The Grand Duchess arrived at the estate in her carriage, stepping out with a composed but stern expression.
Her attendants followed in quiet deference, knowing by now that when she moved with this kind of purpose, nothing was to stand in her way.
She swept into the main hall, her voice ringing with quiet authority.
"Bring Melissa and the elf girl—Silvy—to the drawing room. Now! And tell Kyle I wish to speak with him there as well. Alone."
No one questioned her.
She entered the room ahead of them, choosing the seat at the head of a low table. The windows were drawn, and the afternoon sun cast a dull golden hue across the polished floor. There was a heaviness in the air, as if the walls themselves knew what was about to take place.
Kyle arrived first, his brows furrowed in confusion.
"Is something wrong?"
"You’ll see. Just sit. Please."
The Grand Duchess replied with a vague smile.
Melissa came next, arms folded and eyes guarded, and then Silvy, who looked equally suspicious, though a fire still burned in her eyes from her earlier attempt at forcing her way through fate.
Once they were all gathered, tension hung thick in the air. The Grand Duchess let the silence stretch, observing the two women across from her and Kyle at her side. Then she exhaled slowly and spoke.
"I’ve called all of you here because I want to put an end to this uncertainty."
Melissa flinched subtly, while Silvy narrowed her eyes.
"I am marrying Kyle. That is happening. If either of you has any objection to that, speak now."
The Grand Duchess said firmly.
Melissa opened her mouth, then closed it again, her jaw tight. She shook her head and remained silent, though it was obvious she was holding back emotions.
But Silvy—Silvy could no longer contain herself.
"I object! I won’t pretend anymore. Kyle, I want to marry you too. I may not have a noble title or a grand estate, but I can offer you everything just the same. You’re the only one I’ve ever looked at . Why should she get to claim you alone?"
She said, standing up.
Kyle looked at her, then at the Grand Duchess, then at Melissa. All of them, for different reasons, were tied to him—by loyalty, friendship, and something more.
"I care about all of you. I do. And if the world allowed it, I’d marry all of you. That’s the truth."
Kyle finally said, voice calm but earnest.
Silvy blinked. Melissa’s eyes widened. And the Grand Duchess slowly lifted a hand to her temple and massaged it, groaning softly.
"You’re making me mad, Kyle."
He gave her an apologetic look.
"But, I had a feeling you’d say something like that. Honestly, I hoped you wouldn’t, but... this is who you are."
She added, looking around the room at the three of them,
She stood, pacing a step before facing the two women directly.
"Things have progressed too far for me to change the marriage. It’s a political matter now, and halting it would bring chaos. But I won’t pretend this is all clean and tidy either. So, here’s what I’m offering."
"If you still care for Kyle, then I will allow both of you—Melissa and Silvy—to officially join my household, under Kyle’s name. On paper, you won’t be his wives, or even his consorts. But everyone will know."
She paused to let it sink in.
"Everyone will know exactly what your relationship is with him. I’ll make sure of it. You’ll live with us. Be protected under our house. And if the time ever comes when circumstances change... then who knows?"
Melissa stared in stunned silence, her lips parted as if words were too fragile to form.
Silvy was speechless. Her strong reaction from before had faded into disbelief.
"You... you’d allow that? Even after I tried to kill the Crown Prince?"
The Grand Duchess gave her a flat look.
"You think I don’t know about that? Mikalius already sent me the letter."
"But, Kyle has made his stance clear. And if I’m marrying him, I won’t fight him over every woman who matters to him. I’d rather keep you close than have you whispering from afar."
The Duchess continued,
"You’re... really okay with this?"
"No. But I’ll make myself be. I won’t lose you just because the people around you love you too."
She admitted with a tired sigh.
She sat down again and folded her hands.
"Well? Do you accept?"
Melissa nodded slowly.
"I... I do. If this is the only way I can stay by his side."
Silvy hesitated, then followed.
"Yes. I accept too. I... just want to stay close."
The Grand Duchess nodded but didn’t look directly at Kyle.
"You better survive this war, Kyle. If I’m putting up with this, you damn well better come back alive. I’m even making such a big sacrifice for you."
The room had settled into an uneasy calm after the agreement. The Grand Duchess let out a long breath, brushing a lock of hair from her face before speaking again.
"Before you all leave, there’s one more thing I want to make clear."
She said, standing once more, her gaze sweeping over Kyle, Melissa, and Silvy.
They looked at her with quiet anticipation.
"I understand that the ceremony between Kyle and I will be the only one recognized in the eyes of the empire. It has to be. That’s how politics work. But that doesn’t mean I’ll let it end there."
She looked toward Melissa first, then to Silvy.
"You both matter. And I won’t let that be forgotten. Even if it’s not public, you will each have your own ceremony with Kyle. Just the two of you. No nobles. No politics. No obligations. Just something of your own."
Melissa’s eyes widened, her hand curling tightly near her chest.
"Are you... serious?"
The Grand Duchess gave a tired but honest smile.
"I wouldn’t say it if I wasn’t."
Silvy blinked, stunned.
"Even after everything I did?"
"I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it for Kyle. He wouldn’t forgive himself if he didn’t treat both of you with the respect you deserve."
The Duchess said simply. Silvy lowered her gaze.
"Still... thank you."
Kyle looked at her then, quiet gratitude in his eyes. "You’ve been more generous than I could’ve asked for."
"I know. And I expect you to never forget it."
They all shared a soft laugh, the tension finally breaking. With matters settled, Melissa quietly excused herself first, murmuring something about needing fresh air.
Silvy followed soon after, more composed than she had been when she entered.
Kyle lingered a moment, offering the Grand Duchess a silent nod before leaving as well.
Once the room emptied, the Grand Duchess exhaled and whispered to herself.
"I really must be going mad..."
But despite the exhaustion, a small, bittersweet smile touched her lips. For now, peace had been brokered—not with the empire, but in her own strange household. And that, she knew, was just as valuable.