I thought I had mentally prepared for my mother’s arrival. It had been almost two years since I had last seen her face in my past life. I couldn’t help but wonder if she would be any different in this one. So many things had already changed here and there, perhaps she had as well.  Sitting at my desk, pretending to work but unable to even read one page, I stopped to laugh at myself. At these types of pathetic hopes. I knew better than anyone that she wouldn’t change. I heard the sounds of a carriage outside, dropping the unread book in my hand with a loud thud. My heart rate increased, pounding in my chest as I stood up, moving towards the entrance. I could already hear her screaming.   “HOW DARE YOU DROP MY BAG YOU STUPID COW!” Mother stood there, her face red with rage, screaming at one the young women who worked as a maid at our home. She was a newer hi

 “The general rumors are currently in your favor, girl.” Rig lounged in the chair across from me, cutting into an apple while he spoke. “The idiot prince tried to tell too many people you were clumsy and blaming you for his faults at dancing, only to have you show him up. They feel that you’ve become very accomplished, and perhaps aren’t appreciated enough.”  I grinned, taking a slice of apple from it and eating it, ignoring the conflicted stare from Hallers at my breaking protocol. “Good. While we’re still building the business and getting the Duchy in a stronger position, I’ll have to maintain a fairly good reputation.” Of course, in a couple of years, I’ll be considered worthless in the eyes of the nobility. I’ll have to make sure to distance myself from the public face of both the business and the duchy before then. I didn’t voice

The Duchy flourished.  We trained our new officials and solidified checks and balances to keep things honest and efficient. The school expanded to multiple trades, and soon I was cooperating with other nobles to open up similar establishments across the kingdom. Through it all, Armeny led the way, becoming a center for trade, skilled workers and culture.   Another year had passed, I was seventeen, and coming up on the last year before the big scandal that had ruined my life the first time around. I knew that I needed to move out of the spotlight, so that my fall from grace would have as little as an effect as possible of the work I had already accomplished.  Fortunately, I didn’t have to worry about the business “Prosperity.” No one seemed to realize that I was in charge, and simply seemed to think I was one of their most loyal customers. I would be able to continue to run things fro

“Well, people are definitely still talking.” Rig leaned back in his chair, placing his feet on top of my desk.   I glanced down at them, trying to decide if I cared about the papers beneath his shoes enough to tell him to move. I didn’t. Shrugging it off, I focused on his words instead.   “Let me guess, it’s not very flattering to me, right?” I smiled grimly, remembering the backlash of my previous life.    _______________________________   “You can’t go outside!” My mother screeched as soon as she saw me enter the outer hall. “Get back in your room!”   “But… I…” I hesitated, unsure. It had been a week since Ronan had broken the engagement and announced that he would marry Edith. I hadn’t heard anything from the queen since. I had thought to go try to see her. Seeing my mother’s expression, however, I second-guessed myself.   “Do you know what people are

I stared at the prince in shock. “Pardon?”   Obviously not expecting this response, his expression turned quizzical. “Are you hard of hearing? We’re getting engaged!”   I dug a finger into my ear, as if cleaning it out, muttering to myself. “I swore I heard you say ‘engaged.’”   “I did…?”   “But that would be impossible!” I shook my head, before staring at him intently.    “Unless you were an idiot.”   He sputtered with rage. “What did you call me?!”   “Idiot. Fool. Moron. Buffoon….” I paused. “Give me a moment, I’m sure I’ll think of more.”   Standing up, his face turned red. “HOW DARE YOU?!!”    I stood up to face him, slamming my hands on the desk.   “NO! How dare YOU? How dare you step into MY HOME and insult me like this? A week after you cut off your engagement