Sonofabitch, I cannot get a fucking break.... She muttered the words before she could stop herself. Her grip around Alexander tightened a bit before she heard his small ow. Tori took a deep breath and adjusted her cat in the crook of one arm before turning around.
I thought you said she was under house arrest the rest of the sumr, JP leaned towards her and whispered under his breath.
Tori clenched her jaw. She was.
Sonias eyes were narrowed, and her low voice reached her ears. Then what is she doing here?
The fuck I know. Tori kept her mouth shut, placed her hand on top of Alexanders head, and stroked him from the head to the base of his tail. It was more to calm herself than to cuddle, as seeing Alessas bright, unabashed smiling face as she stepped out of a new carriage made restraining her temper difficult.
Tori could understand if Alessa, who now had authority as the Baroness, would un-ground herself. Alessa and that little red-haired bastard Adrien were able to convince Baron Hart to hand over his title. Even if Alessa wasnt the Baroness, talking her father into releasing her was within her ability.
But this didnt an Tori agreed with it.
Her sharp eyes followed Alessa as a middle-aged woman in a modest maroon dress stepped out of the carriage with her. She held a large black and rose embroidered carpet bag in the crook of one arm and a wide-brimd, decorated hat in the other.
My lady, do not forget your hat, she said, addressing Alessa.
Motherfu- did she get a personal maid? The Harts were in dire straits all Alessas life. Alessa didnt have a nanny. Toris mind continued to click, trying to make sense of what she was seeing. Unexpected arrival at one of nobilitys most anticipated events of the year; new carriage; new maid. Tori kept her face neutral, but she was scowling inside. The Harts dont have the money for this. Is it from Adrien? Is he trying to My Fair Lady her? What is your ga, Cow Man?
Baroness Hart, welco to Granite Tower. As per protocol, Duchess Fekete approached the newly arrived young woman, but unlike her familiar reception of Tori and the others, Alexander included, Duchess Fekete stood at a distance and gave a polite nod of her head towards Alessa.
Duke Fekete didnt approach and remained near Tori and the others. He kept an equally neutral expression on his face and showed no signs of greeting Alessa personally.
Thank you for the invitation, my lady! Alessas face lit up at the welco and her maid let out a small cough. Alessa looked over at her and the maid gave her a small shake of her head, making her knit her brows in confusion.
My lady, the Duchess should be referred to as Your Grace, the maid said, keeping her eyes lowered and her voice calm.
Alessa gasped and straightened up. She looked back at Duchess Fekete and bowed her head once more. My apologies, Your Grace!
The Duchess gave her another small nod. Its all right, Baroness Hart. No need to be so stringent on formalities this weekend. We are all here for a good ti.
Yes, I am looking forward to it!
The Duchess stepped to the side to clear the way up the steps and into the castle. One of our servants will et you in the foyer and escort you and your entourage to your rooms.
Thank you, Your Grace! Alessa bead and took a step forward. She put a foot on the first step and turned her head towards Tori. Her eyes seed to grow wide as she grasped her skirt and suddenly scrambled towards Tori like a cockroach trying to hide when the lights were turned on. Lady Guevera!
The corner of Toris eyes twitched. The excitent in Alessas eyes was sowhat unsettling. Alexander seed to tense in her arms, as if ready to flee if so strange woman tried to touch him. Tori continued to stroke her cats back as if she were a Bond villain. She forced a smile and replied in a polite, but distant voice. Hello, Baroness Hart. Great, now I sound like one.
JP stepped between them before Alessa would try to reach for her. My lady, her title is now Countess Guevera, he said with a placid smile on his face. Please refer to her as such.
Countess? Alessa clapped her hands together and smiled. You were given a peerage? Was it because Dad sent the Emperor a recomndation for finding ?
Toris eye twitched once more. She hoped Alessa wasnt trying to take credit for her getting a peerage. There were multiple reasons, Baroness. Congratulations on your succession, as well.
Thank you very much, my lady! Alessas glistening amber eyes looked down at the ball of fluff in Toris arms and her face reddened. Is this your cat? She stepped around JP and reached for Alexander, only for the cat to pull down his ears and let out a hiss.
Its okay, its okay...shes not going to hurt you, Tori said as she stroked the back of the cat. Alexander let out a small huff and twisted his body. He climbed up to her shoulder and draped himself around her shoulders like a scarf. His thick tail was stiff. Tori looked at Alessa and gave her a wry smile. My apologies, Baroness. My cat does not like strangers.
Oh.... Alessas face fell, and she drew her hand back. Thats a sha....
My lady. Alessas maid called out for her. We should retire to your room and rest before tonights festivities.
Yes, Ms. Noah! Alessa looked at Tori once more. I hope to see you at dinner, my lady!
Tori kept her forced smile on her lips, not only for the sake of etiquette, but to distance herself from the villainess position she was supposed to occupy. Although, at this mont, she did feel like one.
Alessa scrambled up the stairs and was reminded to straighten her back when she reached her maid at the top.
Tori released a heavy breath. Good job, Sonia.
JP raised a brow. Im the one who stepped in.
Yes, but Sonia didnt punch her in the face.
I would if JP got out of the way.
...Good job, JP.
Duke Fekete glanced over at them, and the corner of his lip turned up. The invitations sent out were sent in accordance with the guest list from last years Empress Banquet. Im afraid we did not understand Baroness Harts unique circumstances last year until Duchess Tetri told us.
This hunt is organized by the Duchess, Your Grace. It is not our place to insist the guest list be catered to us, Tori told him as magnanimously as she could. She glanced over. Though, I wonder if Your Grace knows what party the Baroness will be hunting with tomorrow?
That will be finalized this evening and my secretary will post the hunting parties in the great hall by morning, Duchess Fekete said as she walked back to them. Alessas carriage passed them, and the next carriage was brought up. But I am certain that she will join a hunting group.
How so?
She has already inquired how to join one.
Tori pursed her lips and humd. The Duchess then moved forward once more to greet the next guest. Tori felt the warm weight on her shoulder lifted and turned her head to see Sonia gathering Alexander in her arms and then slinging him over her shoulder.
We should head inside now and get settled in, Sonia told her.
JP looked towards the valet who was waiting to personally escort them. Are our rooms beside the Countess?
Yes, sir, as requested. Miss Vissage will share a room with Countess Guevera and the auxiliary room beside it will be yours. There is also a room for the knights escorting Countess Guevera.
Have His Highness Prince Piers and Duke Alvere arrived yet? Tori asked. Since they were coming from Horizon, they took a different road to Granite Tower. The distance was about the sa as from Viclya, so they would likely arrive around the sa ti.
No, my lady. They have not yet-
I see the imperial knights! Sonia lifted her head and looked down the queue of ornate carriages. I recognize them. Tori followed her gaze and saw the imperial knights of Piers escort. They were all familiar with the knights who were part of Piers personal retinue after over a year of being escorted by them to and from the delta.
Tori nodded. You two go to our rooms. Make sure all our things arrive. Sonia, can you ask for food for Alexander? Ill wait for Piers and Axton.
The twins nodded and followed the valet into the castle. Tori walked to a stone bench beneath a tree to the side of the entryway, and took a seat to wait for the carriage to arrive. As she sat down and looked back, the door of the third carriage behind the current one flung open. The knight beside it let out a small cry of protest as Piers stepped out.
A tired-looking Axton followed, but held up his arm to stop the knight from dismounting as Piers walked past the carriage ahead of his. Tori could almost feel his eyes locked on to her as she stood back up.
Tori!
Dont cringe. Dont cringe. Her eyes flickered to the Duchess and the nobleman she was greeting. The two stopped talking at once and took a step back, bowing their heads as Piers walked between them without so much as a look. Tori cringed. He couldnt have walked around them or wait for them to finish?
Have you been waiting long? Piers stopped in front of her, and Tori squinted.
You were a few carriages behind us....
Thats good. It wasnt long. Piers gave her a nod. Why did JP and Sonia leave?
They went to our rooms and took Alexander. He stowed away and I didnt know he was here until we arrived. Tori frowned and glared ahead of her. What did he eat last night? Did he stay in the carriage the entire ti? Now that she thought about it, how could she not have noticed her cat?
Alexander was young, but he was big.
He is a cat. He can survive on his own, Piers told her. I read that they are natural hunters.
What if he got into a fight and was injured? Or we left him behind? We dont know what couldve happened to him! Its dangerous to stow away like this.
He will be fine. He is a very smart cat. We have raised him well.
Hes only a few months old, Piers.
It is different for cats. A few months old will suffice. He needs his independence. Hell be an adult soon.
Not this soon!
Piers had a slight look of pity on his face causing her to look at him with suspicion. He lowered his eyes once more. Mama J said that mothers always see their children as such, no matter how old they are. You must learn to let him make his own decisions.
Toris lips tightened into a line. Alexander was a cat, not a toddler. Ill just be more careful next ti. After the hunt, Ill send him back with Sonia and JP.
I will have a talk with and reprimand him, if you wish.
Piers, he is a cat-
Welco to Granite Tower, Your Highness! Duchess Feketes voice drew her attention and Tori turned towards the approaching woman. The Duchess stepped back and bowed at Piers.
Beside Tori, he stood up straight and gave a curt nod in return. He lifted his left arm as he took a step closer to her, so her arm brushed against his. That was the silent signal. Tori lifted her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm.
Thank you for hosting these festivities in honor of my mother, Your Grace. She is excited to see the outco.
The Duchess looked pleased. Then, I shall need to depend on you, Your Highness. May your hunt be fruitful.
Piers gave her another nod and glanced over her shoulder. Tori followed his gaze and lifted her arm to wave. Axton! I made you a charm for hunting tomorrow! Who is going with you? I made them charms, too!
Sir Granger and Lloyd, Axton said before turning to speak to one of the knights escorting Piers.
Good choice. Tori nodded, satisfied. Sir Granger and Sir Lloyd were from hilly, forested areas in the region. Both ca from villages that did periodic hunts to supplent their at, and were known for hunting during mandatory training excursions.
Tori gave Piers a small tug to get him to follow her forward. Axton reached the base of the steps and Duchess Fekete, and her husband ca to greet him.
Axton bowed his head and swept his hand over his stomach, only for the Duchess to stop him.
What are you doing? Her voice was firm and disapproving. You are now Duke Alvere! We are equal in standing.
At the reminder, Axton stiffened. He stopped himself from bending further and lifted his head. He swallowed and gave her a small nod. So we are, Duchess Fekete.
Tori watched the Duchess eyes glisten. Her stern expression was replaced with a fond look. Beside her, Duke Fekete stood up straight, and wore a slight, pleased smile on his face.
Genevieve, may you rest, your son is back where he belongs. The Duchess stepped forward, ignoring formalities as she lifted her hands and cupped the sides of Axtons face. Axton closed his eyes and smiled, accepting the affection. After a mont, Duchess Fekete stepped back and took a deep breath to reign in her relieved joy. She stood up straight and t Axtons gaze proudly. The hills of Fekete welco the forests of Alvere.
Tori tilted her head. Shed never heard such a greeting. She looked at Axton.
The forests of Alvere greet the hills of Fekete, Axton replied. Despite his collected deanor, his voice choked ever so slightly.
Each duchy speaks of its landmark as a representative of the ducal family. Piers voice whispered in her ear. Fekete is its hills, Alvere is its forests, Tetri its lakes, Sinan its valley, and Servana its river. The greeting is only said between reigning dukes and duchesses.
Huh...then I wonder if Axtons father....
It is a sort of secret language between the dukes and duchesses, and learned by the heir for use when they co into their position. The previous duke did not know about it. Tori snapped her head at Piers and narrowed her eyes.
Thats interesting, but are you reading my mind? She paused and watched him, waiting for him to answer. He didnt, instead diverging his eyes elsewhere as soon as they t hers.
Piers, lets go. Tori, wheres your room? Axton called for them and they followed up the stairs, leaving the Duke and Duchess to continue greeting guests.
I dont know.... Tori reached into her pocket. Let call Sonia. Im sharing a room with her, and JP is in the auxiliary room next to us.
Your Highness, Your Grace, my lady. An older man in a crisp uniform bowed to them as they entered the tower. I am Darius Kurt, the head butler of Granite Tower. I will escort His Highness and His Grace.
Oh, then, can you direct to soone who can take to my room? Tori asked.
I will take you, Countess Guevera. Your room is in the sa wing.
Wonderful! She slipped her comcry back into her pocket. Is it far?
Not at all, my lady. As instructed, your room is across from His Highness.
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