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Chapter 3: A Resolution of Lovers

Carina attempted to appear unphased as she watched the Crown Prince’s departure down the garden path. Hana and Colonel Isaac approached the Duchess quickly as the rest of Bastiallano’s knights, which had been waiting outside the garden, filed in around them.

The Viscountess reached down silently to clasp Carina’s hand with an encouraging smile that did not mask the glimmer of uncertainty behind her turquoise-blue eyes.

“What is it?” Carina asked, noting her friend's furrowed brows.

“It’s just I can’t help but worry,” Hana murmured as she turned away from the breeze that blew strands of blonde hair across her face. “We went through all the trouble to leave this place behind, and yet here you are, still being dragged into the court's politics.”

“I'm afraid any freedom we gained after leaving the Crown Princess's service was short-lived,” Carina replied with a cynical smile as she brushed the loose hair away from Hana’s cheek. “The moment I gave my oath as Duchess, I gained a seat of power that implicitly tied me to the royal family.” The Duchess sighed tiredly and motioned towards the warm stone seats beside the fountain. “Can we sit for a moment?”

“Of course.” Hana slid her arm around Carina’s waist worriedly. “Are you alright? We should head back soon so you can rest properly.”

“I'm fine. I just need a moment to clear my head,” Carina murmured with a quick smile before dropping her head against Hana’s shoulder for a moment of quiet.

The Viscountess held her silence as Colonel Isaac and his knights moved to form a discreet circle around them. “Kirsi. I understand that you must use Bastiallano’s forces to protect both king and country—but must you make enemies of men like Marquess Borghese?”

“Marquess Borghese is far too paranoid to turn a blind eye towards a half-blood shifting the flow of power between Lafeara’s two political factions,” Carina replied with a muffled yawn.

“Political factions?”

‘It doesn't look like Hana received the same instruction I did on the inner workings of the noble's political parties.'

“Every Lafearian noble family with even an inch of power or influence is tied to one of two political parties. The Noble Faction, led by the Earl of Hawthorne and other noble families with strong ties to the witch community. And the Royal Faction, led by Dowager Octavia and other nobles, like Duke Stryker Hargreve, who take pride in their loyalty to the royal family." Carina raised a cynical brow, then took a small breath before continuing. “Earl Ethan Hawthorne was the last Prime Minister before Lord Attwood. He held the most influence over king and country until his death. That is when the political power shifted to the Royal Faction under Dowager Octavia, who made Marquess Attwood Hargreve the next Prime Minister.”

As Countess Constance had explained it, both parties had been surprised when Prime Minister Attwood chose a neutral position between the two noble parties after obtaining his seat. Part of the reason Carina so admired the man was his genuine focus on the future of the Kingdom over any political power or personal gain.

“And Marquess Borghese is a part of the Royal Faction?” Hana asked, her turquoise blue eyes narrowed with intent focus.

“Yes. Borghese wields a great deal of influence in the Royal Faction, mostly due to his seat in the House of Lords and close relationship with both the Dowager and Duke Stryker Hargreve, who, as you might have guessed, is the Prime Minister’s older brother.”

“I see.” Hana nodded slowly. “So then, at least at the moment, the Royal Faction has the upper hand.”

“For now,” Carina rubbed her neck as she sat up and stared at the pale gray palace walls beyond the garden hedge. “My worry is that things will change in the near future.”

‘Especially given Percy’s great ambitions.’

“Because you are Duchess?”

Carina raised her eyebrows and shrugged. “Perhaps. I’m certain the Dowager had her reasons for giving me her ancestral lands.”

“But—didn’t the Duchy belong to you previously, Kirsi?”

‘Not to me—exactly.’

“It still feels like too much of a coincidence,” Carina deflected with a sigh. “Lately, the Dowager has been acting very out of character. For someone who has survived so long by maintaining a death grip on power—It makes no sense for her to give up Bastiallano. Not to mention her recent decision to step back as regent, allowing her grandson to take on more responsibility. Once Nicholas becomes King, Octavia will be nothing more than a redundant figurehead relying on favors and status.”

“I see your point,” Hana conceded uneasily. “The Dowager has been in power for so long—I’m sure she’s prepared something for her inevitable exit.”

‘But Octavia still ruled the Royal Party in Maura's timeline. Just another piece of the future that has changed unexpectedly. Even if she isn't pretending, I can't ignore the hostility that she and Kirsi still bear toward the Havardur Royal Family. Revenge and power aren't something you walk away from that easily.’

Carina tilted her head slightly and laughed at Hana’s anxious expression. “I wouldn’t worry about Marquess Borghese. It will take more than a secret army to come after us now.” The Duchess’s ice-blue eyes hardened as she rose to her feet and plucked a blade of grass from her dress. “Even without Bastiallano’s forces, I have grown stronger.”

‘And will continue to do so—once Viktor lets me resume my training.’

“Kirsi,” Hana whispered worriedly as she eyed the stiff, frozen stem in Carina’s hand. “I remember Eleanora mentioning that many of the noble families in the Noble Faction were, in fact, witches themselves who merely pretended to be mortals."

"You mean, like Eleanora's father, Lord Alastair Kensington?" Carina’s lips twitched with an amused smile. “Yes, although—beyond the Hawthorne and Kensington family—I can't be sure.” Still, given that Marquess Winifred took no issue with following an Earl two ranks lower than him, it seemed likely that at least one of the Air Covens had hidden themselves among Lafearian nobility.

'But how large is a Coven? And what is their agenda?' The Duchess shook her head silently.

"Then—the Royal Faction?"

"All staunch supporters of the Church, Pope, and Saint," Carina replied absently.

The Viscountess's intent expression faltered, her lips and brow shifting in discomfort as her troubled gaze turned to the serene landscape of nature around them.

The Duchess pressed her lips together and discarded the frozen stem hastily. "Anyway, the Royal Faction has supported the throne since the first Havardur Kings. Many of them support the church's tyrannical views on witches."

Hana nodded. “That would explain why nobles like Borghese vehemently opposed Nicholas’s marriage to Eleanora.”

‘Well, yes, though Borghese’s original plans to have Nicholas marry Priscilla probably played a part.’

"Honestly," Carina murmured aloud. "It wouldn’t surprise me to learn that the death of the First Prince was orchestrated by the Royal Faction rather than the Dowager, just to avoid letting a witch sit on Lafeara’s throne.”

The Viscountess shivered and glanced around the garden warily. “But if the Royal Faction is in control—why allow Eleanora’s marriage to go through?”

The Duchess shrugged. “Even with the Dowager and Duke supporting them, the Royal Faction doesn't have the strength to oppose Emperor Arius.”

Hana’s face twisted in confusion while Carina signaled to Colonel Isaac that they were ready to leave. “But didn’t you say the Dowager—” she quickly lowered her voice as the knights approached, “—was a witch?”

“I wonder,” Carina murmured as she slid her arm around Hana’s. “I still find Octavia hard to figure out. I suppose it's possible that she suppressed her powers for years using the Aconitum flower. I very much doubt the Royal Faction would have allowed her to obtain a foothold as Royal Consort, let alone Queen Regent, had they suspected her of being a witch."

“This all sounds far too complicated and dangerous,” the Viscountess murmured worriedly as her hand tightened around the Duchess's arm. “Can’t we just focus on your new Duchy and the plague?”

Carina couldn’t help but smile. It was a relief to have someone like Hana at her side. Even if the Viscountess was a foreigner, she was not ignorant of the struggle between the church and witch covens. ‘Still, it feels strange. I've never trusted someone this quickly before. Is this because of Maura's memories? Is that why I can't bring myself to question Hana's intentions or loyalty? The only other person I’ve trusted this much is Ivy.’ A pang of guilt and worry twisted in Carina’s stomach at the thought of her last visit to Hawthorne. ‘I should pay Lord Percy a visit. Now that things have settled down, it's time I brought Jade, Ivy, and Gus to Bastalliano to stay with me.'

Feeling Hana’s questioning gaze, Carina smiled. “It’s not that simple, Hana. Octavia transferring ownership of Bastiallano to me has shaken free a large piece of the Royal Faction's power and influence. On top of that, all the rumors about my connection to Lord Percy and the Hawthorne family will lead many to believe that I will throw my support behind the Noble Faction.”

“But—what if you stayed neutral?”

The Duchess shook her head as the knights fell in step around them down the path which led towards Lily Palace and their waiting carriage. “Staying neutral would mean turning a blind eye to the suffering of innocent people trapped beneath Marquess Borghese's power."

‘Just the thought of all the children he's condemned to a life of rape, abuse, and misery—makes me want to bite his head off!'

For a moment, the Duchess’s footing faltered on the pebbled path as a sudden suspicion sparked behind her eyes.

‘Is that why Octavia gave up the Duchy now? To publicly distance herself from Marquess Borghese. Perhaps she's been observing us while only pretending to give up power. If so, then she might have uncovered our investigation of Marquess's Borghese finances. Does that mean Borghese knows as well? Is that why Octavia asked me to overlook Priscilla’s behavior—because she knew that I was planning to have the Marquess punished for his crimes? There’s no way Priscilla would survive the public backlash if her father is convicted of treason on top of any involvement in trafficking and exploiting children.'

“I can see that it troubles you, Kirsi,” Hana murmured with a reassuring smile. “If you are determined to take this path, know that I will always support you.”

The Duchess offered a weak smile of gratitude before quietly shaking her head. ‘How could I not take this path when I know how much you suffered as a slave.’

“I am grateful for your support,” Carina murmured quietly. “But you're right, we must both be careful moving forward, especially during the Royal Hunt.”

When the Viscountess gave no reply, the Duchess glanced over, then followed her friend's gaze to where a group of familiar noblewomen were making their way across the green lawn to head them off.

“Your Grace?” Colonel Isaac said questioningly with a look over his shoulder towards her.

‘Damn it. If only Nicholas had chosen a less public place to meet.’

“Be sure to treat the Crown Princess with the respect she deserves,” Carina replied stiffly just as she and the knights were forced to come to an abrupt halt.

Crown Princess Eleanora panted as she held out her arms to block their way forward. She was dressed in her usual morning riding attire of men’s garments, which, despite their novelty in this world, complemented her tall, strong figure. Behind the Crown Princess, Major Garrett moved to stand to her left, where his wary gaze shifted among the eight knights that had accompanied the Duchess before settling in on Colonel Isaac.

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‘Well, at least we have numbers on our side, even if we had to relinquish our weapons at the gate.’

Major Garrett suffered from no such handicap. Still, his gleaming knight’s sword and bulky armor appeared to have been constructed more for decoration than actual combat.

“Perhaps—I should speak with her,” Hana said quietly as the two parties faced each other with tense silence. Colonel Isaac and three other knights who stood firmly in the Crown Princess’s path quickly moved together to block Eleanora’s sudden attempt to push through.

“What are you doing? Get out of my way! Do you fools not realize who I am?”

Carina grimaced at the Crown Princess’s familiar, condescending tone. Despite Eleanora’s bristling arrogance and stubborn refusal to step back, the Crown Princess’s face appeared haggard as if from lack of sleep. Her amber eyes remained glued to Hana even as Major Garrett stepped forward to place a hand on her shoulder, attempting to coax the princess away from the unmoving line of Bastiallano’s knights.

“Let me go, Major, and move these men aside! I demand to speak with Lady Hana at once!”

The Duchess turned to the Viscountess beside her worriedly. “Are you sure you want to talk with her now? We could arrange another meeting—” she shot a warning glare towards the struggling Crown Princess, “—when her Highness has had an opportunity to compose herself.”

Eleanora’s amber gaze burned like molten daggers as she glared back at Carina.

“If we must continue our relationship with the royal palace, then I think it would be best I settled this now,” Hana replied with measured calm as she released her hold on the Duchess’s arm.

Carina gritted her teeth but nodded her ascent before calling out to her knights. “Thank you, Colonel Isaac. You may stand down. Lady Hana would like to speak with the Crown Princess.”

“What is the meaning of such blatant disrespect?!” Lady Meredith, who had finally caught up to Eleanora and Major Garrett, panted as she staggered into place behind her mistress. “Who are you to interfere in this matter? Your knights ought to be beheaded for laying hands on her Highness!”

"They didn't touch her!" The nerve above Carina’s left eyebrow twitched as she drew in a sharp breath. "They simply stood in her way." While it was true the knights of both Dukedoms were bound by the rules of the palace, that didn’t allow them to shrink from their duty to protect the Duchess.

‘Honestly, I'm impressed by how loyal they are given how short a time it's been since I became a Duchess.'

“Eleanora, if you want to speak to me, then please remind your ladies to treat the Duchess with proper respect,” Hana cut in coldly. “Better yet, ask them to be silent.”

“How dare you—”

“Lady Meredith! Lady Evelynn!” Eleanora snapped as she turned towards her two rather tired-looking ladies in waiting. “If you are unable to hold your tongue, then you may return to the palace and wait for me there.”

Meredith opened her mouth to protest and just as quickly clamped it shut. Behind the fuming attendant, Lady Evelynn fanned herself and pointedly avoided looking in their direction.

The Crown Princess quickly turned back to Hana with a pleading look. “I just want to speak with you for a moment—privately.” Carina ignored the scowl pointed in her direction.

“As you wish, your Highness,” Hana replied calmly and then gestured towards the water fountain behind them. “We may speak over there.”

Eleanora’s face brightened noticeably as she and Major Garrett circled the Duchess and her knights towards the fountain.

“Colonel Isaac will accompany you, Lady Hana,” Carina called out when the Viscountess hesitated to follow.

Eleanora quickly spun around. “What? Don’t be impertinent, Maura! I asked for a private audience!”

“And yet your bodyguard is accompanying you. I’m merely sending along one of my knights to ensure the Viscountess’s safety.”

“Do you honestly believe that I would harm Hana?!” Eleanora retorted incredulously.

‘Harm her, perhaps not. But I don’t trust you to let Hana simply walk away either.’

“Colonel Isaac will be discreet, your Highness,” Hana interjected with a nod toward the knight assigned to her. “In any case, he will only report back to the Duchess, who is well aware of our relationship.”

The Crown Princess looked flustered for a moment but then nodded her head and motioned eagerly towards their destination. “Fine. As long as he doesn’t interrupt us.”

“Your Grace,” Colonel Isaac bowed his head to the Duchess, then swiftly offered his arm to Hana, whom he escorted after the pacing Crown Princess.

Carina did her best to ignore the prickle of anxiety that crawled up her spine as she watched the two ex-lovers walk away. ‘Haa. Why am I so bothered? Given how we left, perhaps an opportunity to clear the air will help both sides moving forward.'

“I see your head has clearly enlarged with your new position,” Meredith hissed sharply the moment the pair were well out of range.

The Duchess resisted the urge to roll her eyes as she folded her arms to wait. Her fingers tightened against the silk fabric of her dress the moment Eleanora reached out to take Hana’s arm before pulling the Viscountess into a tight embrace.

‘It’s fine. Stay calm. Isaac is there. Hana will signal if she needs me.’

“Her Highness will doubtlessly invite Lady Hana back to the palace,” Meredith added as if pointedly looking for holes in the Duchess’s cold exterior.

Carina snorted. “And why would Hana bother listening?”

“Well, you both left quite a few personal items behind,” Meredith said coyly. “Especially you, Lady Maura.”

“I might be willing to turn a blind eye to the Crown Princess’s blunder in forgetting my new name and status.” Carina turned to pin Meredith in place with a warning glare. “But for a mere daughter of a Viscount to ignore the title and name granted to me by their majesties?”

Meredith’s brown eyes pinched with sudden uncertainty as her gaze faltered beneath the Duchess’s malicious smile. “I-I misspoke.”

“Perhaps I should teach you a lesson to ensure that neither of you repeats your mistake in the future?"

Meredith and Evelynn both flinched as the three knights closest to them took a single step forward.

“Then again, why should I bother with people who lack the power and capability to do anything beyond spreading vicious gossip?" Carina unfurled her fan and yawned pointedly as her gaze returned to Hana and Eleanora’s conversation. Even from this distance, it was clear that Eleanora was worked up about something, while Hana appeared to be losing her patience.

‘How much longer should I give them?’

The Duchess turned her gaze sharply to the knight on her right. “Bring my carriage here. We will depart as soon as Hana is finished.”

‘I’d prefer to avoid any other surprise encounters on our way out.’

“Yes, your Grace.” The knight closest to her dipped his head in acknowledgment and then turned sharply towards the garden exit. The remaining knights adjusted their position around Carina, who returned her attention to the heated conversation between the ex-lovers. Eleanora was still stubbornly clinging to Hana’s arm.

‘Damn it. If I have to use my knights to break them up, that will only further ignite the rumors about their relationship.’

As strange as it was that Hana appeared to have given up all emotional attachment to Eleanora so quickly, Carina was far from convinced that the Viscountess no longer cared about the Crown Princess’s wellbeing.

‘Still, however heartbroken Eleanora may be, I can’t let her manipulate Hana like this.’

“What are you doing?” Meredith called out sharply as Carina moved determinedly towards the fountain. “How dare you interfere with her Highness’s con—” The attendant stumbled back as one of Bastiallano’s knights stepped forward sharply to block her path.

The Duchess ignored them as she strode to where Hana was straining to pull free from Eleanora’s grasp. Colonel Isaac and Major Garrett exchanged warning glares on either side of the struggling ladies. Their tense posture did nothing to reassure the Duchess’s worry.

“Your Highness, I believe it is time for Lady Hana and myself to leave,” Carina spoke up sharply.

Eleanora spun towards the Duchess and her knights. The tears glistening down her cheeks caught Carina by surprise, but the wild look in the Crown Princess’s gaze sent a chill down her spine. 'Their reactions are such polar opposites—its hard to believe they were in an intimate relationship only a week ago.'

“Eleanora,” Hana whispered with a wince. “Please, let me go.”

“No-no!” Eleanora shouted, her expression torn, bewildered, and utterly broken. “How could you leave me like this, Hana? Why—why did you stop loving me?!”

“I’ve explained all this to you already,” the Viscountess replied tiredly. “Regardless of whether you believe me or not, I do not love you, and I will not stay by your side any longer.”

“Liar!”

“Your Highness!” Carina tightened her grip on the folds of her cloak as she fought to suppress the cold magic that prickled against her fingertips. “Please remember where we are. His Majesty has already removed the knights that were guarding the entrances. If others were to enter and witness your behavior—it would only harm your Highness’s reputation further.”

“Be silent, witch!” A flicker of something that might have been Eleanora’s subdued half-witch powers burned behind the Crown Princess’s eyes as she whirled towards Carina. “My mother already told me how you threatened us both the same day you became a Duchess.”

‘Is she—trying to expose me now?’ Carina exhaled tensely. Major Garrett’s attention shifted from Colonel Isaac to the Duchess as his hand tightened around the hilt of his sword.

“I won’t deny that I warned Lady Isabella to refrain from harming or coming after Lady Hana or myself in the future.” Carina shook her head and offered the Crown Princess a pitying look. “I have no wish to harm your Highness or your family. But that does not mean I will tolerate your childish behavior any longer.”

"C-childish?!"

A single look and nod were all that was needed for Colonel Isaac to act. Still, Carina was impressed with the half-witch’s reflexes. As the Colonel used his left hand to bind Major Garret's feet with a blast of cold magic, he disarmed the stumbling man with his right.

Hana reacted quickly to the sudden chaos as she twisted her arm free and then sprinted past Isaac towards the Duchess's waiting arms. The Bastalliano knights swiftly circled around them.

“Are you alright?” Carina asked worriedly as the Viscountess rubbed her forearm tenderly.

“It’s nothing,” Hana replied with a quick shake of her head. “What do we do now?”

The Duchess glanced over to where Isaac stood above the fallen bodyguard, with Garrett’s sword pointed at the Major’s neck.

“Stop this at once!” Eleanora snarled, hesitating even as she glanced between Garrett and Hana.

“That’s enough, Colonel,” Carina called out quickly. “Return the Major’s sword. We’ll be taking our leave now.”

Isaac nodded as he stepped back and thrust the sword into the ground beneath Major Garrett’s feet. A bright flash of cold magic locked the blade into place before the Colonel spun around and returned to the Duchess’s side.

“No, Hana! Please! Wait!”

Carina shot an annoyed glance at the two attendants who stood by as the Crown Princess chased after them. ‘Are they incapable of reasoning with her, or do they want Eleanora to humiliate herself?’

“You can’t trust her, Hana!” Eleanora continued, her voice twisted with fear and desperation as she tried to shove her way past the knights blocking her path. “Maura is the Dowager’s spy. Why do you think she became my lady-in-waiting, to begin with? The Dowager told her to turn you against me! Please, Hana. Think! What other reason is there for anyone to care about a foreigner with no background who was once a slave!”

‘I will rip her tongue out if she—’

“Don’t listen, Kirsi,” Hana whispered tensely as she wrapped an arm around Carina’s waist. “Eleanora is not herself right now.”

“You’re comforting me? She was insulting—"

“I don't care what she says about me,” the Viscountess replied with firm resolution before whispering, "She shouldn't have called you a witch so openly."

“But—”

“The Hana who belonged to her does not exist anymore."

Carina raised a brow worriedly at Hana’s rather emotionless declaration but nodded along silently as she focused on the path ahead. Whatever her friend's reasons for cutting ties with Eleanora so cruelly, it didn’t matter to her.

‘I came here to protect Hana, so that's what I'll do. She'll be far safer in Bastalliano than she ever was in Rose Palace.'

The sound of footsteps scuffling against the ground behind them confirmed that Eleanora had not given up. “Please, Hana! I need you here with me!”

“Please conduct yourself as is appropriate for a Crown Princess,” Carina called back coldly over her shoulder. “We are not the only ones in this garden anymore.”

The three ladies who had appeared through the garden entrance in front of them stepped aside hurriedly to allow the knights and Duchess to pass.

Unfortunately, even the presence of an audience could not shake Eleanora’s resolve.

“If you won’t let her go, Maura. Then I'll make it my mission to destroy you and bring her back!”

Carina smothered a snort of disbelief. ‘With what army, Eleanora?’

“Hana, please! You must visit me. What happened before was a mistake. Please just give me the chance to prove it to you.”

Carina had never been happier to see the Duchy's elaborately decorated carriage before in her life. At the same time, the number of eyes upon them after leaving the garden had only increased.

‘Please, Eleanora, stop before you ruin your relationship with Nicholas permanently.’

“I still have your belongings, Hana? Should I send them to you?”

“No.” The Viscountess let go of Carina’s arm once more as the knights formed a barrier around the carriage.

Carina watched silently as Hana turned to face Eleanora. For a brief moment, the Duchess felt a moment of pity for the desperate look of relief that flooded the Crown Princess’s face.

“No?” Eleanora echoed breathlessly.

“I don’t need or want any of it,” Hana replied. The Viscountess's tone and look of disgust were so out of character that even Eleanora appeared shaken.

The Crown Princess stepped back with a muffled sound of confusion as Major Garrett hurriedly caught up to her with his sword. “I don’t understand, Hana,” Eleanora whispered. The amber eyes which had once shown with such unshakable resolve now trembled beneath her furrowed brows. “Why?”

“Because I don’t want anything that reminds me of you and your family.”

Eleanora flinched visibly beneath the hatred that layered Hana’s words.

“Is that not a good enough reason?”

The Crown Princess finally appeared to be at a loss for words. Lady Meredith and Lady Evelynn made their appearance through the garden entrance and quickly moved to their mistress’s side.

“Hana,” Carina called out softly from the carriage step as she extended her hand toward the Viscountess.

“I wish you good luck with your marriage, Eleanora,” Hana continued mercilessly. “Please refrain from interfering with my life from this point forward.”

‘Okay, wow.’ The Duchess smiled silently in relief as Hana finally turned to accept her hand. Colonel Isaac closed the carriage door behind them and remained outside until a knight brought over his horse.

Hana remained silent as they pulled away. The soothing sound of the carriage’s wheels against the cobbled paving quickly drowned out beneath the horses of the knights that followed.

Carina fidgeted with the lace of her fan as they passed through the dark tunnel and finally left the royal palace behind.

“I-I think I might have been—too harsh,” Hana whispered suddenly, finally breaking the silence.

Carina quickly shook her head. “No. Eleanora needed to hear that. If anything, I'm at fault for not stepping in sooner or leaving immediately after our meeting with the Crown Prince.” She glanced down to where Hana was still rubbing her forearm and wrist. “We should get that looked at.”

“It’s only a bruise. Nothing’s broken,” Hana replied with a frustrated sigh. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I just thought that if we had to keep meeting, I should avoid making things awkward—but now they really are a mess.”

“It might be best to avoid joining any social occasion the Crown Princess will be attending,” Carina murmured in agreement.

“But what about the Royal Hunt? The opening of the orphanage?”

The Duchess grimaced.

‘Okay, so much for giving Eleanora time to calm down.’

“Let’s just do our best not to engage,” Carina suggested soothingly.

‘But—speaking of the orphanage.’

“Would it be alright if we dropped by Hawthorne Manor on our way back?”

Hana turned towards her quickly. “But you promised!”

“I know, but I haven’t seen Ivy, Gus, or Jade in some time now. And I won’t get a chance to see either of them until after the Royal Hunt if I don’t go there now. The number of things I have to finish before we leave has only tripled while I was—sleeping.”

The Viscountess sighed and shook her head. “I suppose I can’t argue with that since I delayed our return already by speaking with Eleanora.”

“That’s not what I—” Carina cut off with a blink as a low rumble came from her gut.

Hana sent her a knowing look. “Perhaps we should pick up something to eat in the market before we pay the Earl a visit.”

“That would probably be a good idea,” the Duchess replied sheepishly as she pressed a hand against her stomach. “There’s a bakery I know that makes the most delicious pastries.”

The Viscountess’s expression perked up almost immediately. “Do they—have strawberries?”