For a long time, Alena lingered in that spot. Her gaze was unwavering from the now tainted white gold rose hair ornament lying in the grass.

The hope that was swirling within her only moments ago now withered and vanished, leaving a hollow void where it once delicately resided.

With a self-mocking smirk, she chided herself. "Who are you trying to fool in the first place?" she murmured, her voice dripping with bitterness and sarcasm. "You know there’s no way that was just a dream. You know it all felt too real to be just a nightmare."

She closed her ghostly fingers into fists, and ripping her gaze away from the haunting reminder of her demise, she cast her eyes towards the looming palace.

Lifting her chin with renewed resolve, Alena drifted back towards the gate of the Donovian estate.

Upon reaching the Duke’s study, Alena's translucent figure hovered near the desk, her eyes scanned the array of documents, scrolls, and books.

The room was a reflection of the duke himself—orderly, sophisticated, and enigmatic. Papers neatly stacked, books lined up in perfect symmetry, and not a single portrait or artifact of his lineage displayed. It was just as bland and colorless as his personal chambers.

The moment her dagger materialized in her hand, she reached out to open the book resting atop the desk, seeking any clue hidden within its pages.

But she abruptly halted. The sound of footsteps approaching made her turn towards the closed door.

The footsteps were measured and deliberate—the unmistakable sound of people of importance making their way towards the room.

Alena found herself frozen for a moment, but once the door knob moved, she crouched beneath the desk.

As she sat there, she couldn’t help but shake her head in disbelief at how absurd this situation was—a ghost hiding was unheard of!

It was a surreal reversal of roles, one that would have made her laugh under different circumstances. But given the Duke's ability to see ghosts, she knew this might be her only option to glean information from him right now. That was if he wouldn’t spot her once he took his seat, which was definitely most likely.

She listened carefully as the sound of footsteps echoed softly in the room.

Realizing that the person was heading towards the desk, she braced herself. But she also thought of executing a surprise attack if it’s indeed the duke. Her appearing from beneath his very desk might at least shake his composure, right?

She relished the thought of disturbing his calm, calculated world. If she couldn't frighten him, she could at least disrupt his peace and create chaos in his orderly life.

A cold, faint smile played on her lips as her eyes, sharp and calculating, watched carefully as a figure came into view. To her delight, it was indeed the Duke. She could just tell before his face even appeared in her view.

She readied herself, poised to leap out at the perfect moment, preparing to materialize her weapon and spring into action the moment he saw her.

However, his attention was entirely fixated on the papers and objects atop the desk. Did he really not sense her, or was he acting again?

Alena's frown deepened as she concluded that the Duke was merely pretending not to see her. It seemed like something he would do, playing games with those around him, always in control, always a step ahead.

"Pretending again, are we?" She said. Still, there was no acknowledgment from him. He simply continued rifling through papers.

A bitter smirk briefly danced on her lips. Here was the mastermind of her demise, seemingly unbothered and engrossed in his work, like everything was fine, while here she was, a ghost burning with a desire for vengeance. It was an infuriating.

Driven by her rising anger, her eyes flashed with a dangerous resolve. In a swift, fluid motion, she summoned her dagger into her hand and lunged at him from beneath the desk.