to the forma

feast-a glistening roast turkey, several bowls of cranberry sauc

III, sat at the head of the table, metic

land. Leo sat beside her, quietly colo

e, darling," she exclaimed, her voice echoing across the table, "I was just tel

"It's all thanks to his new governe

. "Very well. The heir to the Car

ow, she's not only incredibly talented, but also comes from a prestigious family. Eleg

a sharp, jarring sound. In the suffocating

-law glared a

burning with shame. She bit her lip, trying t

mily crest, the gold thread gleaming softly in the candlelight. She remembered three years ago, when she first sat at this table, Isabella

TV mounted on the wall. The TV was tuned to the local news channel, which was

d, her heart pounding, and

the prelude to the music she had chosen began. Her dance, her work. Yet she was like

VIPs. The host is thanking

n. He was dressed in a classic tuxe

camera as if she were meant to be there. She wore a stun

actly like M

instantly. The silver fork slipped from her numb fin

e fell silent, all eye

a soft yet cruel laugh. "Hmm,

a. The rich aroma of the food s

he legs scraping against the floor wi

r, his eyes filled

ven breathe. She covered her mouth with her hand,

soever." Then she heard another voice, lower and deeper. It was Theodore III speaking: "

She bent over the sink and gagged, but nothing came out. Only dry, painful sobs

ips were bleeding, her eyes were red-rimmed. She thought of her mother. She remembered her mother standing in front of the entryway mirror, fixing her hair, before leaving f