Alia sat on a chair placed far from where Warren and his father worked. She cared very little about the work they were doing and more about the chance she would get to speak to either man.
"To the left," Alia snapped at the maid ant to be shading her. "I hope the palace maids will be far better trained than you. The sun is reaching ."
"Forgive , Miss Alia," the maid said, shifting the parasol so Alia would be covered.
Alia sighed, trying to be patient since a better ti was coming. Soon, she wouldn’t have to stomach her father’s servants, and she would be the one to command hundreds of them.
Alia eyed the key to her getting one step closer to the prince.
Stories about Penelope increased by the hour and as long as they were twisted to sound believable, these stories would not stop soon.
Alia chuckled, thinking of the gossip she heard that a man of the court had loudly expressed that Penelope wasn’t suited for the prince.
It couldn’t get any better than this.
Seeing Noah walk off, leaving his son behind, Alia took this as her chance to have a word with Warren.
Alia stood up, pushing the parasol she no longer needed out of the way. She approached Warren, who pretended he didn’t see her.
Alia knew it was likely that he was smitten with her, so he behaved as he did now. She was used to it, but a man like Warren should know that he had no chance.
Alia waited quietly for Warren to acknowledge her presence, but for so odd reason, he continued to work.
She frowned, annoyed by the way he acted.
"I am quite certain that you see standing here, Mister Kennedy. Do you lack the manners to acknowledge the person who employs you?" Alia asked.
"With all due respect, you didn’t employ us. Your father did, and again, you are disturbing us. Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to approach a man unaccompanied like this? What kind of rumours are you trying to start?" Warren asked, looking up to give Alia the attention she craved.
Alia closed her hand into a ball.
She wished she could order the maids to toss sothing on Warren as punishnt for the way he spoke to her.
"I am no re lady for you to speak to like this. I have given you work. My father built this garden house to please , so it is thanks to that you have work," Alia said, feeling triumphant.
Warren had enough of Alia at his side. He didn’t need her father to co later and accuse him of sothing he did not do. "What do you want from us? You’ve been staring for the last couple of hours. Say it."
"You are a man who lacks manners, but that is no surprise with your upbringing. Your mother, Kate Barett-"
"Kennedy," Warren corrected Alia. "You know that she is married."
"Right. Kate Kennedy, how is she fairing? Is she well, or do her troubles from the past persist?" Alia asked, drawing closer to Warren.
"My mother is none of your concern," Warren replied.
Alia frowned. Why did he need to have such an attitude?
"How could I not be concerned given her circumstances? When I heard the stories of what happened to her, I couldn’t help feeling sorry for her," said Alia.
Truthfully, this was hardly the case since records showed that Kate wasn’t so innocent. She had gotten caught up in her desperate attempts to have the town’s attention on her.
"Does the Duchess Alessandra Collins aid you with your mother? She has the wealth and influence to do it, so one could only expect she is active with her sister. She isn’t, is she?" Alia smiled, getting what she wanted. "You should tell the town about this. It would have the duchess be forced to help you."
"My mother is not so kind of piece for you to use to go after Penelope and her mother. I suggest you stop talking before your guards have a reason to run over here," said Warren.
What Alia was seeking to do was the kind of thing his mother hated most.
Alia stepped back, shielding herself from Warren behind her maids. "How dare you speak to like that. I was being kind to ask about your mother and suggest a way to help you. All of you are rude."
Alia hated that her plans weren’t going as she laid them out. When her father heard of this, he was not going to be pleased.
Alia cleared her throat, deciding to give it a second try. "Are you close to Penelope?"
"If you are trying to use my mother’s past to make the Collinses look bad, then don’t try to be discreet. Be out with it and stop boring with your plans. I know that you are competing with Penelope for the prince’s attention," Warren said, seeing through her curiosity.
While they had never spoken before, Warren knew well that Alia was one of the won eyeing the prince, and Penelope stood in her way.
"The current rumours going around about Penelope must benefit you. I fail to see what you like about the prince," said Warren.
Alia chuckled.
There was more to it than liking the prince. What she wanted from being with the prince was power and a grand title.
Becoming queen was always sothing Alia looked forward to and knew she was destined to beco. Nothing was going to stand in her way.
"Are you close to Penelope? I have never seen you near the Collinses. It truly is awful what has beco of your mother. I think she has suffered enough, and it is about ti that her son shares how he feels about the town. I will pay you," Alia offered.
Alia knew money would make him change his mind. She could offer him twice what he would be paid for his work today or more than he would make in a week because she could afford it.
"You normally throw around money and expect everyone to do as you say, don’t you?" Warren asked.
"Not everyone. Only those I know are desperate. You would be foolish to want to protect the Collinses after they have mistreated your mother. I heard Lady Kate was one of the most desired won in Lockwood. Don’t you want to get revenge for your mother?" Alia asked, hoping he would say yes.
"My mother wasn’t a saint," Warren said, knowing Alia spoke of his mother in a good light to convince him.
"I know that. She’s a woman who did what she needed to get ahead, like I must do. So," Alia said, offering her hand to Warren. "Do we have a deal?"
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