I didn’t recognize the man sitting in my home. “How…?” Hallers stepped in before me, his professional mask cracking as he realized that in his absence a strange man had been allowed to enter the house.   The man smiled, the expression showing too much teeth, coming across as more threatening than reassuring. “Now, now, butler… don’t get your uniform tied up in knots, your staff didn’t have a choice.” He turned towards Henry and me, giving a formal bow. “Sir Matchins, at your service.” His voice was mocking, the bow too shallow to be truly respectful. I stepped forward, “Sir Matchins, although we haven’t been formally introduced, I do wonder as to the urgency of the matter that caused you to be at our home so late in the evening.” I kept my face calm and neutral, ignoring the discomfort of his gaze, as he l

 “I’m so glad you could come and visit me!” Queen Amerande smiled excitedly at me while she poured tea. I took my cup, one sip confirming that she had brewed it strong and sweet, exactly how I liked it. She had always taken small details like this into consideration, despite her high status. It was hard not to feel comfortable around her.  “Well, your letters were… delayed, and I felt I should apologize in person for my rudeness in not responding sooner.” She shook her head. “Don’t worry about rudeness, I’m just glad that you’re doing well! If I hadn’t heard anything soon I might have broken down the doors to your home to find you!”  __________________________ “Has the Queen answered any of my letters?” I hugged myself, sitting in the chair by the fire in my room. 

A long table had been set, groaning under the weight of hundreds of dishes. My mouth watering, I waited impatiently for a groomsman to show me to my seat. Surprisingly, he led me to the opposite end of the table, far away from the King and Queen. I would have thought she would want me nearby. A stray thought crossed my mind and unconsciously I found myself looking towards the Queen. Her face was red with irritation as she argued quietly with her husband, a finger pointing in my direction.  Ah. So it wasn’t her idea. I felt relieved at this, before pushing the emotion away. Meeting the Queen’s gaze, I shook my head slowly, letting her know I was okay with where I was sitting. After all, Ronan and Edith were sitting on that end of the table. At least I could eat in peace here. The Queen looked frustrated, but finally nodded her assent and the banquet started. The food was delicious. As I happily tried diff

We stared at each other silently for a few moments as the guard’s words hung in the air between us. Nate’s expression grew increasingly nervous, his head hanging down with shame before he finally spoke up. “I hope you’ll forgive me! I truly wasn’t intending to hide it from you. But… when we spent time together, I came to look forward to how you treated me. I wasn’t sure what you already knew or didn’t know, but I knew I wanted things to stay informal, close.” He paused with a quiet sigh. “But now I’ve waited too long.”  “What makes you think I’ll treat you any differently?” I finally found my voice to answer.  His head snapped up, his face incredulous at my calm words. “Lenora? Did you already know?” “… I’m not sure.”  In the heat of the m

“The King made his move.” Rig frowned as he spoke, staring around the shop with a grim expression. Hallers, Lia, and Marile, who had just arrived to be present for the store’s grand opening, looked at each other with dismay. I leaned back in my chair, setting down the financial reports Henry had asked me to glance over and studied Rig closely. “What happened?” My voice was cold. I clenched my fists in my lap, remembering the King’s expression the day of the Queen’s birthday. “Bandits broke into the Duchy’s main residence. They ransacked a few rooms, stealing a few paintings and such, but the worst of the damage was in your room.” Rig’s gaze was filled with anger. “The objects they stole weren’t even worth much, they obviously weren’t thieves.” “He sent men to kill me.” It wasn’t a question. I f