Chapter 85: Piers - The Enabler

When she got to her room, two maids were waiting to attend to her, as well as a large tub with hot, but not scalding water. Tori removed her layers of padded training clothes at once and as soon as she took off a piece, a maid took it from her. She was then ushered into the bath and she sank into the water, letting herself relax for a moment.

She couldn’t stay long. Lunch was going to start soon, but she took a moment to rub her arms and legs and had a maid beat her upper back and shoulders a bit. When she came out, she was wrapped in a warm towel and presented with a salve for her bruises. Luckily, they were in places that were covered.

If she could, Tori would’ve lingered in the bath a bit longer. The dorms didn’t have such facilities and soaking tubs were only in the homes of the wealthy.

Her hair was dried to the best of the maids’ abilities and Tori took out a brush she had been working on. The pad was made of carnelian and would heat up when she brushed it through her hair. It did a decent job of straightening her curly mess, but didn’t dry it as fast as she liked.

“I still have to work on that....” Tori muttered as she examined her hair in the mirror. She put her brush, which had caught the attention of the maids, back into her bag, along with the clothes she had arrived in. She had a different set to wear to lunch.

She was still a marquis’ daughter who would be eating lunch at the imperial palace. Her mother would at least want her to look the part.

Tori straightened a simple ice blue dress that she’d worn before and asked the maids to pull her hair back into a high ponytail. She wrapped a matching headband around her head and then walked out, her low heels clicking against the tiled floor.

Axton was patiently waiting outside and when she came out, he smiled fondly and offered his arm. “Sometimes, I forget that you wear dresses.”

“My uniform is a dress,” she said in a dull voice.

“Uniforms don’t count,” Axton said as he led her towards the dining hall where lunch was being served. His voice lowered as his face became serious. “I’m going to send someone to check on Fabian’s master.”

Tori glanced up at him. “He seems like a violent man, but I acknowledge that he has ability.”

“Don’t worry, our men know what they’re doing,” he told her. “We were told that he was recommended by a friend of one of his friends. He was very earnest about hiring him and was willing to pay out of his own pocket.”

“I don’t think that man would’ve settled for what von Dorn would have offered him alone.”

“He didn’t. That’s why the second prince stepped in. He isn’t paying the man directly; he’s giving money to Fabian to pay since Fabian sees him.”

Tori frowned. “It’s strange that the second prince hasn’t met him.”

“If he is like what you’ve told me, Fabian may have felt it was inappropriate for such a man to meet Gideon,” Axton said.

Tori pursed her lips. “When I challenged him the other day, I tried to goad him into inviting his master. I thought he would.”

“Even if he did, his master may not want to come,” Axton replied. “He’s likely just in it for the money. That’s not necessarily a terrible thing, but a master should be there to support his pupil.”

Tori nodded to herself. “It’s also strange that von Dorn won’t tell me his name. He called him Master Pete, but I don’t think anyone knows who his master really is.”

“The more I hear about him, the more alarming it becomes.” Axton frowned and then regretfully shook his head. “We should’ve tried to find a master for him. The Emperor and Godmother thought it was enough to have him train with the cadets. If he wanted to find a master, he could’ve brought it up with us. I don’t know why he didn’t.”

Tori narrowed her eyes. “The night of the Empress’ Banquet, Sebby and I heard him talking with Hart. Hart told him that she’d help him find a master. Von Dorn didn’t sound confident that they could find him one.”

“It would be difficult to find one for him, but not impossible.” They reached the dining hall and could see the open doors leading inside. Several people were standing around in little groups, talking as she and Axton arrived and were announced.

“Sir Axton du Nassaun and Lady Victoria de Guevera!”

They walked inside and walked directly to the Emperor and Empress to greet them again, though Tori had scanned the room for her friends the moment she stepped into the room.

“You did very well today, Lady Guevera,” the Emperor told her with an approving nod. “I should’ve expected as such from a Guevera.”

“She reminded me of my younger days,” the Empress said with a slight puff of her chest. “So lithe and exact! I couldn’t have done better myself.”

“Beloved, you did not use a dagger,” the Emperor told her with crinkled eyes.

“I had basic training with it,” the Empress said.

“Thank you, Your Majesties. I will continue to try to live up to the expectations placed upon me as a Guevera,” Tori said as she released Axton’s arm, stepped back, and gave them a polite curtsy. “Please excuse me. I should see my friends who came to support me today.”

“Yes, yes!” the Empress said. “Friends are very important!” Her lip trembled a bit. “Please remind your mother if that.”

Tori chuckled a bit and smiled. “Your Majesty, Mama doesn’t need to be reminded. She values your friendship very much.” She couldn’t stop herself from giving the Empress a little reassuring wink. The older woman smiled softly and Tori stepped back.

She turned around and went straight to where Ilyana and the others were.

“Tori! You did a great job!” Albert looked excited as her friends surrounded her. “Nanny Rey said you were proficient with a dagger, but you were so fast!”

“Speed and accuracy are important,” Tori said. “If I had to give up one weapon over the other, I’d drop the sword.”

“How’s your leg?” Henrik asked, a bit more serious. “It looked like a strong hit.”

“It was. It’s going to bruise no matter what,” Tori said. “But the salve helps a bit.”

“I’m surprised you let him get you,” JP told her.

Tori shook her head. “I didn’t let him. He was able to get a legitimate cut. I will give credit where credit is due.” Even if I don’t want to.

“I personally liked it when you stabbed him in the face,” Sonia said. “It makes me want to learn the dagger, as well.”

“I am always happy to take you as my pupil, as well,” Nanny Rey said over her shoulder. The group chuckled.

“Maybe when I’m not working on my archery.” Sonia grinned.

“Tori.” Ewan reached into the pocket of his coat and took out two invitations to his birthday party at the delta that Tori and the others had prepared for him. “Do you think I should give this to Master now?”

Tori nodded. “Of course! He’ll be happy to get it, Ewan.”

She didn’t know why he was so nervous. Axton was his master and would be present at the delta during his birthday. It would be more awkward if he didn’t invite Axton.

Ewan looked at the small card in his hand and approached Axton. “Master,” he said as he stopped beside him. Axton looked over, wine glass in hand as he spoke to Piers just to the side of the Emperor and Empress. The older couple looked over.

Tori watched from the side, smiling thoughtfully. When she arrived with Ewan, she hadn’t expected to be invited to have breakfast with the imperial couple. Axton had taken the opportunity to formally introduce his first pupil to his godmother. Ewan had looked terrified.

However, his nervousness didn’t stop him from identifying the Emperor and Empress as the couple from the pinecone challenge. The Empress had smiled and told him that she hoped to try again this year and improve her score. Surprising all of them, the Emperor had agreed.

Piers then quietly told her that his father had practiced with pinecones over the summer, while his mother was in Anlar. Tori thought that was adorable, but she wouldn’t say it out loud.

“What is it, Ewan?” Axton asked.

Ewan offered the invitation to him, albeit hesitantly. “After midterm exams, we will have my birthday party at the delta that weekend. My family will be there. I know you will, too, as you always go with us, but I wanted to formally invite you. Henrik’s restaurant will be open for us and they will be serving us various dishes-”

Axton had almost snatched the invitation out of Ewan’s hands in his excitement. He let out a laugh as he opened it and grinned. “You don’t need to convince me. I’ll be there.” He flipped open the card and seemed to read it. He furrowed his brows. “Henrik’s restaurant has this much on the menu?”

Ewan nodded. “Yes, they’ve been practicing for some time and he wanted to have a large party there to do a practice run before the Spring Festival event.”

“That’s a good idea,” Axton said. “They can get used to the traffic and get a better idea of where they can improve, if needed.” He glanced above the card and reached out, patting Ewan’s shoulder. “I’m more than happy to attend.”

Ewan’s face filled with a smile. “Thank you, Master!”

Ewan then turned around and looked towards Tori. He still had one invitation in his hand and he’d been most hesitant to offer it. Not because he didn’t want to invite that person, but because that person’s birthday was just before his. Ewan thought it was awkward to ask.

But Tori could see that he wanted to and gave him a reassuring nod.

Her friend took a deep breath and turned to the man standing next to Axton.

“Your Highness,” Ewan said. He lifted up another invitation to Piers. “By any chance, would you be available after midterm exams to join us at the delta?” Tori could see the thin sheen of sweat over Ewan’s bald head and began to walk towards him to offer her support. “I know that your birthday is before mine and it is likely that you may be celebrating, as well, and that though the crowd isn’t large, you may feel some discomfort-”

“I will attend.” Piers’ voice was rather calm and Ewan’s eyes shot up.

His mouth dropped and he seemed to gape at Piers. “Re...really?”

Piers reached forward and held out his hand. Ewan quickly put the invitation in it. “I missed your birthday celebration last year. I would be happy to attend this year.” He gave Ewan a small nod of his head as his lips curled up in a slight smile. “Thank you for the invitation, Ewan.”

Ewan nodded. “Then...thank you for coming, Your Highness!”

His loud voice seemed to get the attention of everyone and Tori chuckled to herself. “Ewan’s birthday is always after midterms, so we’ll all be celebrating. We’ve planned events for all our guests.”

Ewan was enthusiastic. “Yes! We all agreed it would be good practice for the Spring Festival. We invited quite a lot of people. My family is coming, the Bianccis, all of my friend’s families,” Ewan motioned towards their little circle of friends. “We hope to give them some tours of the area, take them to see the natural beauty of the delta, as well as try the food everyone has been developing there.”

A shadow seemed to fall behind him and Tori crinkled her eyes.

“What else is planned, Ewan?” a woman asked behind him.

“Ah!” Ewan let out a scream as he whirled around, not expecting for someone to sneak up behind him. He turned around and paled at the sight of the Empress. Tori pursed her lips. The Empress, despite being in a political position for so long, could still move silently like a swordswoman. “Your Majesty!”

“Will we be taken to see the islands?” the Empress asked.

Tori could almost see everyone around them have the same question on their face: we?

Ewan looked to Tori for assistance and she stepped forward so he wouldn't be overwhelmed. “Your Majesty, we have a small array of activities planned. It is an overnight trip, as the journey is time consuming, and so everyone will be spending the night in fully equipped tents on the beach.”

Rather than disappoint the woman, Tori could see the predatory glint in the Empress’ eyes increase. She looked back at Ewan, who shrank a bit. “And you said all your friend’s families are invited?”

This was a trap. Tori could feel it in her bones.

Ewan nodded. “Yes, Henrik’s parents, the twin’s parents, Auntie Lucia and Uncle Maurizo are coming with the boys. We also invited Albert’s Grandma.”

“Letty’s going?” Prince Emil lowered his wine glass from where he was seated at the table a few steps away. He frowned and looked at Princess Vivian. “She didn’t tell me! She was keeping it a secret so she could brag about it!”

Princess Vivian sighed and patted his arm to comfort him.

“Do not worry yourself, Uncle,” the Empress said in a smooth, regal voice. “We will arrange it.”

Tori and Ewan both stared at her. “Eh?”

“Huh?”

Axton ran a hand down his face.

The Empress beamed, appearing proud of herself. “It’s a low key gathering of sorts. The delta isn’t open to the public yet. As such, I think it would be suitable for the Emperor and ne to come.”

As she spoke, Tori could almost feel a suffocating anxiety wrap around her. Sebastian’s words flooded her mind, reminding her of the danger these two attracted.

“If...if Your Majesties wish to come,” Ewan said nervously. He dug through his pocket and took out another invitation. He tentatively offered it to the Empress, but then turned and offered it to Axton.

Axton sighed and took the invitation and then handed it to his godmother, who happily accepted it.

Tori lifted her hand to her heart and rubbed her chest. It wasn’t that she didn’t want them to come, but she didn’t want them to come. It was dangerous. What if something happened while they were at the delta? Wouldn't she and the others be held responsible? Could they even get enough security for their safety?

And moving about incognito through the city was one thing, but to her knowledge, both monarchs rarely left Horizon at the same time. It almost never happened as they were safest in the palace. She swallowed hard and took a step back.

“Excuse me for a moment,” she said with a forced smile. She turned around and made a beeline to the open doors leading out to the manicured garden just outside. She took a deep breath as she reached the edge of the stone porch and put her hands on the iron railing.

Tori didn’t bother admiring the vibrant garden and early spring flowers or the fountain with a pool that stretched the length of the garden. Her mind was preoccupied with the thought that something could happen to the Emperor and Empress, and somehow it would be her fault. That was a shortcut to death.

“Lady Tori,” a voice said behind her. She whirled around and quickly straightened up. She tugged at the front of her dress to appear more collected before she gave a bow of her head to the Empress.

“Your Majesty.”

The woman walked towards her. She kept her eyes past Tori, looking out at the garden. Her younger son and his friends were seated at a table at the far end, apparently having been kept apart to keep any animosity at bay. They didn’t seem to notice that the Empress had come out with Tori.

She put a piece of paper filled with writing on the wide railing and a light blue crystal on top of it. Tori recognized the energy that flowed at once. It was weaker than the silence barrier her brother taught her; she supposed it muffled or distorted their voices at a particular distance.

The Empress wanted her words to be private, but inconspicuous.

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“We have trusted knights who will protect us,” the Empress said. “Knights you wouldn’t recognize.” Tori gave her a quizzical look and the Empress gave her a nod and then continued. “Don’t forget that I’m also a marquis’ daughter. I know what you’re thinking right now: it’s too dangerous.”

“Your Majesty, it is,” Tori said in as firm a voice as she could manage.

“When you are in my position, everything you do is dangerous,” the older woman told her. “I became the empress because I love my husband. Because I want to support him. To protect him. In this way, I also fulfilled my duty as a von Schwert. I would not bring up going if I thought it was too dangerous. You must believe me.”

Tori let out a low breath and lowered her eyes. “Your Majesty, the Emperor and Empress rarely leave Horizon at the same time.”

“Officially,” the Empress said. “Matthieu and I sneak out every month or so.” Tori nearly balked. She paled and whirled around to look at the woman with disbelief. The Empress smirked a bit. “We are better at keeping secrets than you think. And whatever you’ve heard happened in Horizon at official events where it was known we were outside of the palace.”

“No wonder Papa gets so stressed....” Tori muttered to herself.

“If we review the situation, it’s the ideal time to see your village. No one is expecting us at the delta. The delta is also not open to guests due to construction. It would make it a difficult target,” the Empress said. “Ewan’s birthday also happens to fall upon our usual family dinner. We’ll have it, as usual. As for any additional precautions, Piers knows what to do and will assist you. He helped his father and me over the summer.”

That was what Piers was doing!? I’m going to kill him. Tori clenched her jaw.

“Lady Tori.” The Empress turned to her and lifted her hand. She gently patted Tori’s head with affection. “I would not put my family in such a situation if I didn’t believe there was a certain level of safety to do so. We are in a dangerous position simply by existing, but I cannot, and will not, live in fear. Though I am the empress, I am a marquis’ daughter. Our warrior blood has not faded.” She gave Tori a smile and leaned forward to put her forehead against Tori’s in a strangely familiar gesture. “The Guevera do not yield; the von Schwert know no fear and march on.”

No one was to talk about a particular plan on Ewan’s birthday. Tori had sworn everyone to secrecy, under the matter of life and death. She especially glared at JP and he told her with a serious face ‘I don’t want to die’.

Rather than spending her period before midterms studying, Tori was increasing security for not only the delta, but the journey there. She’d met with imperial knights, requested all of those who had spent time at the delta be assigned there that weekend, and demanded to know what Piers had been doing over the summer.

“You told me you were helping your father!” Tori growled as she paced the small room at Cafe Fortuna. She had pasted silence charms on every wall, window and door so she could ‘discuss’ with Piers, while the rest of her friends were just in the other room, having a smaller study group led by Ilyana before their last tests the next day.

“I was helping him,” Piers said from the desk. He was doubling checking the list of knights who were going to do the various escorts, as not only were he and his parents going, but Prince Emil and Princess Vivian, as well. “We worked on several policies, two for tax adjustments, four import and export regulations; there were reviews on increasing funding to Université and other research institutions, we looked into programs for skilled professional labor-”

“Your mother told me that you helped them....” She trailed off and made a motion towards the door. Piers looked up, watched her, and then gave her a confused look. She moved closer and lowered her voice. “You helped them leave the imperial palace....”

“Mother calls those her ‘jaunts’,” Piers said. Tori closed her eyes and bit her lips. Wonderful, the Empress even had a codename for it. “They didn’t go far: once to one of Axton’s inns outside the city gates. Another time, they went to the lakes. The last time, they went to Mezzaluna to see her ship.”

Tori stared at him with disbelief. Did they have different ideas of what ‘far’ was?

“Mezzaluna is several days' carriage ride away.”

“They went in an unmarked carriage. Every servant with them from driver to footman to valets are properly trained,” Piers said, looking down at the desk. “They also had a string of knights escorting them, and traveling ahead and behind them. This doesn’t include the food testers and a crystal master.”

Tori took a deep breath, suddenly exhausted. “I need to take a break.”

Piers looked up at her. “You should study.”

She narrowed her eyes and shot him a glare. “Go to the other room, I want to lay down on the daybed.”

“All right.” Piers gathered their notes and dutifully stood up. He passed her and paused. “Tori,” he said as he stood beside her and lowered his head. “I will stop them next time.” He stepped outside and Tori ran a hand down her face. Once the door was closed, she flung herself on the day bed, grabbed a pillow, and screamed into it.

She didn’t know what else to do. She was going to get an ulcer at fifteen worrying about the safety of the imperial family in the area she was in charge of. She reached for her comcry and slid her finger across.

“Call Antonia de Guevera....”

Her mother answered after a few pulses. “My baby? What’s wrong? Now what do they want?” Her voice lowered.

“Why are they like this?” Tori asked. She’d complained to her parents as soon as she got back to the dorm after they returned from the imperial palace, hoping that perhaps her mother would be able to curb the Empress’ enthusiasm. Then the Emperor had gotten involved, and that was something her mother had no control over in the least.

Her mother tried, but the Empress insisted that they would be fine and assured her that not only would they pay for all the expenditures of their visit, but would be careful about how they acted.

Their cover was that they were distant relatives of the imperial family who were looking to invest in the delta. Their own sons were to refer to them as ‘Auntie Nika’ and ‘Uncle Matt’. Tori had felt her stomach churning at the thought. First, she was stressed because they were coming, then she felt it was blasphemous that she was also instructed to call them by those names.

The Emperor had to wear a wig, as his silver hair was one of the biggest giveaways to his identity. Piers asked her what hair color he should go as. It turned out the Emperor had quite a collection specifically for traveling incognito. He was also to wear special crystal glasses that changed his eye color when viewed from imperial violet to brown.

It made Tori feel a little better, but not as much as them not coming would make her feel.

Auntie Lucia was notified, and while she was originally attending for leisure as she was familiar with all her friends, after all, she had shifted into the mode of a security operations specialist of sorts. Three dozen Guevera knights were already in the city to escort them and another dozen were in Viclya.

Naval activity had also increased outside the lagoon and Cousin Deidre had personally taken a specialized crew to ‘visit’ the delta on Ocean Queen. They had picked up the dozen Guevera knights from Tres Arcos to bring them to Viclya. Tori had received her call the night before. They were short on tents, so Tori had them stay in hers.

All of this was because Tori alerted her family, who went into a frenzy because not only were the Empress and Emperor going, but so were the two heirs. The Emperor only had one other sibling, and Princess Celine didn’t have any children. Tori was also told that Princess Celine had no interest in ruling or politics. The next person in line would be Prince Emil, who was also attending.

Tori heard her mother let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know. I understand that they also wish for a level of freedom, but this feels like such an arbitrary reason to go.”

“I know it is likely safer for them to go for Ewan’s birthday than during the Spring Festival event next month,” Tori said. “But they could’ve given this more thought. Ewan couldn’t very well tell them no.”

Antonia let out a small snort. “I would’ve.”

“Mama, you’re different,” Tori said. “I have no problem with Prince Emil and his wife and Piers. I can manage them, but those two....”

“I know. That’s why we sent our best men to assist. Your Auntie will make sure security goes well,” her mother said. Another sigh was released. “I wish I was there to help you.”

“Mama, I wish you were here, too,” Tori said.

“Do you wish Papa was there, too?” a man’s voice asked, tentatively

Tori smiled a bit. “I wish everyone was here. Then maybe we could keep that family under control.”

Her father let out a heavy sigh. “My daughter, that has been part of our job since we were warriors.”

Everyone seemed exhausted, if not from the midterm exams, then from preparing for the imperial visit to Viclya. Tori could count the number of days she had to prepare on her fingers, and some days, she was so irritated, she hadn’t spoken to Piers - the enabler, even though she was going out of her way to plan something to celebrate his birthday, as well.

After the exams were over, she and her friends dragged themselves to Cafe Fortuna for food and drink. Her friends slumped on whatever chair they could find, mercifully leaving the chaise for Tori to drag her worn body on to.

“My rank is going to drop,” Tori said as she laid across the chaise and stared up at the ceiling. “Why are they doing this to me?” she asked no one in particular as Ilyana sat next to her, patting her head. “I’m so tired....”

“Even if you drop, you have plenty of time to raise it. I don’t think you’ll drop that far, either,” Sonia said. “I’m sure you’ll still be in the top ten.”

“If I drop too drastically, it’s suspicious,” Tori said.

“You’ve been very busy. People will understand,” Ilyana replied. “You work so hard. A few ranks is understandable.”

Tori continued to stare at the ceiling. “I should run away.”

“It’s too late for that,” Henrik said as he brought back a small tray of desserts for them to munch on. Tori looked over, but didn’t reach for any. She didn’t even have the strength for cake. Cake.

Ilyana continued to pat Tori’s hair back, trying to comfort her stressed friend. Tori closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She could only take solace in the fact that after this weekend, it would be all over. Things would go back to normal and, at the very least, she would not have to deal with them during the Spring Festival event, when there were more people she had to prepare for.

As she tried to relax before the carriage would pick them up and she would begin her anxiety-filled weekend, she heard the familiar bell to the cafe door ring. She didn’t bother to open her eyes. It was likely Piers or Axton coming to check on them.

Ilyana’s hand stopped patting her head and she gasped. Tori opened her eyes and looked up at Ilyana, who was staring past her. No, not staring. Glaring. The rest of her friends were looking with some expression of irritation or exasperation. Tori followed their gazes and lifted her head. Her mood plummeted further.

Gideon was standing there alone, a slight smile on his face and appearing more energetic than anyone should after exams. Foreboding filled her. This couldn’t be good.

“What do you want?” Formality be damned. His family’s existence was driving her crazy.

Gideon looked at her, as if it were natural for him to be there. “I don’t have your comcry registered, so I can’t call you.” She narrowed her eyes. Why would this jerk want to call her? “You left class earlier than me, so I couldn’t ask. What time are we leaving for the delta?”

Tori sat up straight. Her shoulders trembled as she gave him a withering glare. “Excuse me for a moment.” She swallowed hard and turned around. She walked calmly up the stairs and into the small room.

A few moments later, she returned, a bit calmer, though everyone else looked concerned after hearing her muffled scream coming from upstairs.

Tori took a deep breath. “What do you mean?” she asked, almost pleasantly. “You are not scheduled to go to the delta.”

Gideon’s face drained of color. “But...everyone is going...it’s my brother’s birthday....”

It almost sounded as if she’d given him devastating news. Tori narrowed her eyes. “It’s Ewan’s birthday, and you and your friends aren’t invited.”

She said it and her friends shifted awkwardly. Ewan looked away. It was true that he didn’t invite Gideon or anyone from his circle, but he never banned him. Although he wasn’t in a position to.

Tori, however, was one of the major organizers and of high noble rank, and she threw her weight. She did not want Gideon, and especially not Alessa and Fabian, present for Ewan’s birthday. Her eyes were narrowed and she stood in a posture that looked almost ready to fight.

Gideon shook his head. “I didn’t tell them! I didn’t tell anyone!” he said. “Mother has given me strict instructions. I am not to tell anyone. I am not to bring anyone.” The look of worry and fear that he was not going to be able to attend hadn’t left him. “It’s just me!”

“Lady Guevera....” Constantine said from his seat. He looked at her with a look of pity. “It is his brother’s birthday.”

“And everyone will be there....” Albert added. They all knew who ‘everyone’ was.

Tori tried to calm herself and think rationally. She looked around the room and glanced out the windows. She pulled up her jacket sleeve and turned the bracelet she always wore around her wrist. She carefully removed the light blue crystal with the lace pattern that she’d replaced another crystal with.

Without a word, she drew a circle around their seating area, completely enclosing them in it. She then put the crystal in the center. It began to pulse energy, signaling the barrier was working, and she looked at Gideon with an almost threatening glare.

“Did you tell anyone else about this?” she asked in a low voice. He shook his head.

“No. I didn’t even pack my things to remain inconspicuous. The valets are bringing my things to Viclya,” he answered without a hint of his former arrogance.

“Does Fabian von Dorn know?”

“No. He will be on a weekend-long training mission with the imperial cadets.”

“Do Alessa Hart or Dimitri Guthry know?”

Once more, Gideon shook his head. “No. They are also busy with their projects this weekend. Everyone believes that I will go home for the weekend, as it is one of our family dinners.”

Tori’s eyes bore into him, as if searching for any sign that he could be lying. Her friends seemed to wait for her to reply, but no one looked more nervous than Gideon.

“In front of the Lycée gates in five hours. We will arrive well before dawn and upon arrival, you will be escorted to your tent by imperial and Guevera knights already stationed there.”

Gideon’s face lit up and he nodded. “Thank you, Lady Guevera! I will be there on time!”

“Remember, you are not to tell anyone else!”

“I won’t!” Gideon assured her as he raced out the door. Tori followed him with her eyes and caught sight of the two plain clothes knights who were following Gideon.

“I thought he was already coming.” JP said, looking over at her.

“It was never confirmed,” Tori said in a low voice. Luckily, they had spare tents. She’d need to call ahead and make an adjustment. “I had hoped they’d leave him at home.”

Henrik rolled his eyes. “They weren’t all going to go and leave him behind.”

Ilyana grumbled and crossed her arms over her chest. “I would.”

Tori looked at the rest of them. “Piers is coming with Axton to pick us up with two of the six-seater carriages and one of the four seaters.” She didn’t say any more, but everyone seemed to understand what she was saying.

Counting Nanny Rey, who was going to go with them, Axton, Piers, and now Gideon, there were twelve of them. There was plenty of room.

“Nanny Rey should stay with you, Ilyana, Sonia, and JP in one carriage, so as not to overcrowd it,” Henrik said quickly. “Ewan, Albert, Zisos, and I will stay with the other.”

“Master can stay with us, too!” Ewan added. “It’ll be an even split: five and five.”

Tori gave them a small nod of her head, agreeing with their arrangements without question. At this point, she didn’t care about any more additional risks.

“Then those two brothers can sit together.”

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