"Tonight won't be forgotten," Dorian said, cold and grave. His eyes flicked to Nyasia for a moment, then back to Levon. "You know what to do."
Then Dorian turned away.
The crowd's gaze travelled from the duke to Lady Kissell, and the whispers began. It was hardly a shock, well. Everyone knew they had grown up together, and the duke had long since decided she would be his duchess. Then, slowly, heads turned toward the princess. She had not moved, like a statue.
Meanwhile, Charys felt people's gazes. She showed nothing on her face. But her heart was a wild thing in her chest. She had wanted Dorian Alexei Varyn since her debut. Her father wantsd them for political reasons, but she wanted two things: to be Duchess Varyn—a position as exalted as any princess—and to have him. His coldness, his disrespect... she had accepted it all.
But this?
This was too much.
He had gone too far.
She watched angrily as Dorian strode out, with Vanery and her maid ushered out behind him by his men.
At another corner, Levon turned to face his sister, who was still watching Dorian's back. 'Tsk. Look at that. I've already told her that man's a two-faced devil.'
He nudged her shoulder and breathed, then in a low voice said, "I won't ever let that wolf take you, understand, Sia?"
Nyasia simply exhaled, rolling her eyes.
"You're both friends for a reason. You have the same lines," she muttered.
"Oh? Let's go back now. I'm starting to think this whole mess is because of him," he said, then took her hand as he led her out of the hall.
...
THE NEXT DAY
In the grand study, the marquis frowned, listening to the reports. Last night, Mrs. Nox had conducted her own investigation into the carriage incident, though she held no proper authority, which belonged to the young master.
The elders were furious and demanded that the marquis strip Mrs. Nox of all household duties and order her to reflect on her behaviour. The marquis had to accept defeat against the elders and follow their request.
Later, Levon went down to the basement. His men were torturing the very man who had trespassed into the garden and ruined Mirelle Nox. The man swore he had no idea who had blackmailed him, but he was certain it was linked to the palace.
For three day, nothing happened.
Then, suddenly, Rashet Manor stirred up gossip that a low-ranking noble family had come, and Mirelle was to be engaged to the man she had met in the garden.
"Mother, are you serious? Why does Uncle want me to marry that man? This isn't what I want!" Mirelle cried.
"Your uncle has no choice! This is the wish of the elders too! If you had only been a little more sensible, none of this would have happened! You even ruined your older sister's chances!" Divya shouted.
"Why didn't you tell me you were planning to trap Nyasia? I—"
Pak!
"Shut up!" Divya said, almost a scream. "If you won't marry that man, no one will take you! You're already ruined. And you think that girl would just let it slide? Nyasia isn't the girl you naively think she is."
That girl had dared to trap her that night, and she was made to look like an idiot trying to please two women—only to end up punished anyway. "She truly knows how to use Levon," she said, her face contorted with rage.
"Mother."
It was Maryan, who appeared from the dressing room. She wore a simple white dress, the one she often wore from Jade Temple. She had to endure wearing it for now, because she was supposed to be a grieving elder sister for her ruined sister.
"Levon will never take our side. Nyasia is his sister," she said calmly. "So let's not lose focus. We've already secured favor from the palace."
"So you're planning to get the Third Prince after all? Pretentious bitch!" Mirelle said hotly. "I wouldn't be surprised if you were the source of the poison—"
Pak!
"Argh!"
Divya slapped Mirelle harder this time.
"If that mouth of yours remains uncontrollable, that won't be the only thing you experience. Marry that man, and pave the way for your sister."
"Dammit!" Mirelle couldn't believe she was being sacrificed like this. She was supposed to be an empress. Supposed to marry the Third Prince. Supposed to be adored by Tenusa's elite. Now she was reduced to being the wife of a provincial third son who had failed the imperial exam more times than anyone could count.
She wept for days, refused food, refused water until they dragged her from Clearwater Hall on the morning of her wedding.
*