“No, I noticed it, too.” JP rubbed his chin as they stood in the corner of the great room after dinner. Their voices were low and easily lost in the rapid chatter and occasional yelling happening around them. “She does seem to be ignoring Prince Gideon.”
“I told you she was insane.” Sonia remained standing on Tori’s other side.
Tori pursed her lips and looked at the parquet floor of the great hall. Normally, when dozens of people, especially dozens of wealthy, influential people, were enjoying her products, she’d be weaving amongst them, trying to increase their interest and commit them to buying.
Instead, she went for a second opinion.
As important guests in the Fekete Duchy: Piers because he was a prince, Axton because he was a duke of equal standing, and Tori because of personal connections, they were all seated at the main table, closest to the Duke and Duchess and their son. Evzen sat near them and she, JP, and Sonia were answering his questions on Lycée, as it was expected that he’d attend in two years.
Tori thought that with Axton, Sonia, JP, and even Evzen taking up the seats nearest Piers, he wouldn’t be accosted so easily. At most, someone would likely approach him to talk, but they couldn’t sit down and linger.
Even Gideon had remained standing when he spoke to his brother.
Alessa didn’t approach, but she did look over.
For a few minutes, Tori had thought she was overthinking and once the games were brought down and set up for the guests, she had asked JP if he had noticed Alessa’s abnormal actions.
And JP did.
“She’s approached Lady Catherine, Duchess Tetri, and Lord Gerard,” JP smiled pleasantly and gave the appearance as if the three of them were in the corner, chatting about something pleasant and not trying to figure out Alessa’s game plan.
Lady Catherine was the heir of the Sinan Duchy and Lord Gerard was the heir of the Servana Duchy.
Tori lifted her hand and giggled into it to give the illusion of having a lighthearted discussion with her friends. Her eyes were smiling though her voice was dull. “Did it seem like an introduction or something more?”
“It looked like Duchess Tetri had a short greeting with her, but Hart lingered around Lady Catherine and Lord Gerard for a bit,” JP said. His eyes drifted to a table where six people, led by Axton, were going through a new dungeon crawl plot. “Evzen told me something earlier, before you two came downstairs.” Both Tori and Sonia looked towards him. “He said that Hart kept trying to start a conversation and talk to him when they were hunting.”
Evzen was talkative to them now, but when they first met, he was withdrawn and resented being dragged to the delta. He was only happy to see them now because he had grown accustomed to them. Otherwise, he wasn’t comfortable talking to just anyone.
“Did he say what they were talking about?”
“Hart asked about him, what his hobbies were, and spoke about her inexperience being a baroness and how Evzen must understand how she feels because he is an heir to a duchy,” JP said. He paused. “She also said something about how you helped save her this summer.”
She drew her head back with a dubious expression. “Did Evzen hear correctly?”
“I don’t think any details were given, but Evzen said that it sounded as if saving her is what gave you the title of countess. He tried to correct her, but he got tongue-tied and no one seemed to take him seriously.”
“Baron Hart’s recognition was mentioned in the peerage announcement, but that was more padding to the real reason.” Tori frowned.
“This does bring up the question: if no one believed Evzen, then does this mean Prince Gideon and von Dorn don’t know the details of what happened this summer?” JP asked. The trio looked at each other.
Sonia’s gaze sharpened. “What are the chances she’s spread this around? She has been introducing herself to other guests.”
Tori narrowed her eyes and looked away from the guests. “I don’t know, but it’s not suspicious to do so. That’s all everyone is doing tonight; finding connections with their peers for smooth relationships.”
“I haven’t noticed her approaching lower ranked nobles....” Sonia said in a quiet voice. She looked at the floor for a moment before raising her eyes to meet Tori’s. “Isn’t it strange that she went to introduce herself to duchies?”
“But if she was after a high-ranking individual, why didn’t she stay with Prince Gideon like she has in the past?” Tori met Sonia’s eyes and neither of them could think of a reason.
“Perhaps she gave up on him.” They looked towards JP. “The second prince was in the naval academy all summer and didn’t receive any news about what happened with the poaching ring. He wouldn’t be able to contact Hart or offer her any support. Maybe she was upset that he didn’t communicate with her after she’d been through such an ordeal. It does make it seem as if he doesn’t care.”
“But she still joined his hunting party,” Sonia pointed out.
“Because she likely had no other choice. She can ignore him until she needs him.” Tori’s eyes went across the room. Because of curiosity, many younger nobles remained in the great hall to try the games. Axton escorted Piers to his room before coming to play, and Gideon and Fabian weren’t in the hall, as if in silent protest of Tori’s games. “Our hunting party was filled and so were the ones for the high-ranking nobles.”
Sonia sneered and turned her head away from the crowd. “Don’t tell me she looks down on low-ranking nobles when she’s a low-ranking noble.”
Tori took a deep breath. “She could be looking for more support. You know about her barony; it’s in a worse situation than Cosora. It would make sense for Hart, who just succeeded her father, to try to get on good terms with high ranked and influential nobles to gain access to assistance that may help her and Chetterswickshire. It’s not a bad idea and her barony does need all the help she can get.”
Sonia’s shoulders lowered and she let out a small sigh. She gave Tori a small shake of her head. “Despite all the rumors she started about you, you’re still so forgiving.”
Tori snorted. “I’m not forgiving, I’m just trying to rationalize her actions.”
“If your guess is right, and she is targeting a high ranked individual with money and influence, the best target would be Prince Piers,” JP said. His eyes looked from Tori to his sister and back. “Consider all the assistance he’s given you so far. Prince Gideon hasn’t been able to give her that kind of help.”
Sonia nodded. “And neither has Guthry.”
Tori wanted to wince. Piers helped her so much, it was almost embarrassing. “Then let’s say she deemed Gideon useless. Piers’ difficulty dealing with people is well known. He’s not an easy person to speak to.”
Sonia grinned. “It didn’t stop her from trying.”
“Where is Hart, anyway? I don’t see her here,” JP said. He looked past the two of them, towards the crowds. There were plenty of blondes in the hall, but Alessa’s specific unique shade and how she always wore her hair down in waves was easy to identify.
Tori and Sonia turned and scanned the hall. Tori’s stomach began to twist, and she looked at her friends with uncertainty. Sonia’s eyes flickered to the entrance.
“Why don’t you go upstairs and check on Alexander? He was very active today; he may still be hungry.”
Tori gave her a small nod of thanks and slipped through the sides of the hall to get to the entrance as unnoticed as possible. Her two knights waiting in the hall stepped forward when they saw her come out.
“My lady, are you retiring for the evening? At what time should we collect the games?” Sir Pinzon followed a half step behind her.
“Not yet. I’m just going to check on Alexander. The guests are still very energetic, so I don’t want to tear them away from the games yet.” Tori led up the wide, stone stairs leading to the upper floor of the west wing. With so many guests, nearly all of Granite Tower’s spare rooms were taken.
To cater to Piers, their rooms were kept isolated from everyone else’s. Even Gideon’s room was in a different hall, what more Alessa’s. They walked down a long corridor, took a left, and then a right before getting to the specific hall where their rooms were located. There were four imperial knights stationed in the hall. Two were on either side of Piers’ door and two more were standing across from them, on either side of Tori’s.
They remained standing guard and staring ahead of them, unflinching, but Tori was certain they were keeping an eye on the young woman lingering by the corner.
Sometimes, it sucks when your gut feeling is right.
Alessa was a few steps in front of Tori and if Tori wasn’t paying attention, she would’ve run into her. Tori came to a halt and her two knights stopped behind her.
Alessa appeared focused on the doors a few steps away, but the knights’ presence seemed to keep her at bay. Instead, she quietly paced the width of the hall. As she reached one end and turned around she let out a startled cry. She clutched her arms against her and looked at Tori with wide eyes.
“Lady- I mean, Countess Guevera!”
Tori gave her a small, slow nod of her head. Alessa hadn’t bothered the guards or tried to break into Piers’ room, so Tori couldn’t demand for her to leave when she was standing there. It was awkward, but Granite Tower wasn’t her home. She couldn’t act as its host.
Tori was still a guest. Since it was too late to ignore Alessa, conflict was inevitable and so she had to be civil. “Is there something I can help you with, Baroness Hart?”
Alessa’s eyes darted down the hall, towards the doors flanked by knights. “No, I was only walking past and am a bit...disoriented.”
Tori gave her a nod. “Then, if you’ll excuse me.” She stepped around Alessa, keeping the neutral expression on her face until her back was turned and allowing the corners of her lips to drop. She reached her door and paused to speak to the two knights in front of her door. “How long has she been here?” she asked in a quiet voice.
Sir Anderson didn’t bat an eye and remained looking straight ahead. “She followed shortly after Duke Alvere left after escorting His Highness back.”
“Has she made any attempt to get closer?”
“No, my lady.”
“Keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t come near Piers. It’s strange that she’s suddenly following him when she used to follow Prince Gideon.” She unlocked her door and walked in. She made a brief sweep of her room, checked the balcony again, and scratched Alexander’s chin before calling Piers to let him know he had a little stalker.
It was quite clear that Alessa wanted something from Piers, and that she saw Piers as more lucrative than Gideon.
The thought struck Tori: was it possible for Alessa’s love interests to change?
They better the fuck not. I do not have time to deal with any more changing variables.
When she came out of her room, Alessa still lingered nearby. Tori crinkled her eyes. At the very least, Alessa could be more subtle.
“Baroness Hart, do you need assistance finding your way back? These old castles built around the ancient structures tend to be awkward and one can become disoriented easily,” Tori said as she approached. “We can bring you back to the great hall, if you’d like.”
There was no valid reason for Alessa to remain in that hall and as a result, she was forced to give Tori a wry smile and nod. “Thank you, my lady. I would appreciate it.”
Tori gave her a nod and walked past her. “This way. You should call for a valet to escort you back. We start the return to Horizon in the morning, so a restful night is a good idea. By the way, are you returning to Horizon or Chetterswickshire?”
“Horizon,” Alessa said, following behind her. “I will remain in Horizon until Lycée starts.”
Tori’s calm, smooth gait nearly stumbled. She tried to keep her voice even. “Oh, where will you be staying?”
“In the fourth district,” Alessa replied with a hint of pride. “An acquaintance recently bought an inn there.”
[https://static.wixstatic.com/media/334114_6091e4325c304c4d9804d3c53f9887d3~mv2.png]
With a new vest and leash, courtesy of Duke Fekete, around Alexander, Tori was a bit more confident in her cat’s safety and restraint on the way back to Viclya. The end of the leash was firmly wrapped around one of the side handles inside the carriage and the cat had settled in, sprawling across one of the seat benches.
“Are you certain he is a street cat?” Duke Fekete had been extremely interested in Alexander since they returned from the hunt, and it was known that her gray cat had helped take down a fox.
Tori nodded. “Yes, his mother is one of the campus cats that catch rodents. We don’t know who his father is, and I don’t know if any of his siblings grew this big. Alexander was the runt.” Benedict the cat was now smaller than Alexander; he was an average-sized gray tabby. It couldn’t have been the food. The two cats were fed the same things from the kitchen.
Duke Fekete stroked his beard. “He reminds me of my forest cats, but as he’s still young, he’ll likely grow larger. They tend to hunt prey larger than mice, as well. You are lucky to have him.”
Tori turned her head towards the cat. He looked like a drunken, half-stuffed gray pillow. “Yes. He’s a true killer.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll keep a close eye on him,” Sonia assured her as she passed and climbed into the carriage.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come to the banq-”
“I’m sure!”
Tori pursed her lips. She was being abandoned.
JP climbed in after Sonia, assuring Tori that they’d make sure Alexander got home safe. They refused to attend the banquet despite Tori’s repeated prodding. The footman closed the door, and Sonia put Alexander onto her lap and lifted his paw to wave good-bye to Tori.
She stepped away from the carriage to Viclya, which was escorted by two imperial knights who’d escorted them to Granite Tower. The top of the carriage had been topped with several boxes of game meat ready to be cooked, cured, and distributed. Tori took the liberty to seal all the boxes of game with cooling charms that would last forty-eight hours; just in time for guests to get home.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
After watching the carriage and knights head to the gate, she turned towards the imperial carriage she was going to ride back to Horizon for the banquet. Despite the amount of game their hunting party had returned with, Piers was only bringing home some venison. When they were splitting up the game, Gideon had suggested he bring back half the boar, as their father enjoyed cured boar’s leg.
Gideon had then withered under his brother’s glare before Piers shut the box with the boar meat and motioned for a knight to bring it to the pile going to Viclya. Tori supposed Gideon didn’t completely understand why Piers was mad at the emperor. It wasn’t as if Piers was going to tell him.
“Are you ready?” Axton’s hand came down on the top of her head and ruffled her hair pulled back by a scarf. She nodded and turned around.
The Empress’ Birthday Banquet was tomorrow night, but it was a day and a half or so travel to get to Horizon from Granite Tower. As a result, everyone was leaving around the same time. Several carriages had already left and there were about a dozen or so still in the courtyard. There was no room for the others.
Tori approached the steps to thank the ducal couple for their hospitality. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“Yes, safe travels, Countess. We should be leaving soon, after the last guest,” Duchess Fekete said with a warm smile.
Tori bowed to her and the Duke before walking towards the imperial carriage. There were two lined up. The first one was Piers’. The door was closed, the curtains were drawn, and familiar knights surrounded it. The one behind his was Gideon’s. It wasn’t the most pleasant sight to see, but they were going to the exact same place.
Axton stood by the door to Piers’ carriage, and he waited until Tori reached him to open it. Her box of travel snacks had already been placed inside and as soon as she entered, Axton closed the door. He would ride Blue River on their way back for most of the journey. If Tori wasn’t there, then he’d stay inside to keep Piers company.
That job was now handed over to her.
The light crystals kept the small space illuminated and she found Piers seated on his side, looking over some papers. Tori sat opposite him, but squinted. She hadn’t seen him enter and she had been in the courtyard for some time.
“When did you get in?”
“In the carriage yard.”
“...You’ve been sitting here for an hour?” He didn’t reply and Tori rolled her eyes. “Are you avoiding people?”
“I have many things to do, and we will be busy with travel and the banquet the next two days,” he said, as if hiding in a carriage were perfectly normal. Tori sighed and decided not to argue with him.
“We’ll practice dancing tonight when we get to the inn,” Tori told him. “How are you feeling about it?”
The carriage jerked forward, and Piers seemed to freeze. “I will be able to dance.”
“What about a hug?” Tori asked, careful. She had a bit more confidence in his ability to hug than she did his dancing. Piers nodded.
“I can hug. I’ve practiced.”
Her face softened as she smiled. “Your mother is going to be so happy.” She saw the corners of his lips pull up as they left Granite Tower.
The ride was long with brief stops. They met with other carriages, as nearly everyone was on the same road to Horizon. That meant that nearly everyone would have to stop in the same town for the night.
Axton’s inn was a popular one, not to mention the most comfortable and reputable inn, and many nobles reserved rooms for the night. There were only so many rooms, so it was natural that there were those who were unable to get one.
“We’re staying at the Forest Inn,” Piers said as he looked at his comcry as if it had wronged him. Gideon had called three times and Tori finally forced Piers to answer.
“You have a room there? How did you get one? We tried to make a reservation when we passed through the other day, but they said they were already full for tonight!” There was complaint and frustration in Gideon’s voice.
“Where are you staying?”
“Goose Tavern....” From what Tori could remember of what Axton told her, it was the building across the street from Axton’s Forest Inn. Like many lodgings, there was a tavern on the first floor and then stairs that led up to the rooms on the upper floor.
If Tori could compare most lodgings along routes, they would be motels, whereas Axton’s inns were a decent three-to-three-and-a-half-star hotel. Occasionally, she’d give one four stars, such as the one where they were snowed in over the winter. Of course, the suites were better and more luxurious than regular rooms.
The point was that for a prince, Gideon would be slumming it. Tori almost wanted to snicker.
“It’s good you found a place for the night. It is better than sleeping in the carriage,” Piers said remorselessly. “If there is nothing else-”
“Wait, wait! I was wondering if I could stay with you tonight?”
“No.”
“Piers, Alessa was outbid for her room at the Mossy Rock. She doesn’t have a room and it’s dangerous for a girl and her maid to sleep in a carriage overnight. I want to give her my room.”
“Then do so and share with Fabian.”
“We were already sharing a room!”
“Then sleep in your carriage.” Piers swept his finger across the comcry, cutting off his brother. He then tossed his comcry to the side and continued reading some documents.
If Gideon knew that they had a large, multi-room suite waiting for them, and that Tori and her knights had the master suite to themselves, Gideon would scream at the unfairness of it all. Which is why she wanted to tell him.
Tori lay across the opposite seat bench, on her stomach, doodling and noting another dungeon crawl plot. I’m working, too.
“Do you think my brother is being taken advantage of by the Hart girl?” Piers asked. He didn’t look away from his papers, but Tori paused in the middle of trying to draw a cave and bats.
“Considering she seems to only go to him when she needs something, yes,” Tori said. “But their friendship is none of my business.”
“He is too generous to her. Now, he has given up his room for her. What next?”
“I don’t want to think about it,” Tori replied and glanced up. “Have you noticed she’s rather interested in you?”
She could’ve sworn he shuddered. His face darkened and his lips were a tight frown. “I am not interested in her.”
“Sir Granger said their hunting party found you and wanted to join you.”
“My brother likes to follow me.”
“Are you sure it was your brother?” As she said it, Piers’ handsome face twisted with an unreadable, but clearly negative, emotion.
“There are always people like her who come to us for favor and benefits. I have been aware of them for some time.”
Tori gave him a cheeky smile. “People like me.”
“You are different.”
“I know,” Tori said. “You’re scared of my brothers.”
Piers seemed to grip the papers tighter. “I’m not afraid of your brothers.” She continued to look at him and he lowered his eyes. “I’m not.”
“You’re confident you can beat them?” Tori cracked a grin. She was tempted to call Sebastian and tell him. If she did, he’d return with a sword in hand.
Piers shook his head once. “I’m confident you will stop them.”
Tori let out a tsk and snorted. “Yes, well, we’ll see.” She would, but it was annoying that he was so certain of it. She rolled onto her side and continued to draw.
It was sunset when they reached the town and Forest Inn. Several expensive looking carriages could be seen up and down the main street. She could make out guards and servants walking around.
The carriage came to a stop in front of Forest Inn, the largest of the inns in the town, and Tori gathered her things. The footman opened the door and she and Piers came out. He took the bags in her arms as Axton handed off Blue River and met them at the door.
“Piers!” Gideon shouted from the carriage that had been following them.
“Get inside.” Piers sounded a bit urgent. Tori chuckled and followed Axton into the building. The manager greeted them personally and led them directly to their room. The top floor was the fourth. Knights were carrying most of their things, so she didn’t have to struggle.
They were let into the room and given the crystal tokens that functioned as a key. While Tori went to explore the master suite, the other two rooms were assigned to Piers and Axton. The knights would be split and share one room with Axton or sleep in the central parlor, as they would rotate guard at night.
A rapid knock came from the door and Tori stuck her head out of the master suite. Since Piers and Axton were busy in their own rooms, she skipped out and opened the door herself. She wasn’t afraid of who she’d find; two knights were always stationed outside the door.
They’d also asked for food to be brought up for everyone, so Tori expected it to be a staff member with a menu or light tea and snacks. She opened the door part way and smiled.
“Can I help....” Her words died in her throat and the smile on her face disappeared. Her eyes immediately narrowed. “I’m sorry, this room is occupied.”
She then slammed the door on Gideon and Fabian. The two had stunned expressions on their faces, obviously not expecting to see her. Tori made it a half step away from the door when the knocking came again. She scowled and turned around.
“I told you, this room is occupied!” Tori said as she opened the door once more and glared. Formality was always ignored when she and Gideon clashed.
“I was told this is where my brother is. Why are you here?” Gideon demanded with envy in his eyes and disgust in his voice.
“Why are you here? I heard you were staying in your carriage for the night.”
“Countess Guevera, we are looking for His Highness Prince Piers,” Fabian said in a steady voice as he got between them. “Do you know where he is?”
Tori was quiet for a moment. “No-”
“Why are you here?” A shadow loomed behind her, and Tori scrunched her face. Piers put a hand on the door and looked over the top of her head, frowning. Tori knew what this looked like. She could see that Gideon and Fabian had immediately come to a particular conclusion after finding her in the same room as Piers. Their faces were turning redder by the second.
“Piers...why....” Gideon looked at Tori with horrified eyes before looking at his brother. “Why is she here?”
“This is her room.”
Tori pulled her lips into a tight line.
“Then, why are you also here?”
A small whisper came from Tori as she tilted her head to the side. “Don’t....”
“This is also my room.”
Goddammit, Piers. “This is a multi-room suite,” Tori said before the two idiots on the hallway misunderstood the one standing behind her. “My knights and I have one of the rooms.”
Gideon shook himself out of his stupor and glowered with resentment and suspicion. “How did you get a multi room suite?”
“Because I gave it to her.” The door opened a little further and Axton loomed over Tori’s other shoulder. “I reserved the suite some time ago knowing that the three of us, and the knights, would be stopping here on the way to and from Granite Tower. It was always my intention to have Tori in one of the rooms with her knights for safety and privacy.”
“See? I have a legitimate reason for being here and we have no more rooms available,” Tori said, as if reporting. “Good day to you, Prince Gideon.” She moved to push the door closed, but Gideon stopped her.
“Wait, wait! Since it has multiple rooms, is there an extra one? Fabian and I can share!” he said, looking at his brother with a pleading expression. “These suites have a parlor, too, don’t they? We can sleep out there.”
“No. It is inappropriate for a young man to spend the night in a room with an unrelated young woman.” Piers said this with such a straight face, the two knights on either side of the door almost choked. All his escort knights knew where he slept when they were in the cabin.
Tori ran a hand down her face. What the hell are you doing then, Mr. ‘Sleeping-on-a-chair-by-my-bed-until-I-wake-up-from-a-coma’?
Gideon looked more confused than she'd ever seen him. He bit his lip. “Then, I’m going to call Mother!”
Piers looked at him without a hint of pity. “You are responsible for the consequences of your actions. This is a lesson for you.” The door slammed in Gideon’s face once more, and Piers and Axton ushered her back to her room.
“The inn will bring our meals,” Axton said. “Don’t worry about Gideon and von Dorn. They should’ve planned for this sort of thing. The trip isn’t spontaneous. This should teach them about planning.”
Tori thought Gideon would put up more of a fight, but the next morning, it seemed that one of the nobles had given up their room for him. He lucked out, though Tori did feel bad for the person who lost their room.
Her party left the inn exactly as dawn broke to beat the carriage traffic back to Horizon. They ate on the road and arrived at the imperial palace a good two hours before Gideon. When he called Axton because Piers was not answering his comcry, Tori’s party had just arrived at the gatehouse. Gideon’s group was still an hour outside the city.
Despite arriving well before the banquet started, Tori wasn’t ready until carriages were lined outside with guests. Not that she would complain.
Her dress had been picked up and brought to her usual room at the imperial palace. As they arrived around lunch, a filling meal was prepared for them at Piers' private courtyard. Tori had taken time to call Sonia and JP to make sure they had arrived safely. They’d stayed in Axton’s inn on the route to Viclya.
Alexander was also doing well. When they arrived, they realized that they forgot to notify Ilyana about Alexander having stowed away to Granite Tower. Half the village was looking for the cat when they realized he didn’t eat the food left for him for two days. Alexander always cleaned his bowl.
Tori could hear Ilyana in the background of the call, scolding the cat. Apparently, his disappearance made some village children cry.
“Make sure to split the game to all the kitchens in the village, but have them cure the boar’s legs. We must send one to Dede and the front trotter to Anahata Island.”
“Understood,” JP said. “Also, what should we do about Madam Voss’ son?”
“I’ll speak to him when I return, but I have an idea of why he’s there. Pull out a new map of the delta and contact Professor Stakes about doing soil sample surveying inland. His students are currently doing research along the mouth of the river and shorelines.”
“What should I tell him you’re looking for?”
“A good place to source bricks, but won’t be too damaging to the surrounding environment. We have a lot more land to work with now. There must be somewhere suitable to make bricks.”
She slid her finger across the comcry as the food was brought out to their table.
“You’re going to open a brick factory?” Axton asked. “What about that lady in Anlar?”
“Madam Voss. Her eldest son came to Viclya without telling his mother, and I’m almost certain he wants to open a brick factory in the delta,” Tori said as they began to eat. “My contract with them is only for the duration of my project. If they want to keep it, it would be much more cost effective to have the factory in my county.”
“Then he can bring his mother,” Piers said as he took a chicken wing and gave it to Tori.
Axton furrowed his brows. “Why would he bring his mother?”
“Madam Voss was engaged to Baron Hart, but Alessa Hart did not agree. That’s why she ran away, remember? Madam Voss broke the engagement because she felt marriage to Baron Hart would be a mistake considering his daughter hates her. Now that the Baron gave up his position to his daughter, there’s no telling what she’d do if her father continues to pursue Madam Voss.” Tori picked up the chicken wing and began to munch on it.
Axton drew his head back and frowned. “Do you think she’d do something?” Both Tori and Piers stopped eating to look at him. Axton lowered his head. “Yes, you’re right.”
After the meal, Tori was ushered off to prepare for the banquet. It started with a long soak, and someone washed her hair. Then an hour and a half long massage, where she fell asleep, before the long process of preparing for a formal event. At sunset, several maids were working on her hair.
The crystal-powered heated comb with hair dryer she had with her was a source of fascination, but they were still doing tests to make it more affordable. There were only three in existence: the prototype on Anahata Island, Tori’s, and the small one she had used on Alexander.
It then took some more time to put on her ball gown. This year, she went with an eggplant-colored Rococo gown, edged with silver filigree. It had a square neckline and cuffed sleeves just below her elbows. She had her favorite tiered silver jewelry with clear gemstones.
“My lady, His Highness has sent you this to wear.” A maid approached her with a silver platter and a large, dark blue velvet box. Another maid lifted the lid to reveal a sparkling silver headpiece with deep purple gemstones framed by small diamonds.
Tori stared at it for a moment. Her hair was pinned in an updo for the night, mainly because it was summer, and the ballroom got hot. The tiara wouldn’t seem out of place on her head or with her gown. However, she had one pressing question.
“Why does he have a tiara?”
The eyes of several maids looked at her with unreadable expressions. The head maid who had been instructing the others cleared her throat. “My lady, the late Dowager Empress gave a set of imperial jewels to all her grandchildren, with His Highness Prince Piers and Prince Gideon receiving the most extravagant pieces. This would be one of the pieces from Prince Piers’ collection.”
Tori kept her eyes on the tiara. By wearing this, it wouldn’t make anyone have certain thoughts about her status with Piers, would it? Surely, Piers would never set her up for such a thing. He knew her dress was purple, and likely saw this and thought it would match. Besides, it wasn’t as if she and Piers matched this time.
In accordance with her plan for him, Piers’ suit for the night would be more in line to match the Empress. Tori took a deep breath.
Don’t overthink it. Don’t overthink it. “Okay.”
The tiara was carefully placed and then pinned on to her head to secure it. The maids seemed pleased, and Tori put on her shoes.
“My lady, would you like to call for His Highness to escort you?” One of the excitable maids had stars in her eyes as she gave Tori a hopeful look.
“No, I’m going to go around and sneak in through the backdoor of the ballroom,” Tori said. At this time, the entrance to the ballroom and the hall leading to it must’ve been filled with people. She’d have to stand there and then wait for an announcement.
“My lady, that is not possible. You must be announced,” the head maid said with a firm nod.
“She is correct, my lady,” Sir Bazan said from the door. “At such an occasion, you must be announced. You are also a countess now.”
Tori wrinkled her nose. “Fine...but I’m going to walk to that wing through the garden for fresh air.”
“Please don’t try to run, my lady.”
“I’m not going to run! I know how to get there from here!” Tori sighed and walked to the double doors leading to her balcony. A set of stairs went along the wall leading to one of the inner courtyards. From there, she could get on one of the main pathways through the garden.
As expected, the cool evening air was refreshing after sitting in a stuffy room, putting on layers of make-up and clothing. Her two knights followed at a distance, but they weren’t too worried. On such a night, there were imperial knights everywhere, security was high, and Tori was a familiar face.
The welcomed breeze caressed her flushed skin as she walked along the path, admiring the buildings that were lit up. She turned the corner. The ballroom where the banquet was happening was halfway through the palace, but she needed to get to one of the doors to re-enter the building.
Tori remained close to stay on a well-lit, paved path along the ground floor. She was near the administrative wing if she remembered correctly. The Empress had happily given her an extensive tour when she and Ewan came for her duel with Fabian. Most of the windows were dark, but every so often, one of the windows was lit and cracked open to let in the evening breeze.
“...confident. The crystals haven’t steered us wrong before.” Tori heard the word ‘crystals’ and her curiosity was naturally piqued. She looked around for the source of the voice and settled on the glass doors facing a veranda a story above her. She looked up and couldn’t see who was talking.
“Since I did what you instructed and am confident in your advice, is there anything you can tell me to appease my wife and eldest son?”
Tori held her breath as she pressed herself against the wall of the palace to avoid being seen. That was the Emperor’s voice from the veranda, but if he was having a meeting with someone, she shouldn’t be listening. She needed to leave at once.
Tori ground her teeth together and looked towards the direction from which she came. She didn’t care if knights saw her, but she didn’t want the Emperor to see her. Awkwardly creeping outside his veranda could mean she was either eavesdropping on him or planning to assassinate him as revenge for throwing the Cosora Delta at her.
“Interpersonal relationships are an individual’s responsibility. You’re too old to have to depend on your father to tell you how to apologize to your wife.”
“Apologizing would mean I’m wrong.” The Emperor sounded annoyed. Tori tilted her head. If he was talking to his father, then Piers’ grandfather, the Emperor Emeritus, had shown up. She was told that he was wandering the empire or something and rarely returned to Horizon.
That means I’ll probably meet him tonight. I should get back and discuss with Piers-
“And I’m not wrong. You assured me that making Victoria de Guevera the Countess of Cosora is imperative to the empire.”