The Rumor On Lady Ophelia

It was early in the morning when Dr. Clinton, the duke's family doctor and the one who had also treated Alice, was called to check up on Lady Ophelia. The sun hadn't even risen fully and it was still a few hours before breakfast.

However, the duchess had no choice but to pull the doctor out of his bed since Ophelia's condition had gone awry. No matter what they said or do, nothing seemed to get through the young lady. Ophelia remained frightened and jittery. She had been shaking in the corner of her bedroom throughout the night while watching her surroundings warily.

Everyone including the duke and the three young masters had tried everything from normal approach to using magic to heal her. But, the problem was Ophelia would not let anyone get near her for more than ten steps.

In fact, this was already a progress because when she had first woken up, they had to stood at least fifteen steps away from her. Further than that, it would trigger Ophelia to shriek in horror and flailed her arms crazily while screaming.

"STOP, PLEASE!"

"LET ME GO!!"

"DON'T TOUCH ME!"

"I BEG YOU!"

"Please.... someone.... please save me."

Her reaction was even worse when Belladona or her three brothers tried to approach her. Their voices alone could stimulate her. So, they couldn't recklessly force Ophelia since she could've retaliated with magic and they wanted to avoid such situation because she was a six stars sorcerer. Clashing with her could risk the safety of others and even more so in her unstable condition.

Right now, the so-called 'Capital's White Rose' looked like an absolute mess.

Ophelia's long golden hair was in disarray, her complexion was ashen white, her lips were dry and split from all the screaming, and her eyes were swollen red. But, the most concerning thing about her condition was her mental state. Right now, she didn't look too different from a lunatic.

Meanwhile, the story of her illness had begun to spread. It started off with the servants in the estate who heard her scream.

"Oh my, I passed the east wing just now to clean up and guess what I heard?"

"Really? Lady Ophelia was screaming as if she have gone mad? Are you sure you're not mistaken? Lady Ophelia not Lady Alice?"

"No! Trust me. After I heard the scream, I went to check it out and saw His Grace, the young masters, and Her Grace were all there trying to soothe the young lady! But, she kept screaming and thrashing about whenever they tried to approach her."

"Oh my..."

And just like that, one told the other, and the other told another person. Before long, everyone in the duke's estate was talking about it and there would always be one rat scurrying to get the news out.

Gossip always traveled faster than newspaper, especially when the subject of the rumor was the darling of the capital and the most expected debutante, Lady Ophelia Penelope Brooks. Hence, it only took one afternoon before everyone in the capital was talking about Ophelia's condition.

Some said she was cursed, some said her mana had gone askew during practice, and others said something else, but all of it boiled down to one conclusion.

"It seems Lady Ophelia has gone insane."

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(Inside the duke's study room)

The temperature was oddly low and the air was stagnant as Butler Elliard, Head Maid Dahlia, and Head Kitchen Leroy as well as the Chief Knight Elijah Brum stood before the duke.

He stared at all of these people with a dark expression. One look was all it took for them to know that the duke was extremely furious and they could more or less deduce what happened.

The duke narrowed his eyes murderously as he asked in a cold tone, "How did the news get out? And even turns into such a ridiculous notion too."

Butler Elliard pursed his lips and was the first one to bow, "This servant apologizes for his negligence in taking care of the employees."

But, the duke sneered and his voice grew deeper, "I do not want to hear your apology. I want answer."

At the moment, Dahlia's heart was already pounding so hard and she was fighting to stop the trembling while maintaining a straight face. Meanwhile, although Leroy was nervous as well, he fared much better than Dahlia and there wasn't a need to mention the other two.

Since not only both Elliard and Elijah were highly trained, they were also the ones who worked closely with the duke every day. So, his temper was something they had to deal with every so often.

"I beg your pardon, Sire, but I have yet to find the rat," Elliard frowned discontentedly and his heart was already plagued with anger. As a perfectionist, such a miss under his control was a flaw to his image and that was an unbearable thing for him to be left alive.

The duke was aware of his personality so he gave out an order, "Do not kill the person yet. Take him to the prison first because we need to know if he or she belongs to someone."

"As you wish, Your Grace," Elliard complied albeit unwillingly.

"And all of you should also assist Elliard since I do not wish to prolong this issue."

"Yes, Sir!" They all exclaimed in simultaneously while bowing and curtsying in respect.

Thereafter, the duke leaned back on his chair and crossed his legs before adding another sentence, "I believe you're all aware that I will not tolerate this a second time."

And they obeyed once again. "Yes, we understand, Your Grace."

"Now, go--"

However, before the duke could finish his sentence, there was a knock on his door. Looking rather displeased, he ordered, "Come in."

A male servant strolled into the room with his head bowed as he informed the duke nervously, "Your Grace, the second prince's personal attendant and one of his knights have come to visit Lady Ophelia and they're currently waiting in the parlor. What should be your order, Sir?"

The duke rubbed his temple in annoyance before he stood up and said, "You're all dismissed now. Remember, I expect to hear the good news by tonight. And you!"

He pointed at the servant who just came in. "I will go to meet the guests myself. Go and prepare some tea."

Thereafter, everyone went out to do their job and the duke made his way to the parlor. Once he entered, he was greeted with the rare sight of crimson hair that burnt under the warmth of sunlight and a stalwart figure standing right behind that red-haired man.

The moment he sensed the duke's presence, he stood and put one hand on his chest before bowing, "Greetings to the Grand Duke Chestarrow."

"Please sit down, Sir Angwin. And do forgive me for my lack of hospitality but as you've probably heard, my niece is ill in health. So, it's not exactly the perfect time for a visit."

"Oh no, it's completely fine, Your Grace. I understand and besides, it's also our fault for not informing first before visiting. But, the second prince is very concerned of his fiancé so we've come in hurry to check on the lady."

Leonard Angwin, the second prince's personal attendant, wasn't the least bit offended by the grand duke's remark and instead, extended his courtesy.

"Well, we've tried everything and the doctor has also been called, but there doesn't seem to be any progress so far," the duke replied without any expression on his face. But, Leonard could sense his distress.

He sucked in a deep breath and finally asked, "Is it as bad as I heard?"

The duke immediately narrowed his eyes as he knew what Leonard was referring to. He wanted to know if Ophelia had indeed gone mad.

"I believe not."

Leonard breathed a sigh of relief internally from the duke's reassurance. They still needed Ophelia in their party so it would be detrimental to them if the lady were to go crazy.

"Have you at least found out the perpetrator, Your Grace?"

At the present, the two people were talking in a roundabout way because as they said, "The walls have ears". However, both knew what the other meant and the duke was aware that Leonard was hinting on the church.

Since Ophelia did hold a high level magic and was indirectly a part of their party as she was the duke's beloved niece and the second prince's fiancé.

"Unfortunately, I haven't."

"Well, in that case, should we invite the priest to check on the lady?"

The duke paused and stared at the smiling Leonard. The attendant was suggesting the duke to find out about it directly by inviting a priest to observe their reaction. Although it was a rather risky move, it was indeed the fastest way to sound them out.

"I guess that's the only alternative left."

"Then, I shall get the knight to invite one now."

As the two came into a tacit agreement, a shadow suddenly flashed on the floor without anyone noticing. It jumped from shadow to shadow and finally materialized inside a light-blue room.

Kalliope slowly put down her tea and asked, "How is it?"

"Well, they're calling for a priest. Now, we only need to wait."

"Good," Kalliope smiled as she took another sip of her tea.

However, Argan suddenly appeared beside Kalliope and leaned against the arm of her chair. Then, his hand reached out to comb her hair while he suggested, "While we're waiting, would you like to hear some intel, My Lady?"

Kalliope raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Let's hear it."