Camilla lifted her shoulders and gave a very casual, light shrug. She decided not to waste her time worrying about his personality anymore. She was hungry, and the food in front of her was excellent.

"Uncle Murry," Camilla spoke out loud, breaking the quiet silence of the large room.

The older housekeeper quickly stood up straight. He placed his hands neatly behind his back and looked at her attentively. "Yes, My Lady?"

Camilla pointed her silver fork at the large roasted chicken and the massive bowl of mashed potatoes.

"Thank you for the meal," Camilla said warmly. She smiled a genuine smile. "They are so delicious. The kitchen staff did a wonderful job. But please, sit down and eat with me. I’m afraid I can’t finish it all by myself. It is far too much food for one person."

Mr. Murry blinked in surprise. In a noble household, the servants never sat at the main dining table to eat with their masters. It was against all the strict rules of society.

"My Lady," Murry said softly, "that is very kind of you, but it is not proper. I should eat in the kitchen."

Camilla waved her hand in the air, dismissing the strict rules completely.

"I make the rules now, remember?" Camilla reminded him with a playful wink. "You said the old Duke put me in charge. And I say, I do not want to eat alone in this giant room. Please sit down."

Murry looked at her bright, welcoming face. The housekeeper could not refuse her warm invitation. The heavy, cold atmosphere of the Benson mansion felt completely different with her sitting there.

Slowly, a wide, genuine smile spread across Murry’s wrinkled face.

"Thank you, My Lady," Murry said softly. He pulled out the wooden chair right next to hers and sat down carefully.

"I’ll give you a plate," Camilla said.

She did not wait for the maids. She stood up from her own chair. She reached across the table and picked up a clean, empty silver plate.

She grabbed a large serving spoon. She scooped a generous portion of the hot, creamy mashed potatoes and placed it on his plate.

Then, she cut a large, juicy piece of the roasted chicken and added it, along with a spoonful of warm green vegetables.

She gently placed the full plate directly in front of the older man. She sat back down and picked up her own fork to continue eating.

Murry looked down at the hot food. Then, he looked at Camilla.

"Such a cute girl," Murry thought to himself. His heart felt very warm. He watched her eat happily. She had no arrogance. She treated an old servant like a respected family member.

Murry let out a very long, quiet sigh internally.

"Why doesn’t the General like her?" Murry wondered in his mind. He shook his head slightly. "The General is completely blind. He has a wonderful, kind wife right here in his home, and he ignores her. He is a foolish boy."

Murry picked up his silver fork and took a small bite of the potatoes. As he ate, a new, strong determination filled his mind.

"Now that I am here," Murry planned silently, "under the old Duke’s direct orders, I will fix this broken marriage. I will make sure the General falls deeply in love with the Lady. They both need a family. I will be the bridge that connects them."

While Camilla and Murry were sharing a peaceful dinner, the front doors of the mansion opened.

Kade entered the house. The loyal aide looked very tired. He had spent the entire afternoon riding his horse, asking questions, and following hidden tracks. His brown leather boots were covered in dust.

Kade did not go to the kitchen to eat. He walked straight up the grand staircase to the second floor. He went directly to Damon’s private bedroom. He knocked on the door, but there was no answer. The room was empty.

Kade turned around and walked back downstairs. He went down the quiet hallway that led to the General’s private study.

He saw a light shining under the wooden door. Kade raised his hand and knocked firmly three times.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Enter," Damon’s deep, commanding voice responded from inside.

Kade pushed the heavy door open and came in.

Damon was sitting behind his massive desk. Several oil lamps were lit around the room, casting a warm yellow glow over the military maps and the tall bookshelves. Damon was writing quickly on a piece of paper with a black feather quill.

Kade stood in front of the desk and bowed his head.

"Report," Damon said. He did not stop writing.

Kade stood up straight.

"My Lord," Kade began, "I tried to find the Lady this afternoon after you told me she had left the estate. I searched the nearby markets in the upper city. I couldn’t find her."

Damon paused his writing. He looked up at Kade.

"But," Kade continued quickly, "I have traces of where she went. I checked the stables. One of your fast black horses was taken. I tracked the horse’s prints. The horse was brought back to the small side gate a short while ago."

"She’s back," Damon replied calmly. He placed his feather quill down on the wooden desk. "She is in the dining room eating right now."

Kade nodded. He knew she had returned, but his investigation had uncovered something very strange.

"My Lord," Kade asked, his face looking very serious and confused. "Do you know what is going on with her brother?"

Damon frowned slightly. He leaned back in his leather chair. "Her brother? Zade Kennedy?"

"Yes, My Lord," Kade replied. "While I was coming back,I heard a very fresh rumor. Lord Zade is currently receiving emergency medical treatment at his home. He got beaten very badly by a gang of thugs in the lower city. He has broken ribs and a bruised face."

Damon narrowed his dark eyes. He remembered the fresh, bloody scratch on Camilla’s cheek. He remembered how she had grabbed him by the throat in the hallway with perfect combat skills.

"I suspected she went to see him," Kade added, sharing his theory.

Kade crossed his arms, showing his deep confusion. "But... the Lady has never contacted her brother since her marriage with you. It has been a whole year. She completely ignored his letters. Why would she suddenly take a fast horse and rush to the lower city for him today?"

Kade shook his head. "It does not make any sense. Maybe I am misunderstanding the entire situation. I will investigate this thoroughly tomorrow morning. I will find out exactly what happened in the lower city."

Damon looked at Kade. Damon had already connected all the pieces of the puzzle. Camilla had gone to the dangerous lower city alone. She had fought a gang of thugs, saved her brother, and returned home with a scratch on her face.

Damon did not want Kade digging into the situation. If Kade finds something, it would cause a massive, uncontrollable scandal.

Damon raised his right hand in the air to stop his aide from speaking further.

"No need," Damon ordered smoothly. His voice was final. "Drop the investigation. It is a family matter between the Kennedys. It does not concern our military affairs. You may go rest, Kade. You have worked hard today."

Kade was surprised that the General was ignoring such a strange event, but he never argued with a direct order.

Kade bowed deeply from the waist. "Yes, General. Goodnight."