Rihannan looked up, eyes meeting the Duchess at her calling. She noticed Rihannans quivering eyes and thought she was the sort of woman who wore her pain like an invisible cloak none could see unless one peers through her icy-blue eyes.

The Duchess keen eye saw right through her.

My Queen, do you remember what I spoke of yesterday? That youll navigate through many profane men and women, that youll have no one to trust?

Rihannan nodded. Yes. I remember.

If ever you need a tool, use me, My Queen. Trust me. Trust what my eye can see.

Rihannan stared at her.

A playful glint ran around in circles within the orbs of the Duchess eyes.

..Why? Rihannan said.

I like you, My Queen.

Rihannan let out a cute laugh at the Duchess out of the blue remark. She found herself believing in her.

Okay. I will trust your eyes more than I trust myself right now.

She had no choice but to and the Duchess was a person she could see herself placing her trust onto. And she had to prepare for the wedding ceremony in earnest. Rihannan needed her help. She had no time to adjust to the palace for she knew it would be a busy month for her.

Crichtons Crown Prince had sent a huge lump of money from their national treasury to congratulate the national ceremonial marriage between Crichton and Arundell. Various luxurious commodities Crichton shipped off would be used as well soon as they arrive within the corridors of the royal palace. Since Rihannan had married once, she knew the proceedings well.

Still, she sought advice from the Duchess.

The wedding gown wont change its shape from what had been used in the time past. We dont have much time. But, however, considering the changing of the season, we need to change the fabric materials. It will take a while. Ill meet the jeweler and the contracted designer first. What do you think?

The Duchess was fond of Rihannans thoughts.

Yes. Since were running out of time, lets go with that. Well arrange for you to meet with the pastor, the merchants and jewelers tomorrow in the early morning.

Rihannan and the Duchess discussed the proceeding for hours, going through the details of the wedding immaculately.

Rihannan looked at the time.

It was of the cocktail hour.

The Duchess left the mini-palace earlier than scheduled to deal with what she and Rihannan had discussed.

Rihannan was left alone in her chambers. She flipped through the pages of the thick book and studied the names of the nobles. Alongside their names, a brief history of their past was written. She appreciated the Duchess fine attention to detail. Her assessment was consistent with what Rihannan had known in the past.

The Duchess truly had a keen and accurate eye as rumored.

There were fewer high-ranking nobles on the list compared to the time past. This was expected. The Mother Queens loyal supporters had been relegated from the central political scene.

There were also names Rihannan was unfamiliar with.

The future has truly changed,

she thought.

But aside from the few names she did not know, Rihannan had no trouble remembering the nobles of the past.

Flipping the page, her face hardened momentarily and she quickly checked the names of the lower-ranking nobles.

There, in fine print, was a familiar name.

Leticia Olbach.

Is she the same person?

she wondered.

No, it could not be. Leticia was a relatively common name in Arundell. She could not make an affirmed guess with only one clue. And it was difficult to remember the names of all the lower-ranking nobles. Maybe a noblewoman named Leticia of the past did exist.

While she drowned in her thoughts, a knock rang from the door and a maid entered. She passed a letter to Rihannan.

What is this?

A message from Her Majesty the Mother Queen, the maid bowed.

Rihannan looked at the letter. A seal belonging to the Mother Queen was stamped diligently. The texture of the paper was unique. It was used exclusively by the royal family for official work.

She opened the letter and read through the content.