Chapter 10: The Seat Beside The Duke.

Chapter 10

Morning descended upon the Beaufort estate beneath a veil of silver fog, the first pale traces of dawn stretching across the manor grounds while the rest of the household still lingered in half-silence. Servants moved quietly through the corridors carrying trays, linens, and fresh water, careful not to disturb the noble family before the official hour of waking arrived. Yet within Sigrid’s chambers, the day had already begun long before the sun fully rose.

As ordered, Lilith had arrived before first light.

The room carried the faint warmth of steam drifting from the bath she had prepared moments earlier, scented lightly with crushed lavender and winter herbs gathered from the estate gardens. Fresh garments had already been laid carefully across the bed in precise arrangement, every ribbon and fastening aligned with nervous perfection as though any flaw might invite scrutiny. Lilith herself stood near the wardrobe with lowered eyes, though unlike the previous evening, her trembling had lessened. Fear still lingered within her posture, but it no longer controlled every movement she made.

From behind the privacy screen, the soft sound of water shifting echoed briefly before stillness returned once more.

When Sigrid finally emerged from the bath, steam curled faintly around her figure, the early light filtering through the curtains and settling across pale skin still damp from the water. Her silver hair clung lightly against her shoulders before Lilith stepped forward at once with a cloth in hand, carefully drying the strands with practiced attention.

Neither spoke immediately.

Lilith helped her into layers of soft cream silk and dark fitted fabric embroidered subtly at the sleeves with the insignia of House Beaufort. The attire was noble without extravagance, composed in the way Sigrid preferred, elegant enough to command respect without appearing desperate for admiration. Lilith fastened the final clasp behind her neck before stepping back quietly.

Sigrid glanced toward her reflection only briefly before moving toward the side of the bed. Lowering herself slightly, she reached beneath the frame and retrieved the secured box hidden there. Without explanation, she placed it directly into Lilith’s arms.

Lilith blinked in surprise at the unexpected weight but held it carefully against herself without question.

Sigrid observed her for a moment before speaking.

"How did you convince my father to allow you to serve me personally."

Lilith lifted her gaze slightly now, no longer shrinking beneath every word directed toward her.

"I informed the duke that, given your temperament, you would likely prefer one servant devoted solely to your comfort," she replied carefully. "I told him that I alone understood how to manage your moods properly and provide...special care where necessary."

For a moment silence lingered before Sigrid let out a low laugh, rich with genuine amusement.

"You used me as the excuse," she said. "Smart. I approve."

A faint trace of satisfaction flickered briefly across Lilith’s face before disappearing again.

"The duke dismissed the matter almost immediately," she admitted after a pause. "He stated that such behavior was typical of you. He said you had inherited your mother’s difficult nature and that if isolating yourself further pleased you, then it was no concern of his. He also implied he would likely never require my service again."

The air shifted almost imperceptibly.

Sigrid’s fingers curled faintly at her side, her knuckles whitening for only a brief second before the tension vanished beneath another calm smile.

"Well," she replied smoothly, "you are associated with me now. Naturally the mad and unpredictable daughter of this household would taint anyone attached to her. It is unsurprising he wishes no further involvement."

Lilith lowered her gaze again, though this time something deeper rested beneath it.

Pain.

Not romantic heartbreak, nor affection wounded, but the quiet humiliation of being discarded so easily after once believing herself useful.

Sigrid noticed immediately.

"You did not truly believe my father considered you his equal," she said calmly.

Lilith shook her head softly.

"No," she answered honestly. "I understood what I was to him. I knew how such arrangements worked. Yet I still did not expect to be discarded without hesitation once inconvenience outweighed interest." Her voice lowered further. "This must have resembled your mother’s suffering in some manner. Had she known another woman would replace her within her own home..."

Sigrid’s expression sharpened instantly.

"Do not compare my mother to yourself," she interrupted coldly. "She was his lawful wife. A noblewoman replaced openly by a common-born woman beneath her own roof. The humiliation she endured even after her death was infinitely greater."

Lilith immediately bowed her head.

"I spoke out of turn. Forgive me."

After a moment, Sigrid exhaled quietly and waved the matter aside.

"It is irrelevant now," she said. "Come. Let us attend breakfast before my family invents yet another absurd title for unruly children and attaches it to my name."

A small laugh escaped her as she moved toward the chamber doors, Lilith quickly following behind while still carrying the locked box carefully in both hands.

The dining hall was already occupied when Sigrid entered.

Duke Vesper sat near the head of the table reviewing correspondence while Genevieve spoke quietly beside him. Maria occupied the seat nearest the duke with effortless familiarity, dressed elegantly despite the early hour as though she had expected admiration merely for appearing.

Yet the moment Sigrid crossed the threshold, conversation died instantly.

The atmosphere shifted so sharply it almost seemed tangible.

Maria looked up first, shock spreading openly across her features.

"Sister," she said slowly, unable to mask her confusion. "What are you doing here."

Sigrid offered no response.

Instead, she approached the table directly before stopping beside Maria’s chair.

"Stand," she said calmly.

The command struck the room like shattered glass.

Maria stared at her in disbelief while both Genevieve and Vesper visibly stiffened.

Sigrid found their reactions deeply amusing. In her younger years she had never once insisted upon eating alongside them. Meals had always been taken quietly within her chambers, unnoticed and uninvited. Yet this life would not resemble the last. She would reclaim every dignity denied to her, no matter how small.

Maria blinked rapidly.

"What do you mean," she asked carefully. "I was seated here first."

Only then did Sigrid finally look directly at her. "Must noble etiquette be explained to you repeatedly," she asked coolly, "or are you still unaccustomed to behaving as nobility despite all these years."

The table trembled faintly.

Vesper rose abruptly from his chair, fury flashing across his features.

"Sigrid," he thundered. "What is the meaning of this behavior?"

She ignored him completely.

Instead her gaze remained fixed upon Maria.

"Are you deaf," she asked mildly, "or simply incapable of understanding direct instruction? Stand up."

Genevieve immediately intervened. "She will do no such thing."

Maria already looked near tears, though Sigrid saw the truth easily enough. There was no fear behind those watery eyes. Only calculation.

"I am the duke’s eldest daughter," Sigrid said evenly. "By rank and propriety, the seat beside the head of this table belongs to me." ℴ

Silence crashed over the room.

Even Vesper appeared momentarily unable to respond.

Finally Sigrid tilted her head slightly.

"Move willingly," she said, "or I shall summon guards to remove you from my seat."

Maria stood immediately and Sigrid took the vacated seat with quiet satisfaction before releasing a soft sigh.

"Finally."

She looked toward Lilith without hesitation.

"My meal, Lilith. It appears my family once again forgot I existed."

Vesper’s expression darkened further. "Was humiliating your sister truly necessary?" he demanded sharply. "You rarely joined us before. Naturally she sat there."

Genevieve nodded quickly beside him. "Indeed. Why are you even here this morning?"

Sigrid looked between them with open disbelief.

"What strange assumptions," she replied coolly. "My absence does not mean I surrendered my rightful place to my step-sister. Am I forbidden from dining within my own household now?"

Neither answered.

Lilith returned moments later carrying Sigrid’s breakfast carefully before placing it before her with lowered eyes.

"Thank you," Sigrid said calmly.

The gratitude alone startled the room more than her earlier demands had.

Then Maria suddenly rose once more before approaching Sigrid directly and lowering her head.

"I apologize, Sister," she said softly, voice delicate with practiced sadness. "I forgot myself for a moment."

She remained bowed.

Silence stretched.

Slowly Maria lifted her head again only to find Sigrid calmly continuing her breakfast as though nothing had been said at all.

Vesper slammed a hand against the table. "What is wrong with you?" he snapped. "Your sister apologizes sincerely and you ignore her entirely?"

Sigrid continued eating until the final bite was finished. Only after dabbing her lips neatly with cloth and taking a sip of water did she finally respond.

"Is proper etiquette forbidden this morning," she asked calmly. "Was I expected to speak while chewing merely to soothe her feelings. She could have apologized after the meal concluded."

Maria lowered her eyes again. "I simply wished to apologize quickly because I felt guilty."

Sigrid barely glanced toward her.

"You are forgiven," she said dismissively. "Do not repeat the mistake."

Then she rose smoothly from her chair.

"Come, Lilith."

"Where are you going," Genevieve demanded immediately.

Sigrid smiled faintly.

"Only for a brief outing," she answered. "After all, departing without informing family members appears to be an established tradition within this household."

All three visibly flinched.

The accusation landed perfectly because they understood precisely what she meant.

Still smiling, Sigrid turned and departed the dining hall while Lilith hurried after her carrying the box securely.

Outside, the morning air felt sharper.

Lilith glanced toward her nervously.

"My lady," she said carefully, "are you certain provoking them so openly is wise?"

Sigrid laughed softly as they approached the carriage waiting beyond the estate steps.

"Do not concern yourself so much, Lilith. They will do nothing."

And truly, the memory of their stunned expressions alone almost made the entire exchange worthwhile.

She entered the carriage gracefully while Lilith followed moments later.

Then Sigrid leaned back against the velvet seat and spoke toward the driver beyond the window.

"To the capital," she ordered calmly. "More specifically, Lady Marigold’s Wardrobe."