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“What Lady Ilyana means to say,” Laurel interjected smoothly, “is that she appreciates Prince Anderic’s concern but respectfully declines his offer to move back.”

Lennox nodded, his face a mask of mild disinterest, and left without another word. As expected. That he even talked to me directly was a miracle in itself.

As Laurel finally released me, Sebastian spoke up.

I had completely forgotten that he was still there.

“I didn’t realize Anderic took care of you so much at the palace.

I thought he would tease you as he always did.

” Tease? More like a bully. “I should thank him for looking after you like his own little sister.”

Laurel snorted, quickly disguising it as a cough when I glared at her.

I’d had enough. I flung open the door and pointed at Sebastian. “Out. Now.”

Without waiting to see if he complied, I stormed back to my room.

* * *

I adjusted the fabric of my borrowed server’s uniform, feeling like an absolute fraud- which I was. But desperate times called for desperate measures, and I was nothing if not resourceful.

“You know,” Laurel whispered as we snuck through the back entrance of Whispering Leaves, “at this rate, we should just join a traveling theater troupe. Our acting skills are getting scarily good.”

I shot her a serious look. “Careful, or I might take you up on that offer. Now hush, we need to blend in.”

The opulence of Whispering Leaves hit me like the sunrays on a winter morning.

Crystal chandeliers dripped from ornate ceilings, casting a warm glow over plush velvet furnishings.

The air was thick with the scent of exotic spices and fine tobacco.

Every corner was decorated with exotic plants, artfully combining nature with man-made lights.

It was a far cry from my humble apartment, and for a moment, I froze at the beauty of this place.

How come I never came here in my previous life?

Focus, Ilyana. You’re here for a reason.

We wove through the throng of servers, keeping our heads down and our movements purposeful. I scanned the room, searching for Lady Minerva’s distinctive silver hair.

“There,” Laurel hissed, nodding towards a secluded alcove on the upper floor. It looked like a private room.

Lady Minerva sat alone, nursing a glass of deep red wine. Her sharp eyes surveyed the room like a hawk searching for prey. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come.

“Follow my lead,” I murmured to Laurel, grabbing a tray of hors d’oeuvres.

We approached Lady Minerva’s private room, and I plastered on my most charming smile as I knocked on the door. “Good evening, my lady. Would you care for a refreshment?”

“Come in.” Her voice was sweet and tinkling, almost at odds with her reputation.

Her gaze snapped to mine as we entered, and I felt a chill run down my spine. Those eyes missed nothing. No wonder she was Queen Felicia’s friend.

“Lady Ilyana,” she said, her voice low and amused. “I must say, the server’s uniform is quite becoming on you. Though I prefer you in Magnolia’s designs.”

Well, shit.

I dropped the act instantly, sliding into the seat across from her. No need to beat around the bush. “I see my reputation precedes me.”

Act tough! Ilyana.

Lady Minerva’s lips curled into a smirk. “Oh, darling. Your reputation is the least of what precedes you. I know all about your little schemes. The ghost hauntings, the property acquisitions, the raw silk monopoly. Quite impressive, I must admit.”

My jaw nearly hit the floor. Even Anderic didn’t know the full extent of my plans. “How…?”

She waved a dismissive hand. “I have my ways. Now, what can I do for you? I assume this little charade isn’t just for my amusement.”

I swallowed hard, trying to regain my composure. She had totally shattered my tough act. I could hardly think straight, and my earlier confidence had completely evaporated. “I need your approval for a Vermilion Circle permit.”

Lady Minerva’s laughter was sharp and sudden. “Oh, my dear. You are audacious, aren’t you? Do you really think I’d approve your permit after all the stunts you’ve pulled?”

“I’ve worked hard,” I argued, my frustration mounting. “I’ve built something from nothing. Isn’t that what the Vermilion Circle is all about?”

Her eyes softened slightly, but her voice remained firm. “It’s not about the end result, Lady Ilyana. It’s about the journey. And yours has been… shall we say, less than conventional.”

I felt my cheeks burn with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. “So that’s it then? All my efforts mean nothing because I didn’t play by your arbitrary rules?”

Lady Minerva leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. “The rules aren’t arbitrary, my dear. They’re there to protect us. To ensure that those who join our ranks truly understand the value of hard work and integrity. You need to think of long-term gains, not short-term gains.”

I wanted to argue, to point out the hypocrisy in her words. But I stopped. This woman wasn’t going to be easy. I needed some better plans. Even though she was a pain in my side, I did have a grudging respect for her.

“Fine,” I said, standing abruptly. “I’ll find another way.”

Lady Minerva nodded and raised her glass.

As Laurel and I turned to leave, Lady Minerva called out, “Lady Ilyana?”

I paused, glancing back over my shoulder.

A small smile played at the corners of her mouth. “I look forward to seeing what you come up with next.”

As we slipped out of Whispering Leaves, the warm night air did nothing to calm my raging headache. I’d just been thoroughly outplayed by Lady Minerva.

“Well,” Laurel sighed, “that was a waste of a perfectly good disguise.”

I snorted, shaking my head. “Oh, yeah, we just got outplayed and wasted a whole evening.”

“What do we do now?”

“Let’s get home for now. My brain isn’t working. I need a good night’s sleep.”