“That is why I have shamelessly come here today, I only wish to beg for your forgiveness.”
He waved a hand, and a servant hurried forward with a box containing a pair of magnificent Eastern pearls. They were a special reward from the Emperor to the Marquis for quelling a rebellion. As a gift, their value was immense.
Julian held the pearls up, his eyes filled with hope. “Seraphina, we grew up together. All those years of affection… you will forgive me, won’t you?”
I glanced around. People were beginning to whisper.
A few young nobles, eager to curry favor with the House of Blackwood, stood up.
“Lady Seraphina is hardly one to hold a grudge. The young Lord worries for nothing.”
“Lord Julian is a man of talent and virtue, unrivaled in the capital. For him to humble himself so surely Lady Seraphina’s anger has subsided.”
“It’s been three years! Let bygones be bygones! Lady Seraphina, be generous and forgive our young lord.”
Hearing the chorus of agreement, a smirk played on Julian’s lips.
My eyes swept over each person who had spoken up for him. These were the same faces, the same mouths, that had mocked me for being jilted, that had laughed at my family for failing to raise a proper daughter, that had placed bets on when I would break
down and storm the Blackwood estate.
And now they were telling me to be generous!
Why should I be generous? Why should I forgive?
I suppressed the rage simmering in my heart and, meeting Julian’s expectant gaze, I bloomed into a radiant smile.
“I thank the young Lord for his concern. I have heard that you and Lady Eva have been married for two years now, your greatest wish fulfilled. I was unable to send a gift for your wedding, so please, take these pearls back. Consider them a wedding present
from me, by way of your own generosity.”
The smile froze on Julian’s face.”
At the mention of Eva’s name, he instinctively turned his head away, his breathing suddenly heavy. This reluctance to speak of her surprised me. She was supposed to be the woman he cherished above all else. For her, he had ruined his reputation, lost a powerf- ul alliance, and even defied his own family. Why was he now so unwilling to even mention her name?
I glanced at the group who had spoken up for him. They had all sunk back into their seats, their faces showing awkward, half–form- ed smiles. Isabelle gestured for a servant to lead Julian to an empty seat.
He sat in silence, then raised his cup and drained it in one go.
Isabelle snorted. “A little late for regrets.”
I didn’t reply. Julian was a faded memory, no longer worthy of my attention.
I turned to my friends and began talking about my time in Lyria. While not as grand as the capital, it possessed a freedom and vibr- ancy all its own. There was no nightly curfew, the markets remained open and alive all night, illuminated by thousands of lanterns.
As I spoke with a smile, ljnoticed Julian listening intently. Suddenly, he cut in.
“The southern air certainly suits you, Seraphina. You’re far more radiant and lively than before.”
“In all t
those year
years we were together, you always maintained that prim and proper facade. It made a man want to tease you.”
The undisguised intimacy in his tone brought the lively atmosphere to a halt once again.
Under the weight of everyone’s speculative gazes, Julian seemed oblivious to his impropriety and continued reminiscing. “One year, on a spring outing, your kite got caught in a tree in my family’s garden. You could have reached it on your tiptoes, but instead
you came running to me in tears.”
Everyone’s eyes darted between Julian and me.
I looked up and met his smiling gaze.
A cold smirk touched my lips. I had no time for his sentimental recollections. “These are old stories, my lord. I’m afraid I don’t recall them. If you enjoy flying kites so much, perhaps you and your wife could go on an outing together. You could fly kites and whisper
sweet nothings to each other.” sweet
I paused, letting the sting hang in the air. “Oh? Why didn’t you bring your lady wife today? You insisted on bringing her to my coming -of–age ceremony, yet now that you’re married, you hide her away? Are you afraid someone might steal her from you?”
With that, I covered my mouth with my hand in a gesture of light laughter and turned to isabelle. “What has the Lady of Blackwood become like? After captivating the young lord so completely three years ago, I imagine she must be even more beautiful and
2044
charming now.”
Julian’s once–gentle expression instantly turned to ice. A chill fell over the room. But Isabelle, a royal princess, had no reason to
fear him. She was clearly enjoying his discomfort.
“Oh, she is quite a vision!” Isabelle declared. “It’s as if she’s tried to w
vaults all at once.”
wear every last piece of gold and silver from the Blackwood
A few of the ladies, remembering something, couldn’t help but let out a snicker.
