TYWML 20

Chapter 20. The Changed Dream (1)
May 20, 2024

After her bath, Riena dressed in the loungewear that Amy had brought her.

The loungewear was so well-maintained that it was hard to believe it once belonged to the late Duchess, who had passed away several years ago. The design was slightly outdated, but since she wouldn’t be showing it to anyone, it didn’t matter.

“It’s a bit long, but it looks fine. You’re not short, my lady, but the former Duchess was exceptionally tall. Is there anywhere it feels uncomfortable?”

“No, it’s very comfortable. The fabric is so nice—it feels soft against my skin. But I think I might need to go out soon. Could you call a dressmaker quickly? If she’s booked up, even someone who can make simple alterations would do.”

“For something like that, the ducal family has a long-standing salon they’ve worked with since the previous generation. It’s owned by Madame Lachapelle, who’s known for her stylish designs and setting trends in the capital’s social scene.”

“She sounds busy—can we even book her quickly?”

Instead of answering, Amy gave a knowing smile. Riena immediately understood her unspoken response.

“Right… this isn’t Dyke, it’s Winkler. There’s nothing you can’t do here.”

“That’s true, but Madame Lachapelle also has a very close relationship with the Winklers. I’m sure she’ll take on the request as a priority. Plus, if she hears it’s for the Duke’s fiancée, she’ll probably come running out of curiosity.”

From Amy’s expression, Riena could already foresee being overwhelmed by this Madame Lachapelle.

Riena gave an awkward smile.

“Anyway, I’d appreciate it if you could arrange that.”

“You’ll probably be too tired today and tomorrow. May I schedule a visit for the day after?”

“I’d be grateful.”

“I’ll contact her right away.”

“Oh, and could you bring me pen and stationery? There’s someone I need to contact urgently.”

Once again, Amy responded with a polite bow.

“I’ll prepare it immediately.”

Once Amy and the other three maids left, Riena sat at the tea table and unfolded her stationery.

To Aunt Leticia,

First of all, please forgive this poor niece who’s only writing to you now after such a long silence. It’s not that I forgot about you—there just wasn’t a good opportunity to reach out.

Before I knew it, the sky turned into a clear autumn blue. Have you been well?

Since Father passed, I’ve been so busy that I’ve barely had time to breathe. Losing someone you love… I’ve realized it’s more terrible than I could’ve imagined.

Though I don’t remember it, when Mother died, you must’ve felt this kind of pain too, right? I think I can finally begin to understand your sorrow.

After much hesitation, Riena started the letter with these general sentiments. Then, biting her lip, she moved on to the main point.

I’m currently staying at the Winkler Duke’s mansion in the capital. It’s difficult to explain everything that’s happened in a letter.

If you’re willing, may I come visit you and share the stories I’ve kept inside for so long?

There’s something I want to ask you—gently and carefully.

I’ll wait for your reply.

Your youngest niece,
Riena

After the ink had completely dried, Riena folded the letter. She held the Winkler seal that Amy had brought her and hesitated for a moment, then stamped the pink wax with it.

The roaring lion emblem of the House of Winkler was clearly imprinted on the letter.

Setting that letter aside, Riena pulled out a new piece of stationery. After much hesitation, she finally wrote a name at the top.

To Raul,

But after that, she couldn’t think of what to say.

Raul might still be back in their hometown. Or, he might’ve gone to the Dyke mansion to see her, only to learn about everything that had happened.

If he found out his long-time friend got engaged without even telling him—how would Raul react?

Would he congratulate her? Be shocked? Feel hurt?

Then she imagined the reverse: what if she learned he had gotten engaged through a rumor spreading in the capital?

‘I definitely wouldn’t feel good about it.’

Riena carefully crafted the letter to Raul, sentence by sentence.

There wasn’t much in it. Just that she had gotten engaged unexpectedly, and that she hoped they could talk in person if he had time.

Just as she was about to finish, she added one last note:

Do you remember Cass—the boy we used to play with as kids? The one who stayed at the Dyke mansion and learned swordsmanship from Father.

I saw him again. He’s changed a lot. I think you’d be surprised too.

I’ll be in touch again.
Riena

After sealing the second letter with wax as well, Riena rang the bell cord. Amy entered shortly after.

“You called, my lady?”

“Can you deliver these letters? One to Viscount Donovan’s estate and the other to Baron Berna’s. Be careful not to mix them up.”

“Of course. I’ll make sure they’re delivered to the correct recipients.”

“Thank you.”

Once Amy left, all the tension drained from Riena’s body. She trudged over to the bed and lay down, blinking slowly at the dark canopy above.

Ever since hearing the absurd marriage proposal from Viscount Rotman, she hadn’t been able to sleep properly. And the carriage ride to the capital was too uncomfortable for decent rest.

She had managed so far by sheer willpower, but now that the urgent matters were resolved, her consciousness flickered out like a candle in the wind.

It was that dream again.
The moment she opened her eyes, Riena knew for certain.

The same dream that had haunted her for the past two months. The man whose identity had been a mystery, though now she suspected might be Cassel.

Only this time, something was different.

The man wasn’t there.

The garden before her looked the same. The fresh scent of grass tickled her nose. The tight shoes bit into her feet. The dress was the same as always.

But the man who always appeared in this dream was nowhere to be seen.

Riena sat on the edge of the fountain, gently swinging her legs. Each movement sent a dull ache through her ankles—but it didn’t seem like the pain was just from stiff shoes.

Looking closely, the skin around her ankle had a faintly different tone, almost as if someone had applied powder to conceal it. What was she trying to hide?

Frowning, Riena lifted her dress.

Her calves were clean and unmarked. But when she raised the skirt above her knees, a nasty bruise appeared.

〈…….〉

It was as if someone had deliberately targeted the hidden parts of her body for abuse.

But who…?

She tried to recall, but no memories came. She clutched her head in frustration, still overwhelmed, when she sensed someone approaching.

Startled, she dropped her skirt and tried to stand—but the pain in her ankle forced her back down.

Unable to cry out, she winced in silence as the figure rushed over.

Riena instantly recognized him.

Black hair. Blue eyes. The man who always appeared in her dreams. The man who might be Cassel Winkler.

He dropped to one knee before her, his jaw clenched so tightly she could see the strain in his face.

〈What did he do to you this time?〉

〈…….〉

Riena said nothing, only looking down at him.

He gazed at her with pain in his eyes, as if he were the one wounded. Then he carefully removed her shoes.

When he gently touched her ankle, a sharp pain shot through her, and she gripped her dress tightly.

With his thumb, he softly rubbed the skin—revealing what had been hidden beneath the makeup.

A purplish bruise and shallow scratches—like she’d been shackled at the ankle.

Seeing this, the man’s expression turned darker, more dangerous.

〈Belliar. What the hell did that bastard do to you?〉

Belliar? Was he talking about Johannes Belliar?

But before she could puzzle it out, Riena woke from the dream.

It was just a dream, and yet Riena’s eyes were wet with tears. She didn’t even try to wipe them away, only looked around at the now-dark room.

When she had fallen asleep, it was still daylight—but now, it was completely dark. She glanced around the unfamiliar bedroom and suddenly burst into tears.

Why was she having dreams like this? Why did Cassel keep appearing in them? Why did she always feel such sorrow and despair when she saw him in her dreams?

She didn’t know. The more she thought, the less sense it made—and the tighter the weight pressed against her chest.

Unable to stand being alone any longer, Riena impulsively left the room. She wandered aimlessly through the mansion until she reached the garden visible from her bedroom window.

As soon as she stepped into the garden—meticulously cared for by the proud gardener Ryan—a wave of sweet floral fragrance surrounded her.

She crouched in a corner of the garden and buried her face between her knees.