23: Rebellion and truth

Weeks later,

I came back to the parlour working here as a partner and supervising, just as I agreed with Edward. It was a mutual understanding to keep the partnership a secret. The reason was that the time I spent away from the parlour taught me I had much to give. I wasn’t nothing without the parlour and if the place could stand on its own without me, I’d happily move on. The prince agreed to the proposal, and we had related on the affairs of the parlour but only in our private meeting chamber.

I disclosed my reinstatement as a partner to only Jane on the first day of my return and she was happier than I had ever seen. She told me the parlour needed my touch, but I told her I’d take a step back and watch from the side. She told me she had no problems with that plan as long as I was here. I’ve done the side observations for the past three weeks and it’s been great so far.

I moved from the counter at the chambers to the mild room where the new victims usually stayed and then I noticed C