapped. "I am not going anywhere with you. Even if you sit here until dawn."
With these words, she and the butler tried to walk around me and head to the exit.
But before they could pass by, I made one final attempt:
"Your Grace... this is truly important. Please do not force me to resort to extreme measures."
Kayla stopped.
Only for a moment — but I still noticed how her shoulders trembled almost imperceptibly.
And then she smiled coldly.
"Extreme measures?" she repeated with icy mockery. "And what can you possibly do to me?"
"I think..." I said slowly, drawing out a short pause, "you yourself know perfectly well what I am talking about."
Kayla’s face froze.
In an instant, all emotion vanished from it, leaving only a cold, impenetrable mask. And then, as if following this silence, irritation washed over her. Her cheeks flushed, and her lips pressed into a thin line.
"...Miss Rider, how dare you speak to Her Grace in such a tone?!" Gerald, who had been silent until then, could not hold back. His gaze flashed with indignation. "This is not just impertinence, but outright rudeness! You are forgetting yourself and have no idea who you are speaking to!"
But at that moment, I paid almost no attention to the old butler.
All my thoughts, all my attention were focused solely on Kayla.
"Your Grace," I said calmly but firmly, "I truly want us to start cooperating."
"You..." Her voice trembled almost imperceptibly, and I saw the muscles tense beneath her cheekbones.
Oh...
Even when Kayla was angry, she was still incredibly beautiful.
But she would undoubtedly be even more beautiful when she smiled!
I wondered... would I ever get to see that smile with my own eyes?
Nevertheless, this was not the time to get distracted by such thoughts.
Right now, all I had to do was stand my ground. Stubbornly. To the end.
After I had uttered my "threat" aloud — or rather, a very transparent hint at those very extreme measures — a ringing silence hung in the dark living room for a few seconds.
And only because semi-darkness surrounded us did I not notice immediately how the tips of Kayla’s ears had turned slightly red.
Kayla was silent for a long time. So long that I began to fear she would simply turn around and leave...
But instead, she took a deep breath — and in that breath, I thought I heard something like capitulation.
"Gerald," she said over her shoulder, "let go of me. I will go alone."
"But, Your Grace...!" The butler tried to object, but she stopped him with a gesture.
"It is all right. If this madwoman plans to do anything, I will deal with her myself."
Madwoman...
To be honest, that still sounded a little offensive!
Nevertheless, I merely sighed inwardly and chose not to show it.
Gerald reluctantly released her elbow, then stepped back and gave me such a heavy, warning look that involuntarily sent shivers down my spine.
"...Miss Rider," he said coldly, "if anything happens to Her Grace, the responsibility will fall on you!"
"Of course," I answered calmly, holding his gaze. "I will take responsibility for Her Grace."
Kayla chuckled softly — briefly, almost imperceptibly — and then led the way to the exit.
I hurried after her.
And, to be honest, at that moment I could no longer tell whose heart was beating faster.
But be that as it may, we both stepped out into the cold night silence — beneath the twinkling stars, toward the conversation I had been pursuing for so long.