“I need to ask you an important question.” Tori stared at Piers, who sat to her left at a table above Cafe Fortuna. Piers gave her a stoic nod, expressing his permission. “Is your father going to pay for it?”
Axton squinted from her right.
While funding was an important question, they all knew it was a bit crass to charge the Emperor. Tori knew that, but had no problem with it and decided to do it as often as possible to supplement her resources. The Emperor was flush with money. It wasn’t as if she was asking for his first born.
Piers nodded his head once. “Yes. And he will assign the knights.”
A brilliant smile filled her face. “Then, if that’s the case, it can very much be done.”
Axton looked at her suspiciously. “What do you plan on making him pay for?”
“Obviously, the imperial knights, the resort fee, catering fee, which includes labor and materials through the weekend, and activity fees,” Tori said, naming them off one by one. Axton crinkled his eyes.
“How much is this going to cost?”
Tori leaned forward and smiled. “It really depends on how many people will be there.”
“He is the Emperor.”
“Yes, and he will compensate me and my people for our labor,” Tori said, proud. “I’m not even charging him for the cake, which I’m personally making myself to show my sincerity, and the fireworks will be covered as my gift to Ewan and Piers.”
“This is an acceptable arrangement,” Piers replied. Axton whipped his head back to him.
“Do you have no qualms with how much Tori is charging?”
“No.”
Tori beamed and reached over to pat Piers’ arm. “The food and staff, including the knights, aren’t cheap. I’m even keeping the ice-skating rink for another month just so they could use it. The warmer it gets, the more challenging it is to keep frozen.”
“Mother likes ice skating,” Piers said in a solemn voice.
Axton ran a hand down his face. “Are you going to charge them if they ever visit the Lunar Pavilion?”
“Yes, it’s a former imperial residence. Former, meaning it no longer belongs to them,” Tori said with a bright face. She tapped her hand on the table. “All right, I’ll discuss with Henrik and draw up some quotes, arrange some suggested menus, and have them back to you in two days.”
Piers nodded.
“Isn’t that a little too close?” Axton asked with a furrowed brow. “That’s only three...two weeks away.”
“I’m only sourcing things we can use immediately. Nothing will be a difficult to procure or out of season item,” Tori assured him. “Ilyana has already set aside some potatoes if they are needed.”
“That’s very generous of her.” Axton nodded with approval.
“I know. She’s charging market rate. I told her to charge more, but she was embarrassed.” Tori shook her head, as if Ilyana had missed a great opportunity. Axton squinted at her. “Luckily, she agreed to charge more for the second prince’s birthday.”
A knock was heard from the door and Axton shouted for whoever it was to enter. Henrik opened the door a bit and peeked in before deciding he could intrude. He greeted Axton and Piers respectfully before turning his attention to Tori.
“I’m glad I caught you. Look at this.” Henrik dug into his satchel and took out a few folded sheets of paper.
Tori leaned forward and took it from his hand. “What is it?”
“Guest list. My father told me to bring it to Des Champs as guests will need to check in at the door,” Henrik said. He stood to the side and waited as Tori flipped through the papers.
She raised a brow and almost seemed to smirk. “So, he is going to the party.”
“Who’s going?” Axton asked, perking up.
“Adrien Rosiek,” Tori said as she continued to skim the list. “To Henrik’s sister’s sixteenth birthday party. She currently works for his wine shop.”
Axton frowned and looked at Henrik. “Are you all right with that?”
Henrik shrugged. “I don’t control her.”
Tori narrowed her eyes. “She didn’t invite any of her co-workers. Not even the shop manager.” Tori made a point to know the names and faces of any Golden Cow workers around Duel. It was Adrien’s territory, so she wanted to be cautious. “That’s surprising.”
“Maybe they had to work at that time,” Axton said.
Tori pursed her lips and shook her head. “All of them at the same time? They work in shifts. I’ve seen Annika talking to coworkers outside before. It’s surprising that the Cowman was the one invited out of all of them. How close is their relationship?”
Henrik shifted uncomfortably beside her, and Tori gave him a sympathetic look. “I should’ve kept a better eye on her.”
“No younger sibling likes to be watched every moment of their lives by their older sibling,” Tori told him. Piers opened his mouth, and she stopped him. “He’s a strange exception. Don’t count him.” She looked back at Henrik. “Besides, even if you did watch her, what could you do? You two don’t really talk.”
“I don’t want to think that she is colluding with the Cowman,” Henrik said with a frustrated sigh.
“She wouldn’t be the first,” Tori said. She narrowed her eyes. “Hey, is there a spot still open for me?”
Henrik raised a brow and looked at her with confusion. Tori had been vehement on declining. Still, Henrik nodded. “You’re always invited. Why?”
“Can you send the invitation to someone else?”
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“Ilyana, we’re not going,” Tori said with a deadpan expression as they packed their things to return to Horizon.
This weekend, only she, Ilyana, and Albert came with Nanny Rey. The others, due to being family friends, were attending Annika’s birthday party. Albert, though he wasn’t invited, had encouraged Tori not to go. Surprisingly, he had pointed out that if there was a confrontation and it escalated, it would look bad on Henrik’s parents, as they were hosts.
Albert had insisted that while he trusted Tori could control herself, Adrien might try to provoke her again and she couldn’t do much to retaliate in a public setting unless she wanted to cause a scene.
Ilyana was of the opposite camp.
“Why not?” she said with a disappointed look as she stood outside the carriage, waiting for their things to be packed. “I want to see the action.”
Tori paused and crinkled her eyes. “What action are you talking about?” she frowned. “We’re not going to go and cause a scene at Henrik’s parents’ party for their daughter.”
“Then, what if we just stand back and watch?” Ilyana asked. Albert gave her an uncertain look.
“What do you mean by ‘stand back and watch’? Tori attracts attention like flies to horse dung.”
“Thank you for that wonderful analogy, Albert....” Tori rolled her eyes. She looked at Ilyana with a knowing expression. “But he’s right. I already rejected the invitation and if I show up suddenly, I will get attention. Most, if not all, of those people on that guest list know who I am. Guild members and merchants, some aristocracy. Lions Gate and the delta are popular; they’re going to want to chat.”
Ilyana wrinkled her nose and seemed to understand that. Still, there was some earnest excitement on her face. “What if we sneak in?”
“How are we going to sneak into Des Champs? It’s one of the best restaurants in the city and a hub for young aristocracy and nobles. They have security,” Albert told her as Nanny Rey ushered them into the carriage silently.
“Not to mention a guest list. Everyone must check in at the door,” Tori reminded her.
Ilyana’s eager look did not fade. “Then we go through the back door.”
“Ilyana.” Tori gave her a disapproving look. “We’re not going to ruin Henrik’s sister’s birthday party. Even if we hate the Cowman, we have to have some consideration for the Skuldsens.”
“You punched one of Hart’s little followers once and now you want to punch them all,” Albert said with a suspicious look.
Ilyana scoffed and sat up straight. “I shared my food with the second prince and von Dorn!” Even as she said it, there was some reluctance in her eyes. “Besides, what if the Cowman causes trouble?”
“What trouble would he be willing to cause at a party hosted by Horizon’s guild master? Isn’t that asking for trouble?” Albert asked with a sigh.
“He approached Tori at the bookstore. He has no sense of preservation,” Ilyana argued proudly. The carriage jerked forward, and Tori leaned back against her seat.
“Sonia said she’ll call us if something happens and tell us what’s going on. She and JP are our eyes and ears there tonight. Besides, I gave up my spot. Someone else needs the contacts more than I do,” Tori said with a pitiful look.
Ilyana gave her a curious look. “Who did you give your invitation to?”
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Henrik almost wanted to vomit blood when Tori suggested he send an invitation to Alessa Hart. Of all the people in the entire empire, no, the world, Tori suggested that he extend an invitation to Alessa Hart. He had wondered if Tori lost her mind.
However, she had insisted she had her reasons, mainly that Hart needed some sort of business contacts within Horizon outside of the Cowman because she’d need resources for her project. Resources that could be trusted. She didn’t want what happened previously to repeat itself. The orphanage was something he knew weighed in the back of Tori’s mind, so he conceded.
Besides, if Hart had other contacts that were already his and his father’s contacts, it would be easier to monitor her.
Henrik had sent the invitation to Hart last minute. He had said that Tori had heard a lot from Prince Gideon and von Dorn about her troubles and thought that inviting her to the party, where there would be many merchants, would be helpful in establishing contacts.
Henrik wasn’t surprised that Hart had been suspicious, and he had inwardly sneered that she seemed to know why they wouldn’t normally help her despite her pretense.
“Tori is worried about the children at the orphanage,” Henrik had told Hart. That had seemed to placate the young noblewoman. Prince Gideon had found out and, without being prompted, encouraged Hart to talk to the merchants there, perhaps find a way to get connections for her barony.
Henrik kept a pleasant smile that didn’t reach his eyes as Hart arrived at the top of the steps and looked around with wide eyes at the entrance of Des Champs. She was escorted by von Dorn, which made Henrik’s eye twitch, as the invitation was only for one person.
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“Hart, von Dorn. Thank you for coming to my sister’s party. There are many business associates here and a few do business around the empire, not just in Horizon. They may be able to assist you.” It was the truth and it pained Henrik to stay it, but he persisted.
“Thank you for extending the invitation, Mr. Skuldsen,” Hart said with a bright smile. She took a step closer to him. “I didn’t expect you to reach out.”
Henrik resisted the urge to step back. He forced a smile. “Tori told us about the orphanage and if you can help them, then we’ll try to help you.” For the children....
Hart’s face lit up and she nodded, enthusiastically. “I hope to be able to return to my project soon! Thank you!” It was amazing that despite such a problem, Hart remained upbeat.
Henrik gave them a nod and motioned for them to step inside. He looked into the main seating area of the ground floor and lifted his head. The upper floor had a mezzanine area that overlooked the ground floor. Ewan and Sonia were dutifully standing by the railing, looking down. They met his gaze and nodded.
Henrik then looked around the ground floor. Most family and close friends were on the upper level, though Ewan and the others went up without question. JP was standing close to the stairs, already tailing the Cowman. Henrik narrowed his eyes.
When the Cowman arrived, Annika was still greeting guests at the door and Henrik was inside, but he kept his eyes on his sister. She was more than excited to see the Cowman arrive and even personally let him inside.
Annika had taken his arm and beamed before introducing him to her parents, as if the Cowman hadn’t faced his father before. Henrik had watched his father put on his business smile and greet the Cowman pleasantly, but with distance. Sonia’s disgusted words had lingered in his mind.
“It’s like she’s introducing a boyfriend to her parents.”
Henrik wanted to ask his sister what was wrong with her to be interested in what Tori called a ‘predator’. Still, he maintained his distance and JP was tasked with keeping an eye on the Cowman. It wasn’t as if Henrik’s words would change his sister’s opinion. He’d seen how such a scenario went with Hart and von Dorn.
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Annika was taken upstairs to play hostess to close family friends and some of her childhood friends, but when their mother was leading her away, Annika looked back at the Cowman with some regret.
“I’ll come up later,” he had assured her.
“You promised me my first dance!” Annika had smiled and said with a teasing voice. Henrik had been disgusted.
However, he couldn’t do anything if the Cowman didn’t do anything.
A clinking sound filled the air and Henrik gave a nod to the two staff members guarding the door to close it before he slipped inside. He looked towards the mezzanine and saw his father standing by the railing with his mother, smiling wide as he held up a glass.
“Everyone! Thank you for coming!” his father said as he lifted his glass. “Tonight, we celebrate the sixteenth birthday of my daughter, Annika Jeanne Skuldsen!”
Applause filled the restaurant and Henrik joined in. His sister stepped forward with a brilliant smile, and stood between their parents.
“Thank you for coming to celebrate!” She launched into a speech and Henrik looked around. Dinner would be served after Annika’s speech and the Cowman was going to be seated upstairs with them.
Henrik had to watch his facial expressions in order to hide his extreme distaste. As his sister’s speech ended, his father took over and told everyone to take their seats as dinner would be served at once.
Henrik made his way through the crowd, casually greeting guild members and guests as he made his way to the stairs. He walked up the stairs and sure enough, at the main table where his family was seated, the Cowman was also being seated.
A staff member pulled Henrik’s seat out for him beside his father. The long, rectangular table seated twelve people, including Annika’s Godmother, their uncle, and their families. Henrik took a deep breath.
Just sit down and shut up. There is no need to say anything to him. Don’t ruin your sister’s party. Tori and Duke Alvere told you not to act rashly. He sat down and as he unfolded his napkin on his lap, he looked up, as if surprised to see the Cowman. “Adrien Rosiek? I heard you were in the hospital for running into a table.”
Tori and Duke Alvere told him not to act rashly. They didn’t say anything about speaking rashly.
Henrik tried to look genuinely confused as his father glanced at him. His sister gasped and looked at the Cowman, who was seated on her right.
“Adrien, you were in the hospital? When?” she gasped.
Henrik tried not to sneer at his sister once more. He didn’t know they were on the first name basis.
The Cowman kept a smile on his face and shook his head. “It was only for a little bit.”
“Two days.” Henrik said casually. “That table must’ve really done some damage.”
The Cowman met his gaze from the other side of the table and smiled. “I’m honored that Young Mr. Skuldsen is so concerned, but let me assure you, it was a minor injury.” He tilted his head to the side and cast him a curious look. “May I ask how Young Mr. Skuldsen knows?”
“Henrik, if you knew he was hurt, why didn’t you tell me?” Annika whipped her head towards him and sent him a glare, as if he were the one to personally injure the Cowman.
Henrik shrugged. “I didn’t know you knew him so well,” he replied in a smooth voice. “And I heard from a classmate who was very worried about you.”
Annika snapped her head back and narrowed her eyes. “Was it the Countess?”
Henrik looked at his sister as if she were an idiot. “I said ‘a classmate who was very worried’.”
“Well, what matters now is that Mr. Rosiek is out of the hospital and well,” his mother said, smiling as if trying to ease the tension between the siblings. She lifted her glass of white wine, as if to toast to his health.
Henrik lifted his wine glass and took a sip, rolling his eyes when his parents couldn’t see.
“Adrien, you need to be more careful,” Annika told him as she lifted a hand and stroked his upper arm. “You’re a very important person.”
“Yes, I heard you just started a partnership with some inns,” Henrik said. “My friends were lamenting that they were a little late in their renovations to compete - ah...I hope you don’t mind the competition.”
“Of course not, Young Mr. Skuldsen. Fair competition is good for business.”
“Yes, fair competition,” Henrik said as he played with the stem of his glass. “By the way, did you hear that there were two men who were caught prying comcrys out of the rooms at the Lunar Inn? I heard they were they were working for the Golden Cow-”
“Henrik!” Annika hissed at him.
“But that can’t be right,” Henrik said, ignoring his sister’s scathing glare. “Fair competition, right?”
“Young Mr. Skuldsen pays a lot of attention to me, I’m flattered.”
“Don’t be.”
His father elbowed him under the table. Henrik forced a smile and focused on the meal that was served. Every time he opened his mouth, his father sent him a silencing look, so he kept quiet and listened to the people around the table discuss Annika’s plans.
A few days before her birthday, their father had gifted Annika with two modest shops in the tenth district. She was to use them to get a start on business. Henrik had been given spending capita instead of shops on his sixteenth birthday because he wanted to start his own businesses himself.
However, the two largest and most successful of their family’s shops already each had Henrik and Annika’s name on them. They would be handed over when they graduated secondary school and until then, their parents would oversee the stores, but only Henrik knew of this. His father had been worried that Henrik would have no interest considering Henrik was starting so many businesses with Tori, so told him about it last year.
Annika expressed her excitement at the two small shops and said she hoped she could make them as successful as the Golden Cow. Henrik bit his tongue to keep from saying something snide.
Somehow, he got through dinner despite his sister fawning over the Cowman.
His sister smiled and waved as the guests seated on the upper floor began down the stairs to greet others. Henrik was about to pass her when her hand shot out and grabbed his forearm. He snapped his head towards her and furrowed his brows.
“What-”
“I need to talk to you.” Her voice was low and annoyed as she pulled him to the side, further away from the stairs, and behind a potted plant. It wasn’t the best cover, but it seemed to do the trick.
Annika looked around, as if to make sure they were out of hearing range from everyone else. Henrik let out an exasperated sigh. “Now what?”
“What are you doing?” Annika’s face was flushed as she glowered at him.
“What are you talking about?” Henrik raised a brow and tried not to wince as Annika’s nails clawed into his arm.
“You know what I’m talking about!” she hissed. Her eyes flicked to the stairs. “Why are you being so rude to Adrien?”
Henrik narrowed his eyes. “Annika, how familiar are you with Rosiek that you call him by his first name.”
“He told me to call him that,” Annika replied, almost proud. “Now, why are you being so rude?”
“He told you to call him that?” Henrik frowned. “He owns the shop where you work, do all his employees call him by his given name?”
“No! I’m different!” Annika’s cheeks flushed and Henrik felt a ball of dread in the pit of his stomach.
“What do you mean ‘different’?” Henrik asked in a low voice. Annika dropped her eyes.
“He treats me differently from the other workers. He buys me food and takes me to meals. He listens to me and encourages me....”
The blood drained from Henrik’s face. “Since when?”
“The summer, when I got my job.” She didn’t seem at all shy about recounting the story. “I was working at the shop and trying to carry a crate of wine from the back room. It was heavier than I thought, and I began to stumble. Luckily, Adrien was there, and he grabbed it and lifted it up before I could fall. He didn’t get mad or was annoyed. He just said to be careful and checked to make sure I wasn’t hurt. I broke a nail when the crate slipped, and he offered to take me out to a meal. I didn’t know he was the owner until then.”
Henrik stared at her, dumbfounded. His sister had been getting close to their enemy for months and he had no idea. He knew that Tori’s brother’s people were watching the Cowman, but it never occurred to him that the Cowman was targeting his sister.
He looked down at Annika with a horrified expression. “Annika...you’re fifteen. Do you have any idea how much older he is?”
“He’s not that much older. Besides, a big age gap won’t matter in a few years. And I’m sixteen now. I’m an adult. I can see who I want.” She stood up straight and pushed out her chest.
Henrik blinked. “He approached you when you were underaged.”
Annika frowned. “He hasn’t done anything. He said he’d wait for me to turn sixteen before we can formally date.”
Does this bastard have an interest in teenage girls at his age? Tori was right. “And what about the other women he dates?” Henrik frowned and crossed his arms over his chest.
Annika tilted her head to the side as her brows knit together. “What are you talking about?”
“Are you sure he isn’t seeing anyone else?”
At once, his sister paled and then a furious look filled her face. She reached up and pushed Henrik back, scowling. “How can you say that? He’s going to be your sister’s boyfriend! Why can’t you be supportive?”
“Supportive of what? A twenty-something year old man taking a fifteen-year-old girl out for a meal and making a point to tell her that he’ll wait for her?”
“He says I’m mature for my age!”
“Annika, just two months ago, Tori ran into him at the Three Queens, and he was with another woman.”
Annika shook her head from side to side. “You misunderstood. He takes business associates there. He already told me. She was probably another business associate.”
“She was a clerk at the Imperial Commerce Commission.” Annika opened her mouth, likely to argue that it was still business related, but Henrik cut her off. “It can be considered bribery if they colluded.”
Annika gritted her teeth. “No. You’re wrong. Adrien isn’t like that. She could’ve been a friend. Don’t you and your friends go out to eat?”
“When was the last time you saw Ewan clinging to my arm and rubbing himself against me?”
Annika scowled. “You weren’t there. You didn’t see it.”
“Tori saw it, her two crystal masters saw it, and Manager Saussure of the Three Queens saw it.”
“He must’ve had his reasons!”
“It’s nice that you trust him, but I don’t. Annika, I think he’s targeting you.” Henrik put his hands on her shoulders and forced her to look up at him.
“What?” She pulled her shoulders away and gave him a look of disbelief. Henrik didn’t answer immediately, and his sister’s disbelief became accusatory. “Is this because of the break in? I told you; it wasn’t me!”
“I never accused you.”
“Not out loud!” Annika retorted. She narrowed her eyes. “Do you think that Adrien approached me because you’re my brother, and you and the Countess once argued with him?”
Henrik frowned and mirrored her gaze. “So, you remember that we had grievances with him, and you still went to work for him?”
“I didn’t know the store was owned by him!”
“It’s called Golden Cow Wine Distributors!” Henrik nearly choked out. “Don’t tell me you didn’t know.”
“I didn’t!”
“Then if you like working for him so much, why did you ask Dad about a job at the Lunar Pavilion?”
“I heard it was going to be renovated very well-”
“And where did you hear about the Lunar Pavilion to begin with? I never mentioned it around you and there were very few people who knew about it to begin with.” Henrik couldn’t seem to stop his questions and his eyes bore into Annika.
His sister was flustered. “I...I just heard about it-”
“From whom? I could count on two hands who knew about it.”
“You did mention it in front of me! You just don’t remember!” Annika snapped back.
“Annika, Henrik, what is wrong with you two?” Their mother’s voice came from the side, and they turned to see her standing a few paces away and trying to block the few guests who had turned to look at them when they began arguing. Her eyes flickered to the side, and she shot the two siblings an annoyed look. “We are in the middle of a party. Annika, your dance is about to start soon.”
Annika shot her brother an annoyed glare and pushed him to the side. “I’m going to change into my dance dresses.” She marched past them and gave quick greetings to people on her way to a back room where she could change with the help of their maid.
Their mother looked at Henrik with a frown. “What are you doing upsetting your sister? You know tonight is her coming-of-age party!”
“She’s the one who pulled me aside,” Henrik replied. He approached his mother. “Why did you let her invite Rosiek? You know I have a history with him.”
“Your sister insisted,” his mother replied. “And it’s her party. Not yours.”
Henrik tilted his head back and let out a frustrated breath. That was fair, but it still bothered him. “I’m going to find the others.”
He bypassed his mother and headed down the stairs. As he reached the bottom, Sonia gave him a nod from where she was standing by the banister, holding a half empty wine glass she was nursing so that no one would bother her.
“Are you all right?” Sonia asked with a raised brow. “You look mad.”
“I am mad,” he said in a irritated voice. “That bastard was taking my sister out for meals for months with ulterior motives, while she was still fifteen!”
Sonia immediately narrowed her eyes and lowered her glass. “Isn’t he at least in his late twenties by now?” Her voice was filled with disgust.
Henrik seethed. “He told my sister that he would wait for her and now Annika is convinced that since she turned sixteen, they can properly date.”
Sonia scoffed and shook her head. “He went out with other women, and it shouldn’t be a surprise.” Her voice lowered as well. “Look what he tried with Tori. It wasn’t his first time doing that. He has experience.”
“I’m not doubting that,” Henrik said. He continued to look around. “Where is he? I want him out of this restaurant immediately. Instructor Ignatius put me in touch with the manager. If I say the word, they’ll drag him out quietly.”
Sonia turned her head towards the far side of the main dining floor. By the large windows were rows of tables and most people were standing as they went around and mingled. The atmosphere was loud, with guests having to speak over not only each other, but the musicians in the corner.
Henrik followed Sonia’s gaze and found the Cowman seated at a small table against the window. Across from him was Hart. They were rather close, and both were smiling. Real smiles, not the fake one Cowman showed at the dinner table.
“If you’re wondering about von Dorn, Ewan intercepted him to ask if he was going to accompany the second prince to Viclya next weekend. He’s telling him about the tournament,” Sonia said.
Henrik honestly couldn’t understand Ewan sometimes. If it were him, he’d never speak to von Dorn again after all he said about Ewan, but Ewan was still kind to him. Of course, Ewan was also living the life that von Dorn had aimed for his entire life, so perhaps Ewan simply pitied him.
Henrik didn’t linger on it and was about to move forward when Sonia grabbed his forearm. He grimaced, as it was in the same place his sister had dug her nails into, but before he could grumble at Sonia, she motioned up towards the mezzanine. Henrik lifted his head and saw his sister standing by the railing in her dress that she planned to dance in.
The dance floor was on the first floor and once she came down, it would be cleared so she could have her first dance as an adult. He watched his sister scan the crowd with her eyes and then freeze. The smile on her face instantly vanished and Henrik followed her line of sight.
Annika was looking across the room, to the wall with the large windows, and the small table where two people were chatting happily, completely oblivious to being stared at.
Her face turned red, and she seemed to reach down to grab the length of her skirt as she turned around and headed to the stairs.
“Still want to kick him out?” Sonia asked.
Henrik gritted his teeth. On one hand, he hated the Cowman and wanted him out. On the other hand, it was his sister’s party. He frowned with some scorn. “No, it’s her party. Let her do what she wants. Since she doesn't want to listen to me, then she'll just have to face this herself.”
Sonia released his arm as they watched Annika come down the second set of stairs across the room. With a furious look on her face and her rapid movements, guests couldn’t help but stop themselves before they could greet her and give her space to walk.
In that corner of the restaurant, the voices went quiet as guests watched the birthday girl rush to the small table. Annika lifted her hand and snatched the partially filled wine glass from the table and splashed whatever remained in it onto Hart’s head.
Sonia’s mouth dropped and Henrik’s brows shot up.
“Annika!” They heard his father calling from across the room, but Annika didn’t pay attention.
“Who are you? What do you think you’re doing? Stay away from my boyfriend!” Annika’s shrieking filled the restaurant, and the noise came to an awkward halt.
“Annika, what are you doing!?” The Cowman was on his feet and reaching across the table to wipe Hart’s head with a white table napkin.
Annika’s face paled as she saw the action. She turned to the Cowman with a gaping mouth. “What are you doing? Do you know this woman?”
“Alessa, are you all right? Did it get in your eyes?” The Cowman ignored Annika as he rounded the table, squeezing past Annika to get to Hart. Annika stumbled back, as if he’d physically shoved her.
“I’m fine, Adrien. Just surprised,” Hart said as she dabbed at her eyes.
The Cowman frowned and looked at Annika sharply. “Why did you throw wine on her?”
“She was flirting with you!”
“I wasn’t!” Hart choked out and tilted her head up. Henrik squinted and wondered how she looked so miserable with two or three thimbles worth of wine thrown at her. Was she crying? “I was only talking to Adrien.”
“Alessa is a good friend of mine,” the Cowman said in a firm voice. He looked at Annika’s confused and flushed face and shook his head. “I misjudged you, Annika. I didn’t know you’d be so cruel.”
Annika snapped her head up and looked at him. She shook her head. “No...no, I’m not. I didn’t know-”
“You can’t throw wine at everyone I talk to,” the Cowman chastised.
“I thought she was flirting with you-”
“So, what if she was?” the Cowman asked with a cold look. “That has nothing to do with you.”
Annika looked as if she’d been told the sky wasn’t blue. “What? But...but it does. You...we go out and...and you said you’d wait for me.”
The Cowman looked at her incredulously. “You said you wanted to learn more about business. You said your father was going to give you a shop and that you wanted my help to learn to run it.”
A distressed look filled Annika’s face. “No, that’s not what you said-”
“I said I would help you and wait until you get the shop to begin,” the Cowman told her. His eyes were cold as he looked at her. “I think it’s you who misunderstood.”
Annika shook her head. “No! You were so kind to me-”
“Adrien is kind to everyone,” Hart said. “You must have misunderstood.”
“Alessa, let’s go.” The Cowman turned back to Hart and helped her up. He shrugged off his dress coat and put it over her shoulders. He looked around and saw von Dorn coming towards them. “Mr. von Dorn, can you get Alessa’s coat from the coat room? I’ll take her to the front.”
Von Dorn nodded and turned around.
Alessa wiped at her eyes once more as she stood up. Annika shook her head and darted in front of them. “Wait, no! I made a mistake. I didn’t know she was a friend of yours.”
“Miss Skuldsen,” the Cowman’s voice was no longer gentle with her, and she stiffened in place. “Please get out of the way.”
“How can you say that I misunderstood! I told you I liked you! You said you liked me, too!” Annika said with a pale face. “I did everything you asked! When you said you were worried about Henrik’s company, I tried to get you more information.”
The Cowman frowned and bore his eyes into her. “I never asked you for such a thing, Miss Skuldsen. Your actions are your own.”
“But you’re the one who told me about the Lunar Pavilion!”
“See, I told you it wasn’t Henrik.” At the sound of his name, Henrik turned towards the entrance of the restaurant. His eyes widened as he saw Tori, Ilyana, and Albert standing in the foyer with two men who worked at the restaurant behind them, carrying a large cooling box.
“What are you guys doing here?” JP asked as he reached them.
Tori motioned her head to the box with a bored look. “We brought a cake.”