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The room was much warmer than expected and it felt stuffy, which reminded her of the warmth in the middle of summer at the Arlen estate and she asked fearfully, “We are in Biflten, right?”

Aden realized that she didn’t know where she was, “Yes, this is your bedroom.”

“But it’s so hot.”

“I see.” In an instant, the air grew cold, and Ilyin blinked in surprise. Did Aden do that?

“I wasn’t sure of how hot the Empire gets. I apologize.”

Judging by his words, which sounded oddly timid, she gathered that he’d altered the temperature in the room. So, this is the Duke’s power, Ilyin laughed, but it sounded more like a dry cough, “I am all right.” She breathed in and out deeply and closed her eyes, no longer afraid of the darkness, and mumbled, “I woke up, right?” She needed to confirm whether this was her reality or not, and with a simple “yes”, he assured her, and she smiled and relaxed into the present moment.

“You have never been out of Biflten?” She asked inquisitively.

“Yes.”

“Have you experienced Biflten’s summer before?”

“We don’t have summer here, Ilyin.” Aden’s voice was soft but clear, and he was now holding Ilyin’s small hand.

“Haven’t you seen it during the succession ceremony?”

His reply was slow in coming this time, “Why, did you see something?”

“Yes. I saw a lot up until I woke up,” Ilyin let out a short breath. She’d had nightmares, but was certain that the first dream had occurred at the succession ceremony, where she’d seen a mansion in the bright summer sunshine and a wondrous beach where the white foam had lapped against the shoreline. “I saw Biflten’s bright summer.” She recalled searching endlessly for the mobile throughout her dreams but had come up empty-handed. “I could see the cliffs from far away. Did you know that there’s a beach in Biflten?”

She wasn’t sure if it was the exact location, but she was certain that it had been in Biflten and she remembered the sight clearly, unlike the fragmented dreams of the Arlen Estate in which she’d been afraid. But it had all been mere dreams and she grabbed Aden’s hand, grateful to know that this was reality.

“This is the first time I’m hearing of it,” he replied, looking interested in what she was telling him.

“The sea is wide with a long beach.” Ilyin wished she could see the scene again, with Aden, and she also wished to see the mobile. “Could we see it again at the next ceremony?” Aden didn’t answer, and she felt him fidgeting as he tapped on the bed, so she kept quiet and just listened to his regular breathing, which was comforting to her ears.

“Do you want to see the summer?” Aden asked after a while, in a distant voice.

Ilyin realized that he may not have liked the question and said, “Biflten is a good place.”

She worried that it may sound condescending, but Aden smiled as he whispered to Ilyin, “Father was someone who longed for summer. He admired it.” Ilyin tilted her head as she listened to him. “While he was satisfied with showing my mother Elo’s lights, that wasn’t real sunlight.” Her eyes widened as she heard the familiar words. “I will bring summer back here.”

Ilyin’s heart beat faster as she realized that those were the same words that she’d heard Den say in her dream.

***

Ves was toiling away these days and felt like he was skating on thin ice at the mansion, “She has gotten much better.” He had waited for a long time to say this, and he recalled that the Duchess had been a healthy person, compared to other visitors from the Empire when she’d arrived at the mansion. Seeing her quick recovery did settle his nerves somewhat.

“You still have to be careful at night though, please,” Ves added, realizing that Aden wouldn’t listen to his advice and as if hearing his thoughts, the Duke motioned for him to leave. “You know you can’t, right? Please let her rest.” Ves spoke louder so that the Duchess could hear, but Aden remained impassive and motioned for the doctor to get out, and Ves had no choice but to do so.

Aden sighed deeply as Ves left the room and he knew that the doctor would’ve tried to lie down in front of Ilyin’s room to prevent him from sneaking in to be with her.

Ilyin’s question had been special last night, “Do you have a secret I should know?” He hadn’t hesitated for a second when he’d told her that he didn’t have any secrets, and while he had been curious all night, Ilyin hadn’t let on about why she’d asked that question. It bugged him slightly, but then he thought of the deep scent of summer last night.

“Sir, it is Idith.”

Idith had been the busiest person out of every one of late since Aden had left him to oversee the running of the mansion, while he stayed in Ilyin’s room. Idith didn’t look at Aden with despairing eyes, unlike Milo, however, Idith did look worn out, that was why Aden had asked him to rest and so he wasn’t sure why he was here now.

“Come in.”

Seeing the fresh snowflakes on his coat, it was obvious that he’d just come from outside, “The Yesters have sent a messenger to you.”

***

“Is this enough water?” Etra asked as the large bathtub was being filled by the maids.

Ilyin smiled awkwardly and nodded as the Delrose maids stood in a line, holding massage items or creams to pamper her with. Etra stopped one maid who was holding a familiar cream because it was not from the Empire.

“She had used it well last time,” the maid said, looking a bit confused. Etra wouldn’t hear of it and she ordered her to confirm with Doctor Ves and instructed her to only use items known to be safe.

Two other maids talked animatedly among themselves, “Isn’t this too hot?”

“They say the Empire uses hotter water.”

“Get out!” Etra yelled as she chased the maids away.

Ilyin blushed, feeling embarrassed for them as she said gently, “It’s all right Etra. They can stay.”