The Calamity of a Reborn Witch

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Chapter 12: A Tainted Respite

After seeing Sir Bryson off, Carina finished a rather quiet breakfast with Hana and Ivy before setting out to the Capital as planned. The sapphire blue horizon layered in milky white clouds accompanied by a steady cool breeze promised a comfortable journey. As much as Carina tried to enjoy what might typically be called a “girls’ day out” in her old world, she found herself lost in thought more often than not, worrying about the ramifications of what looked to be a Witch Plague in the slums.

“Kirsi has told me quite a few stories about her childhood growing up in the Turnbell family,” Hana said in yet another friendly attempt to start up a conversation with Ivy. “It is clear that the person she treasured the most during her time there was you, Lady Ivy. After hearing some of the stories about the Turnbells themselves, I think it's safe to say you are her only real family.”

A flush of crimson bathed Ivy’s cheeks as she fidgeted with the cream-colored shawl wrapped around her neck and shoulders. “Viscount—”

“Please, call me Hana.”

Ivy blinked and continued to avoid Viscountess’s eager gaze. “Th-that would be inappropriate. I am—still a slave.”

“But we both know that will change in the near future,” Hana countered confidently with a glance to Carina. “Besides, I was once a war slave myself. If anyone can understand the position you are in and the troubles you have been through—”

Ivy’s half-turned towards the Viscountess with an expression of surprise. “A war slave?”

“Hana’s family lived in old Zarus,” Carina explained as she turned to lay a hand over the Viscountess’s comfortingly. “Those that survived were split up and sold into slavery. Hana hasn’t seen them since and lived as a slave for several years before being liberated.”

“It is not a memory I care to dwell on,” Hana admitted, her smile somewhat deflated. She quickly squeezed the Duchess’s hand and cleared her throat. “But it is not something I can run from either, so I decided to accept what was as the past and focus only on the present and my future.”

‘It would not be fair to compare their experiences in any way,’ Carina pondered as she turned back to the window while continuing to hold the Viscountess’s hand. ‘While Ivy and I had each other, Hana had no one. By the time Eleanora found her, Hana had all but died once and changed her name.’

The Duchess glanced back towards her quiet friend and was surprised to find Ivy frowning at them—or rather, at their clasped hands.

“In any case,” Hana continued with a renewed brightness. “I would like for us to be friends, Lady Ivy.”

“Why?” Ivy countered almost immediately. Carina blinked, surprised by her friend's somewhat defensive tone.

“Well—” Hana raised a brow but appeared to consider Ivy’s question seriously, “—Because we shall be seeing a great deal of each other in the future. And of course, we both care a great deal about Kirsi and share the privilege of her trust and friendship.”

‘Privilege?’ Carina raised a brow as the Viscountess turned her bright smile towards the Duchess. The ice witch shook her head and continued to study Ivy’s clouded expression, which appeared equally suspicious and disapproving.

“Ivy, Lady Hana is someone that you can trust,” Carina explained helpfully. “In the future, when you take over the orphanage as Matron, if you require help and I am unavailable, you can go to her for assistance.”

Ivy released the shawl tassel she had been tugging at and inhaled slowly before blurting out, “But isn’t Lady Hana the reason you were thrown out of the Royal Palace and almost arrested?”

‘What?’ The Duchess blinked, surprised that Ivy had even heard about her near brush with the barrack’s prison. ‘Where did she get that idea?’

“No,” Carina responded firmly. “It was the Crown Princess who made living at the palace intolerable. And I was arrested because I refused to allow Eleanora to arrange an engagement between myself and Lord Percy.”

Ivy’s brows rose sharply in surprise. “Did Lord Percy propose to you?”

“No.” The Duchess shook her head and glanced down to where Hana’s grip on her hand had tightened considerably. “I believe Eleanora wanted to arrange the engagement to secure the Earl’s support to her side and raise my position as one of her people.”

After a few days away from the rather suffocating and restraining lifestyle of a lady-in-waiting, Carina had concluded that Eleanora’s motives had probably not been malicious, so much as calculating and selfish. ‘If I had bought her bluff and agreed to the engagement, then Eleanora would have gained a firmer foothold in Lafeara’s politics. My leaving and becoming Duchess, however, have done the opposite.’

“Doesn’t Lord Percy already support his cousin?” Ivy countered with a frown of confusion. “Isn’t it possible Eleanora simply wanted to arrange the engagement because you two would make a good match?” Her jade-green eyes turned sharply towards the Viscountess, who scoffed loudly in disbelief.

“The Earl is hardly a good match for Lady Kirsi,” Hana replied with a patient smile that had lost a bit of its earlier warmth. “In any case, it hardly matters now. As Duchess, Kirsi outranks a mere Earl and she does not require a husband to maintain her power and position.”

‘And thank the Saints for that.’

“She certainly doesn’t need you for that either,” Ivy countered sharply. “If anything, your continued presence beside Lady Kirsi has created several unpleasant rumors thanks to your past with Crown Princess Eleanora.”

“Ivy,” Carina said sharply. ‘What on earth has gotten into her?’

“My past?” Hana replied with a bemused smile as she rubbed her thumb against Carina’s hand comfortingly. Ivy stiffened as the Viscountess leaned her head against the Duchess’s shoulder and innocently asked, “What sort of rumors?”

“Please don’t pay such idle gossip any attention, Ivy,” Carina interrupted reproachfully. “There are a lot of nobles out there who resent my sudden rise to power. Most of them can’t stand the idea of a half-blood being raised to a position far above them all. Not to mention the flood of engagement proposals that his Majesty has done his best to deter on my behalf. The idea of a woman seizing power without being leashed to a husband is an all but foreign concept to nobility.”

“You’d think they’d expect it, given that most of the Duke and Duchess of Bastiallano remained unmarried,” Hana tacked on with a shrug.

The Duchess nodded. This bit of information was something they had learned during their initial tour of the castle. Colonel Isaac had shown them the Duchy’s family register, such as it was, where each ennobled Duke and Duchess was recorded, only a few of which had ever married or had children. It was a president set by the original founder of Bastiallano, a female general who shared Kirsi’s name and formidable past. Each successor was chosen based on their capability and not their family name, bloodline, etc. Dowager Octavia, the previous Duchess, had been adopted and named heir when she was nineteen years old, two years before she entered the palace as a Royal Consort.

“Exactly,” Carina confirmed. She studied Ivy worriedly. Her old friend said nothing and stared at the floor, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. “Let’s—not discuss this any further. Rumors are exactly that, just rumors. Ivy, you and Hana are my two dearest friends. I want you both to enjoy yourselves today and at the Royal Hunt, so let’s focus on shopping and having fun.”

“I would happily agree,” Hana replied with a knowing smile. “But I believe you intend to spend your time at the Holy Maiden Boutique doing business, Kirsi.”

The Duchess smiled ruefully. “My business shouldn’t take too long, and that will give you and Ivy plenty of time to decide on what styles and fabrics she likes. They’ll likely need to take Ivy’s measurements as well to adjust the dresses we brought.”

“I just hope the dresses will be finished on time. The Royal Hunt starts tomorrow.”

“Well, it’s a good thing I’m part owner of the store,” Carina replied with an impish smile. “I’m fairly confident that they’ll prioritize the order at my request.”

❆❆❆❆❆

In front of the Holy Maiden Boutique, the streets were clogged with carriages, some ferrying the footmen and maids of noblewomen, and others bringing the lords and ladies themselves.

“It looks like the driver will have to drop us off,” Carina observed. She watched Lieutenant Collins, who had taken over for Colonel Isaac as their escort, ride ahead to clear away a noble carriage that appeared to have parked in the middle of the already crowded street.

“It does seem busy,” Hana commented worriedly as she peered through the glass window at the line of carriages. “Are they all here for the Royal Hunt event as well?”

“I shouldn’t think so. It's generally only open to nobles of Viscount rank and higher, and then only by invitation.” The Duchess turned and knocked on the driver’s window, signaling her intent to disembark.

Lieutenant Collins quickly appeared outside the carriage door, which he opened while the other knights formed a protective barrier between the carriage and the boutique steps. “Your Grace, I’ll escort you inside. The Driver will have to circle back and find a safe place to park.”

“That is fine,” Carina replied as she accepted his offered hand. “Leave some of your knights in the street, Lieutenant, to ensure it doesn’t get blocked off again. The rest can stay with the carriage as there is not much room inside the store. I’ll speak to the owner about clearing away some of these carriages.”

“Yes, your Grace.”

The Duchess held back a smile at the eagerness with which he responded. She still wasn’t used to people following her orders so willingly. Carina had anticipated a bit more resistance from men in uniform, who were used to taking their orders from other men in uniform, but Bastiallano produced an entirely different breed of knights. Once Octavia had transferred her title to Kirsi, Carina had truly become their Duchess in every sense of the word. Colonel Isaac had made that very clear during her first rank inspection the day after becoming Duchess.

Isaac, who usually insisted on accompanying Carina everywhere, had arranged for Lieutenant Collin’s to fill in after he had been summoned to the palace by the Dowager. ‘Octavia probably wants to check on my progress. Still, it’s a good reminder that Colonel Isaac is her man and not entirely loyal to me.’

The shop doorbell rang loudly as Collins pushed through and held it open for them. The sight of a knight in full armor entering the boutique quickly pulled the gaze of every noblewoman, shop attendant, footman and maid in their direction. Thanks to the crest on Collin’s chest plate, it was easy for the gawkers to identify them as coming from Bastiallano.

Carina forged ahead, ignoring the stares and whispers that followed as she headed towards one of the shop attendants she recognized. “Excuse me, is Sir Everly or Lady Ursula available.”

“Y-yes! Your Grace!” the attendant quickly popped up from behind her desk and scampered towards the back door. “Just a moment.”

“So, it is true. Bastiallano has a new Duchess.”

“And a half-blood at that.”

“Lady Protector of the North? Pfft. Does she look strong enough to lift a sword?”

“Exactly! How is a half-blood girl going to lead an army to defend us in battle?”

“What were their Majesties thinking?”

“I hear that Dowager Octavia is getting on in years. She must be going senile.”

“Shall I silence them, your Grace?” Collins asked loudly while his sword hand moved to the hilt of his blade. The rapid quiet that descended all around the shop room was almost comical.

“There is no need to taint the Honor of Bastiallano’s name by threatening a gaggle of gossipers, Lieutenant,” Carina replied solemnly. “Even with their dull, boring tongues, it would be a stretch to consider them armed and dangerous.”

“Duchess Kirsi, if their dull words offend your ears, perhaps we could ask that they be evicted from the premises instead,” Hana suggested in a soothing tone. “After all, you do own half of this boutique.”

“Perhaps, it would certainly ensure the rest of our stay is peaceful and quiet,” Carina replied, playing along as she turned slowly to face the display room behind her. “Fortunately, the shop maintains a record of all those who visit for purchases or alterations. So, it will be easy enough to remove the names of those who lack the qualities to shop in my boutique.”

The nobles and servants hastily averted their gaze as they resumed window shopping and browsing through the dress catalogs in blissful silence.

“Your Grace!” Lady Ursula appeared and briefly glanced over the oddly quiet shop before she dropped into an awkward curtsey. “Ah, would you please follow me to the back rooms? Sir Everly has had one prepared to offer you privacy and comfort.”

“Already?” Carina raised a brow.

“We heard of your promotion several days ago, your Grace. My husband insisted that we set a precedence as you were now the highest-ranked noble to visit our humble boutique.”

“But, can you spare the space?” Carina whispered worriedly as she followed Ursula towards the back door.

“Well,” Ursula hesitated with a glance in Collins’s direction. “It was that or temporarily close the shop while we travel to your new residence in Bastiallano to do fittings and alterations.”

“Ha,” Carina shook her head at the thought. “I don’t suppose it would help if I insisted that you treat me as you normally would?”

“I’m not sure my husband would survive the ensuing heart attack,” Ursula replied with a note of annoyance. “He has been positively giddy with delight at the idea of serving a Duchess here at the boutique.”

“Oh, I’m not here today for myself,” Carina corrected quickly. “This is Lady Ivy, a long-time and very dear friend of mine. She will be joining me at the Royal Hunt and has no dresses ready.”

“Oh, I see.” Ursula stopped and turned abruptly to appraise Ivy, who shrank timidly beneath the woman’s gaze. “This is all rather—last minute, your Grace.”

“I know. That’s why we brought several of Lady Hana’s dresses with us today. We thought you could alter them instead and make arrangements to prepare more dresses on a later date.”

“Alterations would certainly be easier to manage in such a short time frame. How many dresses?”

The Duchess smiled at Ursula’s businesslike tone. It was clear that, whatever Sir Everly’s expectations, Ursula would continue to treat her as an equal in private.

“Six dresses,” Carina replied as she motioned to the long-wrapped parcel held under Collin’s left arm.

“And you need them by tomorrow?”

“I would prefer to collect them tonight—”

“Ha!” Ursula rubbed her left temple while her eyes turned to the side, calculating the necessary human resources. “I suppose it would be possible if I pulled a few seamstresses from some projects due after the Royal Hunt. But you will have to send someone here to collect them—your Grace.”

“Certainly, and feel free to charge me triple the going rate.”

“No need for that. Simply promise that Frost will open a second dress shop so we can fit in more seamstress and clients, and I’ll consider us square,” Ursula replied with a confident smirk.

“That—” Carina hesitated, her thoughts turning once more towards the sickness in the slums. “Actually, there is a rather important matter I wanted to discuss with you and your husband while Lady Ivy has her fitting.” She leaned in quickly to whisper, “Information pertaining to Cerberus.”

Ursula’s eyes narrowed as a flicker of concern ran across her face. She folded her hands, nodded, and continued to lead them back to a small, meticulously prepared waiting room with two cushioned chairs, a tiny sofa, and a small table of refreshments. “If you would all wait here for a moment, I shall leave you briefly to inform my husband.”

“Thank you, Lady Ursula,” Carina replied and motioned for Hana and Ivy to enter first before stepping directly in Sir Collin’s path. “You may wait outside, Lieutenant.”

“My Lady, in order to ensure your safety, I must maintain a direct line of—"

“Lieutenant.” The Duchess cut him off with a raised hand and bemused smile. “You should be more aware of your surroundings. We are in a boutique. A place where noblewomen come to shop and try on different dresses. These backrooms are private quarters for ladies to try on those dresses or be measured for a fitting.”

Comprehension quickly dawned on the knight, who stepped back awkwardly and rubbed his flushed cheeks. “Forgive me, your Grace. I will wait outside, but please let me know if you move to a different location.”

“Very well,” Carina replied and nodded to the parcel he still carried. “Lady Ursula will send someone to fetch those for alternations, so please remain by the door.”

‘Sorry, but I’ll be using the back door to visit Sir Everly and discuss Cerberus’s next move.’

❆❆❆❆❆

Hana took in the crowded waiting room that still had a few headless mannequins tucked away in the corner by a curtain pulled halfway across the back door. She moved around the narrow space between the chairs and a small table with plates of delectable cookies and pastries and a tea tray. ‘They really went all out.’

“You might as well get comfortable,” Kirsi urged as she entered the small room, shutting the front door behind her. “Lady Ursula or one of her head attendants will drop by to take Ivy’s measurements. I should be back before they finish, but if not—” The Duchess moved over to a crafting dresser with drawers of ribbons, buttons, and other shiny adornments. She lifted two of the printed brochures off the top of the dresser and held them out. “Ivy, you and Hana can look through the latest catalog for any dresses that suit your preferences. Having a few simple and practical dresses for your position as Matron wouldn’t be a bad idea either.”

“Ah, yes,” Hana replied as she opened the booklet to glance over the finished drawings designs, “And if you want something exclusively designed by Lady Aconitum, you have only to look for the dresses with that flower drawn in the corner.”

Kirsi turned to Ivy, who sat awkwardly in one of the cushioned chairs. “I promise I won’t be long, Ivy. Once we finish here, we can drop by a few other stores to pick up other accessories you’ll need, like fans, shoes, and jewelry. There are also a few new popular salons nearby where we can enjoy a leisurely meal. Sir Bryson recommended one called Blooms of Paradise.”

Ivy glanced up at the Duchess and nodded mutely.

“Go on, Kirsi,” Hana urged as she took a seat on the sofa beside Ivy’s chair. “The sooner you finish with business, the sooner we can begin enjoying ourselves.”

The Duchess nodded, her brows furrowing in confusion as she studied Ivy for a moment, then turned to slip past the curtain and out the back door.

An awkward silence quickly fell over the waiting room as Hana flipped through the pages of the brochure she held. “Please don’t hold it against her. Kirsi was truly excited at the opportunity to take you dress shopping. She just has a few important matters to settle while she’s still near the Capital.”

“I’m well aware of Lady Mau—Kirsi’s intentions—and her habits,” Ivy replied stiffly.

Hana studied the composed girl, whose expression altered between resigned agitation and brief flickers of pain. “I suppose it must be hard for you to get used to Maura’s new name.”

Ivy’s brows furrowed as the corners of her mouth turned down in a grimace. Her jade-green eyes darted about, still pointedly avoiding the Viscountess’s general direction, and settled on the brochure Kirsi had left on the table beside her.

“Do you dislike me because of the rumors—or because Kirsi has a new friend?” Hana kept her tone light and casual, but Ivy whirled towards her with a clear expression of annoyance.

“I’m well aware of what you are, Lady Hana,” Ivy said pointedly. “I don’t know how you wiggled your way into Maura’s confidence, but I can’t view you as anything but a hindrance to her future.”

“Oh? And why is that? Because I’m the type to be romantically interested in women and not men?”

Ivy’s already flushed cheeks turned a scarlet red. “Yes!”

“And what if I said I would choose Kirsi over every other person, whether she was male or female?”

Ivy’s scowl collapsed into a look of confusion. “W-what?”

Hana sighed as she closed the catalog and set it down on the table. “Surely even you must know that Kirsi entered the Royal Palace to find me. We have a connection that goes beyond friendship, something that has tied us together since the day of our birth.”

The confused girl’s expression had now transformed into a look of horror as she stared back at the Viscountess. “You-you mean that—you think Kirsi is in love with you?”

Hana folded her hands across her fan, trying to suppress the feelings of uncertainty that squirmed inside her stomach while she focused on Ivy. “I can’t answer that.”

“Of course you can’t!” Ivy fired back with a note of relief. “Because Lady Kirsi doesn’t share those disgusting emotions.”

Hana ignored the insult as she tilted her head to the side with a bemused smile. “You don’t strike me as the religious type, Lady Ivy.”

“And why is that?” Ivy returned defensively as she raised her chin defiantly.

“Because you love her too, even though Kirsi is a witch.”

“I—that’s because—she’s more than that,” Ivy sputtered as she twisted the ends of the shawl between her fingers. “I’ve known—Lady Kirsi—since she was a child. Much, much longer than you’ve known her. So please spare me all this talk of connections and fate. I don’t believe a word of it. Lady Kirsi only did what she did because she felt sorry for you and wanted to help you and Crown Princess Eleanora. Kirsi considers you to be a friend and someone she can trust. Be grateful for that, and don’t expect anything more!”

“You mean like you?”

“What?”

“You don’t expect anything from Kirsi?”

“What do you—No, of course not! She’s already done more than enough. Even if I must remain a slave a little while longer—as long as I can stay by Lady Maura’s side—then I will be content.”

“Shouldn’t you stop thinking of the future in that light?” Hana countered as she dragged her fan open, brushing the laced edges against her fingers before she lifted it just below her turquoise-blue eyes. “Kirsi fully intends to set you free and make you a noble. She’s already prepared a life for you to become an independent noblewoman and Matron of the orphanage. Kirsi told me that becoming a teacher had always been your aspiration since as far back as she can remember.”

“That’s—True.”

“You can’t expect Kirsi to take care of you and remain by your side forever. Shouldn’t you strive to create your own life so that you can stand beside her as her equal, as someone who can support and give back to her?”

“Then—doesn’t the same thing apply to you?” Ivy shot back heatedly as the shawl twisted tighter beneath her white fingers. “You have your own lands to look after, so why are you living with her?”

“I have Barons to entrust my lands too,” Hana replied dismissively. “I visit them from time to time, and Kirsi often accompanies me to ensure that they documented everything fairly and accurately. I prefer to stay with the Duchess at her castle because she needs me.”

“Kirsi doesn’t need you,” Ivy protested. “She’s always been good at looking after herself and others ever since she was a child.”

“Perhaps that’s why she enjoys having someone like me at her side now.” The Viscountess lowered her fan slowly and offered Ivy a sympathetic smile. “After constantly worrying about others for so long, it must be nice to have someone looking after her for a change.”

“T-that’s what a husband is for. And who do you think looked after Maura until—”

A loud knock on the waiting room door forced Ivy to bite her tongue as Lady Ursula entered, accompanied by one of her seamstresses. “Ladies, sorry for the interruption. I thought Clara could get started on the measurements we need to make those alterations.”

“Of course, thank you, Lady Ursula,” Hana replied smoothly as she lowered her fan and then turned her attention to pouring tea into one of the waiting cups. “That is why we are here after all.”

“Lady Ivy,” Ursula continued with a gesture towards the curtain. “If you could step behind there and remove your dress. Clara can assist you if necessary. She will take the measurements we need when you are finished.”

Hana picked up the faintly warm teacup and glanced over at Ivy, who sat as rigid as a statue in her seat.

“Lady Ivy?” Ursula repeated with muffled confusion.

“I-I would prefer not to—remove my dress,” Ivy replied stiffly.

Hana glanced at Ursula, who turned to look at her as if asking for help. “Since we’re only doing alterations, Lady Ursula, you can take the measurements over the dress and adjust them as you see fit.”

“I see,” Ursula replied and sighed as she rubbed her temple briefly. “Very well. Clara, help the lady and come find me afterward.”

“Yes, my Lady,” Clara replied as her boss left the room, shutting the door firmly behind her.

Hana took a sip of the honeysuckle flavored tea while Clara moved to Ivy’s side and motioned towards the curtain.

“My Lady, if you could move back there for privacy.”

Ivy, who had gone a few shades paler, continued to stare at the wall across from her as if she had gone both deaf and blind.

“You can measure Lady Ivy here since she won’t need to undress,” Hana suggested calmly between sips of tea.

Clara sighed, mimicking her mistress’s behavior towards the eccentric nature of nobles.

“Ivy, the least you can do is stand up. Clara can’t measure you while you’re sitting in that chair,” Hana urged pointedly after observing the awkward standoff.

Ivy’s jade-green eyes finally left the wall but avoided the Viscountess as she rose stiffly to her feet, still hugging the shawl around her shoulders.

“My Lady,” Clara said with an encouraging smile. “If—you could—remove your mantel. Please?”

“I can’t,” Ivy replied weakly. “I-I’m cold.”

“It will only be for a moment. I need to measure your shoulders and neck.”

Hana almost choked on a fit of laughter as Ivy turned to face the seamstress and folded the shawl around her neck, leaving the front of her shoulders uncovered.

“I need to measure both the front and back, my Lady,” Clara replied with strained patience as her forced smile faltered towards a frown. “It will be difficult enough to get an exact fit for the dress. The shawl is too bulky to measure around.”

“That’s fine,” Ivy returned dismissively. “It doesn’t have to be perfect.”

Clara’s eyebrows shot up at that and then quickly turned towards Hana. “Viscountess, I can’t measure her like this. And Sir Everly will not allow us to work with less than perfect measurements!”

Hana nodded as she set down her teacup and slowly rose to her feet. “Alright then, show me how to do it.”

“Pardon?” Clara’s voice pitched slightly higher with apparent frustration.

“Show me how to do the measurements you need on this mannequin,” Hana repeated as she gestured to the headless model behind the seamstress.

“But—”

“Lady Ivy is a dear friend of the Duchess,” Hana interrupted as she dropped both her smile and friendly tone. “She is uncomfortable being measured by strangers. Rather than have the Duchess and your Mistress displeased with your inability to perform such a simple task, allow me to do it for you so that we may proceed.”

It took Clara only a moment to grasp her meaning. The seamstress appeared grateful as she guided Hana to a mannequin, demonstrated each point of measurement, then left her tape, notebook, and charcoal pencil in Hana’s hands.

Ivy, however, looked less than pleased as Clara stepped back into the hall to wait.

“It’s alright, you don’t have to hide it from me,” Hana said with a sigh as she set the notebook and pencil on the table. “I’ve known about that curse you carry since yesterday.” The Viscountess held back another laugh as Ivy turned fully and faced her directly for the first time since leaving Bastiallano.

“But—how?”

“Let's just say that I have a heightened sensitivity to spells and curses of that nature,” Hana replied with a shrug as she took Ivy’s shoulders and turned her around. “I said nothing because I thought it was something you should bring up with Kirsi yourself.”

Ivy flinched as Hana pulled the shawl firmly away from her shoulders. The Viscountess carefully laid the cotton mantel over the chair and then returned to stare at the bloodstains already visible through Ivy’s dress.

“The sooner you tell Kirsi, the sooner we can do something to ease your pain.”

Instead of replying, Ivy buried her face in her hands as quiet sobs filtered out.

Hana pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and draped it over Ivy’s shoulder. “Here, dry your tears. You won’t be able to avoid the subject for much longer if Kirsi finds you crying like this.”

“I wasn’t—trying to hide it—I just—wanted to tell—Kirsi—when—”

“When you both were alone?”

Ivy nodded as she took the handkerchief and hastily wiped her face.

“So that’s why you’re annoyed with me,” Hana replied with a rueful smile. She pulled the girl’s shoulders back gently and lifted Ivy’s chin with her fingers. “There. Now try to stay still. I need to take your measurements while I still remember how to do it properly.”

“Is there any point? I’ll only ruin those beautiful dresses if I wear them.”

“We can modify your undergarments and apply bandages,” Hana replied reasonably. “I can’t promise anything certain until I get a good look at the curse mark, but—it might be possible for me to treat the symptoms at the very least.”

Ivy turned at the waist while Hana pulled the measuring tape around her stomach. “You can treat it? Like a disease?”

“No, while a curse may look and act like a disease, it is composed entirely of magic. Mortal remedies will have no effect on it.” The Viscountess stepped back and wrote down a few more measurements, then returned to measure the length of Ivy’s dress.

“Is that why physicians burn patients they believe to be cursed?” Ivy whispered in a defeated tone.

“Fear often makes people act on their worst instincts.” Hana straightened and then circled Ivy to face her squarely. “Tell the Duchess. Kirsi and I can help in more ways than you know.”

“I will,” Ivy replied, then hurriedly wiped the few remaining tears on her cheeks. “But not today. I’ve never seen Maura go out of her way to enjoy a day of shopping.”

The Viscountess studied her quietly for a moment and then slowly nodded. “Yes, well, I suppose the remainder of the shops she plans to visit before we head back won’t be as invasive. But how long can you hold up?”

“I’ll manage,” Ivy replied stiffly and then raised her arms so Hana could measure each sleeve in turn. “And I’m not stupid. I know what you’re trying to do.”

Hana smothered a snort and raised a brow. “What am I trying to do?”

“You’re—being nice to me—because of Maura.”

“Well.” The Viscountess smiled as she rolled up the measuring tape and wrote down her last measurement. “Since you already know, why don’t you let me?”

“Let you what?” Ivy repeated warily.

“Be nice to you.” Hana smiled as Ivy quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks flushed once more, though whether with embarrassment or annoyance, the Viscountess couldn’t quite tell.