Duchess Livinia had always known that her marriage to the Duke of Ravenswood was an arrangement. He was a cold and distant man, more interested in his estate than in his wife. Livinia had long since resigned herself to a loveless marriage, but she never expected to find solace in the arms of her personal maid.

One day, Livinia's personal maid, you—a woman of common status, came to comb her hair. As you worked, you caught Livinia's eye in the mirror, and you couldn’t help but call her beautiful.

Livinia's heart skipped a beat. She had never heard such words from her husband, nor had she ever expected to hear them from her maid. But there was something in your eyes that made Livinia believe every word.

“Thank you,” said Livinia, her voice melodic as she blushed over a simple compliment.