The Councilors had already chosen the next emperor by late morning, and they scheduled his coronation ceremony for the afternoon, which would double as our wedding—in the castle sanctuary this time. I was sure the rumors would be making the rounds. The Chosen seducing three emperors in a row, within a week? Except I knew nothing of this one. Not his face, not his name, nothing. I wondered if this one would take no for an answer tonight, and if so, how long his patience would last.

Not that it mattered. I’d do whatever it took to keep Ranine safe, so I steeled myself for the day ahead.

Relieved that the box with Mother’s head had disappeared overnight, I managed to get dressed and comb my hair. Stepping out into the hallway, Genet greeted me with a strangely cocky smile, even though he looked as though he hadn’t slept. “Good morning, Chosen,” he said with a bow. The other guards followed suit.

I mumbled a reply and started walking. Genet fell in step beside me, easily keeping up with his long strides. His smile stuck.

“I hear this will be a busy day,” he said.

I eyed him skeptically. That was why he was so chipper?

“Congratulations on your engagement.”

I wanted to punch him. What was he playing at? “Thank you.”

We arrived at the dining room, and I only asked for whatever meal would be easiest for the cooks to prepare. I didn’t care what it would be. Genet hovered just over my right shoulder, his hands folded behind his back, taking after Gasni.

My tablet dinged while I waited, and I pulled it from my knitted bag. Another announcement from the Council? It said the wedding had been postponed, and the original announcement had been sent by mistake. Only the coronation ceremony would be held this afternoon.

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I turned a scowl on Genet, and he just kept that arrogant smile. He’d done something. I hoped the kitchen staff would be bringing me a steak knife so I could stab him. If he caused anything to happen to Ranine…

I ate my lunch in a rush and returned to my room, then blinked up to Gasni’s office. “What did Genet do?”

He looked up from his tablet, genuine surprise crossing his face. “I’m sorry?”

“The wedding was just called off. What did he do?”

“He did nothing. The new emperor, Henlas, only felt it was cruel to push you into a wedding while you were grieving. He politely asked the Council to postpone, and they agreed.”

I wasn’t buying it.

“I can see that you’re skeptical, but I assure you that Henlas made this choice on his own, with no influence from us. The wedding was not cancelled, only delayed. This will not affect Ranine’s safety.”

“You say that as if you know for certain.”

“The Council may be spiteful, but they are methodical in their decisions. You played no part in this change of events, and so they will not harm Ranine for it.”

I glared at him for a moment. “I want to borrow my knife.”

“Lady Eujia, you can’t take it from this room—”

“I’ll bring it right back.”

We held a staring contest, but he surrendered and set my knife on the desk.

I snatched it and returned to my room, poking my head out the door to ask Genet to come in.

He was smiling again. “What can I do for you?”

I jumped at him, pushing the blade at his throat, and his eyebrows shot up. “What did you do to postpone the wedding?”

“Why do you think I’d do that?”

“Answer the question.”

He chuckled and raised his hands to his sides. “Okay, okay. I may have… encouraged Henlas to see things a certain way. Nothing the Council will ever find out about, I promise.”

I shoved him back. “Stay out of my business!”

His smile finally faded. “I’m your guard captain now. It’s also my business.”

“Your job is only to keep me safe. Why do you care about anything else?”

Something fierce flickered in his icy blue eyes. “I owe you my life, and then some, even if I did force your hand. If you think I’m going to stop at keeping you alive and trapped here like I’m supposed to, you’re going to learn fast just how wrong you are.”

This was dangerous. He was taking on the Council. “What are you going to do?”

And that smile returned. “I’m going to find Ranine.”