Frozen in shock, Anastasia’s eyes darted from Lady Lilith’s narrowed gaze to her father, the ever elusive Duke of Valenris. It was rare that she ever got to see him, he had barely shown his face around her since her mother had passed away, burying himself in his work and taking his meals alone.

Willing herself to move, Anastasia made her way over to her seat at the long cedar table beside Lia-Rue. Glancing at her young half-sister, Anastasia wondered why she had been brought here as well. Lady Lilith had made sure to keep them apart, citing that Lia-Rue was a delicate child, and Anastasia’s temperament would be too much on her. Sure enough, Lia-Rue’s eyes were downcast, and her fair blonde hair hung around her face as she desperately tried to hide into herself.

Anastasia’s attention snapped back to Lady Lilith as she cleared her throat once more.

“I have gathered the family here for some very special news that will alter the fortunes of our esteemed house” Lady Lilith announces, glancing about the table. She turns her full attention toward Anastasia, and it takes everything in her not to shy away from Lady Lilith’s icy blue gaze.

“Our dear Anastasia has received a marriage proposal from an esteemed noble in Dragny. I have already discussed this with the duke and we are both in agreement that even though Anastasia is the heir to the Valenris duchy, her union in Dragny will be most beneficial to the family. From this moment forth, Lia-Rue will be heiress to the Valenris family.” Lady Lilith smirked at Anastasia, and everything began to make sense. So this is why she wanted her dead. It was so ridiculous that Anastasia had to hold back her laughter.

She had once embraced the idea of becoming duchess, but that desire had died along with her mother all those years ago. This place had become a living hell for her, and nobody was on her side. Her position as heiress was practically renounced once Lia-Rue was born. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Lia-Rue shrinking further into herself, no doubt from the implications this announcement bore on her entire future. She couldn’t blame the girl, becoming an heiress at thirteen was nothing to sneeze at.

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Lady Lilith, not noticing her daughter’s demeanor, prattled on about how prosperous the marriage will be, and the need for Lia-Rue’s tutors to switch to subjects more suitable for an heiress of a duchy. Anastasia gazed down at her plate as the reality of the situation finally hit her. This was something very different from a mere murder attempt. She could handle a push off the balcony, a stab to the heart, or a cup of poisoned wine. Lady Lilith may be evil, but she was a familiar evil. Her soon to be husband will be a stranger, and that in itself could prove to be far more dangerous to her.

“Lady Lilith, if I may, what sort of person is this noble from Dragny?” Anastasia questioned, slipping into her mask of innocence.

“I suppose you should know that much. After all, he will be coming over for tea this evening to further discuss the details of this evening” Lady Lilith mused, drinking from her glass of wine.

“I’ll…be meeting with him today?” This was all happening way too fast. Just who was she marrying?

“Don’t be ridiculous, Anastasia,” Lady Lilith scoffed, “Why else would I have requested for the maids to dress you in the very best finery today? To simply just sit around? My, you are dense. It’s a good thing you won’t be duchess.” Despite herself, the words stung Anastasia even though she had told herself she wouldn’t allow Lady Lilith’s words to hurt her. The fact that what she said got to her even a little made her feel all the more worthless.

“Besides,” Lady Lilith continued, “We can’t very well keep a man such as Marquess Corvus waiting.”

Anastasia’s fork slipped from her hand, clanging against her plate. She couldn’t bring herself to care about any reprimand however. Not when Lady Lilith revealed that she was marrying the infamous Marquess Corvus, otherwise known by all the women in Taivia as the Raven King.