CHAPTER 170: ATTENDANCE

It was only a few minutes past six, and the sun had already begun to set, its lower half sinking beneath the horizon. Viktor and Charlotte strolled quietly along the gravel pathway, their footsteps crunching softly beneath them.

The silence between them was comfortable, but Viktor’s thoughts were far from the peaceful evening. His brow remained furrowed, a troubling memory gnawing at the edge of his mind.

Charlotte noticed his lingering silence and stole a glance at him, raising a curious brow. "You’re awfully quiet. What’s on your mind?"

Viktor slowed his pace, his gaze fixed ahead. "There’s something I didn’t mention to you yesterday. I... saw something strange."

Charlotte’s interest piqued instantly. "What do you mean?"

He hesitated, then finally spoke. "When I returned to my chambers after thanking Lilith’s mother, I happened to glance out my window and saw her standing below, staring directly at it."

Charlotte stopped in her tracks. "What?"

"She wasn’t inside," Viktor clarified. "She was outside, in the courtyard, staring straight up at my window. When I pulled the curtains aside, she turned pale the moment she realized I saw her. She tried to pretend it was nothing, but I could tell something was off."

Charlotte crossed her arms, her lips pursing as she processed his words. "That’s... strange. Why would she be watching you like that? Are you sure it was her?"

"Without a doubt," Viktor confirmed. "And it wasn’t just a passing glance. She was staring. Intently. As if she was looking for something."

"Watching your window?" Charlotte repeated, her brow furrowed. "That’s unsettling. She was already acting oddly when you introduced yourself. She looked at you as if she was searching for something... or maybe even trying to read you."

"I thought the same," Viktor agreed. "There’s something about her that makes me uneasy. I haven’t felt that way about anyone in a very long time."

Charlotte’s eyes narrowed. "Do you think she’s plotting something?"

Viktor paused, considering the possibility. "I’m not sure yet. But I intend to find out. Either way, we need to tell Lilith. She deserves to know her mother’s behaving strangely."

Charlotte pressed her lips into a thin line. "Yes, we should. I wonder if Lilith knows something we don’t."

Viktor sighed. "I doubt it."

Before Charlotte could respond, a young maid approached them, bowing respectfully. "Lord Rune, Lady Charlotte, you are summoned to dinner. Lord Gerald is awaiting your presence in the dining hall."

Viktor exchanged a glance with Charlotte, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "I suppose it’s time for another tense meeting."

Charlotte groaned, adjusting the folds of her lavender dress. "Just what I needed. More time with the charming Gerald and his spoiled daughters."

"Be nice," Viktor teased, though his tone was flat.

"I’ll try," Charlotte smiled faintly.

As they followed the maid back into the building, they found Lilith already seated at the dining table. She was idly tracing patterns along the rim of her goblet, clearly lost in thought. When she noticed them enter, she offered a faint smile.

Viktor took the seat beside her, with Charlotte settling on his other side.

Gerald sat at the head of the table, Prudence and Penelope positioned side by side, and Vanessa seated next to him, her hair held in a loose bun with a few strands falling to frame her face.

"Well, what a splendid evening," Gerald began, his voice carrying an affected warmth. "The weather is beautiful, isn’t it, Lord Viktor?"

"Please, call me Rune. ’Viktor’ is reserved for those dearest to me." From the corner of his eye, Viktor noticed Vanessa staring at him, her eyes wide as her face slowly drained of color.

Gerald cleared his throat. "I have an announcement to make. Duke Dain will be arriving tomorrow for his engagement ball with Prudence, which will be held in the evening."

The sisters murmured excitedly amongst themselves while Lilith simply smiled, lifting her cup to her lips.

"Congratulations on your engagement," Viktor was the first to speak, raising his glass toward Gerald and then to Prudence, who beamed with pride.

"Congratulations," Charlotte added with a curt nod before turning her attention to her food.

Still wearing her soft smile, Lilith spoke, "Congratulations. I wish you well. May your union bring you joy and good fortune."

Gerald’s eyes gleamed, though his smile never quite reached them. "You speak as though you won’t be attending the engagement."

Lilith placed her goblet gently on the table. "You’re correct. I don’t plan to attend. I have no desire to participate."

Prudence’s smirk was immediate. "Oh, come now, Lilith. You wouldn’t want to miss one of the most important days of my life. It would be a shame for you not to witness my happiness."

"I’m certain the day will be grand with or without me."

Gerald’s smile thinned. "I’m afraid you misunderstand, Lilith. As a daughter of this household, even if by marriage, your presence is expected. Everyone knows you’re here. They will expect to see you."

Lilith’s jaw tightened. "I do not consider myself a daughter of this house. And I highly doubt anyone cares whether I attend or not."

Gerald set his fork down, his voice cooling. "Whether you wish to or not, you bear the name. You will attend. I will not allow a beautiful day to be tainted by baseless whispers from the people. This will be your chance to redeem yourself to society."

Viktor’s expression darkened. "You would force her to attend against her will? Lilith has no need to redeem herself to anyone, least of all to people who once tried to kill her."

Gerald dismissed him with a lazy wave of his hand. "This is not your concern, Lord Rune. This is a family matter."

"I disagree," Viktor said smoothly. "Anything that has to do with Lilith is my concern."

Gerald bristled but quickly masked his irritation, pouring himself more wine. "Lilith will attend. That is not a request."

Viktor opened his mouth to speak, but Lilith gently placed her hand over his, stopping him. "I have had a change of mind. I’ll attend the engagement ball."

Gerald’s eyes glinted. "Very well. A wise choice."

Dinner continued, the sisters whispering amongst themselves while everyone else focused on their meal. Viktor could still feel Vanessa’s lingering gaze on him, but whenever he looked up, she quickly dropped her eyes back to her plate.

As the meal drew to a close, Charlotte lightly touched Lilith’s hand beneath the table. "There’s something Viktor and I need to discuss with you."

Lilith glanced between them, concern flickering in her eyes. "What is it?"

"Later," Viktor promised. "We’ll speak in your chambers."