Victoria answered calmly: "A few polite words... I mean, isn't he the Crown Prince? Shouldn't I address him respectfully?"
He interrupted her: "That applies to you, not to me. My mother is his aunt, so there are no formalities between us."
Victoria fell silent a moment, then asked with genuine curiosity: "But... how did everyone discover the letter forgery matter?"
Lyomord was silent briefly, as though weighing words, then answered in a calmer tone:
"Well... I trust you, so..."
He paused a moment.
"I write the letter 'R' in my name backward. Always. In my letters to those close to me."
Then he added in a dry tone:
"So when you wrote it correctly... everyone knew."
Victoria thought to herself:
"Backward... such a tiny detail, yet sufficient to reveal everything."
She swallowed. If this was her only mistake... how many other errors hadn't she noticed yet?
Then Victoria noticed he was staring silently, as though immersed in his thoughts.
She tried to continue: "The next letter is from..."
He suddenly interrupted with curiosity: "Victoria."
She raised her gaze: "Yes, my lord?"
He asked in a quiet but serious tone: "What do you look like, I wonder? Describe yourself... so I can imagine."
She became slightly flustered: "Why do you ask, my lord?"
He answered simply: "It's annoying to deal with you daily without knowing what you look like."
She smiled a light smile, attempting evasion: "My lord, I'm ugly... and nightmares will haunt you if I describe my appearance."
He said with clear annoyance: "It's fine, describe it to me... or..."
He slowly extended his hand toward her face.
The moment his fingers touched her cheek, Victoria leaped away from him with a sudden movement.
He asked in surprise: "What's wrong with you?"
She answered with obvious embarrassment, her voice slightly hurried: "You're... too close! And don't touch my face like that!"
He responded with dry sarcasm: "And how do I know what you look like without description or touch, clever one?"
Victoria replied hesitantly: "Well... I have short hair... boyish."
Lyomord said calmly: "I know that. When I lean on you, I don't feel long hair."
Then he added: "Continue."
She continued in a slightly lower voice: "I have wide eyes... dark in color."
She paused a moment, then added in a passing tone: "And... Lea says I'm a dwarf."
He asked with curiosity: "How tall are you?"
She answered calmly: "Approximately 157 centimeters."
He responded with clear sarcasm: "Lea's words are correct. You're a dwarf."
Victoria grumbles in a low voice:
"My lord... that's not kind."
Lyomord smiles a sideways smile:
"I didn't say I was kind."
Then he adds in a lighter tone:
"But... at least now I can imagine you."
"Do you miss your family?"
Lyomord asked in a low voice as though trying to touch a part of her heart.
Victoria dusted the table lightly, without appearing affected, and said in an indifferent tone: "No, why would I miss them?"
Lyomord was surprised: "Why wouldn't you miss them, by God!! Is that an answer? They're your family."
She answered coldly: "From your reaction, I know you lived among a loving family—not everyone is like you. So my being here, away from them, is a blessing."
Then she turned to him saying firmly: "So get up now and finish your work—don't make me lose my job..."
Lyomord smiled lightly: "Then help me reach the office."
"Yes." She answered calmly.
[In Mrs. Gregory's office, afternoon]
Theodore entered with quiet steps, carrying two cups of tea. He placed one before Mrs. Gregory, who was absorbed in reviewing accounts.
Mrs. Gregory (without raising her gaze):
"Thank you, Theodore. Do you need something?"
He sat in the opposite chair, deliberate in choosing his words:
Theodore:
"Actually... yes. I have a question that's puzzled me for days."
Mrs. Gregory raised her eyebrow with interest, setting the pen aside:
Mrs. Gregory:
"Proceed."
Theodore (moving the tea cup between his hands):
"Miss Victoria... I've noticed she moves through the estate with freedom unusual for a new maid."
He fell silent briefly, then continued:
Theodore:
"Leo—you know his temperament... sharp, trusts no one, refuses even to touch his belongings.
So how did he allow her into his kitchen? And moreover appears... comfortable with her presence?"
Mrs. Gregory smiled a slight smile, like one who knows a secret she won't fully divulge:
Mrs. Gregory:
"Some possess the gift of calming storms, Theodore.
Victoria... doesn't try to prove herself, nor does she intrude.
Perhaps that's what made Leo lower his guard."
Theodore wasn't entirely convinced, so he continued cautiously:
Theodore:
"And Edward? I haven't seen him this passionate in years.
He checks the mail daily, smiles while reading her letters, even asks my opinion about them!
Who is she exactly? Where did she come from?"
Mrs. Gregory took a sip of her tea, her eyes studying his face carefully:
Mrs. Gregory:
"Why all this curiosity, Theodore? Do you suspect her?"
He shook his head quickly:
Theodore:
"No, not suspicion... but caution.
This family has suffered much. I don't want Edward's kind heart exploited,
or Leo deceived by her quietness."
Mrs. Gregory was silent a moment, then said in a firm but kind tone:
Mrs. Gregory:
"Victoria came from Saint Margaret's Orphanage.
No family, no comfortable past, no pretensions.
What you see of her is all she is: a girl who works in silence and earns respect through her actions."
She paused, then added with a light smile:
Mrs. Gregory:
"As for how she did it?
Perhaps because she doesn't try to please anyone... just is herself.
And that, Theodore, is rare in our world."
Theodore looked at the tea cup, absorbing her words.
Theodore (calmly):
"I understand... I'll remain cautious, but fair with her."
Mrs. Gregory (with gentle firmness):
"That's all I ask of you.
Watch, but don't judge before you know."
Theodore nodded respectfully, then rose to leave.
He whispered to himself: "I trust Mrs. Gregory—she's Lyomord's governess. Impossible for her to praise someone randomly. Now I'm curious about that maid." Then he rose to leave, contemplating lightly.
That same evening, inside the royal palace...
In the King's lavish chamber, where fading sunlight filtered through heavy curtains, Julia de Valera sat on the edge of the royal bed.
Her long golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her violet eyes carried worry unmistakable to any eye.
Before her, upon piles of pillows, King Joseph III lay reclined. His face was pale, his breathing heavy, as though illness gnawed at his body with merciless slowness.
Julia said in a soft tone, hiding an obvious plea:
"Father... allow me to visit Lyomord, please."
She paused a moment, then added in a more broken voice:
"Months have passed since I last saw him."
The King sighed deeply and slowly turned his head toward her. His voice emerged weary, yet still carried royal firmness:
"My daughter..."
He fell silent briefly, as though gathering what strength remained to him.
"My health worsens day after day, and enemies circle the kingdom like wolves."
He looked at her with eyes burdened by exhaustion:
"I don't want you leaving alone. Send word to him... let him come."
Julia lowered her gaze for a moment, then said in sad quietness:
"Father... he's ill."
She raised her eyes to him, and in them something of genuine sorrow:
"He said he suffered a broken leg and cannot travel."
Then she added quickly, attempting to reassure him:
"But Theodore is there, and the royal guard is with me. I'll be fine."
The King's silence lengthened as he contemplated his daughter's face.
Then he closed his eyes, like one who surrendered to a matter he couldn't refuse.
He said in a low voice:
"Very well... as long as Theodore is there, the matter is permitted."
He paused a moment, then added in a softer tone:
"Send my regards to Lyomord, and tell him... to take care of himself."
Julia's features brightened with obvious joy, and her eyes gleamed:
"Of course I will, Father."
She bent and kissed his forehead tenderly, then rose lightly, as though life returned to her steps.
The King whispered as he watched her leave:
"Be careful, my daughter..."
Shortly after – Crown Prince's Office
Julia returned joyfully to her brother's office, Crown Prince Edward.
When she entered, she found him drowning in papers and files, while his assistant Felix was flipping through letters and reading their senders' names.
Edward ignored most letters until he stopped at one.
"Hand me this one."
Julia asked with curiosity:
"Did I interrupt something important?"
Felix answered quickly:
"No, my lady..."
Edward furrowed his brows and said coldly:
"Was the question directed at you?"
"No, my lord." Felix immediately lowered his head.
Edward opened the letter and said without interest:
"I don't think it contains anything important..."
Then he stopped.
"On the contrary... this is important."
The letter was from Devon Duchy:
To Crown Prince Edward,
My friend Eddie,
Leo improves day by day, and perhaps after ten days he'll return to his duties.
And I'd like to tell you that the "forger" is in fact an unexpected ally.
I advise you not to squander this.
Never. Never.
— Daniel Devon
Edward threw the letter into the hearth and said coldly:
"Next."
Felix said:
"The next is from Ashford Duchy."
Julia lunged to grab the letter, but Edward was faster.
Enthusiasm appeared on both their faces.
She said with annoyance:
"What's with you? Let me read it—perhaps it was for me!"
Edward responded with calm sarcasm:
"Written here: To the Crown Prince. Are you the Crown Prince?"
Julia sat opposite him with displeasure.
The letter read:
Ed, you cursed wretch,
Was it you who sent Dan to blackmail me?
And why is your little brother at my place?
Is Ashford Duchy a hotel for the Valeras?
— Lyomord Ashford
Edward frowned and said:
"A shame... Leo wrote it himself."
Then he looked directly at Julia:
"I don't suppose you're here to check on my health, are you?"
She answered without hesitation:
"No. I wanted to tell you I'm going to visit Leo. Theodore is there too."
Edward said calmly and decisively:
"Felix, clear my schedule for next week."
"My lord? An entire week? What do I tell the ministers?" Felix said with concern.
"I don't care. Arrange it—Raphael is here, let him handle matters in my place."
Edward took Julia's hand, and they departed together heading toward Ashford.
In the corridor, Raphael appeared.
His black hair carefully styled, his dark violet eyes devoid of any warmth.
A massive physical build and dry, cold features suggesting unshakable steadiness.
Unlike his other siblings, he was the King's most indulged, and most loyal to him.
Raphael grasped Edward's arm and said in a calm but firm tone:
"Where are you going, brother? Your meeting with the ministers is this afternoon."
Edward answered with light sarcasm:
"No need for my attendance—my little brother Raphael is here."
Then he added without concern:
"Do me a favor and cover for me for a week."
Despite Raphael's frozen features, his voice softened slightly:
"Brother, you know Father's health is worsening.
You're Crown Prince after him—what are you doing traveling here and there?"
Edward answered with calm sarcasm:
"And what do you suggest? That I make fateful decisions for the kingdom while Father still breathes?"
Then he continued, looking at Julia:
"Besides, you're here—no difference between you and me... isn't that right, Julie?"
Julia answered confidently without hesitation:
"Yes, brother Raphael. Ed's presence is useless."
Edward raised his eyebrows in feigned surprise and said:
"I'm useless? Really?"
Edward didn't grow angry at her words; instead he laughed and said in a light tone:
"Perhaps I truly am useless... and that's why you exist, Raphael."
Then he added as he withdrew, grasping Julia's hand and pulling her with him:
"Cover for me, brother."
Raphael stood watching them as they departed, then turned and walked in the opposite direction.
And in his eyes a strange change, a faint flicker in their violet color, like a passing flash—whether worry... or something more dangerous.