The next day dawned bright, but the sun failed to penetrate the gloom in Duke Henry's heart. He comes into his office there are documents on his desk from Vanessa and a silent message from Vanessa, he opens the letter and reads it.
—" Good day, Your Grace. I hope you are feeling better now. I just wanted to say to help me with these documents, thank you. By the way, don't try laying down on the bed again."—
Henry was amused by Vanessa's message,
"Oh I'm sure I won't lay down again on my bed"
He chuckled.
He read the documents as he realized they were peculiar. A sigh escaping from his lips
"Seriously..."
They were meticulously organized, detailing the affairs of the Duchy.
That evening, the palace ballroom shimmered with the opulence of Prince Daniel and Lita's engagement celebration. Vanessa, radiant in emerald silk, moved through the throng of nobles with practiced grace. Her parents, Lord Astoria and Lady Catherine, were engaged in polite conversation with high-ranking officials, while Vanessa subtly observed Lita.
The commoner clung to the Crown prince, her smile bright, but there was a carefully constructed quality to it, a mask Vanessa suspect deeper agenda.
Duke Henry, recently attending the event, found himself dawn into a conversation with Vanessa.
"The documents..." He began, his tone low and serious. "They were... perculiar."
Vanessa's smile was sharp, almost predatory "Indeed. I hoped they would...motivate you."
Henry's gaze sharpened. "This isn't a game, Lady Vanessa."
Before their quiet argument could escalate, Prince Daniel intervened, his voice smooth and charming.
"Duke Henry and Lady Vanessa, would you care to dance with us?"
Henry, weary of the forced pleasantries, agreed. Henry offered his hand to Vanessa,
"May I have this dance, Lady Vanessa?" His voice cold and calming.
Vanessa accept his offer, as they danced, the music jarring counterpoint to the unspoken tension between them.
Henry felt Vanessa's hand rest lightly on his arm. It was a gesture that felt both comforting and manipulative. He could feel her assessing him, gauging his emotional state.
After a graceful dance with the Duke. Later alone in her chambers, Vanessa gossips with her other noble friends of her's. She observed Lita from the distance with the Crown prince. Lita noticed her gazing at her, Lita's subtle avoidance of eye contact, her smile was too perfect. She could feel observation of Vanessa at her, she clung tightly to the crown prince.
Vanessa raised an eyebrow as she noticed Lita cling tightly to Daniel, she smirked
"pft..."
She knew that Lita could feel her observation on her, making Lita feel uncomfortable.