Gasps echoed throughout the room. The audacity of the red-haired woman's request was like a slap across the face of propriety and everyone felt it. "What did you just say?" The Duchess's voice was barely above a whisper, but it cut through the silence like a knife.
Olimpia met the Duchess's furious gaze with an expression that was both innocent and determined. "I wish to join the contest." she said her voice full of confidence. "The contest for the Duke's son's bride. I believe I am just as qualified as any other woman here."
"You dare make such a demand after only just bringing my husband back to me?" she said, her voice shaking with anger.
Olimpia stood her ground, her expression resolute. "I only ask for what I deserve, Your Grace. I cared for your husband when no one else could. I brought him back to you. Surely, that warrants a chance at the future the rest of these women are vying for."
The Duchess's hands clenched into fists at her sides, her composure threatening to crack. But before she could respond, the Duke—who had been silent until now—spoke up.
"She stays," he said, his voice firm, though still tinged with confusion. "Olimpia stays. I do not know anyone else here... but I know her."
A hush fell over the room as the Duke's words echoed in the air. The Duchess's face paled, and she stared at her husband as if he had struck her. For a long moment, no one moved or spoke.
Finally, the Duchess straightened her back, her face unreadable as she turned to Olimpia. "Very well," she said, her voice cool and detached. "You may stay... and you may join the contest. But I warn you—this estate is full of dangers, and you have no idea what you have gotten yourself into."
Olimpia merely smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. "I am well aware of the risks, Your Grace."
With that, the tension in the room broke, and the gathered women began whispering amongst themselves, the shock of the morning's events still fresh in their minds. Adanna's gaze flicked back and forth between Olimpia and Serena. "What just happened?" she whispered, her heart still racing from the tension. "Who is this woman?"
Serena shook her head, still speechless. "I have no idea. But whoever she is, she clearly thinks she holds power here. More than even the Duchess."
Adanna bit her lip, her mind racing. "But why? What could possibly give her such confidence? The Duke... he is still confused. His memory is gone. Could she be taking advantage of that?"
Serena's expression darkened. "It is possible. And if she is using his memory loss to push her way into the contest—"
"It is more than that," Adanna interrupted, her voice thoughtful as she watched Olimpia from across the room. "She must have some kind of plan. This is not just about caring for the Duke."
Serena nodded in agreement, her eyes narrowing. "She has too much poise, too much certainty. She knew exactly what she was doing when she made that demand."
The other women in the room began to murmur amongst themselves, some looking confused, others deeply concerned. The unexpected turn of events had left everyone on edge. Serena glanced around at the others, her eyes landing back on Olimpia.
"Whatever it is," Serena muttered, "she is not done yet."
Adanna's mind whirled with possibilities, her stomach knotted with unease. "We need to figure out who she is," she said quietly, her voice steady. "We need to find out what her real intentions are."
Serena looked at her friend and nodded, her expression grim. "Agreed. There is no way we can let her just waltz in and take control like that. Especially not when the contest is at stake."
Adanna took a deep breath, her thoughts now moving with purpose. She could not let Olimpia's manipulations go unchecked, not while there was so much uncertainty about the Duke's condition and the threats that still lingered around the estate.
Serena gave her a supportive nod. "We will watch her closely, Adanna. She might have everyone else confused, but we will not let her get away with whatever she is planning."
Adanna's resolve hardened. "We will find out the truth. Whatever it takes."
Just then, Olimpia's voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd as she addressed the guards still present. "I will be in the Duke's father's chambers if anyone needs me," she said calmly, as if nothing extraordinary had just transpired. She turned and walked out of the room, her head held high, leaving a stunned silence in her wake.
The women watched her go, their expressions varying from shock to suspicion. The balance of power in the estate felt like it was shifting beneath their feet, and no one was sure where things would land.
As soon as Olimpia was gone, Adanna turned to Serena, her heart pounding in her chest. "This is not over, not by a long shot."
Serena's eyes narrowed as she glanced toward the direction where Olimpia had exited. "No, it is just beginning."
Later that day, Serena and Adanna walked side by side, their footsteps echoing softly against the stone floors of the estate. The conversation was light, filled with brief exchanges about the events of the day, but Serena's mind was elsewhere. Despite her calm exterior, there was a turmoil brewing inside her—a restlessness she couldn't quite name. Adanna glanced over at her friend, sensing the unspoken tension.
"Serena, you alright?" Adanna asked softly, concern flickering in her eyes.
Serena snapped out of her thoughts and gave a small smile, masking her inner unease. "Yeah, I am fine. Just... thinking."
Adanna studied her for a moment longer, but didn't push. "Alright. Well, I think I am going to head back to our chambers."
Serena nodded, her eyes distant. "I will join you later. I... need to see Princess Anjali first."
Adanna tilted her head, a curious look passing over her face, but she simply nodded. "Okay. Just be careful. Something has been feeling off around here. And with everything that has happened with the Duke... I do not want you getting caught up in anything."
Serena smiled at her, a fleeting expression that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I will be fine, do not worry."
Serena walked into the estate, hoping to find Anjali. The tension from the morning's events still lingered in the air, and she felt the need to check on her friend. As Serena approached the library, she heard voices—a man's and a woman's, speaking in hushed tones. She slowed her pace, her curiosity piqued, and when she reached the doorway, she saw them.
Leonardo and Princess Anjali stood close, far too close for Serena's comfort. Leonardo was leaning toward Anjali, his body language intense, his voice low as if they were sharing some secret. Serena's heart stopped for a moment, and then, a cold anger washed over her. She froze, her gaze locked on Leonardo, her mind racing with questions. What was he doing with Anjali? Why were they so close? Her chest tightened as she tried to comprehend what she was seeing.
Serena had never fully acknowledged her feelings for Leonardo before, had never let herself dwell on them—but seeing him like this, so intimate with another woman, broke something inside her.
Maybe he is always been like this, she thought bitterly, her fists clenching at her sides. Maybe I have just been fooling myself.
Without waiting to hear more, Serena turned to leave, the sound of her retreating footsteps quiet but hurried. Her heart pounded in her chest, and a rush of emotions she hadn't felt before surfaced—hurt, anger, and a surprising sting of jealousy. She was halfway down the corridor when she heard her name.
"Serena!"
Leonardo's voice echoed through the hallway, and she stopped, closing her eyes for a brief second before turning around. He was there, walking towards her with that confident charm he always carried, but this time, Serena was not falling for it.
"What are you doing here?" Leonardo's voice was gentle, but the edge of tension was clear. Serena took a deep breath, bracing herself.
"Nothing," Serena replied coldly, as she stared into Leonardo's eyes. She tried to keep her voice steady, but the hurt bled through despite her best efforts.
Leonardo raised an eyebrow, his smile still lingering as he stepped closer. "You look like you have seen a ghost. Come on, do not act like that. You are too beautiful to wear such a frown."
Serena's jaw tightened, her gaze hardening as she took a step back from him. "Spare me the charm, Leonardo. I am not one of your conquests."
Leonardo's smile slipped, his eyes flashing with something akin to hurt. "What? Serena, I do not—"
"I saw you," she cut him off, her voice like ice. "With Princess Anjali. What were you two talking about, Leonardo? Or do I even need to ask?"
His eyes widened slightly, and for the first time, he looked genuinely confused. "Wait—what are you talking about?"
Serena let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "Do not play dumb with me. I saw you two. The way you were standing so close, whispering like she was the only person in the room. Is that what you do? Get close to every woman here until you have had your fun?"
Leonardo's face darkened, and he took a step forward, his voice low and serious. "Serena, that is not what is happening. You have got it wrong."
"Have I?" Serena spat back, her eyes glinting with anger. "Because from where I was standing, it looked exactly like that." She turned to leave, her heart feeling like it was shattering into a million pieces with each step she took away from him.
Leonardo reached out, his hand catching her wrist gently. "Serena, wait. You do not understand."
"No, you do not understand!" Serena snapped, her voice shaking with emotion she had not meant to show. "You are a womanizer, Leonardo. That is what you are. And if you think I am going to fall for your tricks, then you do not know me at all."
Leonardo's expression shifted, hurt flickering in his eyes. "Is that really what you think of me, Serena?"
Serena paused for a moment, her heart aching at the look on his face, but her pride would not let her back down. "Yes," she said finally, her voice cold and distant. "That is exactly what I think."
For a moment, neither of them said anything. Leonardo let go of her wrist, his hand dropping to his side as if the touch had burned him. The weight of Serena's words hung heavily between them, and for the first time since she had met Leonardo, he did not have a quick retort or a playful smile. He just stared at her; his jaw clenched. "I see."
"Just... leave me alone, Leonardo. I do not want anything to do with you." With those final words, Serena walked away, her back rigid with anger and pain.