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Then she gave her a grand smile, which made Valerie’s own lips quirk. She was beginning to truly adore Wyetta.

They occasionally passed stairs that would take them to a second floor, cut off from the rest of the upper level, leading them to suites like Valerie’s, and they passed hers along the way.

Once they found themselves at the end of the palace and could go no further, they crossed to the other side so they could walk down the hallways they hadn’t on their way there. They often stopped to admire certain tapestries, paintings, and sculptures.

Valerie was hoping to find the entrance to the dungeons, but no such luck.

With their unhurried speed, they reached the centre of the palace around mid-afternoon, the court thankfully still spread out.

Against the wall, next to a balcony of nobles chatting, rested Geryon. His arms were folded, his posture relaxed, with one foot crossed in front of the other. She was surprised he wasn’t with King Bradwick, but she quickly turned her gaze away from him when he met her eyes. It almost appeared as though he was waiting for something, or someone.

“Come, Lady Wyetta. I am sure we can stroll the second half of the palace before it is time to eat.” They were stopped right in front of the balcony where Geryon was leaning.

“Countess Nicole is holding a tea in the afternoon for the ladies of the court, where we can enjoy needlepoint tapestry. You may venture the palace further, but I wish to attend.”

Needlepoint tapestry was where they took different coloured strings and wove them through mesh to create patterns. It was an art for women, something that could be done in a social setting while drinking tea and eating sweets.

Valerie could think of nothing worse.I wish to continue exploring the grounds.

For some reason, her eyes found Geryon once more. He quickly looked away, but she could tell by the tapping of his fingers on his muscled biceps that he’d been listening in on their conversation.

“Needlepoint tapestry and tea sounds like a wonderful activity,” Valerie answered.

In her peripheral, Geryon’s gaze snapped to her, one of his brows raising. He knew she was lying.He has already unravelled my dislike of court entertainment.He appeared vexed, his eyes narrowing in her direction.

She is a sneaky fox, a mischievous weasel.Geryon was pursuing a woman who very much knew how to keep him away.

She has not been alone all day.She’d spent the morning with Lady Wyetta, which in itself had caused his brow to raise.I thought she would prefer to be alone,especially since she was often separated from Baroness Victoria.

Then, in the afternoon, she’d remained with the court women. She even persuaded her uncle, Duke Vermont, to walk her back to her room after eating in the grand dining hall.

What he thought would be a day of spending time getting to know her in secret, instead had been him being bored among the people.

She is purposefully evading me.

Cecily was playing a dangerous game, one that he would hide his enjoyment of, and one that he would win.

“It appears as though some of the men in my court have become interested in my guests,” Bradwick said to Geryon, pulling him from his thoughts.

They were having a small meeting over breakfast, since he often ate his in the king’s parlour.

No servant was permitted to enter Geryon’s chambers, and therefore, they fed him here instead. He didn’t like anyone in his private space.

Geryon also dressed himself every day, working at the complex buttons and designs of his suit coats himself. It was a source of entertainment for him. The harder it was to do by himself, the more he liked it.

“I noticed that as well. They’re quite...attentive.” Geryon wasn’t so obvious in his attempt to know Cecily.

“Yes, especially over dinner. Do you think they wish to take the ones I do not pick?”

“That is a fair deduction. They will become available once you have chosen.”

“I am deciding on whether or not I should be offended and insulted,” Bradwick scowled, eating his breakfast with Geryon like he did most mornings.

He used to be fed in bed, but had opted to change his routine so they could discuss things together over a meal. It was the only meal Geryon shared with anyone within the palace, and it was only ever with Bradwick.

“I do not think you should care once you have picked your mate,urh, I mean wife. The women are here for you, and I am sure they’d prefer to wed you. Anyone second is just being fed your scraps.”

“That is true. I will be too busy trying to sire an heir to give a damn what the men of my court do with the women I have not chosen.” He paused in his eating to scowl. “Unless they attempt anything during the gala. Then I will remove their hands and possibly their cocks, too.”