Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
With a bow of his head, he said, “They will be honoured.”
“Let’s go.” Kalon guided me away from him and towards a servant with a drinks tray. He passed me one before taking a glass of his own. “Is that what you meant when you said this was your battlefield? Threatening his business deal? How did you even know about that?”
“People like Count Harver value one thing above all else: money. People are surprisingly easy to control once you know their weak spot.” I sipped the champagne. “That deal would be huge for him as no public restaurants openly sell the Evsea wine. And I found out because she told me about it herself. One of the mages accompanying us works closely with her to regulate her greenhouses, so she sent him along with a note for me asking if I would check him out for her.”
“Ha. I expect nothing less from Elena. Are you going to tell her?”
“Of course. I haven’t even met her in person, and I already know I like her more than the entirety of House Harver. I can’t possibly allow her to go into business with someone like him.”
“Allie, do you remember when you said you’d behead my enemies for me?”
I peered up at him. “Yes. You told me you didn’t need me to do it.”
“It appears that I’ve changed my mind.” He met my eyes. “That was far more enjoyable than I thought it would be.”
“Well, bridging two factions of high society and using my knowledge as a weapon isn’t really beheading people. It’s more… cutting them off at the knees.”
“Then I shall gather the heads while you collect the kneecaps.”
“That’s beautiful. You should make sure to include it in our wedding vows.”
Kalon smiled. “Duly noted, darling.”
“That’s enough of that for tonight,” I scoffed.
“Lady Alicia, is that you?”
I turned and recognised the face of Baroness Kilgard. She’d once been the Original Alicia’s etiquette teacher, and they’d gotten along famously. She was the soft female influence my predecessor had needed. “Baroness, it’s lovely to see you again.”
She beamed but quickly froze and curtseyed. “Forgive me, Your Highness. I was too excited to see my former student and neglected to greet you.”
“Don’t worry yourself, Baroness. It doesn’t displease me at all to be overshadowed by my fiancée,” Kalon replied.
What a simp.
The black magic accusations were going to come any moment, I just knew it.
“Oh, my.” Baroness Kilgard touched her fingers to her lips. “The rumours of your love must be true.”
I cleared my throat. “How are you?”
“Oh, I’m very well, thank you. The Grand Duke and Stein seem to be treating you well, my lady.” She smiled.
“Yes, I’m very happy there. Everyone has been so kind and welcoming to me, I’m very lucky.”
“I’m so glad to hear it. If you have a moment, might I introduce you to someone? The daughter of a dear friend of mine is making her debut tonight under my care, and you’re around the same age.”
I raised my eyebrows. “It’s quite late for a debut, is it not?”
“Yes, but she’s from the countryside. Her household had some financial difficulties and wished to recover before she debuted. They recently had an investment pay off greatly, so they sent her to me for some lessons. I was, of course, happy to oblige.”
A chill ran down my spine.
That sounded all too familiar.
Countryside.
Financial difficulties.
No. It couldn’t be. It was too early for her to appear, and besides, that was a background that could apply to any number of low-ranking nobles across the empire. Fortunes were squandered much quicker than they were made, after all, and there were less opportunities in the rural areas when compared to the capital.
“Allie?” Kalon nudged me.
“Forgive me, Baroness, I’m still tired from our long journey here.” I smiled. “Of course. It would be a pleasure to greet your charge.”
The baroness’ face lit up. “You’re as lovely as I remember, my lady. She’s close by, so please give me a moment.”
“Are you all right? Do you need some air?” Kalon asked, bending down so his lips were right by my ear.
“I’m fine,” I said, staring after the direction the baroness had gone in.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I—”
The baroness was back.
The girl on her arm was a dainty, blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty that I thought I might recognise with my eyes closed. Even the fairytale light blue gown she wore was exactly as I expected, and it was one I could describe with my eyes closed if I had to.
I was going to throw up.
She wasn’t supposed to be here.
Not yet.
I wasn’t ready.
“Lady Alicia, Your Highness, may I introduce my charge, Lady Lillia de Armand.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The Real Heroine
“It is my honour to greet Your Highness, the Grand Duke of Stein and First Prince of the Sada Empire,” Lillia said, curtseying deeply. “And the honourable Lady Alicia Vermillion.”