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Cecily held her hand out, as if she cared for the fallen lady’s wellbeing and wanted to help her back to her feet. The action didn’t match the bored face she held.

The blush on the young woman’s face was a roaring red, one of complete embarrassment.

“But you... you,” Charlotte stuttered, making Cecily raise her brow. It was a dare, a blatant threat. “Oh, never mind.”

She got up on her own.

“Are you alright, Charlotte?” Bradwick asked, extending his arm so she may take it again – although apprehensively.

“Of course, your Majesty. My apologies. The ground was uneven there.”

He turned his head over his shoulder to peek at the ground where she would have tripped. Then he looked up at Geryon while shaking his head, like he couldn’t see anything wrong with the floor.

While Bradwick was distracted, Cecily brought her mouth close to Charlotte’s ear and whispered something. Whatever it was caused the young woman’s back to go so rigid, it appeared as though someone had shoved a plank up her arse.

“I see nothing wrong with the floor,” Geryon answered, kicking the toe of his boot over the stone to find thisapparenttripping hazard. “Perhaps she fell for another reason. Otherwise, we will have to investigate the flooring.”

The look Cecily gave him was dull, already bored of his antics when they’d barely begun. Her face appeared gentle, soft even, with her high cheek bones, but her eyes remained ever cold.

“Perhaps it was a tear in her skirt,” Cecily retorted. “I am sure her lady-in-waiting will fix this offense to her clothing.”

She is remorseless, merciless, malicious...Geryon almost wanted to pant and chase after her skirt.

He ran his tongue over the front of his top teeth beneath his lips before tonguing a canine. It was an action he rarely did; one he only did in deep thought.

She holds herself with the strength of a Dragoness.As a Dragon himself, Geryon appreciated a human woman who could make him think this way.It is a pity she is here for the king.

Valerie was seated at a round table, with Victoria by her side.

Originally, her lady-in-waiting wanted to stand behind her to serve her and allow her to talk to higher-ranking nobles. She’d forced the woman to sit beside her to act as a buffer. Anyone who tried to insist she move immediately took back their demand at her stern expression.

The chairs and large round tables mainly held women, while the men loitered around the walls and the two balconies of the room.

Wyetta was at the same table as her, while Charlotte and Savannah occupied different ones, sitting with other noble ladies.

Valerie slyly let her eyes fall to the corner of her lids, staring at the young, brown-haired noble at the table furthest from her. She’d not only embarrassed the girl, she’d frightened her.

I hope she will refrain from speaking with me again.She was not tolerating the insipid girl very well.

“And what do you think of Lady Charlotte?”Marchioness Cath asked.I will never remember all these noble names and their titles.

“The girl is a wonderful gem. Her beauty is radiant, and she is sweet,” Valerie told her, making the woman smile.

There was a twitch though, right underneath her eye. Cath wanted gossip, something she could use against her later.I am not so uncontrolled that I would do something so pitiful.

She lifted her hand to bring the cup of tea to her lips, quietly sipping on it. “Savannah is also lovely. She does not show it, but beneath the surface is a funny and strong girl. I am fond of her freckles.”

“So, you like the other ladies, do you?” Cath asked, swiping a large dollop of butter on top of a muffin. “I watched you all walking with King Bradwick. You were speaking of interesting topics. Is there nothing that could be improved?”

After more conversation and the day fading into afternoon, Bradwick had wanted to eat. She was sure he also wanted a break from them.

Valerie had been instructed to come relax until dinner, where there would be a banquet. She would be required to sit with the king at his table. All the ladies were given the same instructions.

Her feet itched to explore, but until she got the opportunity, she would have to remain close to the court for a few days.I must be patient.

“Perhaps how many arms the king had,” Valerie said with a forced smile, unhappy at having to be in this room.

“Ah, yes. I noticed you did not get the chance to embrace His Majesty while you walked. The other ladies were forceful in obtaining an arm, I saw.”