My feet ached as I slumped down in Daniel's office. For three days straight I'd done nothing but sit in each of the three major locations I'd been regularly visiting and retell my story again, and again. Many had come to talk over how I could have had a husband yet not consummated my marriage. Time and time again I told a tragic tale, Yaru helping me stay just consistent enough to keep it believable, while not telling it perfectly the same every time.Daniel had barely spoken to me since hearing my confession, but he sat opposite me now, studying me.“You're exhausted. But Yaru tells me you've done a good job at undoing the damage.”“I've quelled the rumours. They won't go any further, but not everyone's opinion is restored. And some are still avoiding me.”“You'll have to keep trying, then. You'll need six at your unveiling.”“I know.”Silence fell between us.“How are the others faring? Has their average pay been hit hard by all this?”“They're struggling, but only outside of the Jap

Yaru politely coughed before stepping forward.“I know you're very good at what you do, and I hate to rush an expert, but Auralia has other engagements to get to as soon as possible. Perhaps we should move on to somewhere where you can begin?”Rick didn't reply, merely looking at Yaru as if he was a fly on his dessert.“I don't think we should rush, Yaru,” I replied. “I'm sure the colonel won't take longer than necessary.”I tried to give him a small smile, to show I was going to defer to his judgement. Anything that might get him to relax. The corners of his mouth twitched up, but he still didn't move.“My dojo is this way. You may come with me and try to learn something. Yaru, I must insist you wait here.”“But—” Yaru moved forward again, but Rick quickly raised an arm, cutting my mentor off.“Edward will accompany her if you must have someone as her chaperone, but otherwise I will have no one else in my dojo while I train the courtesan.”Yaru bowed his assent to the demands, but I c

I reluctantly got out of bed to face another day. The ups and downs of the last week or so were finally getting to me, along with the worry that I wouldn't have enough people at my unveiling. So far I had four who'd said they'd come. Tomichii, James, Keaton and Aiden. Of course, I still had to officially invite them, but it was only four. Yaru had made it clear I needed six.And I wasn't the only one who was showing signs of tiredness. Mhairi was slower than before, yawning more than once while we got ready together. We spoke little, barely dressed by the time Yaru and Edward came to fetch me.“Where are we going today?” I asked. Yaru held up several plain white envelopes.“It's time to begin giving these out.” He handed them to Mhairi, who tucked them in a case and clutched it to herself. I raised my eyebrows.“A courtesan doesn't do the inviting herself, but has a second. It's considered an honour to be a veiled's second. She represents the courtesan's desires and is meant to help gu

Keaton bowed in my direction before reaching into the inside pocket of his suit jacket. He pulled out a smaller, bright-red envelope and held it out to Mhairi.“My acceptance,” he said to murmurings from our onlookers. Her eyes wide, she took it. I tried not to mirror her look, aware this was unconventional at best.A slight smirk played across Keaton's face. I should have expected it. This was just like him, flouting the rules just enough to make a stir, but not too much that people would be angry at him for it.I found myself smiling as Mhairi handed me the envelope.“I look forward to seeing you there,” I replied, meeting his gaze. His grin widened.“Don't be a stranger in the meantime. I don't think this city will cope if you hide away between now and then. They're loving talking about you and you've already given us quite a few things to discuss in such a short space of time.”I let out a laugh, not completely sure I was amused. He was referring to my brush with scandal. His actio

“No, not like that,” Yaru said, his exasperation evident. I almost growled as I lowered my arms. Before me was a tea service. I was meant to be able to pour it in a very specific way, but no matter how many times Mhairi showed me how to do it, I always seemed to get it wrong.“Perhaps a break would be a good idea,” Edward said, lounging on a nearby sofa, his crystal in his hands. Internally I thanked him. I'd had enough and so had Yaru. There were just one too many things to learn for this ceremony and not enough time to learn them all.Yaru nodded, got up, and walked out of the room without another glance. Immediately Edward put his tablet down, patted the seat beside him and held out an arm to wave me closer. The invitation was more than welcome, and within seconds I was half-sat beside him and half-cuddled in his arms. I exhaled, feeling some of the stress of the day disappear instantly. For four days we'd been working on getting me ready for my ceremony. It would take place tomorro