Chapter 8:
The Secret of the Note
The next morning, Seraphina was preparing for Grand Duke Vitian’s banquet. She hadn’t rested much, having stayed up late modifying Kairus’s perfume, but considering the importance of the day, she could bear the sacrifice.
“I need to be careful today,” she murmured, looking in the mirror.
Vitian’s invitation was clearly a trap. He wanted to confirm her identity, and this banquet would be the stage for testing her.
Seraphina chose a deep purple dress—elegant yet dignified. She wore a delicate silver necklace with a small glass vial at the end. Inside the vial was a special perfume to protect herself in emergencies, which could momentarily distract anyone who smelled it. She still wore a half-mask, but today she opted for a smaller, more intricate style. She added a touch of makeup to her exposed face and elegantly tied her hair up.
She walked to her workbench. “I’ve finished the perfume for Vitian too.” She held up a dark navy bottle. This perfume was meant to evoke ‘memories from eight years ago’ as Vitian requested, but Seraphina had subtly altered it. This perfume would indeed bring back past memories, but not from eight years ago. Instead, it would evoke older, purer childhood memories.
“I hope this buys me some time.” She carefully placed the perfume bottle into her bag. She also packed Kairus’s perfume. Just in case, she decided to leave her perfume-making note in her workshop. The note contained her special recipes and secrets.
“Leaving the note here today might be dangerous,” she mused for a moment. But carrying it could be even riskier. If Vitian discovered it, her true identity could be completely exposed. The note contained the Ildemir family’s secret perfume recipes.
“Yes, it’s better to leave it here.” Seraphina hid the note in a workbench drawer and locked it with a key.
A knock sounded. Elena opened the door and entered. “Lady Mist, are you ready? The banquet is about to begin.”
Seraphina smiled. “Yes, I’m ready.”
Elena looked at her worriedly. “You must be careful. Grand Duke Vitian is a very cunning man.”
Seraphina nodded. “I know. Don’t worry.”
Just as the two were about to leave the workshop, a servant rushed in. “Lady Mist!” he panted. “His Majesty the Emperor wishes to see you immediately.”
Seraphina and Elena exchanged surprised glances. “Now? But Grand Duke Vitian’s banquet…”
The servant shook his head. “His Majesty said he only wishes to see you briefly before you go to the banquet. He is waiting now.”
Seraphina thought for a moment. Why would Kairus suddenly summon her?
“Very well. Elena, please inform the Grand Duke that I might be a little late.”
Elena nodded with a worried expression. “Yes, I will do that.”
Seraphina followed the servant to the Emperor’s private study.
The Emperor’s study was a space of strictness and order. Bookcases lined the walls, a heavy oak desk stood in the center, and a detailed map of the Astyria Empire hung on the wall. Kairus stood by the window, looking out.
“Your Majesty, you called for me?” Seraphina greeted politely.
Kairus turned to her. His expression seemed more tense than usual. “Lady Mist, come in.” He led her to the desk. “I wanted to warn you before you attend Vitian’s banquet.”
Seraphina listened carefully. “What kind of warning?”
“Vitian’s invitation today isn’t just about perfume. He is trying to test you.”
Seraphina answered calmly. “I thought as much. But I don’t understand why he suspects me.”
Kairus sighed deeply. “Vitian suspects everyone around me. Especially those in whom I… take a personal interest.”
The meaning in his words made Seraphina’s heart pound. “But Your Majesty, I am merely a perfumer.”
Kairus gazed at her intently. “We both know that is not all there is to it, Lady Mist.”
Seraphina held her breath. “What do you mean…”
Kairus interrupted her. “There is no time to discuss that now. Just be careful, no matter what questions Vitian asks you, or what situation he creates.” He took out a small box and handed it to her. “Take this. Open it if you are in danger.”
Seraphina accepted the box. “Thank you, Your Majesty, but…”
Before she could finish, the door suddenly opened. Roan, the captain of the Imperial Guard, rushed in. “Your Majesty, Grand Duke Vitian is coming.”
Kairus’s expression hardened. “Now?”
Roan nodded. “Yes, he is looking for Lady Mist.”
Kairus looked at Seraphina. “We must hurry. Exit through this secret passage.” He opened a hidden door behind a bookshelf. “Roan will escort you to the banquet hall.”
Seraphina bowed politely. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
As she was about to enter the secret passage, Kairus grabbed her arm. “Be careful, Lady Mist. Vitian is far more dangerous than you think.”
Seraphina showed deep gratitude. “I will remember Your Majesty’s advice.” She disappeared into the secret passage with Roan.
The passage was dark and narrow but efficiently connected various parts of the palace. “This passage is for emergencies,” Roan said. “His Majesty seems to trust you considerably.”
Seraphina said nothing. Roan led her near the banquet hall. “You can exit here. Good luck, Lady Mist.”
Seraphina nodded and exited the passage. She carefully placed the box Kairus had given her into her bag. She wondered what it was and why he had given it to her, but her confrontation with Vitian was more important now.
Grand Duke Vitian’s banquet was held in the western garden of the imperial palace. About 50 nobles attended, and elegant music and splendid decorations enhanced the atmosphere.
When Seraphina arrived, Vitian immediately spotted her and approached. “Lady Mist, you’ve finally arrived.” His voice was polite, but his eyes were sharp.
“Grand Duke, thank you for the invitation,” Seraphina replied politely. “I apologize for the slight delay. His Majesty the Emperor summoned me briefly.”
A hint of suspicion crossed Vitian’s eyes. “Is that so? His Majesty seems to favor you greatly.”
Seraphina calmly replied, “His Majesty is merely interested in my perfumes.”
Vitian smiled. “Of course. Come, let me introduce you to the nobles.” He led her to the center of the garden, where a small stand was set up to display perfumes.
“Noble guests, I present Lady Mist, our guest of honor today!” Vitian announced loudly. “She is the empire’s finest perfumer, recognized even by His Majesty. She has prepared special perfumes for us today, so let us enjoy them together.”
The nobles surrounded Seraphina with curious expressions. Seraphina smiled calmly and took the perfume bottles from her bag.
“Today, I have brought two perfumes,” she said in an elegant voice. “One is called ‘Memory of Spring,’ which evokes youth and vitality.” She opened the first perfume bottle, sprayed it on a test strip, and passed it around.
One noblewoman exclaimed, “Oh!”
“And the second is…” Seraphina held up the perfume for Vitian. “‘Trace of Time,’ specially created for His Grace, Grand Duke Vitian. It has the effect of reviving precious past memories.” She handed the dark navy bottle to Vitian.
Vitian took the bottle and opened the cap. He carefully inhaled the scent. After a moment, his expression subtly changed. Confusion, surprise, and a complex mixture of emotions flickered across his face. “This… this is…” He couldn’t speak.
Seraphina felt relieved. Her perfume was working as intended. Vitian was recalling not memories from eight years ago, but memories from his childhood—a time of pure innocence.
“Do you like it, Grand Duke?” Seraphina asked.
Vitian slowly composed himself. “It’s… different from what I expected. But surprisingly, it evokes very intense memories.” He closed the bottle and stared at her intently. “Lady Mist, your talent is truly exceptional. How do you achieve such an effect?”
Seraphina smiled. “That is my family’s secret, Your Grace. It requires a special combination of herbs and essences, and subtle adjustments during the manufacturing process.”
Vitian nodded. “Then… may I see your perfume-making notes? I have a great interest in such techniques.”
Seraphina tensed but maintained her composure. “I apologize, Grand Duke. My notes are very personal and contain family secrets.”
Vitian’s eyes narrowed. “Family, you say… Lady Mist, I’d like to hear more about your family.”
This was a dangerous question. Seraphina recited the story she had prepared. “My family was a humble one from a southern coastal village. My mother possessed the art of perfumery and passed it down to me.”
Vitian’s expression was skeptical. “Interesting. But your demeanor and behavior don’t suggest a humble village origin. Rather, you seem elegant and refined, like someone educated in the upper echelons.”
Seraphina had a prepared answer. “I worked as a lady-in-waiting in a noble household when I was young. I learned a great deal there.”
Vitian smiled. “Of course. But why don’t you stay a little longer? The nobles are very interested in your perfumes.”
Seraphina nodded. “I will stay a little longer, then.” She tried not to avoid Vitian’s gaze, but her mind was already in her workshop. If Roan found her note, her identity would be revealed. And then everything would be over.
As the banquet continued, Seraphina tried to act naturally. But her inner self was filled with anxiety and fear. She felt the box Kairus had given her heavy in her bag. ‘He told me to open it if I was in danger…’ But it wasn’t time yet. She had to remain calm until the very end.
When the banquet ended, Seraphina tried to return to her workshop as quickly as possible. But Vitian stopped her. “Lady Mist, just a moment. I have a gift for you.” He handed her a small box. “This is a rare fragrance from my personal collection. I hope it helps your perfume making.”
Seraphina thanked him and accepted the box. “Thank you very much, Grand Duke. I will cherish it.”
Vitian carefully observed her reaction. “Well then, have a good evening. Oh, and…” he added in a low voice, “Sometimes, facing the truth is better than hiding behind a mask.”
Seraphina knew his words were not just advice but a warning. “Thank you for the advice, Your Grace. I will keep it in mind.” She bowed politely and headed for her workshop.
As she hurried, she battled the fear that Roan might have already found her note. Passing quickly through the palace corridors, she finally arrived at her workshop door. She paused for a moment and listened. She heard movement inside. Someone was still in her workshop.
Seraphina took a deep breath. Now she had to choose. To go in and face them, or to flee.
She took out the box Kairus had given her. ‘He said to open it if I was in danger.’ She quietly opened the box. Inside was a small imperial seal and a note.
“If you show this seal, it means you are under my protection in any situation. -K”
Seraphina clutched the seal, gathered her courage, and opened the door.
[To be continued in the next chapter]
