The carriage glided smoothly along the well-paved road, its wheels barely making a sound against the stone path. Crafted from the finest dark mahogany, its interior was adorned with velvet cushions embroidered with silver thread, each stitch woven with the sigil of Ravenshade Duchy—a black raven in flight.
The faint scent of lavender lingered in the enclosed space, mingling with the polished wood and the subtle fragrance of Celia's own perfume.
Yet, despite the luxury surrounding her, Celia paid little attention to it. She sat near the window, her gloved hand resting idly on the silk curtain as she gazed outside, her thoughts adrift.
Darian.
His name lingered in her mind, accompanied by an unease she could not shake. He was changing—no, he had changed. Gone was the reckless arrogance that once defined him, replaced by something else. Something quieter, more determined… and yet, uncertain.
She had seen it in his eyes, the way they held questions he did not voice. A path unknown stretched before him, and for the first time, he hesitated, questioning his own steps. It was unlike him. And that unsettled her.
The sudden halt of the carriage jolted her from her reverie. The horses let out a soft huff, the creaking of the wheels ceasing as the vehicle came to a full stop.
Celia blinked, momentarily disoriented, before shifting her gaze beyond the window.
Outside, the grand gates of Ravenshade stood tall, their ironwork twisted into intricate patterns of ravens and ivy. Beyond them, her homeland stretched into the distance—rolling mist-covered hills, dark forests that whispered with unseen life, and the towering silhouette of her ancestral estate, its spires reaching toward the heavens like silent sentinels.
She had arrived.
As Celia stepped out of the carriage, she was met by the ever-composed presence of Ravenshade's head butler. An older man with sharp eyes and a posture refined by years of unwavering service, he inclined his head in a measured bow.
"Welcome home, my lady."
Celia returned the gesture with a slight nod, her expression unreadable.
"The master has been expecting you," the butler continued, his tone polite yet firm. "He awaits your presence in his study."
For a brief moment, Celia hesitated. She had known this meeting was inevitable, yet something within her bristled at the thought. Her father was not a man given to warmth or idle conversation—if he had summoned her, it was with purpose, and she was well aware of it.
Still, she masked her thoughts behind an impassive expression and gave a curt nod. "Lead the way."
The butler turned without another word, guiding her along the stone pathway that led toward the estate.
Servants moved with quiet precision through the vast gardens, tending to the manicured hedges and the carefully cultivated flowerbeds that lined the walkway. Despite their tasks, each one paused at her presence, lowering their heads in silent acknowledgment as she passed.
Celia acknowledged them with a small nod, but her mind remained elsewhere.
Darian…
No matter how much she tried to set it aside, her thoughts drifted back to him. The shift in his demeanor, the weight he now carried—it unsettled her, though she could not quite grasp why.
Before long, the towering estate of Ravenshade rose before her.
Its dark stone façade loomed against the misty sky, its grand entrance framed by intricate gothic arches. The mansion exuded an aura of quiet power, its spires reaching toward the heavens like solemn watchers. Stained glass windows adorned its walls, depicting scenes of the duchy's long history, their colors muted beneath the overcast light.
Celia barely spared the sight a glance as she stepped through the grand double doors.
The butler led her through the vast halls with practiced ease. The polished marble floors reflected the dim candlelight of the chandeliers above, while heavy velvet drapes lined the corridor walls, their deep hues absorbing much of the outside light.
At last, they reached a set of ornate wooden doors. The butler paused only briefly before knocking.
"Master, the young lady has arrived."
A brief silence followed before a heavy voice responded. "Send her in."
The butler stepped aside, allowing Celia to pass.
She hesitated only for a moment before stepping forward, her gaze settling upon the man seated behind the grand mahogany desk.
Her father. The Duke of Ravenshade.