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A wild grin spread across his features at Cecily’s expression, one that told him she knew it wasn’t a coincidence he’d come upon them.

“Lord Geryon.” Victoria dipped her head in greeting. He was not a lord, but that was what they believed. “Yes, well, Lady Cecily is very interested in the palace and wishes to explore it.”

“Is that so?” He raised his brow, subtly licking at the seam of his lips. He rubbed his jaw like he was deep in thought, contemplating an idea, before he waved his hand forward in a casual gesture. “Perhaps I can give her a tour, then?”

“Oh!” Victoria clapped her hands together. “That sounds like a lovely idea, do you not think, Lady Cecily?”

He could see the wheels turning in her head, Cecily trying to find a way out of being alone with him.

“Unfortunately, I must decline your most generous offer. I do not wish to give the king the wrong idea if I was seen walking alone and privately with another man.”

“I am sure King Bradwick would much prefer to know you were guarded while you walked the palace. Is that not right, Victoria?”

“Of course.” She smiled brightly, not understanding that the lady she was attending wanted an escape.

The composed face you hide behind is also your greatest weakness, little fawn.She wasn’t presenting any signs of distress.

“I am unsure if you have met Lord Geryon, but he is Bradwick’s most loyal servant and trusted confidant. He would never think ill of Geryon, so you do not need to fear, my lady. I can return to the court for you.”

“Yes, I did notice you had rather cute ears and wide eyes.” The woman blushed at being caught in her spying. “It appears as though Cecily was given a lady-in-waiting who is rather useful.”

“Yes, well, she does like to know of the events of the day,” she mumbled, her blush growing. Her eyes flicked to Cecily, nervous about being caught.

Cecily’s expression didn’t change, except for squinting ever so slightly. It was a barely noticeable difference, so slight that it wouldn’t have been seen if someone wasn’t looking for it.

“Is it settled then?” Geryon waited for whatever excuse she attempted to come up with. “Or is there a reason why you are so against my company, Lady Cecily?”

He gave her a charming smile when he noticed that squint deepen into a glare. There was none. She couldn’t evade him so openly in front of Victoria without causing suspicion.

She relaxed her features so smoothly that her glare only lasted a second. “No reason at all. Please return to court for me, Victoria. I will walk with Lord Geryon while I explore.”

Victoria nodded and turned to walk back the way the ladies came. He held his arm out for her to take it.

“You push your luck.” Instead of taking his arm, Cecily walked forward with stiff shoulders. She turned her nose up, staring at the door on the other side of the hallway as they slowly creeped closer. “She called you lord; does that mean I was correct in my assumption that you are not a normal guard? What is your status?”

Geryon walked beside her, placing his arms behind his back to appear casual. “As I said, think of me on par with King Bradwick.”

She surprised him when she opened a side door in the hallway to check what was inside. She closed it and continued to walk forward. She refused to look at him.

He, however, hadn’t stopped gazing at her.She looks breathtaking today.It may have something to do with the pearls in her tied-back hair and her slender neck being exposed. Even her pale shoulders were uncovered.

The make-up she wore was lighter than usual, and he appreciated seeing more of her and less of it. She was also wearing a grey dress that highlighted her skin and made her appear more doll-like.

“Why are you searching the palace?” He had to ask, since she opened the door in the next hallway as well.

“Can I not be curious about such a grand place?”

“Yes, but is there anything in particular you wish to find?”If I show it to her, she may soften towards me.

“I am rather interested in the dungeons,” she told him. His brows raised at such an answer. “I am also interested in the war room; both seem rather glorious.”

“The dungeons are the last place a woman should be searching for, and I can guarantee you, it is far from glorious.”

She clasped her hands in front of herself, staring forward with a lift of her chin. He’d offended her. He almost wanted to wince.

“That may be true, but I do wish to see how they differ from Dyèrie manor. The palace is vastly different, and I wish to know all about it.” She turned her head slightly to meet his eyes. “Since I may not be the one staying.”

She is right; she may not get another opportunity.He thought deeply on this for a moment, weighing his options.How bad could it be?