oorknob tur

e pounded aga

," Selene

going t

me help. Fo

e maid's uniform stepped inside, followed by a

a, you're finally awake." Before Ariana could react, the woman hurried for

rightened

a faint smile.

e - from Childhood if I'm being honest. She's the only person in this hous

ace. The warmth there wasn't the p

tepped closer.

checked her pulse, h

grew more puzzle

ble," he

deepened. "Is s

ave expected." He looked back at Ariana who is in Selene's

hesit

ay.* She

ed in front of a tho

rgent. "I fainted during dinner. Tell hi

ember feeling dizzy... after

with a small click. "As I suspected. Exhaustion, likely brou

dry laugh. "If

ore pulling the door shut behind her, she turned back, and somet

a small, genuine smile, "-I'm

shut. Silence set

wned. "Smi

st embarrassed. "I rarely did. N

omething painted r - rolling gardens, ancient oaks, a crystal lake cat

beau

agreed, and her

ere whenever it became

ere lo

use,

.Ye

me about your family? If I'm going to wear you

lowed before Selen

ow affection works, so he settles for correctness instead. My stepmother,

ve to tell me

breath, "She's always believed I bring misfortune wherever I go. She's n

ave any s

ther, Cassian. He's annoying. He sneaks books into my room when he thinks I'm not looking, and pretends he

ed. "So he

it to his l

atient, without waiting for permission Th

ress, two ladies-in-waiting trailing behind her, both we

s. "Well. So the villainess

ana felt the tension settle

" Ariana ask

years making sure everyone in this house remembers the rumors about the n

tudying Ariana the way one studies

ly cruel. "What a shame. I thought we might

es giggl

er gaze and

to disapp

iet. Beatrice bl

become

Or perhaps I've simply realized that kindness costs me not

* Selene said, quiet and stunned

slow step closer, studying Ariana's fac

nd... di

she already made a mistake,

r whatever had changed and clearly not finding a name for it.

sed, glancing back with a smile that promised nothing kind. "Oh - the Duke has requested

closed be

e. Ariana let out the breath she

ersation with

lmost fond buried underneath the exhaust

So." She glanced toward the mirror, meeting the reflect

elene laughed too - quiet, barely

laugh she'd shared

standing just outside the mansion