Lily walked around the ballroom with Kael at her side. They were drawing attention, but rather than focusing on the gossiping ladies, Lily wanted to know why Kael had taken so long to approach her.
"I saw you in the market when I was out with my mother. That is how I knew that you returned. Did you hit your head and forget how to write?" Lily asked, as it could be the only excuse.
"I also saw a lady who did her best to hide from , just as you did today. I was working then as a knight," Kael explained.
"And the difference now?" Lily questioned, turning to Kael.
"As I said, this will be my last ti with Rafael since I must help my father with his work. He loves that I am a knight, but as he gets older, his business will need help. Since he injured himself in a fight long ago, he turned to making the finest swords this kingdom has ever seen," said Kael.
Kael peered at the others who ca with him to Lockwood. "I enjoy being a knight, but I know when it is ti to focus on family, and Sir Rafael will allow it. I have been a bit busy finishing up as a knight and preparing to take over from my father. I owe it to him."
"I’m certain he wouldn’t be pleased to hear you think you owe him. Do you think that I owe you, father?" Lily asked, stopping to look at Edgar.
"Quite a lot," Edgar answered.
Lily didn’t take her father’s words seriously. He always said that he brought them into this world so he would care for them.
"He jests. It is kind of you to set aside work you love to help your father. What a sha he injured his hand and could no longer be a knight, but at the very least, his new work helps the Callahans. I am happy for you," Lily said, her anger slipping away.
"I don’t reside by the border anymore. I am close because it is ho, but Annalise is trying to bring business to a town nearby, so my father decided to set up there. You should see it. The mountains are quite beautiful, and it has all you need," Kael said, making an offer.
"I’m sure it is beautiful, but I would need to have a reason to pack up my life and go there. You made a promise that you were going to be at the ball. Are you going to keep giving promises you cannot keep? There are far more gentlen whom I can choose from," Lily said, motioning to the n eyeing her.
"Yet you didn’t marry during the ti that I wasn’t here. I was late, but I returned," said Kael.
"You left enough ti for Penelope to tease . I am not a lady who gives away her hand so easily, and I won’t forgive you simply because you are helping your father. The season is far from over, so win my hand. Father," Lily said, reaching for Edgar’s arm. "I am ready to go."
Lily smiled as she walked away.
Finally, the season had beco interesting for Lily.
Edgar didn’t comnt on what occurred before him.
"You are awfully quiet, father. Do you not like him? I thought he would win in your books by sacrificing what he loves to help his father," said Lily.
"It is not for to love him. It is all about you, so you cannot bla if it goes wrong in the future years. As long as he doesn’t hurt you, I see no reason to interfere," Edgar said, uninterested in the match.
"I would go far," Lily said, considering the possibility.
"You would. You were always the one who cried when you were away from us," Edgar pointed out.
"Penelope was the one who wanted to travel. I prefer the comfort of ho, but a tall, handso man could sway . I am sorry," Lily apologised after her father sighed. "I should save this kind of talk for my mother or my siblings."
"I can pretend to be open to it," Edgar said, but his expression said otherwise.
"No, father," Lily chuckled. "I will not burden you with such talk. I would rather speak of this with my mother and keep our normal conversations. If I need your help with a gentleman, then you know it is rather urgent."
"I know."
"Wonderful. Then may you take away from the n itching to approach us? I am not in the dancing spirit," Lily said, clinging to her father’s arms. "Perhaps we should go ho. I have seen enough of the palace."
Edgar agreed with Lily and quickly gathered his family to prepare to leave.
Elijah walked behind his mother to shield her from n who tend to forget she is a married woman.
"Elijah," Octavia curtsied.
Beside Octavia stood her mother.
"I see that you are leaving, but might I have a word with you? It has been so long since you have graced the town with your presence at a gathering," Octavia said, fluttering her eyes.
Word had spread that Alia had failed to get Elijah’s attention, and Octavia enjoyed every bit of it. Now was her chance to swoop in to steal the man Alia had her eyes on.
"I’m sorry. My hand is claid," Elijah responded.
"C-Claid? You are engaged? Mother," Octavia whined, seeking answers from her clueless mother.
Elijah continued on his way out.
"I heard that," said Alessandra.
"Of course you did, mother. Nothing misses your ears. Careful," Elijah said, offering his hand to his mother. "You’ll soon get to enjoy planning for Lily’s future wedding."
"I will enjoy doing it for all of you as long as you need my help. Are you certain you will be well in the estate by yourself? Do you not want your sisters to stay behind? Very well," Alessandra chuckled, discarding the idea after Elijah frowned.
"Take them with you," Elijah pleaded with his mother.
The Collinses soon set off for the estate. By leaving now, they got to escape the crowd of people who would create a ss when leaving later.
Alessandra gazed out the window, admiring the beauty of the sky.
Despite a chill in the air, the day was pleasant enough for the coronation to take place.
Alessandra looked away from the window, but soon had to double back after seeing a face she could not forget.
In another carriage, Alessandra t eyes with soone who was equally surprised to see her.
Over twenty years had passed since Alessandra had seen Kate.
Alessandra was startled by Kate seemingly raising her hand like she needed sothing from her.
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