Delphine Rosenroth was in her winter sitting room when the notification arrived.
The manor was quiet in the cultivated way she preferred, no raised voices, no hurried footsteps, only the low murmur of servants moving with purpose and the faint clink of porcelain somewhere beyond the door. She sat near the tall window, sunlight filtering through sheer curtains, a cup of tea cooling untouched beside her.
Her tablet chimed softly.
Delphine glanced at it without urgency. Very few things were allowed to interrupt her day without prior approval. Fewer still managed to do so twice.
The courting application's crest glowed briefly before resolving into text.
Charitable Gala. Attendance Update
Lord Rafael Rosenroth
Partner: Duke Gregoris Frasner of Alamina
Delphine read it once.
Then again, more slowly.
A smile touched her lips wide, pleased in a way that would make others A smile that belonged to a woman who had just confirmed a suspicion she had been nurturing for weeks.
