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“I thought it would be wise to give you an update. King Bradwick has returned with the last lady and has left to complete his royal duties. He will not be available until tonight’s dinner.”

“Was there any mention of my absence?”

“Yes, Charlotte and Savannah made it plain to the king that you were missing. He did not seem to mind.”

“Excellent. He does not care if we are not always with the court.”

“As long as you are available for him whenever he wishes for your presence, I do not think he will mind.”

“Thank you for the update.”

Victoria fidgeted as she spoke. “One more thing. The ladies of the court are having another high tea. I did not wish to leave before I informed you, in case you would prefer to attend.”

“No, I am fine as I am.”

When Victoria left, Valerie’s eyes found the second floor’s exit once more. The last thing Valerie wanted was a man following her around the palace, seeking her.

The question was... how to ward him away?

She could turn her attitude up, go out of her way to be offensive to him. Either he would be turned off by her unpleasant words and behaviour, or he would become more forceful.Men do not like it when we women act as though we do not find them desirable.

She thought for long moments on what to do, thinking about all her options. Valerie hadn’t expected something like this to happen.

I could give him what he wants. He may leave me alone afterwards.She could let him bed her, and once he was satisfied, he may be done being interested in her.

He said he likes things that are difficult. Perhaps if I play easy, it will sway him to pester someone else.She touched her neck where he had kissed her.He could also become more persistent if I play harlot.

If she opened her thighs freely, he may see it as an invitation to return between them.

Valerie wasn’t shy about this, not when her main priority was finding her sister.

There may be another reason, though...She may be able to lie to others, but it was impossible for her to be dishonest with herself.He does have a pretty face for someone I find disconcerting.

Since he’d been around her so frequently, as he was always with the king, she got to examine Geryon quite often.

With his midnight hair framing his rugged face, from a distance, he was sharp and handsome in his complicated button coats. In the rare opportunities she’d been remotely close, his metallic blue eyes had been captivating, especially when the light hit them.

Then there is the way he has been looking at me.She’d observed it was only her he would give this kind of look to.

She noted when he caught the eyes of the other ladies, his expression was dull. With her, he would cock his brow or give a slight grin whenever they caught eyes. She would return it with a bored look, showing him her disinterest. It would make his humorous look grow.

She’d found it rather appealing.

Valerie thought of him like she would a piece of beautiful art: wonderful to look at, but something she definitely shouldn’t touch.Now that painting has grown legs and appears to be chasing me.

She was here for a reason. The last thing she needed to do was satisfy any curious desires with the guard of the man she planned to steal from.

If I get caught, the king will never trust me again.Her plan would fail, and everything she did to get here would be wasted. Then she would have to use other, less savoury, options to find her sister, ones that were precarious.

Valerie placed one of her hands over her lips.Then again... I could always use the guard to my advantage.She thought about grinning, but instead, she frowned.He seems insightful, though.

Already, he managed to pull apart her antics with the court. There was also that stare of his, a certain look in his eyes, one that screamed predator and all others in the room prey. It was intense, like he could sense things no one else was able to.

With her own observational gaze, mostly under her lashes, she’d seen him listening to the court. His eyes would dart to certain people, like he heard what they said. He would also frequently speak to the king, informing him of court behaviour.

No, I cannot use him. He is too perceptive. He could uncover that I am not who I say I am.Valerie sighed, still unsure.I will have to see what he does.Planning for an unknown future seemed impossible.

One thing she did want to know was this:why did he make his intentions so obvious?