Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
I glanced over at the platform where we’d greeted them earlier. Crown Prince Torin was nowhere to be seen and Emperor Cassius was talking to his aide, but the Empress was unashamedly glaring at Kalon as we traversed the ballroom.
There was no way the Crown Prince would ask me to dance now.
“How very petty of you,” I deadpanned. “Have you no regard for the uncomfortable position you might have put me in?”
“Not particularly,” he responded. “I try to avoid these things as much as I can, so I highly doubt we’ll see one another again.”
“Forgive me for saying so, but I certainly hope that’s the case.”
Yes, that’s it, Allie.
If I can’t avoid him, I’ll just piss him off.
Then he won’t ask for my hand in marriage.
A solid, solid plan.
“You’re quite rude,” Kalon said, holding me tighter against his firm body. “Do you know that?”
“There’s an old saying, Your Highness,” I replied, tilting my chin upwards. “Treat others how you wish to be treated. You’ve treated me with rudeness, so I assumed that was what you expected from me in response.”
His grip on my waist tightened. “You know, Lady Alicia, I’m not sure if I should kidnap you and take that smart mouth of yours back to Stein with me or kill you on the spot.”
Thump. Thump. Thump.
“I’m afraid neither of those work for me,” I quickly retorted. “But it’s nice of you to offer.”
“You are a very strange woman.” His lips were extremely close to my ear, and the warm sensation of his breath against my earlobe sent a shiver down my spine. “You do know who you’re talking to, don’t you? Yet you speak so carelessly.”
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Oh, yes.
I was very aware of who I was talking to.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t stop my mouth from saying stupid things.
The song came to an end, and I extricated myself from his strong grasp as quickly as I was able to. A cool sensation of loss washed over me where we’d touched, and my heart did another stupid thumping act as I put more space between us.
“Thank you for the dance, Your Highness. Please excuse me.” I curtseyed gracefully before turning away and hurrying back in the direction of where Lord Leon was still talking to my father, except Vincent had now joined the discussion.
“Ah, Alicia, you’re back. How was His Highness?” Father asked, adjusting his glasses.
“Fine.” I turned to Lord Leon. “Please excuse me, Lord Leon. I need to rest for a few moments, but I promise to join you for a dance before I leave.”
“Of course. Are you all right, my lady?” he asked, concern filling his eyes.
Gosh.
Why had that brute interrupted him? If only he’d come a few seconds later…
“Yes. I’ll be right back.” I smiled. “Vincent, would you mind helping me find someone to take me to a powder room?”
My brother took my hand and looped it through his arm. “Of course, Alicia.”
We quickly found a group of maids who were waiting to do this very thing, and I waved my brother off as one of the maids took charge to guide me to one of the rooms set aside for ladies to rest.
I rejected her offer of some tea or another refreshment, and she left me alone. I promptly sank back into the cushions on the loveseat I was sitting on and covered my face with my hands.
What had I done?
I’d come here intending to avoid the Grand Duke at all costs. Failing that, my best bet had been to be quiet, meek, and polite so as to not draw too much of his attention to myself. Granted, his attention was fully drawn to me when he decided to use me as a pawn to piss off the Empress, but still.
All I had to do during that dance was be nice. Be the epitome of a noble lady.
Instead, I’d called him petty and rude, told him I hoped I never saw him again, and practically thanked him for his threat to either kidnap me or kill me.
Yep.
I was in so much trouble.
***
I spent the entire day after all the ball in my room, resting. I barely got out of bed to bathe with the help of Bella and Annie, but it did serve as excellent training time for Annie.
To her credit, she was picking up the ropes of being my personal maid extremely quickly. Bella was grateful for an extra pair of hands when it came to bathing and dressing me, and Annie was just thankful she didn’t have to spend so much time around my stepmother or Sophia anymore.
Staying in bed for a day and a half also spared me having to experience my stepmother’s fury firsthand. She was incensed that Father had taken me to greet the Imperial Family alone and hadn’t extended the same courtesy to Sophia, and she was even more furious that the Empress had taken a liking to me.