Chapter 53: As If The Woman Had Escaped

For the last two days, Tori made a point to avoid Dimitri and Gideon. She knew when they were set to arrive and planned around them. She had more important and interesting things she’d rather do. Her family also seemed to try to keep them away from her by sending them out of Moss Hill, on ‘tours’ of King’s Harbor. Tori could continue her exploration of the city when they were gone.

 

When she wasn’t doing some work on her Lycée project, she was playing with her little cousins: Aiden and Maeve, Siobhan and Duncan’s son and daughter, along with four-year-old Ava, Bridget, and her husband, Baldwin’s, daughter. It was both to help distract them while succession ceremony preparations were taking place and to bond in order to strengthen family ties.

Red-headed Aiden took it upon himself to show Tori around the castle, proudly showing off the old fortifications, various rooms of interest, and the courtyard where he and his sister practiced with weaponry.

A few times, Tori played hide-and-seek with her little cousins. Moss Hill was large and she had to put limits on where they could hide so she wouldn’t spend an entire afternoon searching for them. She was still at a massive disadvantage and had to secretly rely on her cousins’ nannies to clue her in on where to find them, otherwise the game would go on forever.

In an attempt to wrangle them in because she was tired of running around the castle, and at one point, found herself going down a dark and damp corridor questioning her life choices, she seized a chance to play with Ava and her dollhouse, which was a model of the original Moss Hill castle.

Ava seemed bored with playing, so Tori made it a dungeon crawl. Maeve overheard and wanted to join. Aiden came to find them to play and ended up joining. Cousin Eili dropped by to see what they were doing, as she hadn’t seen any of them all day and ‘found it too quiet’.

After Tori explained what was going on, Eili and her wife wanted to try and they proved to be much more interested and aggressive in the game than the children Tori was originally leading. Eili’s mage even had a tragic backstory that she made everyone listen to.

With her days filled, Tori only had to see Dimitri and Gideon at the large dinners in the main dining hall, where all the guests would come for a meal with the family. There, she ignored them and sat with Kasen as far away from them as she could. However, sometimes, she could almost feel their glares on her.

Tori wanted to meet their glare with one of her own. Did they think she wanted to see them at her cousin’s succession ceremony, which also fell on her actual birthday? Of course not. The family was celebrating a few days later for the distinct purpose of avoiding unwanted guests. Although, she did get a special breakfast treat that morning and all her friends called to wish her a happy birthday one after another.

Tori wondered if they had planned it. Piers called the night before, as if waiting for the moment it was officially her birthday. The flashing comcry by her bed stopped her from falling asleep. It irritated her and she replied with a curt ‘thank you, goodnight’ before going back to bed.

In the morning, she called back after her friends’ birthday wishes to try to appease Piers.

He said he wouldn’t do it again and would call at a more reasonable time on her next birthday. He also told her to ignore his brother and mother.

She found out from Andy that Gideon and Dimitri were detained at the gates to King’s Field under suspicion of being imposters. She had asked him if it had anything to do with her and Andy laughed. He assured her it didn’t, but Tori still had her suspicion.

That was likely why Dimitri and Gideon were glaring at her.

She took solace in that she’d be rid of them soon. They were scheduled to leave with their respective parents two days after the succession ceremony. From the information Tori was given, Baron Hart and Alessa would leave the day after.

Tori only had to see Alessa for one day, and even then, it was limited, as Tori spent her time with her family and meeting other members of the marquis families and some important vassals and merchants her cousins thought would be useful for her to know.

When the celebration after the ceremony started, they would be stuck in the same area. Tori continued to keep her distance. Alessa was spending her time with Dimitri and Gideon, taking turns dancing with each of them as possible. Tori was vigilant and made sure to avoid them while dancing. She always danced as far away from Alessa at all times and always with someone she knew. So far, Alessa hadn’t said or done anything that would cause her trouble.

As the evening progressed, Tori became a bit more comfortable. Alessa and her two love interests weren’t anywhere near her and Tori was having fun dancing, eating, and meeting interesting people. She knew she was going to be physically and mentally exhausted after the party.

“Tori!” Eili threw her arm around Tori’s shoulder as she pulled her back. “We’re going to dance. Join us! All the O’Tuagh girls!”

Tori tilted her head back to look at her cousin and wrinkled her nose. “I’m a Guevera.”

“Close enough. Come on!” She tugged Tori’s arm and Tori looked back at the local lord and lady she was speaking to.

“Excuse me for a moment. My cousins call.” She gave them a small nod of her head as the older couple chuckled and raised their glasses to her, as if in encouragement.

Eili led her to the center of the room where Bridget, Grammie, and even Maeve were already getting in a large circle. Eili’s wife also seemed to be herding additional women into the circle and Tori bit back a laugh. Her cousin said ‘all the O’Tuagh girls’ and she meant it and more. There were additional cousins who’d come from all over the empire, as well as the young Nordursin ladies.

There were about twenty of them in the circle. As Tori took her place between Eili and Bridget, she saw Duncan escort Siobhan forward. Siobhan shrugged off her navy cloak, handing it to her husband before raising her arms and stepping out to join them in the circle. At once, Tori and the crowd began to clap and cheer.

“All right! All right! I’m here!” Siobhan laughed. She turned towards the musicians and gave them a nod.

The hand drummer beat his drum five times in succession before the music burst from the other musicians and filled the room. Tori heard her cousins let out whoops as they began to move. Tori had a wide smile on her face as she shuffled along, moving in tandem with her relatives as they stepped in and around a circle.

She didn’t have to think; her body seemed to know what to do and Tori almost felt as if she were enjoying a ride. Her favorite part was always the part where they moved to the center, clapped, and turned. As they stepped back out of the circle, they spun around and looked for someone to pull into the dance.

“Papa!” Tori saw her father and extended her hands towards him. His brows shot up and he quickly handed his wine glass to her mother so he could join her. He let out a boisterous laugh as Tori grabbed his hands to swing him into the circle and spin around with him.

She could feel her heart racing as she swung around the circle, nearly colliding with others in the chaos. After she let her father go, she rushed back to her place in the circle to continue. Her face was flushed and she could feel some sweat collecting at her brow, but she reveled in the rush.

As the song completed, Tori was pinching the sides of her skirt to bow towards the inside of the circle, where Siobhan was left to stand, clapping her hands and stomping her feet. They ended with a loud yell before clapping and cheering. The ladies on the dance floor began to disperse to catch their breaths as the musicians played some calmer music.

“Do you know how to dance northern dances, too?” A woman’s low, husky voice asked her and Tori turned around and beamed.

“Yes! But only the basic ones,” Tori said. “Lady Idunn, you’re well versed in western dances, as well.”

“Only the basic ones, as well.” Idunn Birtadottir Nordursin was a tall, blue-eyed beauty with an undercut on the left side of her head and long, straight ash-blonde hair swept over. She was Sebastian’s senior in Lycée and Université by a year and, according to Kasen’s gossip, Lady Idunn and Sebastian were once involved. “I heard about your project in the delta. I have extensive experience in farming technologies if you need assistance. I assisted Kasen’s greenhouse project in Nordur.”

Tori’s face lit up at the offer. Before she could reply, she heard her name.

“Lady Tori!” Someone called and she immediately turned in the direction of the voice.

She caught a movement over Lady Idunn’s shoulder and squinted. Madam Guthry waved towards her. She looked back at Lady Idunn and gave her an apologetic smile. “We should have lunch tomorrow to discuss that further. We have many farmers who I believe would rather do something more familiar than fishing, but we have very little land.”

Lady Idunn glanced over her shoulder and nodded. “Then, I shall arrange for lunch tomorrow.”

Tori gave her a small, thankful nod and stepped around her. She approached the Prime Minister’s wife with a smile. “Good evening, Madam Guthry! I’m sure my cousin already greeted you, but thank you for coming. We hope you are enjoying the celebration.”

Tori pretended she didn’t see Dimitri standing there with displeasure barely contained on his face. She focused on greeting his mother.

“Oh, we’re enjoying it immensely! The seafood is a welcomed change. Honestly, Charles and I haven’t had our fill!” Madam Guthry laughed and took Tori’s arm in a familiar gesture.

Interest in seafood was a good sign, especially from a Horizon native, like Madam Guthry. Tori’s brows shot up and she nodded. “I agree! I managed to get many recipes to try. Here’s to hoping!”

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

Tori lifted her chin and puffed out her chest a bit. “Yes, formal lessons in all regional dances since I was a child. Both folk and ballroom.”

“Wonderful! Would you consider dancing with Dimitri? He isn’t familiar with western folk dances, but he’s had lessons in the waltz. Would you mind?” There was a distinct sound of pity in Madam Guthry’s voice when she was referring to her son and Tori pulled her lips inward to keep from snort-laughing.

She looked towards Dimitri and found him staring at his mother, dumbfounded. His mouth was opening and closing, but no words came out, as if a fish on land. Dancing with him notwithstanding, it was funny to see his expression. She might have been avoiding them because she didn’t want to deal with them, but she wasn’t going to back down when the situation arose.

The corners of her lips curled up. “I don’t mind.” Since he and Gideon were glaring at her whenever they had the chance, she might as well use this opportunity to find out what she’d done this time to anger them.

He whipped his head around. “What?” He shook his head and seemed to take a cautious step back. Tori tried to hold back her smirk.

Is he afraid of me? Dumbass.

“Wonderful!” His mother's smile widened and looked towards her son. Tori could see her eyes narrow a bit as her voice lowered. “Dimitri. Ask the lady to dance.”

She wasn’t sure if he was horrified or upset, but a small part of her couldn’t help but relish his discomfort.

“Is something the matter, Mr. Guthry? Are you nervous?” she asked in a calm voice. “There isn’t anything to worry about. I’m sure you’ll be fine.” She watched his eyes narrow as the corners of his lips tugged downward.

“I’m not worried at all, Lady Guevera.” He seemed to force a smile and took a step back to give her a small bow before extending his hand. “May I have this dance?”

Tori wasn’t shaken. They were surrounded by her family and their friends in a formal setting. From what she knew of him, he wouldn’t act out or make a fool of himself in public. If they were alone, yes, but not in front of so many influential and powerful people, including his parents.

She placed her hand in his as her lips tightened into a line. Dimitri stepped forward and walked past his mother. Any pleasantness of his face vanished as soon as Madam Guthry couldn’t see his expression. Tori stared ahead of them as they seemed to march through the crowd, to the dance floor, and get this over with.

“I want to let you know that -”

“You’re only dancing with me because your mother asked and you can’t say no in this setting,” Tori said as they reached the dance floor. She turned to face him, their bodies slightly off center from each other. Her left arm rose and rested on his upper arm, just below his shoulder. “I know. I’m doing this for the same reason.” She cocked her head to the side and gave him a wry smile. “Don’t embarrass me.”

The corner of his eye twitched and he held up her right hand in his left one. “Likewise, Lady Guevera.”

She stepped back as he took a step forward, matching the pace of the other dancers. As they moved around the floor, Tori had a genuine smile on her face. Not only did she enjoy dancing and was satisfied that he wasn’t purposely leading her into collision with another couple, but Dimitri was upset. It wasn't the normal reaction one would like on a dance partner, but Tori gleefully relished it.

Every time she looked at him, it almost seemed as if he were trying to fight off anger, disgust, or annoyance. From further away, outside the dance floor, he may have appeared to be wearing a pleasant smile and enjoying himself, but up close, she was sure he was seconds away from flinging his hands off her and declaring he couldn’t take it anymore.

Staying quiet and letting the dance pass without incident was ideal, but Tori couldn’t help herself.

“By the way, I heard you were detained at the city gates.”

Immediately, the smile he was barely hanging on to disappeared. Tori tried to hold back her amusement as she gave him an innocent, questioning look. A flicker of anger passed over his eyes.

“Did you have anything to do with it?”

She knew they'd blame her. “Even if I said I didn’t, you wouldn’t believe me.” His mouth opened for a rebuttal, but he didn’t have one. He narrowed his eyes.

“Can you answer with a simple yes or no for once?”

“I believe I have said ‘no’ to you before, but you insisted otherwise,” Tori said with a knowing expression. “Do you not remember when you called me into a classroom to demand my designs be given to Miss Hart and her design-thief friend?”

His face reddened and she felt the hand holding her squeeze her as it trembled. “I was asking for your help and a shred of kindness.” His cold eyes bore into hers. “I find it interesting that you give so much help to others, but denied assisting Aless-Miss Hart.”

“Well.” Tori gave him a matter-of-fact look as her voice softened, as if explaining something to Ava. “Most other people haven’t taken my generosity and ‘accidentally’ given it to someone else to exploit.”

The redness had reached his pale neck and he gripped her hand tighter. “You acknowledge it was an accident. I don’t expect you to change your mind now, but you’ve seen the state of Chetterswickshire.”

“I have. Both my cousin and I spoke to Baron Hart about the status of his barony and what he is doing about it. Chetterswickshire and the Hart Barony will be reviewed by the march,” Tori replied. Dimitri’s eyes narrowed more so and his face darkened. Before he could hurl another accusation at her, she continued to smile and elaborated. “They will find out the underlying cause and work with Baron Hart on a several-year-long plan to revitalize his barony’s failing economy. These things don’t happen overnight and there is a sizable amount of research and work that must be done.”

His expression didn’t ease. “Why are you helping?”

Tori raised a brow. “I’m not helping. Hart Barony falls into Anlar. This is something between the march and Baron Hart.” She smirked. “Don’t tell me you think I’m conspiring to ruin Baron Hart in a misguided attempt at revenge targeting his daughter for some reason.” His eyes widened and he drew his head back. She let out a small snort and gave him a derisive look. “You’re the Prime Minister’s son who entered Lycée ranked first. You should be able to think more critically than this, Mr. Guthry. It’s very disappointing.”

He swallowed hard and looked away. “Perhaps if you didn’t act as you did-”

“Perhaps if you didn’t believe every rumor you heard or every whisper in your ear, you’d be able to analyze the situation a bit more clearly." She pulled her hand from his as the music slowed to a stop. “Don’t use me as a scapegoat for every difficulty you or Miss Hart have. There is a saying I read in some obscure book: be careful what you wish for.” She raised her hands to clap and turned to throw a smile at the musicians before looking back at Dimitri. "By the way, you shouldn't worry your mother so much. Don't do more than you can handle; that's how mistakes happen." She narrowed her eyes as her smile hardened. “Thank you for the dance, Mr. Guthry. You're a much better dancer than expected.” She pinched the sides of her skirt and gave him a small, almost mocking nod. “Let’s never do this again.”

Tori lifted her head as she ate breakfast on the terrace overlooking the harbor, with Ava next to her. Ava was munching on some wheat pancakes with jam and smearing it all over the lower portion of her face in her enthusiasm.

“She said what?” Tori’s eyes were wide as Kasen looked up from what he was reading and frowned. Andy let out a low breath and sat down to one side of the rectangular table. Aiden, who had been following him and seemed to plan to sit there, frowned. He wrinkled his nose and huffed to the seat next to Ava instead.

“Many people saw you dancing with the Prime Minister’s son last night and Lady Hart seemed to insinuate that you were interested in him and that it was surprising because she heard you were always with Prince Piers,” Andy said, clarifying his earlier statement.

Tori’s mouth was agape as she blinked. “I...I....” Rage slowly filled her as her face heated up. She narrowed her eyes. “Ava, Aiden! Cover your ears and hum!”

“Huh?” Aiden looked confused, though Ava already lifted her hands to her ears.

“Just do it!” Tori sent him a stern look and he dropped his fork and knife to cover his ears and began humming. Tori slammed her fist on the table. Making everyone, save Kasen, jump in their seats. “That bitch called me a ho? Where-"

"Where did you learn such words?" Kasen lowered his papers and frowned.

“We’re taking care of it,” Andy said, raising his hands to calm her and Kasen. “We had someone near her the entire time and as soon as she started talking, a few of our people countered that the Prime Minister’s wife asked you to dance with her son out of pity.”

Tori relaxed a bit, but was still frowning. She looked at her two little cousins, who were still humming. In Ava’s case, she was humming loudly and Tori lifted her hands to get them to stop. Ava immediately removed her hands from her ears and continued eating, unfazed. Aiden still looked a bit confused, but brushed it off.

“How does she even know that I’m always with Piers?” Tori frowned. She caught Kasen’s eyes narrow from across the table. “Which I’m not.”

“Perhaps from Prince Gideon?” Andy said as he knit his brows together. “Those two are close. Aside from the few times she danced with the Prime Minister’s son, Lady Hart was accompanying the second prince.”

Tori sneered and stabbed at her breakfast rolls with the jam spreader. “I danced with plenty of people last night. I danced with you, with Kasey, Papa, Aiden, Gramps, Cousin Eili, Cousin Deidre....”

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Andy muffled his chuckle as he cut through some ham. “Tori, we’re family. Did you dance with anyone you weren’t somehow related to?”

Tori nodded. “Ambassador Izel from the Tona Kingdom. I will have lunch with her two days from now. Lord Wallis, who is willing to sponsor some refugees to study in Horizon. A bunch of other guests during the folk dances.” She tilted her head to the side and looked at Andy. “Did Miss Hart dance with anyone aside from the second prince and the Prime Minister’s son?”

Andy shook his head. “I don’t believe so. Our people kept a close eye on her. Even now, we have some people stationed outside her rented cottage in town, where she's staying with her father.”

Tori drew her head back. “I didn’t expect you to be so thorough.”

“We weren’t going to until she made those questionable statements last night,” Andy said. “Such off-handed remarks spread quickly.”

“If you can call them off-handed,” Kasen said. He put some papers on the table beside him and reached for his coffee. “It’s clear she was watching you last night. I don’t like that she’d say something so brazen. I’d expect that sort of thing amongst nobles of higher status and wealth, especially those from the capital, but not from a poor, rural baron’s daughter.”

Andy chuckled and shook his head. “Well, she’s been in Horizon for some time and is around the second prince. Perhaps she has some wishful thoughts and is practicing?”

The two of them chuckled and Tori bit into her food.

“Cousin Tori, are you busy today?” Ava asked. Aiden reached over to wipe her sticky, jam-stained mouth with a heavy sigh.

“I have some comcry calls to make to the delta and am organizing all the recipes I’ve gathered so far,” Tori said. She looked at her cousin curiously. “Do you need something?”

Ava nodded, excited. “Nanny Folsom said she finished carving my druid. Do you want to see?”

“Oh, yes, I want to see. We can use it the next time we play,” she said. “I have some time after break....” She trailed off as the comcry by her plate began to glow. She reached over and flipped it open. She furrowed her brows and glanced across at Kasen, then closed her comcry. She placed it back on the table and turned to Ava. “How about after breakfast we take a look at your druid-”

Her comcry started to glow again and she pursed her lips. Kasen glanced at it and then at her. “Just answer it.”

She drew her lips inward and picked it up. She opened the top and saw the same name. “I’ll take this in the garden.” She closed the comcry, essentially hanging up on the caller, before walking around the table and down the stone steps into the garden.

She made it to the edge, where there was a low stone wall that overlooked a lower tier of the garden. From where she stood, the sound of the sea crashing on to the rocks below the cliff was just loud enough to obscure her voice. Tori opened her comcry to call back, only to find it glowing once more, but with another name.

She furrowed her brows and slid her finger across the crystal. “Axton?”

“Why aren’t you answering him?” A tired, raspy voice asked. It sounded as if he was just waking up.

“I was going to call him back right now. I was having breakfast,” Tori said as she crossed her arms. “What’s wrong?”

Axton replied with an irritated and exhausted groan. “Gideon called Piers and said that you danced with the Prime Minister’s son last night.”

“I did.” Tori raised a brow as she looked out towards the harbor. “I danced with a lot of people last night.” She heard a low, heavy breath released. “Axton?”

“He doesn’t like to dance.”

“What?”

“Piers. He doesn’t like to dance,” Axton said.

Tori closed her eyes and also released a low breath. “I’ll call him.”

“Tell him not to call me this early.”

“It’s mid-morning, Axton.”

“Training lasts into the night.” He grumbled and ended the call. Tori slid her finger across the crystal once more.

“Call Piers du-” The crystal lit up in her hand and she answered. “Good morning, Piers.”

“Do you like dancing?”

“Yes.” Tori looked back towards the castle. “I heard you don’t like dancing.”

“I can dance.”

“I didn’t say you couldn’t dance. I said you don’t like dancing,” Tori said. “And I don’t blame you. Sometimes, it’s crowded. The music might be too loud or just terrible. Someone might not be in control of themselves and run into you.” These are all the reasons I don’t like clubbing, though.

Piers didn’t answer immediately. He was likely thinking about what a suitable answer was. “Is it all right if we don’t dance?”

She smiled a bit. “Of course, it’s all right if we don’t dance. I’m not going to make you.”

“But you like to dance.”

“I can dance with other people, like my brothers or Ilyana. I don’t have to dance with you.” She could’ve sworn she heard him take in a sharp breath. Ah...so that’s it. “It’s difficult to dance with you in a ballroom. There are too many people.”

“I can dance in a ballroom.” She could hear the tension in his voice.

“Okay, then one day, arrange for a ballroom and musicians, and I will come and dance with you,” she said. “Just the two of us, so no one bumps into you.”

“Just the two of us?” Piers repeated, as if unsure.

“Yes. Do you want to dance with me?”

“Yes. I will prepare.”

“It doesn’t have to be soon-”

“When you return, I will come meet you at the delta.”

“Piers-”

“And I will show you the palace and we can dance.”

She let out a helpless laugh. “Piers, when I get back, I still need to do work at the delta for my project. I've been away for weeks. We can dance some other time."

“When?"

“Let's try to work it in before school starts,” Tori said. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to forget.”

“All right.” He paused for a moment, but didn’t say good-bye. “How was your birthday?” Tori almost wanted to laugh. She didn’t expect him to ask.

“It was fine. We are having a family dinner in a few days to celebrate,” Tori said. “After most of the guests leave.”

“Hmm...did my mother bother you?”

Tori tilted her head and thought for a moment. She narrowed her eyes. “No. Actually...I hardly saw her.” Just like Dimitri and Gideon, she’d only seen the Empress at dinner and they were seated far from each other, as Gideon sat with the Empress.

During the day, even before Gideon arrived, Tori spent most of the day gallivanting around King’s Harbor with one or more of her relatives. She only returned in the afternoon and would spend time with the children or make some calls to the delta and her friends. Her mother was always with the Empress, but Antonia never called for Tori.

Is Mama purposely keeping the Empress away from me? Is she that mad? Damn, Mama can hold a grudge.

“Good,” she heard Piers say. “Mother can be a bit impulsive if there is no one to stop her.”

“Mama is the liaison for the Empress,” Tori told him.

“She will do a good job,” Piers said, satisfied that someone was keeping his mother under control. “The Marquess is a powerful woman.”

“Why do you think your mother would bother me? I expected to have coffee with her at least once before she leaves, but no one has mentioned it, so I thought she was busy with state-related business.”

“Mother is very curious about you,” he replied. “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?”

“She keeps asking about you, but I don’t answer her, so she wants to talk to you herself."

Tori drew her lips in for a moment. “What does she ask about?” Piers didn’t answer. After a few seconds, Tori wondered if he’d left the comcry somewhere and wandered off. “Piers?”

“I have to go.”

“Piers.” There was no answer and the crystal dimmed. Tori looked at her comcry, annoyed, before she flipped it closed and put it back into her pocket. She began to make her way towards the terrace to finish her breakfast, when she saw a figure rushing out from some other part of the garden.

Tori squinted as she slowed her steps.

“Tori!” The Empress seemed to come out of nowhere and Tori wondered where her attendants were.

Soleil didn’t have a practice of ladies-in-waiting. They had same-sex servants that were general staff to do things like helping one dress or clean their personal chambers. However, there was always a distinct set of professional attendants to powerful individuals, and they could be men or women. Individuals who were very busy or in powerful positions usually had multiple attendants assigned to different areas. These were highly sought-after positions that required specifically skilled and somewhat highly-educated labor.

Even her brothers had attendants they’d delegate work to, both professional and personal. They were more like personal assistants that seemed to desperately try to keep their boss focused. At least that's what Tori gathered from watching the attendants of her family. JP had once said if she or Ilyana wanted to hire him, he was willing to work for them. For Henrik, not so much.

Seeing the Empress emerging from who-knew-where in the garden without a single attendant was a bit alarming. At dinners, there was at least one standing by. It almost felt as if the woman had escaped.

“Your Majesty?” Tori couldn’t help sounding confused as she did a curtsy.

“I was afraid I’d miss you again this morning,” the Empress reached her and quickly regained her imperial bearing. “Ahem...you may rise. This is an informal meeting.”

Tori stood up straight. “Can I help you with something, Your Majesty?”

The Empress was looking at her with wide, bright eyes and an excited smile. “Are you free for coffee today? I’ve been meaning to have coffee with you, but your blasted mother - I mean, Antonia, has kept me so busy with these meandering tours and games-”

“My lady, I found her!”

Tori looked up, towards the terrace, and saw a well-dressed, exasperated woman shouting into the dining hall within.

“Your Majesty, I think they are looking for you.” Tori looked at the middle-aged woman in a lovely dark red dress. The Empress looked towards the terrace and frowned. “Shall I escort you up?”

The Empress’s eyes widened and she quickly extended her hand and grabbed on to Tori’s, as if worried Tori would retract her offer and flee. “Let’s take our time,” the Empress gave her a warm smile.

“Your Majesty!” Someone else called for her and Tori looked at the Empress.

“They sound urgent.”

“It’s fine,” the Empress assured her. Tori could feel the woman’s grip on her arm tighten as they slowed. “I’ve been wanting to meet you for a while. The pinecone challenge notwithstanding, of course. I’ve been meaning to have you over to the imperial palace for a meal, but I’ve been told you’re very busy.”

The Empress was being surprisingly considerate and Tori found herself a bit suspicious as to why.

“With regular Lycée classes and activities, the project, and the store, I’m afraid I have little time to spare. I usually try to schedule as much in as possible,” Tori said.

“Then, have you heard of the Empress’ Banquet coming up in a month? It is my birthday banquet. I heard you will be returning to the delta after this. Perhaps you would like to attend?” The Empress had an eager expression. “You need not worry about transport from the delta to the city. I will arrange for someone to bring you the day before to the palace and to stay the night as my guest. After all, you are my dear friend’s daughter. I should be more hospitable.”

Tori smiled awkwardly. “Thank you for your invitation, Your Majesty. There is no need to arrange for transport or lodgings. I already plan to stay at my Auntie Lucia’s the night before, and of, your banquet.”

The Empress gasped. Her brows shot up and looked at her with disbelief. “Then, you agree to come?” She narrowed her eyes and seemed to search Tori’s face for any sign of falsehood.

Tori nodded slowly. She swallowed hard and forced herself to give the Empress a proper answer. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she shouldn’t. “Yes, Your Majesty. His Highness Prince Piers has asked me to escort him. I’ve agreed and we have already made arrangements for the evening.”

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