of my anguish,
I smiled and nodded at her, but my tone was a
had gained a sister,”
anything but friendly. “The House of de Valois has but one daughter. I was not aware I
“Has the etiquette tutor at the marquis’s estate been slacking? How could she allow the lady of the house to appear in public dres-
sed in such a fashion?”
A wave of muffled laughter rippled through the room.
Eva bit her lip, retorting defensively. The young lord favored me and caused you to lose face, sister. It is only right that you hold it
against me now…”
Before she could finish, Julian stormed over and seized her by the wrist. Eva cried out in pain, but instead of letting go, he squeez- ed harder. Veins bulged on his forehead as he fought to control his rage, a stark contrast to the calm composure he had shown
upon entering.
What “What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you to stay at the estate?”
Eva was in too much pain to speak, tears welling in her eyes, I cut in, my voice cold. This is a banquet hosted by the princess in my honor. If Lord Julian wishes to display his authority or discipline his wife, he should do so in the privacy of his own home.”
Julian immediately released Eva and muttered an apology in my direction.
But Eva was not grateful. She shot me a glare, then gently tugged on Julian’s sleeve, her voice placating. “I heard sister Seraphina had returned, and you were all here to welcome her. As it happens, the hot spring villa sent over some fresh pomegranates this morning. I thought I would bring some for everyone to try.”
She held up a small, simple basket as if presenting a great treasure, a jarring contrast to her own opulent attire.
“My brother said that pomegranates symbolize fertility and good fortune. He said we should hurry and have a little heir?
7
At the mention of an heir,” Eva shot another glance at me, her chin held high. But her triumph was short–lived. Julian snatched the
basket from her hand and slammed it to the floor,
The pomegranates rolled across the marble, and a few quests couldn’t contain their laughter. The heir to the Marquis of Blackwo- od, one of the most powerful men in the kingdom, and his wife was parading around with a basket of fruit as if it were a rare delic-
acy.
It was clear from the reactions that this kind of social blunder had happened many times in the three years I was gone.
Julian, no longer caring about his image, finally exploded. “I told you not to leave the estate today! Are you deaf? Why must you always come out and embarrass me?”
