Chapter 51: There is No Need For You to Marry

The Empress appeared proud of herself for defending her son, but Tori’s mother only looked at her as if she were an idiot.

“I’m not talking about Piers, Monica! I’m talking about Gideon!” Formality was gone. Antonia stalked forward, her arms raised, and hands curled into claws as if ready to throttle her friend. The imperial knights, who noticed just how upset Marquess Antonia Guevera was, seemed to rush forward to try to protect the Empress.

The sound of their armor clanging filled the courtyard as they surrounded the two middle-aged women and Tori, who was near-by. Spears were pointed and swords were ready to be drawn in defense of the Empress. None of this seemed to bother Antonia as her eyes bore into the Empress.

“Mama!” Tori called for her mother once more and the two women looked over, appearing surprised that she was there.

The Empress gasped. She immediately straightened up and seemed to try to regain her imperial composure in front of Tori. She then looked around. Her eyes widened and she raised her hands.

“Put your weapons down! What are you doing?” she yelled, glaring at the lot of them as she turned around. “This is a marquis castle! Do you really think the four dozen of you stand a chance here?”

Tori turned her head and saw her family had congregated at the entrance to the castle, watching. Just beyond the few rows of imperial knights, there was an even thicker row of big, buff O’Tuagh knights. Their confidence must’ve been immense, as they hadn’t even pulled out their weapons. They merely stood there, surrounding the imperial knights and looking ready to tackle and subdue whoever dared take a step towards their liege’s cousin’s wife.

While Tori knew that the power of the monarchy was not absolute; they were still powerful and commanded respect. For the Empress to blatantly tell the men and women protecting her that they were at a disadvantage if they fought against the O’Tuagh knights was surprising.

It meant that she knew who their loyalty ultimately went to and it wasn’t the imperial family.

“Everyone stand down!” Marquis O’Tuagh’s booming voice filled the courtyard. The imperial knights hesitated and still remained at ready, but the O’Tuagh knights relaxed their stances. Lawrence turned his eyes towards the Empress and frowned. “Monica Helga von Schwert du Soleil, do you know what your second son has done?”

The loss of formalities confused Tori at first. It took her a moment to remember that Piers’ mother was also the daughter of a marquis. The Empress was raised in this very environment and right now, Marquis O’Tuagh wasn’t talking to the Empress; he was talking to another member of their internal group.

It was a strange feeling of familiarity and, as Tori watched the Empress avoid eye contact with Marquis O’Tuagh, Tori understood that this familiarity and bond ran very deep. If she were the empress and Siobhan scolded her, she’d probably react in the same way, imperial title or not. These were people she knew supported her, and to let them down and earn their disappointment and displeasure was shameful.

“Is this about his knight dueling Tori?” the Empress asked in a tentative voice.

“Oh!” Antonia scoffed, her brows rising. “So you do know about that!” She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at the Empress, as if asking what she was planning to do about it.

“Toni, rest assured that Matthieu and I have discussed this,” the Empress said, trying to be rational. “Fabian’s breach of decorum and lack of discipline are unacceptable. We’ve decided that after his second year, we will send him to La Garda.”

Tori gasped. It was confirmed. She didn’t think she’d know the outcome of this until the end of the next school year, but if the Empress herself said it, then she could kiss Fabian good-bye. Her heart quickened. Her eyes were wide with excitement, but she tried not to make it too obvious.

Her mother relaxed a bit, but still kept her eyes narrowed. “Well...what about the other incidents?”

The Empress knit her brows together and tilted her head. “What other incidents?”

“Cousin, perhaps we should let Her Majesty and her entourage come in and rest first?” Siobhan let out a heavy sigh as she came down the stairs. She stopped in front of the Empress and did a curtsey. “Welcome to Moss Hill, Your Majesty.”

At her cue, the rest of the family and their servants and knights all bowed or did a curtsey. Tori shuffled to her mother’s side and mirrored her cousin’s movements. The only one who seemed to refuse was her mother.

The Empress gave Antonia a deadpan look. “You’re that mad?”

“He’s been harassing my youngest,” Antonia replied without skipping a beat.

The Empress sighed. “You can tell me what happened, but let’s not ignore the fact that my Piers has been very attentive to your Tori.”

Oh my God, please don’t say it like that. Tori’s head was still bowed as she clenched her jaw, silently willing the earth to open and swallow her so her mortification could end.

“Hmph.” Antonia grumbled, but still did a quick bend of the knee before standing up straight and pretending she didn’t.

“Ahem.” The Empress turned to Tori and spoke in a regal voice. “Lady Tori, is it? I believe we’ve already met.”

Tori didn’t want to look up. She wasn’t prepared to meet her friend’s mother in this way, but she had no choice. She took a deep breath and stood up straight, pretending everything was fine. “Yes, Your Majesty. You did an excellent job at the pinecone challenge. It was well above average.” Of course, that also included the scores of little children and other participants who didn’t block any.

The Empress appeared pleased to hear this. She reached forward to take Tori’s hand. “I wanted to properly introduce myself to you then, but my husband and I were trying to visit the school without much fanfare and a proper introduction would’ve revealed us,” she said with bright eyes. “Since we are meeting today, I think we have much to talk about-Toni!”

Antonia squeezed between them before the Empress could take Tori’s hand. Tori was pulled close to her mother, away from the Empress, and ushered back into the castle.

“My cousins have prepared a meal for you and your entourage. You should eat and then rest. It has been a long journey,” Antonia said remorselessly.

“You’re being petty!” The Empress frowned. “I’m still the Empress!”

“Did you not say that even if you married him and became the Empress, I should always treat you as I did before?” Antonia said in a thoughtful tone. She looked over her shoulder and raised a brow. “So, I am.”

Tori was brought back inside and seemingly handed off to Andy, who decided to bring her to her room. Tori narrowed her eyes. “What just happened downstairs?”

“Nothing to worry about,” Andy told her, as if nothing was amiss. “We four marquis families are very close. The Empress’ paternal family, the von Schwert, are also distantly related to us. Six or so generations back; not as close as the Gueveras.”

“Are we also related to the Nordursins?” Tori asked as they walked down a hall.

“I don’t think they’ve married directly to your family, at least not to a marquis, recently. And the last time one of them married into our family was a few generations back, also outside of the direct line. However, the Empress’ paternal grandmother was a Nordursin,” Andy replied. He patted Tori’s shoulder comfortingly. “But, despite the dramatic scene in the courtyard, we all get along very well. Our loyalties to the imperial family, in general, are unwavering.”

Tori narrowed her eyes and gave him a suspicious look. “Why is it ‘in general’?”

“We may be overly familiar with individuals and treat them as such,” Andy said, drawing his lips into a line. “I was told your mother and the Empress were very close in Lycée.”

“The Empress was the one who brought Mama into Papa’s sights, albeit unknowingly,” another voice said behind them. Tori stopped and turned around.

“Kasey, where did you go?”

“I needed to make a call,” her brother said smoothly as he caught up with them. He gave her a smile. “Mama will clear things up with Empress Monica.”

“How much trouble will this cause?” Tori asked. That was her main concern. What would the consequences of this entire episode be?

“No trouble. She should know what her idiot youngest son has done,” Kasen replied. “Don’t worry about this.”

Tori was still suspicious. “Is this going to affect His Highness having Lady Hart escort him?”

“Since the succession ceremony is at the end of the week and they are likely already on their way here, I doubt it,” Kasen said. “However, it is still good that the family knows. We cannot protect one of our own if we don’t know.”

“I don’t want to wield the family’s influence so recklessly,” Tori told them as they continued walking. “After all, Lady Hart is the daughter of an impoverished baron. It would appear as if we’re oppressing them.”

“Tori, even the imperial family knows what it means to harass a member of a marquis family,” Andy said. “One or two misunderstandings or a few minor conflicts are unavoidable and understood. We must look at the big picture, so to speak. And I know you see this as children’s grudges, but it needs to be addressed while you’re young, so as not to affect your relationships with other powers when you become an influential adult.”

“If Prince Gideon is making baseless accusations and coddling Lady Hart at your expense, then this is something that would become problematic when he’s in a position of power,” Kasen said. “Everyone has their favorite, but if that favorite is slighted, how one would react is of utmost importance.”

“Wars can be started.” Andy added with a firm nod. “Let alone a simple, negative relationship with another power. The monarchy is stable in part because the marches are loyal to them. If Prince Gideon wrongs a march because of a baron’s daughter, do you think the imperial family would stand for it?”

Tori shook her head. “I just don’t want to trouble our family. If I can handle it without having to use the force of the marquis, then I’ll handle it. The family is already has a massive responsibility. It has more important things to do than be concerned with a cheating scandal and ridiculous rumors.”

“Small incidents can be exacerbated,” Andy said as he put a large hand on top of her head. “Be careful.”

Marquis Gregorio de Guevera rarely had an opportunity to have father-daughter time with Tori. He was always busy with the march, the Guevera army, or training Sebastian in matters of the march and the army. In the few instances where he could spend time with his daughter, it was always rather short and fleeting.

In the past, Tori was busy with lessons or caught up in social events. Now, she spent most of the year in Horizon, severely limiting the amount of time he could even catch a glimpse of his adorable little princess. When she was home for winter break, her brothers, mother, and grandparents monopolized her time.

However, today, he had a chance.

His in-laws were back in Presidio and his parents were busy spending time with each other. Sebastian was stuck at the Fortress and in order to make Kasen suffer because Kasen got to go to the succession ceremony, Sebastian loaded him with at least three months of work. Antonia was the liaison to the Empress and had her hands full keeping Monica busy.

Andrew was running around King’s Harbor that day and the current Marquis O’Tuagh’s three young grandchildren, who had grown quite attached to Tori in the short time since she’d arrived, had lessons.

Today, Gregorio was going to spend a whole day with his daughter and accompany her around King’s Harbor.

“Okay, Papa, we have reservations for the specials at Glasson-by-the-Sea,” Tori said, looking up from her notebook as they walked along a street parallel to the harbor. “They have three dishes that are highly recommended.”

Gregorio nodded. “That sounds good, my daughter. Are they different from the last restaurant?”

“Yes. Glasson is known for some shellfish dishes. You’re not already full, are you?” She looked at him curiously and he could only smile.

“Of course not! We’re on a...what is this called again? Food walk?”

“Food crawl,” Tori said.

“Yes! A food crawl!” Gregorio asserted, before putting his hands on his stomach. “Don’t worry about Papa. I can eat a whole pig if needed.”

She let out a laugh and he watched her eyes crinkle up with mirth. “Don’t push yourself, Papa. We can always take a longer break in between restaurants.”

“Your Papa isn’t that weak,” he told her, proudly. So far, they've been to two restaurants. Their cousins had gathered a list of highly recommended restaurants in King’s Harbor that had well-known and well-loved local seafood dishes for Tori.

His daughter was building a village on a delta and wanted to collect information on seafood dishes, including recipes. At every restaurant, Tori would dutifully fill a few pages in a small, leather bound notebook she carried with her with notes on the dish they tried. She’d ask him his opinion and Gregorio gave it as critically as he could.

Each restaurant was limited to one order of a maximum of three different dishes. They would share and discuss, then when they were done, they’d walk to the next one. Tori had carefully mapped out their journey the day before, with her cousins’ help.

So far, the dishes were excellent and worthy of their reputation. He was surprised he wasn’t full after two restaurants. However, what mattered most was that, despite Tori ‘working’, they were enjoying their time together.

He watched his little girl look around and occasionally point at ships in the harbor to tell him where they were from, as taught to her by Andrew the day before. Gregorio, of course, already knew, but he brought up some information on each country, if only to show his worldliness to his daughter.

It was times like this that she resembled her pre-accident state the most; cheerful, talkative, and a little willful. When she woke up a year ago, after falling off a horse, she almost seemed like a different person. The doctors they spoke to all said that her head injury could affect her personality, as well as her memory, and it seemed to be the case.

Still, Gregorio couldn’t help but be alarmed when his once boisterous daughter suddenly became quiet. Tori spent so much time in her room recovering. She read more than he’d ever seen her read. Then there was the day she told him she wanted to practice with a sword.

His daughter didn’t touch swords. Ever.

Gregorio remembered how he’d been unable to sleep the night after he’d seen Tori wield a sword with such ease. He’d told Antonia that it was as if Tori was a stranger at that moment. He didn’t understand what happened to their daughter, who had asked to be called ‘Tori’. Could a head injury really cause that much of a change?

Antonia also felt that something was different, but their daughter was their daughter.

Besides, it wasn’t as if Tori forgot about them. There was a light of familiarity and affection in her eyes, the same as before. Tori thought of them often; called them several times a week from Lycée, sent them gifts, and even had coats made for them. As strange as it sounded, even her hugs felt the same.

The Victoria he knew was still there, somewhere. He was sure of it. No matter how she’d changed after the accident, he and his family embraced her without question. She was alive and well; that was all they could ask for.

“Papa, it’s on that pier.” Tori’s determined little voice brought him back out of his thoughts. Glasson-by-the-Sea was perched on the very end of one of King’s Harbor’s wooden piers.

“What will we be having, my daughter?” he asked, affectionately.

Tori referred to her notebook. “Bacon wrapped oysters, baked scallops with a local cheese, and smoked salmon on toasted bread with their signature cream spread.”

His brows rose and he nodded. “We’ll order the restaurant’s white wine.”

Tori giggled. “Papa, you’ve been ordering wine at every restaurant.”

“It must pair well with the meal,” he said with a chuckle. He reached out and placed his large hand on top of her head, where her thick, curly black hair that matched his was gathered into a bun and held back by a cloth headband that matched her light blue dress. “Just a glass. It’s not enough to get you drunk.” He paused. His eyes narrowed. “That reminds me, Nanny Rey said you and your friend drank too much after your final exams.”

Tori let out a low hiss as she narrowed her eyes. “I can’t believe Nanny Rey sold me out....” He heard her mutter under her breath. “We were celebrating Henrik’s birthday at his house and playing games. We were all yelling and I kept getting thirsty.”

Gregorio let out a sigh and nodded, understandingly. “You should’ve asked for water.”

“I know, I wasn’t thinking.” Tori admitted freely as they walked down the pier. “I wouldn’t be so careless if it weren’t at my friend’s house. His parents would’ve given us rooms if I didn’t insist on going to Nanny Rey’s.”

“Tori, I know you care very much about your friends, but you are still a young noblewoman, as is your friend Ilyana. You should have some restraint.” Gregorio never scolded her before, but somehow, it was easier to do so now.

“I know,” Tori agreed once more. “I learned my lesson. Both Ilyana and I woke up with headaches. Ilyana had light sensitivity, too. We won’t be drinking that much again, soon. Nanny Rey lectured us that morning.”

“Good.” Gregorio was a bit relieved. Nanny Rey was the only one who’d come close to scolding or reprimanding his daughter. Even then, it was never severe. “You must’ve troubled her to come pick you up.” He heard his daughter take in a sharp breath. He looked over. “Tori?”

“We’re here!” Her voice rose as they reached the entrance of the restaurant. She marched inside and he raised a brow as he followed her. A hostess met them at once. “I had reservations for two for my father and I under Tori.”

The woman in the neat uniform stood up straight upon hearing her name. “Lady Guevera, welcome! We’ve been expecting you!”

He watched his daughter’s lips tighten into a line. Their cousins had made the reservations for her and while Tori said she asked them to keep it low profile, every restaurant so far knew who they were. Gregorio chuckled at his daughter’s frustration.

They were led to a table in an elevated area, by the window that overlooked the harbor. It was likely the best table in the restaurant.

“Lady Guevera, Marquis Guevera, your order has already been received. We’ve reserved our best ingredients for your meal. The signature scallops, bacon wrapped oysters, and smoked salmon will be brought to your table shortly,” the woman told them earnestly.

“Bring us a glass of your best white wine each,” Gregorio said.

“Yes, my lord!” The hostess gave a nervous curtsy and rushed off.

He heard his daughter let out a heavy sigh. The corners of his lips pulled up a bit. “Are you disappointed?”

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“I didn’t want to attract attention,” Tori said.

“Well, at least we have a good view.” He watched her look outside after placing her notebook and pencil on the table beside her.

The daughter he was familiar with always wanted to attract attention. Now, she was much more subdued, appearing to prefer a casual calmness to a lively social gathering.

Gregorio couldn’t help but be a bit relieved. He had braced himself for his daughter’s chaotic teenage years, as his sons, who he’d at least strictly disciplined, were already a headache at that age. All three children had a certain level of arrogance for one reason or another and it wasn’t without its problems.

However, for all their arrogance, Sebastian and Kasen had discipline and restraint. They knew what was expected of them and they more than fulfilled those expectations. Their eight years each at Horizon made other parents envious of his family. How unfair was it that the Gueveras had two geniuses?

Lightning may have struck twice, but it wouldn’t strike a third time.

He was worried that Tori would go to Lycée and cause trouble. His sons had their peers and juniors keep an eye on their sister and report her activity to them. Gregorio had mixed feelings about it.

Gueveras, like the other marquis families, were close and protective of each other. However, they didn’t coddle their children. The children could depend on their family’s love and support, but there was a limit. Children were left to fight their own social battles against their peers, though the family would counsel them carefully.

This was to train them for their positions within the empire. Children of marquis families needed to stand on their own so as not to be overly dependent on the family. They had an unfair advantage and didn’t want to raise tyrants.

Tyrants were a liability and couldn’t be trusted to wield power on which the safety of the empire, and all the lives within it, depended.

Unfortunately, he had raised a tyrant with Victoria. Everyone in their family spoiled her and everyone, except Victoria, knew why. There were times when he’d look at her and unwillingly remember the thin, barely moving infant handed to him all those years ago.

Guilt and shame often filled him thinking of how he failed his only daughter, so, against his better judgment, he spoiled her. He awaited the day he’d get word from Lycée’s headmaster about the trouble his daughter was in.

But Tori didn’t get herself in any trouble. Not academically. Not socially. At least, not of her own volition. If anything, it was the exact opposite.

Gregorio would never say it out loud, but he didn’t expect his daughter to be outstanding.

So outstanding, that even the Empress was watching her.

“Papa?”

He blinked and looked across the table. Tori gave him a questioning look. “Yes?”

“You’re scowling. The food will be out soon,” Tori said, reassuringly. “Just give it a few more minutes.”

His face softened. His sweet little girl was not only beautiful and kind, but brilliant. No wonder the first prince was always lingering around her. His lips pulled into a frown once more.

“Tori, I was talking to your mama last night. Tell me,” he said as he tried to look more concerned than irritated. “Is the first prince bothering you?”

Their wine had arrived and Tori lifted her glass. She shook her head, looking a bit confused as to why he’d ask. “Piers? No. He’s a big help.”

“Your mama said that you have been...accompanying him to social events in Horizon. Is this true?” He watched his daughter’s expression carefully.

Tori didn’t seem bothered and nodded. “Yes. He’s been trying to be more social recently, and since Axton’s at summer training, I’m going with him to help his anxiety.”

Gregorio let out another sigh of relief. He nodded, pleased to hear she was only doing so to help. Then the thought gripped him and he froze. How did the first prince get comfortable enough with his daughter for her to be able to ‘help his anxiety’? He frowned once more.

“You don’t have to go.”

Tori cracked a smile. “Papa, we’re just friends.”

“I know, I know,” Marquis Guevera said, awkward. “But it seems that His Highness Prince Piers is very...attached to you.”

Tori sighed and lowered her wine glass. “Papa, I’m fourteen years old.”

“You’ll be fifteen at the end of the week,” he said. “Other nobles start to become more aggressive in looking for partners for their children when their children are around that age. Viscountess Navarro has approached your mama about introducing you to her grandson or nephew or whoever he is. She isn’t the only one, either.” He let out a low breath and looked at her. “How do you feel about this?”

Tori shook her head. “I have too many things to deal with right now. I don’t want to get involved in any sort of matchmaking, especially at my age.”

Relief filled Gregorio. “Good! I agree! You don’t need such a thing!”

“Thank you, Papa.”

“You can take your time. If you want to wait until after you graduate Lycée, that’s fine. If you don’t want to get married until after an additional four years of school, that is also acceptable.” Gregorio paused for a moment. “And if you don’t wish to marry at all, your mama and I will support your decision. There is no need for you to marry if you don’t want to.”

Tori’s eyes went wide. “Papa....”

“You can live at the Fortress forever, my daughter,” he told her, gently. “Or if you want to explore, then you can explore and come home when you feel like it.” He chuckled a bit. “Look at your Grammie. I’m sure she’d love it if you could join her on site in Nazria at least once. Your cousins’ shipping company goes all over the world. You can go anywhere and do anything, as long as you live the life you were given the way you wish.”

Tori beamed and he could see joy in her eyes. “Thank you, Papa.”

A plate of oysters were placed on the table between them and Tori plucked one off the table, appearing even happier than when they arrived. Gregorio smiled, pleased with himself.

“Most importantly, you don’t have to marry Prince Piers if you don’t want to.”

Tori nearly choked on her oyster. “I know, Papa. Don’t worry about Piers.”

In Gregorio’s opinion, she looked too thoughtful when she spoke of the first prince. “You should ask him to deal with his brother. To think that the second prince would be so rude to you....” His fingers clawed into the fine, white tablecloth as his eyes narrowed.

He was ready to ‘speak’ to the parents of those little bastards who dared cross his daughter. He was particularly furious about the second prince’s knight. When he first heard about it from Kasen, the small detail about how that little knight pointed a metal sword at his daughter’s face was left out.

He was so angry and unsatisfied that the young knight, though beaten into the ground by his daughter, was not removed from his position immediately because of the second prince’s begging, that he called Oliver and told him to throw the little bastard into a skirmish ‘to learn’.

Antonia was so upset that she still wouldn’t allow Monica to meet Tori.

“Papa, this is between me and the second prince. This isn’t something I’m going to force Piers into.”

Why did his daughter have to refer to the first prince so informally? “I don’t know what the Empress is thinking. She seems to be under the impression that her eldest is interested in you. All of yesterday, she kept asking where you were and when you’d be back.”

“I don’t mind having a meal with her,” Tori said. “Perhaps a cup of coffee. I’m sure she has questions about the delta. Everyone has been telling me that many people are interested in and watching my project.”

Gregorio snorted and scowled as he ate an oyster. “I highly doubt that’s the reason. Don’t worry about her. Your mama is taking care of it.”

“Is that all right?”

“Why wouldn’t it be? Those two were attached at the hip yesterday,” he said. He shook his head. “With Genevieve gone and the Emperor in Horizon, of course Monica is going to cling on to Antonia. I couldn’t even have an evening walk with my own wife....”

Tori chuckled. “I’m sure she just misses Mama.”

Gregorio let out a huff. Another plate was placed in front of them with scallops and he picked one up. Perhaps Antonia could talk Monica into removing the little knight from his position.

Tori had assured them that she was already dealing with the ‘cow-man’, and that the farmer’s son who vandalized her store had a permanent disability from the scuffle and shouldn’t be punished further for such a minor offense.

Gregorio and Antonia already had a negative association with Duke Alvere’s son because of what the duke did to Genevieve. Knowing that the spawn of that man had dared threaten their daughter made them tremble with rage. The sooner that false duke and his family were gone, the better.

“Genevieve’s boy is old enough now. I’m surprised he hasn’t taken over his duchy yet.”

“He’s starting to think about it.”

“It isn’t as if everyone else doesn’t consider him Duke Alvere already,” Gregorio said. “Well, when he claims his rightful title, we will be supporting his claim.”

“I thought we didn’t get involved with the duchies.”

“Axton is a special case. Your mama was heavily involved in arranging Genevieve’s will so that nothing would be left to her crazy husband. When the Empress went to fetch Axton at the funeral, half the knights who accompanied her were ours and von Schwert’s. Both your mama and the Empress wanted to show that bastard that Axton had the support of the marquises and had the imperial family to protect him.” Gregorio thought for a moment. He’d also heard that Axton was around his daughter quite a bit. He frowned. “Have you considered Axton?”

Tori continued eating, seemingly distracted as the salmon arrived. “Considered him for what?”

“A partner.”

She choked on a scallop. She reached for her wine and tossed back half her glass, before staring at him with dismay. “Axton is like a brother!”

“Oh...that’s even better.” Gregorio smiled wide. “Remember, you have the freedom to choose. You must not only keep in mind the partner, but their family. You don’t want to marry into a family where your in-law thinks you’re an idiot simply because you couldn’t solve a particular problem fifteen years before you even started courting his daughter.”

Tori narrowed her eyes at him. “I’ll make sure to take that into consideration, Papa.”

“It’s important that they like you. If they like you, they will treat you well.”

“Is that Lady Tori?” A woman’s voice rang out and Tori turned around as Gregorio looked past her.

He didn’t recognize the woman, but he recognized the man she was with. Immediately, his eyes narrowed and he lowered his hands beneath the table to hide his clenched fists.

Out of all of those boys who tried to hurt his daughter, including the second prince, Tori was most protective of the Prime Minister’s son because she had a personal relationship with his mother. The Prime Minister seemed to favor Piers and his wife liked his daughter, so Tori asked that the matter between her and their son be left alone.

Tori said he was ‘annoying, but powerless’.

That didn’t mean that Gregorio forgave or forgot. For now, he’d respect his daughter’s wishes and allow her to deal with her personal battles herself; the way she wanted and the way a daughter of the family should handle it to begin with. They would only step in if asked and necessary.

“Madam Guthry, good afternoon.” Tori rose to her feet to greet them. “I heard you and the Prime Minister were going to attend my cousin’s ceremony, but I didn’t think I’d see you here. Are you sightseeing, as well?”

Madam Guthry reached for Tori’s hand. “Yes! Charles and I just arrived the other day and we’ve been taking our time looking around King’s Harbor. I thought I’d see you at the ceremony, but it’s a surprise to see you here.”

“Marquis Guevera.” The Prime Minister stopped beside his wife and gave him a respectful nod of his head. “Good afternoon.”

“Prime Minister Guthry.” The earlier warmth in his voice when speaking to his daughter was gone. He would let his daughter handle her relations, but that didn’t mean he had to pretend to be nice.

“Good afternoon, Lady Tori.” The Prime Minister greeted his daughter warmly. “It’s good to see you again.”

All right, I’ll be polite, but if your son tries anything again, you won’t be standing for re-election.

“Good afternoon, Prime Minister. I hope your journey went smoothly. It was my first time taking such a long carriage ride.” Tori had a cheerful smile. It looked like she really wanted to stay on good terms with them.

“Indeed. This isn’t our first time coming out this way, but the long journey makes one weary,” the Prime Minister said with a nod. “Are you and your parents here for lunch?”

Tori shook her head. “I’m spending the day with my father. I’m actually doing a bit of research on seafood recipes and cooking styles.” She motioned to the small notebook on the edge of the table and the pencil wedged between its pages.

“For the delta?” Madam Guthry asked. Tori nodded.

“Yes, the refugees are all from inland, so their experience in preparing seafood dishes is limited. If we are able to create some interesting dishes, I will invite you to try,” Tori told them.

“I have been wanting to come and see the changes in the delta,” the Prime Minister said. “However, I’ve heard it is a bit dangerous, as there is a lot of construction happening.”

“We, that is: the villagers, core planners, and myself are still discussing this, but we are considering holding a sort of one-day tour and festival in the delta around the fall harvest so that those who are interested can take a look without the dangers of being around a construction area. If not this fall, then by next year’s spring festival.”

The couple looked surprised by this, but at the same time, somewhat excited. “Are you moving along that quickly?”

“No,” Tori said. “But, we understand that people are curious and want to see what is happening. It’s better to regulate the situation to a certain time and to certain places than to allow people to wander around an active construction site unescorted. We’ve all agreed it’s far too dangerous for everyone.”

“It’s good to consider that.” Gregorio spoke up, still cold, and Tori looked over at him before turning back to the Prime Minister and his wife and giving them an apologetic smile.

“Papa and I still have a few more places to stop after this. Shall we talk more at the succession ceremony?”

“Oh, yes! Of course, it was just nice to see a familiar face,” Madam Guthry laughed. She looked at Marquis Guevera and gave him a small bow of her head. “Our apologies for the intrusion, my lord. Please enjoy your meal.”

“We’ll see you at the succession ceremony, Lady Tori, Marquis Guevera.” The Prime Minister also gave them small bows of his head before gently steering his wife away. They made it halfway across the room to their table before Tori took her seat.

“Papa, you were scowling the whole time,” Tori said as she reached for a piece of smoked salmon with one hand and opened her notebook with the other. “I told you this is between me and their son. If he doesn’t like me, then he doesn’t like me. I’m not going to go out of my way to try to change his mind. As long as he doesn’t do something that causes much trouble for me or gets in my way, I can stand a bit of rudeness. I have enough to deal with as is.”

“To think that the son of the Prime Minister almost tried to bribe you to give your design to the person who stole it.” Gregorio shook his head and snatched one of the toasted slices with salmon. “As if the boy has any power of his own to even offer such a thing.”

“Exactly. It’s useless,” Tori said. “As you can see, I’m on good terms with his parents. I hope to be able to show the Prime Minister the progress in the delta in order to get more support.” She looked out the window once more as she chewed and swallowed her salmon. “It’s not usually this busy here, is it? It’s because of the succession ceremony?”

“There are more patrol ships than usual,” Gregorio said as he followed her gaze outside. “There will be many powerful and influential people attending. Their safety is important, as well as that of the family.”

Tori furrowed her brows. “Has anything ever happened at other succession ceremonies?”

Gregorio tensed. He kept his eyes out the window as he held his breath.

“Nothing worth talking about. The additional security is just a precaution.” He smiled and looked at her, as if nothing was amiss. “You have nothing to worry about.”

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