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Days bled into one another as we toiled. Annalise would stop by occasionally, offering design suggestions between bouts of sneezing from the dust. Tommy flitted in and out like a particularly grimy sparrow, always with some new tidbit of gossip clutched in his grubby little hands.

It was during one such renovation session that Laurel finally broached the subject I’d been waiting for.

“My lady,” she began hesitantly, pausing in her battle against a particularly stubborn cobweb. “I don’t mean to question your judgment, but… why are we doing all this ourselves? Surely with the money you’ve set aside, we could hire workers to handle the renovations?”

I set down my own broom, considering my words carefully. “We could,” I admitted. “But every coin we save now is a coin we can invest later. This is just the beginning, Laurel. We’re going to need every advantage we can get.”

Her brow furrowed. “But surely a funeral shop doesn’t require—”

“It’s not just about the shop,” I interrupted, my voice low. “This is our foundation. From here, we build an empire.”

So much money. I’ll swim in it.

“Also, we won’t be doing everything. We are just doing the part of the renovation we could do ourselves. Then I’ll hire workers for the bigger job.”

Just then, Tommy burst through the door, nearly tripping over his own feet in his excitement. “M’lady! M’lady! I got that information you wanted!”

I raised an eyebrow. “About the Vermillion Circle?”

He nodded eagerly. “Aye! And that Lady Minerva you asked about. She’s a right tricky one, she is. But I heard tell she likes to frequent the Whispering Leaves. Real fancy-like place, it is.”

The Whispering Leaves. An exclusive establishment, known for its private rooms and exquisite entertainment. The sort of place where the elite went to see and be seen… and to conduct business away from prying eyes.

If I wanted to secure a permit from the Vermillion Circle—and I needed that permit if I was to expand beyond this cramped little shop—I’d have to find a way to get Lady Minerva’s attention.

It was notoriously difficult to get a permit for someone without any experience working. Someone like me.

“Excellent work, Tommy,” I said, tossing him a coin. “Keep your ears open for any more whispers about Lady Minerva or the Circle. And get back to work.”

The Whispering Leaves was far beyond my current means, but perhaps I could do something else.

I was in the middle of talking to Tommy when a familiar titter caught my ear. Turning, I spotted Lady Emilia and her ever-present shadow, Lady Beatrice, peering into the shop with barely concealed disdain.

“My, how the mighty have fallen,” Lady Emilia stage-whispered, loud enough for the entire street to hear. “To think, the great Lady D’Arcane, reduced to scrubbing floors like a common maid.”

I gritted my teeth, fighting the urge to throw my broom at her perfectly styled head. Breathe, Ilyana.

“It truly serves her right,” Lady Beatrice chimed in, her nasal voice grating on my nerves. “After all the cruelty she’s shown others over the years. Remember that time she ripped Lady Catalina’s dress and humiliated her in front of everyone?”

I gritted my teeth, remembering exactly what I did. Damn! What do I even say to that? It’s better to just keep quiet and let it be over.

A small crowd began to gather, drawn by the drama unfolding. I could feel their eyes on me, a mix of curiosity and the unfolding drama.

Laurel, on the other hand, wasn’t ready to keep quiet and bristled beside me. Before I could stop her, she brandished her broom like a weapon, advancing on the noblewomen. “How dare you! You have no right to—”

“Laurel,” I said quietly, placing a hand on her arm. “It’s alright.”

Lady Emilia’s lips curled into a vicious smirk. “What’s the matter, Ilyana? Can’t handle the truth?”

Now I was starting to get really annoyed with this. I’d taken their insults and their judgments, thinking they would go away after they were finished. But everyone had their limit.

I straightened my spine, meeting Lady Emilia’s gaze with a steel of my own. “You know what, Emilia? You’re absolutely right. I am scrubbing floors and cleaning cobwebs. But at least I’m doing it on my own terms, building something for myself instead of leeching off my father’s coffers.”

A few gasps rippled through the crowd. Lady Beatrice’s eyes widened comically.

What? Did they really think I’d take everything they were throwing? Do I look like a chaste, pious do-gooder? I am a former villainess, for God’s sake.

“As for my divorce,” I continued, warming to my theme, “I’m thrilled to be out of an unhappy marriage and starting fresh. But tell me, Emilia dear, how is your marriage faring these days?”

Lady Emilia’s face flushed an ugly crimson. “I—that’s none of your business!”

I tsked sympathetically. “Oh, but darling, the last I heard, Lord Bernard doesn’t even like you anymore. Didn’t he just gift that enormous emerald necklace to his mistress? The one he… loves?”

The crowd’s murmurs grew louder. Lady Beatrice gaped at her friend in shock.

“You—you vile liar!” Lady Emilia sputtered, but her eyes darted nervously. “How dare you spread such falsehoods!”

I shrugged, the picture of innocence. “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of lying, Emilia. I’m simply repeating what everyone’s been whispering about. But if it’s not true, I’m sure you have nothing to worry about.”

Lady Emilia’s face crumpled. Without another word, she grabbed Lady Beatrice’s arm and fled, leaving a wake of excited chatter behind them.

As soon as they were out of sight, Laurel and Tommy burst into applause.

“That was bloody brilliant!” Tommy crowed, his gap-toothed grin wider than ever.

Laurel stared at me in awe. “How on earth did you know about Lord Bernard’s affair?”

I winked at her, unable to keep the smug grin off my face. “I didn’t.”

Her jaw dropped. “But—but you said—”

“I made an educated guess,” I explained, leaning on my broom. “Emilia’s always been insecure about her marriage, and Bernard’s roving eye is hardly a secret. I just… connected the dots.”

Tommy cackled with delight. “You’re a right clever one, you are! Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

“Right then,” I said aloud, clapping my hands together. “Enough dawdling. We’ve got work to do if we’re going to turn this place into something respectable.”