Chapter 52: No Reason for Us to be Detained

In his fifteen years of life, he had never faced such a humiliating event. Dimitri stood beside an increasingly frustrated Prince Gideon in a detention cell. They were stopped and detained at the main gatehouse before even entering King’s Field.

From their cell, he could look outside the iron-barred window and see dozens of carriages and wagons going in and out, through the large gate of the massive stone wall that surrounded King’s Field. The carriages and wagons had to provide papers to allow them entry into King’s Field and to King’s Harbor beyond it.

The papers included identification documents for all persons in the party and a letter of intent or trade certification that was proof of commercial activities. Dimitri and Gideon had their identification documents and letters of intent, signed by the Prime Minister and the Emperor, respectively.

Despite this, they were detained. The guards claimed to have reason to believe that he and Gideon were imposters.

“I’m telling you, I’m the second Prince of Soleil!” Gideon was gripping the iron bars of the detention cell door, trying to get the attention of one of the city guards stationed outside their cell. “Our papers are in order!”

Dimitri looked down at his clothes. They were of superior quality and new, but they were simple, without any embellishments. They didn’t wear any accessories that could be telling. Even their boots had been purposely worn-in and scuffed before they left Horizon. They had arrived in a modest hired carriage, further downplaying their backgrounds.

When Gideon proposed the idea of traveling with him to the succession ceremony, as Dimitri had mentioned going, as well; it was offered as a way to experience the freedom people in their positions rarely had the chance to. Dimitri was technically a commoner. His family had been influential in Soleil and part of the ruling elite for generations, but they weren’t nobles. This allowed him a bit more freedom than Gideon.

However, what teenager would rather travel with his parents than his friends?

They were going to visit Alessa on the way, as Chetterswickshire was just off the main road to King’s Harbor. The plan was to pick her up on the way and take her with them, but Baron Hart was uncomfortable with that.

As a member of Anlar’s regional nobility, regardless of his impoverished status, Baron Hart was still invited to the succession ceremony as a formality. He would travel to Moss Hill with Alessa.

Dimitri and Gideon set off a day before them, but neither young man foresaw that they would be stopped at the gate before even reaching the city. The carriage before them was waved through after a mere glance, so when several more guards were called and their papers were taken away for additional review, Dimitri knew something was wrong.

Gideon didn’t seem to notice anything was amiss and seemed to be trying to continue his nap. Then the guards came and asked them to step out of the carriage. Dimitri’s heart had shot to his throat as he stepped out and found that the entire carriage was surrounded by guards and others passing through were looking at them as if they were criminals.

One of the guards said their paperwork could not be verified and that until their identities were confirmed, they would have to be detained.

The two ‘valets’ who were imperial knights escorting them, as well as their driver, were also detained. The half dozen knights who were following behind them, also traveling in unassuming clothes, had tried to catch up and stop the guards, but their sudden appearance and demands to release Gideon had the opposite effect.

Dimitri always believed that imperial knights were the best of the best, but the gate guards of King’s Field did not hold back at the possible threat. All of them were subdued and archers on the wall above the gate were ready to fire if they fought any further.

The imperial knights were detained in the next cell over and they were forced to wait.

“Gideon, Moss Hill isn’t far from here,” Dimitri said as he leaned against the far wall, beside the small, barred window. “I’m sure once the messenger notifies the Empress, she will send someone to confirm your identity and let us out.”

Gideon slammed his palm against the cell bars and turned around. “I can’t believe this,” he said in a muffled voice. “All my paperwork is in order, including the letters of intent! How can they doubt us like this?”

“My father told me that the security around succession ceremonies is extremely strict. I’m sure they’re just being cautious.” Dimitri sighed and looked down at his clothes once more. “We don’t exactly fit the image of the Prime Minister’s son and the second prince of Soleil.”

Gideon’s lips tightened into a line, but he said nothing as he continued to pace the small length of their cell. After crossing the cell twice, he let out a low growl.

“Who in their right mind would impersonate us?” he asked aloud. “It makes no sense! What would someone do if they were impersonating us? Go to the succession ceremony? People would obviously know who we are at the ceremony!”

Dimitri couldn’t help but nod. Their parents would be there to vouch for them. There would be no problem.

“We just have to be patient,” Dimitri said. “The head guard said that a messenger was sent to Moss Hill to ask for someone to confirm our identities. I just hope my parents have already arrived at the castle.”

“I thought they were a few days ahead of us?” Gideon said, burrowing his brows.

“They are, but they were spending the first few days in the city, King’s Harbor. They aren’t scheduled to stay in Moss Hill until a day or so before the succession ceremony.” Dimitri ran a hand down his face and looked out the window, tired. “They could arrive any time between today and tomorrow.”

Gideon frowned. “Well, as long as my identity is confirmed, I will be able to have us all released.”

Dimitri gave him a wry smile. “Then, my thanks, Gideon.” He pushed himself from the wall and went to sit on a large stone boulder that seemed to serve as a bench in the cell. “It’s a relief that Alessa isn’t with us. Being detained would certainly upset her.”

“I agree,” Gideon said. “A dark, damp cell is no place for a young noblewoman. Especially with Alessa's delicate bearing.”

Dimitri narrowed his eyes. “If Baron Hart found out that she was detained because of us....” He could still vividly remember the argument at Hart Manor.

Alessa was trying to protect her father from a social climbing widow. She had told Dimitri and Gideon about ‘the brick woman’ when she showed them around Chetterswickshire. Dimitri could understand why she was so upset to find that her father had gone to the brickmaker’s. No one wanted to see a loved one be duped.

No one wanted a social climbing stepmother, either. Dimitri could only imagine what Alessa would have to come home to if her father remarried such a woman.

Yet, Baron Hart didn’t heed his daughter’s concerns. Alessa claimed her father lied to her about seeing the brick woman again. Her father had turned red and fumed, pointing out that his own daughter hid the Prime Minister’s son and the second Prince of Soleil from him. Alessa began to cry, and Dimitri and Gideon tried to step in.

But it was awkward. Even with their statuses, to get involved in a family matter as a third party was putting them in strange positions. No matter how much he and Gideon claimed it was their idea, they could only see Baron Hart growing increasingly displeased.

He almost forbade Alessa from going to the succession ceremony. Only after Gideon reiterated that he’d already planned to have Alessa escort him did Baron Hart relent; however, she would go with him. They were supposed to leave a day after Dimitri and Gideon and would stay at a cottage in King’s Harbor.

“Perhaps it is good that Baron Hart found out and insisted he bring Alessa here himself,” Dimitri said. He had looked forward to spending more time with Alessa, but considering their current circumstances, he’d rather be sitting in a cell without Alessa than with her.

Gideon’s face hardened. “I bet this has to do with Guevera.”

Dimitri’s eyes flew up and he looked at Gideon strangely. “Lady Guevera?”

“We had all our paperwork in order. It must be known that our parents, who have already arrived, are waiting for us. There is no reason for us to be detained,” Gideon said, looking over at him. “Unless someone wanted to detain us.”

Dimitri’s forehead creased. “But this is the O’Tuagh March, not the Guevera March. How would she have that kind of influence here?”

Gideon let out a scoff and glared back out the window. He crossed his arms over his chest. “They’re related, remember? Admiral O’Tuagh is her cousin. Her entire family dotes on her. I’m sure all she had to do was ask a favor.”

It was both logical and illogical. Dimitri was quiet as he considered the possibility of their arrest and subsequent detention being the result of a spiteful plan laid by Lady Guevera. He didn’t doubt that the O’Tuagh Marquis family would cater to her; it was well known that the four big marches were awfully close. To protect one of their own was expected.

But how would having them detained be protection? They were of no threat to Lady Guevera. Their identities could also be proven within a few hours. This entire debacle would be over before sunset and would be, at best, a minor inconvenience.

“Why would she have us detained?” Dimitri asked. He didn’t recall anything they did or said to her recently that would cause her ire.

“Who knows. Maybe she still blames us for those rumors and her ridiculous vest design being stolen,” Gideon replied. He shook his head and sneered. “Such a petty woman. I don’t know why my brother is so fond of her.” He said the last sentence under his voice and Dimitri lowered his eyes.

Dimitri hadn’t heard much about the first prince until recently. Whenever he was at gatherings and heard someone say ‘prince,’ it was almost always in reference to the second prince, Gideon. He’d heard rumors that the first prince didn’t like people and locked himself in his room. He didn’t even know what the first prince looked like. Now, he did.

His father had a winter coat made months in advance. His mother ordered it from Lions Gate, and it was named after the first prince. He’d overheard his father discussing some ideas and proposals he’d heard about from the first prince with excitement and interest.

He looked towards Gideon curiously. Because of the rumors of the first prince’s aversion to people, he thought that Gideon was likely to become the crown prince. He was almost certain that everyone else felt this way, too. Dimitri wanted to ask his cellmate, but wasn’t sure how to phrase it.

“I heard your brother is very intelligent.”

Gideon turned his head towards him, and his expression brightened a little. “Yes, extremely intelligent. He held the number one position in Lycée all four years and entered Université at rank one, as well.”

That was not an easy task to do. Dimitri, who ended his first year at rank three, understood that. He lowered his eyes and looked down at his hands clasped in front of him. “I see....”

Gideon straightened up, as if he’d just realized something. “But to be in the top three is still amazing!”

Dimitri cracked a small smile and looked up. “Miss Agafonova is a formidable rival. I look forward to seeing who comes out first next year.”

The sound of footsteps and voices were heard coming from the hall and they turned towards the cell door. A guard appeared with several more behind him and was unlocking the door. Gideon threw his arms down.

“It’s about time!”

“Your Highness.” The guard stepped aside and another man in a black uniform with a cloak and a tell-tale pin holding it closed appeared. He lowered his head and bowed. “The Empress has sent us to escort you to Moss Hill.”

“Captain Strahl, please make sure all my companions are released as well,” Gideon said, still frowning.

The dark-haired captain bowed his head once more. “Yes, Your Highness.”

Gideon lifted his chin up as he walked out of the cell while Dimitri let out a low breath of relief and followed behind him. As Gideon said, their entire party was released. In the yard of the gate house, their carriage was waiting for them, along with a dozen large, burly men with spears on horseback.

Dimitri could feel their eyes on him as he and Gideon climbed into the modest carriage. Captain Strahl, who was the captain of the Empress’ Imperial Guards, mounted a horse and followed alongside them.

Dimitri peered outside as they emerged from the gatehouse and got back on the long road. In the distance, he could see a stout stone structure with a few protruding keeps on a hill overlooking the harbor. The road forked. One led towards the castle and the other led to King’s Harbor. He glanced around and noticed that their carriage and knight escort was surrounded by men with spears.

“Are they imperial knights?” he asked.

“No, Mr. Guthry. They are O’Tuagh knights,” one of the imperial knights seated inside the carriage with them replied. “They came with Captain Strahl.”

Dimitri nodded and sat back in his seat. He closed his eyes and tried to relax as he wondered if his parents were already at Moss Hill. If not, he’d have to have a messenger sent to them.

The carriage went through one of the outer walls of Moss Hill and Dimitri looked back out the window. Within the outer walls was a large open space, presumably used for training from the spots of brown in the grass. In the distance, he could see several people on horseback or under a tent, yelling as they watched what appeared to be a game.

They were a close-knit bunch; perhaps members of the O’Tuagh family?

The carriage then went through the gate to the inner courtyard and as they rolled in, Dimitri saw several adults waiting for them. Including his parents.

On one hand, he was relieved that he wouldn’t need to send a messenger to find them. On the other, they looked upset.

The carriage stopped and a guard came to open the door. Gideon was the first to come out and before Dimitri could follow, he heard a woman’s voice echo her displeasure through the courtyard.

“Did I not tell you this is what would happen?” the Empress was red-faced and frowning at her son. “Gideon Francis Leonard du Soleil III, we will have a talk later.”

Dimitri tensed and tried to prepare himself for facing his own parents. He stepped down from the carriage and looked up to find his father frowning and his mother looking disappointed.

“I am sure if the security for the succession ceremony was not so stringent, His Highness and I would’ve arrived without incident,” he said, carefully measuring his words.

His father uncrossed his arms and seemed to let out a heavy sigh. Dimitri couldn’t meet his father’s eyes. “When we return, you will be coming with us.”

“The same for you, Gideon,” the Empress said.

“Your Majesty, Prime Minister,” a woman with an undercut said behind the parents. “The guest rooms for His Highness and Mr. Guthry have been prepared. If they would like to retire for a few minutes to rest, we will have servants outside their rooms to guide them to the sunroom for a light meal when they are ready.”

The Empress gave the woman a slight nod of her head. “Take them to their rooms. Lady Siobhan, I will return to the polo match.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Lady Siobhan gave her men a small nod and he and Gideon were almost surrounded by a series of well-dressed servants. “Prime Minister, Madam Guthry, will you also be returning to the polo match?”

With that, his parents and the Empress stepped into a covered wagon to take them to the field outside the inner walls. Several guards escorted them out.

“Well...that went better than I expected,” Gideon said with some relief. Dimitri felt him pat his shoulder before they went inside.

His room was in a different wing of the castle, and he was informed that it was next to his parents. There were plenty of O’Tuagh knights guarding the halls. He couldn’t go two steps without passing a knight at his post. Strangely, he knew he hadn’t done anything wrong, but having so many people guarding them made him nervous.

Dimitri waited until his things were brought up to his room before stepping outside to go to the sunroom for something to eat. The sunroom had one long table filled with various finger foods, baked goods, and fruits. Several servants were standing to the side, ready to provide drinks or fetch more food if needed.

When he arrived, Gideon was already seated at a table beside the windows, looking out at the harbor. Dimitri joined him and they discussed the plan for the next day, which included meeting Alessa in town.

“We should call her and confirm a meeting time and place,” Gideon said, reaching for his comcry. Before Dimitri could agree, he heard loud voices coming in from the hall. The two of them turned towards the open doors leading to the hall as laughing and some yelling were heard.

A moment later, several people emerged. Men and women in casual finery, along with a few children. Dimitri recognized Lady Siobhan, but didn’t know who the others were. He stiffened when he saw Admiral O’Tuagh walk in, wiping sweat off his brow as he talked animatedly with Lord Kasen, who also seemed to be flushed and glistening with sweat.

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“Well, well, well, cousin. It seems that Sebastian’s the better athlete, eh?” the Admiral laughed as he slapped Lord Kasen’s shoulder.

“Yes, as are Cousin Bridget and Cousin Eili.”

“Hey....”

“You did amazing, Kasey! I didn’t know you knew how to play polo.”

Dimitri’s attention was drawn to the petite young woman in pants and a sapphire blouse under a long black vest. A little girl, perhaps no older than three or four, was clinging onto Lady Guevera’s neck as she held the child in a lavender dress on her hip.

“Yes, Cousin Kasey did good,” the little girl said with a determined nod.

“What about Uncle Andy? You don’t think Uncle Andy did well?” the Admiral asked the little girl. The child paused and looked at Lady Guevera. Lady Guevera gave her a nod and the child smiled.

“Uncle also did good!”

“Ava is pitying you,” Lord Kasen said as he snatched a small bowl of grapes from the table. He popped one into his mouth before noticing the two by the window. Dimitri watched his eyes narrow a bit. He gave them a small nod before turning his back to them and standing in front of his sister. “Ava, didn’t you say you wanted to show us your doll house?”

“Yes!” the child said, beaming. She nuzzled her head against Lady Guevera. “Cousin, play with me.”

“Of course, baby. What do you want to play?”

Ava’s face lit up. “Dungeon crawl!”

Lord Kasen and the Admiral looked at Lady Guevera with confusion as she laughed and averted her eyes. “Just to make the doll house more interesting...it has a dungeon and...uh...our little druid Ava must unlock the secret at the tower by first battling ogres and stuff....”

The Admiral raised a brow. “That sounds interesting.”

“Mum! Mum! I’m going to play dungeon crawl with Cousin Tori again!” Ava yelled as they headed back out.

“Wait, are you picking up from last time?” A ten-year old boy looked up from where he was filling a plate with smoked meat and bread. “If so, I want to come! You can’t start without your paladin!”

“All right. Maeve, do you want to come, too?” Lady Guevera asked as she paused in the hall. The last child, who looked to be about seven or eight, picked up an entire plate of tarts and put them in the hands of a servant.

“Bring it to my little cousin’s room. And something for us to drink,” she said with a thoughtful look before turning towards the hall. “Rogue Maeve is coming!”

“Where are you all rushing to?” another voice said as two women, also flushed and sweaty from polo appeared.

“Dungeon crawl with Cousin Tori,” the boy said as he urged Tori further into the hall. The women froze.

“Are you picking up from last time?”

“I told you they’re a close family.” Dimitri heard Gideon say from across from him. “I’m telling you. I’m sure she was the one who had us detained. Look at how the entire O’Tuagh family is clinging to her.”

Dimitri couldn’t deny what he saw. He frowned and looked for his parents in the crowd. His mother was speaking to the Empress and another woman while his father was speaking to Lady Siobhan. He pursed his lips.

He had to take care to make sure his parents weren’t overly influenced.

The succession ceremony itself lasted less than half an hour. It was the first time Dimitri attended one, but he had read about it in books. With all its parts, he thought it would take longer, but was relieved it wasn’t a long, tedious ceremony.

The entire castle was decorated with garlands of flowers and streamers. Banners hung all over the grand hall. Light crystals were hung overhead, illuminating the otherwise dimly lit room.

Guests were seated on either side of a long aisle and a dark blue carpet was rolled out from the entrance of the grand hall to the altar. A large, ornate chair was placed in the center just before it. Guests were seated by rank with nobility and visiting foreign diplomats who did business with the O’Tuagh family to one side.

Commoners and aristocratic, but non-noble guests were seated on the other side. This included many wealthy merchants, statesmen, and their families. At the very front, there were two rows of empty seats on either side of the aisle.

When the commencement music began, the guests all rose and looked towards the door. The first person to walk through was the Archbishop of King’s Harbor with a gilded shepherd's crook. Behind him were two bishops, each holding a pillow with a jar of blessed oil on them. An altar girl swung around some incense beside an altar boy who held a heavy, leather-bound book.

They reached the altar and placed the oils and book on it before standing to the side. The Archbishop stood beside the chair and waited.

The current Marquis O’Tuagh walked in wearing full military regalia and a heavy navy cape with black fur trim. He held a halberd in his right hand. He reached the chair and turned around. A servant adjusted his cape just before slipping away. The next group of people to come up the aisle were family members and representatives of the other four main marquis families.

Dimitri never saw any of the marquis due to their station far outside of Horizon. The succession ceremony was his first time seeing them. Johanna Annadottir Nordursin, of the Nordursin March was with her family and took a seat at the front. They were followed by Gregorio de Guevera, of the Guevera March that oversaw Sur. He was with his wife and two children, including Lady Guevera in a cobalt dress with maroon jacquard details.

Both the von Schwert marquis family and the imperial family were represented by the Empress and Gideon. They moved to their seats and were then followed by the younger members of the O’Tuagh family, starting with the youngest, Admiral O’Tuagh, then his sisters and their spouses and family.

The crowd had a good laugh as Lady Bridget’s daughter, Ava, wiggled out of her mother’s arms to cross the aisle to get to Lady Guevera, only to trip on the carpet. Luckily, Lord Kasen caught her and handed her over to Lady Guevera beside him.

Lady Siobhan arrived last, also in full military regalia. She walked down the aisle, chin up and looking straight ahead, as she reached her father and knelt down before him.

The Archbishop led the room in prayer before asking Marquis O’Tuagh to recite his vows of loyalty: to his march, to his people, and to the empire.

“Do you, my daughter, Siobhan Morgan Caitlyn O’Tuagh, accept the title and all it entails?”

Lady Siobhan remained kneeling. “I do.”

“Repeat the vow.” She looked up at her father and repeated his vows word for word. They were presented with a heavy leather book and small gilded plates. Dimitri watched as they pricked their right index fingers with the needles from the plates and pressed their blood into the book.

The Archbishop anointed the new Marquess Siobhan O’Tuagh. Her father moved to the side, clearing the way for her. She walked up the three steps to the chair and turned to face the crowds. The two bishops removed her father’s cape and placed it over her shoulders before her father took her hand and placed it on the halberd.

For a moment, they held it together before he finally released it.

The representatives of the other marches came forward to pin crystal insignias on her cloak as a symbol of their solidarity.

“May the gods of Belcoy bless Marquess Siobhan O’Tuagh,” the Archbishop said. He raised his hands and the sentence was repeated by the crowd three times.

That brought the actual ceremonial part to an end.

Immediately afterwards was a massive reception celebration that not only took up the grand hall, but flooded out into the adjoining gardens. Music filled the air as people ate and drank, sang along with the musicians, and danced, or simply went around talking to various people.

Dimitri saw several important and influential people, both common and noble, wandering about. His parents were completely drawn into the atmosphere and were making their social rounds. It was a necessary part of his father’s position.

“Dimitri, aren’t you going to dance some more?” He turned from where he was standing by an open doorway, nursing a glass of wine. A wide smile filled his face as Alessa, flushed and glowing, reached him with Gideon in tow. The O’Tuagh did not shy away from regional folk music and Alessa had been excited to show them how they danced in Anlar.

The main musicians in the grand hall alternated between the music styles, but there was always someone dancing. He’d been dragged off to dance with Alessa first, and it had been a breathless, intense experience of spinning and jumping. Then, Gideon had taken over as a more formal dance was started. After that, it was another folk dance and Gideon, a born and bred son of the capital, got the experience of trying to figure out a rural dance.

“Perhaps in a bit. I’m still tired from the first dance,” Dimitri said with a laugh as the two joined him. Gideon was red in the face, but looked ecstatic.

“These Anlar dances are quite fast,” he said. “Everyone was moving so quickly.”

“Rest for a moment. Do you want some wine?” Dimitri turned to call for a servant. Just as he managed to wave one down, a boisterous yell came from the dance floor where Gideon and Alessa had just come from.

The trio craned their necks to see who was dancing and found that the new marquess herself was stepping out to join several women already in a circle. People were cheering as she raised her hands to calm them while a broad smile was on her face. Around them, more people came into the grand hall to watch.

Marquess O’Tuagh looked towards the musicians and gave them a nod. Immediately, the sharp sound of fiddles, lutes, and horns accented with a hand drumbeat filled the room and the women in the circle placed their hands on their hips and faced the inside of the circle.

They stepped in and out, turned to face their right as they raised their hands, clapped, and grabbed the sides of their dresses before they spun in a circle. They rushed in, met their hands in the circle, and seemed to dance counterclockwise before rushing out, clapping, spinning, returning to the circle, and dancing in the other direction.

There were cheers and yells of encouragement as the pattern was continued before breaking so that the women could go out and drag in someone from the crowd.

Dimitri didn’t realize he was nodding his head along with the upbeat, cheerful music until his eyes caught the cobalt dress with the maroon jacquard spinning. Lady Guevera’s hair was let loose with just a few braids keeping the thick, black curls out of her flushed, glistening face. Her eyes were bright, and her mouth was open as she laughed and smiled, spinning around with her cousins.

She seemed to happily bounce around, but was never out of step. Dimitri tilted his head. He didn’t expect her, a southern noble, to be well-versed in a western dance. Perhaps she practiced while she was there.

“You’re going to dance next,” a voice said behind him. He turned around and saw his mother looming behind him.

“Mother...what are you doing here?” Dimitri drew his head back. The last he saw his mother, she was out in the garden chatting with some foreigners. His father was at her side, but now he is missing. “Where is Father?”

His mother looked towards her left and he followed her gaze. His father was speaking to Gideon, who had Alessa next to him. Gideon seemed to be nodding and from what Dimitri could hear, it had to do with his brother, Prince Piers.

“You’ve been staring at her the entire time,” his mother said as she looked past him, towards the dancing crowd as the song ended. She lifted her hands to clap.

“I haven’t been staring at her....” Dimitri furrowed his brows and shook his head. That was impossible. He’d only glanced over for a moment and, even then, it was because he was surprised she could dance.

“The next song should be a waltz from Horizon. You know how to dance a waltz,” his mother said in a firm voice.

Of course, he knew how. He’d had lessons since he was a child. He gave his mother a nod. He turned towards Alessa several paces away and his expression softened. “Then, I will ask-”

“Lady Guevera!” His mother suddenly had a smile on her face as she raised her arm. Dimitri’s face fell and he whirled around.

Lady Guevera had seen his mother and smiled pleasantly as she excused herself from whoever she was speaking to in order to greet his mother.

“Good evening, Madam Guthry! I’m sure my cousin already greeted you, but thank you for coming. We hope you are enjoying the celebration,” Lady Guevera said cheerfully.

Dimitri narrowed his eyes. He hated how she pretended to be such a kind person in front of his mother. She really had his mother fooled. When Alessa tried to be polite, his mother never responded as warmly as she did with Lady Guevera.

“Oh, we’re enjoying it immensely! The seafood provided is a welcomed change. Honestly, Charles and I haven’t had our fill!” His mother laughed as she took Lady Guevera’s arm and gently patted her hand.

“I agree! I managed to get many recipes to try. Here’s to hoping!” Lady Guevera said, squeezing his mother’s hand in return.

“By the way, I saw you dancing out there. Have you had lessons?”

“Yes, formal lessons in all regional dances since I was a child,” Lady Guevera said. “Both folk and ballroom.”

“Wonderful! Would you consider dancing with Dimitri?” His mother sounded as if she were pitying him and he looked at her, wondering if she’d lost her mind. His mother looked at him and shook her head. “He isn’t familiar with western folk dances, but he’s had lessons in the waltz. Would you mind?”

He opened his mouth, but couldn't find the words to properly ask his mother what she thought she was doing.

“I don’t mind.” Lady Guevera’s voice came from his other side, and he snapped his head in her direction.

“What?” He barely held back from shaking his head and rejecting the idea.

“Wonderful!” His mother looked extremely happy. She had a wide smile across her face, but her sharp eyes sent him a look of warning. “Dimitri. Ask the lady to dance.”

He took a step back and turned to face Lady Guevera. They didn’t get along. The last time they met was a few days ago and she’d left Hart Manor in chaos. Why did she agree?

Dimitri lifted his eyes to meet hers and was taken aback. Part of him expected to see a fake smile and eyes barely containing her hesitation. Instead, he saw her lift up her chin as she narrowed her eyes. Her lips curled up, almost into a smirk, and she looked confident. He narrowed his own eyes as he noticed something.

Was she silently challenging him?

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