Go and bring Lady Ilyana at once. A familiar voice spoke from the other side of her bed and Tori automatically turned her head. Her vision was still a bit blurry, but she could recognize her brother without a problem.
Kasey? Tori croaked once more, and soone brought a glass of water to her lips. Her brother leaned over the bed and helped prop her up so she could drink.
Youve been asleep for hours. Drink first. Her brother gave Nanny Rey a nod and Nanny Rey made her drink until the glass was half full. Better?
Better, Tori said. The water felt good against her throat. She squinted and looked around the lavish four poster bed and the gilded walls. There was only one place she could be. Palace?
Palace, Kasen said with a slight smile. Are you hungry?
Tori wasn't sure, but she knew she hadnt eaten breakfast as shed been busy getting ready for the dance. I can eat.
My angel, I will request a light al for you. Nanny Rey stroked her hair back lovingly before scurrying out the door.
Kasey, what are you doing here? Tori said as she turned her head to her brother.
I was in the sa eting as Piers and the Emperor, her brother said as he sat on the chair next to her. He uncrossed his legs and leaned over to push her hair back. I had planned to co to your stores opening, but we heard about what happened.
Tori frowned. Duels opening...what ti is it?
Her brother raised a brow and imdiately put a hand on her shoulder, as if knowing shed try to sit up. Dont get up. Its already afternoon and Duel has already opened.
Are you sure?
Dont you trust your friends? Kasen asked. He gave her a gentle smile. Lady Ilyana, Miss Sonia, and Ewan are here.
Tori furrowed her brows. Where are they?
In the hearing room. The Guthrys ca, presumably to beg for forgiveness. Kasens face darkened at the family na.
Tori frowned. Did the collapse have sothing to do with them?
We will find out soon, Kasen said. I just ca from speaking with the Emperor. The Empress is overseeing the matter of the Guthrys.
Tori took a deep breath and sank down into the bed. Children were hurt, Kasey. In the past, I didnt want to get involved with Hart or Guthry, but I just cant seem to get rid of them. Now theres this.
What do you want to do?
First, Id like to go back to the orphanage, Tori said. She looked towards her brother. The children mustve seen faint. It could have added additional trauma. If I visit and show Im alive and well, it may help.
All right. Im free next week and will be working in Horizon during your winter break. Ill accompany you, he told her. He smiled softly at her and stroked her head. You did a good job, Tori. You kept the roof from collapsing long enough to get the children out, and cleared the debris quickly and safely.
Her eyes crinkled up and her lips pulled into a smile. Thats what heroes do.
Kasen laughed. Yes, yes, my little sister is a hero.
Well, this hero also wants to know what is going to happen to Harts project. Guthry was heavily involved in it. There must be so repercussions.
Piers will manage that, as this goes beyond the Lyce project, Kasen told her seriously. The Belcoy Church will be notified, but they cant do much.
Did they send doctors? Im sure so children were injured.
Prince Gideon called for imperial doctors and engineers to check on the children and to try to find out what caused the collapse.
Tori raised a brow and found herself a little impressed. He actually did sothing useful.
Tori! She slowly turned her head towards the half open door as Ilyana ran through with Sonia and Ewan behind her.
Relief at seeing Ilyana safe and sound filled her, and Tori shut her eyes tight and held back a cry. Shes fine. Shes safe. Its okay.
Ilyana, dont move your hand! Sonia scolded and Tori opened her eyes to look towards Ilyana.
Her brows furrowed. What happened to her hand? Ilyana imdiately retracted it and tried to hide it behind her.
She punched Guthry in the face! Ewan told her, sounding impressed. She was fast, too, and sent him to the ground. All that training with Nanny Rey paid off.
Sonia rolled her eyes, but Ilyana puffed out her cheeks. He deserved it!
Ilyana. Toris strained voice tempered the excitable atmosphere, and her friends turned their attention back to her. Tori lifted her hand and Ilyana grabbed it instinctively. She hissed and pulled her right hand back. Did soone call for her hand to be checked?
Soone will co in a mont, Sonia replied.
What about Guthry? Tori asked as she kneaded Ilyanas left hand, as if to reassure herself that she was fine.
An imperial doctor was called, too, Sonia said.
There was blood everywhere, Ewan said with wide eyes.
She punched him in the nose, and it might be broken. She didnt stab him. Sonia sighed. She crossed her arms.
He tried to bla Tori for the roof collapse! Ilyana seethed and Tori stopped kneading her hand.
Her eyes were wide and tense. Beside her, Kasen lifted his head and frowned. He tried to bla my sister?
Is he crazy? Tori spat out as her face heated up. With what reason did he have to bla ? Why would I overexert myself if I wanted the roof to co down?
Mr. Guthry insisted that he was not completely at fault and believes that as you went inside the schoolhouse before it collapsed, you may have done sothing to instigate it. Piers stood by the door with a stoic expression.
Did the engineers and knights report? Kasen asked from his seat. He looked at Piers with a sharp gaze.
Yes, Senior.
Then report it.
Tori listened to Piers repeat what had been reported and the more she heard, the more tense and angry she beca. Her grip on Ilyanas good hand tightened and she forced herself to let go so as not to hurt her friend. A doctor arrived to check on Ilyanas hand and as they finished wrapping it up and putting ice on it, Tori trembled with anger.
He deserved it, she said in a low voice. He knew that this was being built for children. He has no excuse to let incompetent craftsn build it and without a seasoned foreman! It shouldve been inspected to make sure the building was sound before children were even let inside! What is wrong with Dimitri Guthry!?
Her voice echoed off the high ceilings and Kasen put his hand on her shoulder to keep her from flying out of bed to hunt down Dimitri.
Piers, Kasen said, without taking his eyes off her. Has his punishnt been decided?
I will have a eting with the Guthrys and Headmaster Laurent to discuss this week. Until further notice, he is suspended. Outside of the Lyce project, as he is partially responsible, he will be fined and issued punishnt, Piers said. The two masons and the carpenter who sold the original building materials have been found. They should be held for questioning at the mont. Horizons city judicial council will oversee their trial and punishnt, as proof is conclusive.
Tori let out a low breath. Will Hart be held accountable in any way?
At the mont, there is still an investigation pending on her involvent. Hart accepted donations and labor. At the very least, shed be fined for improper site managent and dereliction of duty, Piers told her.
Your Highness, it is still her Lyce project. Will it be affected? Ewan asked.
Piers nodded. Yes, however, she still has a year to complete it. This will heavily affect the outco, but she has not failed completely.
Sonia sneered and Ilyana scowled, but Tori frowned. As much as I dont like her, I dont want her to fail. There are innocent children depending on this and they shouldnt have to suffer.
Theyre already suffering, Ilyana muttered. She sat down on the edge of Toris bed. I dont see why she had to build a school. Wasnt her project just to make sure orphans had a place to learn? They were learning in the abbeys communal space previously. Couldnt Hart have provided materials and hired suitable teachers?
Co to think of it, this whole ti, have those children been taught? Sonia said, furrowing her brows. Didnt Hart once complain that Tori took the teachers she was trying to hire?
Tori shut her eyes again. In the end, this doesnt have a major effect on Hart, even if shes the cause of it.
Ilyana snorted. How is she so lucky?
Tori held back a bitter reply about Alessa. She looked over at Ilyana and held her hand once more. Her friend was more important. Ilyana, please dont hit anyone anymore. Im sure the Guthrys were mad.
I wouldnt say they were mad, Ewan said with a slight shrug. The Pri Minister and his wife were upset with him. After Ilyana punched Guthry, all Madam Guthry did was ask why, but neither asked for Ilyana to be punished.
Whatever it is, its worth it, Ilyana insisted.
No, wasting your ti and energy on him is not worth it, Tori told her firmly. I know you were angry, and you have every right to be. He deserved that punch to the face. I am also furious and would love to take a stab at him, but we cant let our emotions get the best of us, all right?
You will worry my sister if you or any of her friends are hurt, Kasen said as he gave Ilyana a thoughtful look. Please be more restrained next ti. That goes for the rest of you, as well. He looked towards Sonia and Ewan, both of whom had also struck soone for Toris sake.
Ilyana lowered her eyes and nodded. Ill try. Im sorry.
Tori smiled and squeezed Ilyanas good hand, her heart both aching and relieved. As long as youre safe. Its not bad to be able to fight, but pick your battles carefully. Ilyanas eyes reddened and she stood up. She rounded Toris bed and sat on the other side before laying down.
Im going to stay here tonight. Dont try to stop !
Tori chuckled and nodded. All right.
I guess this ans Ill get the sofa, Sonia said, looking across the room. Ewan, you can head back.
Ewan nodded. Ill tell everyone what happened and tomorrow, well co to report about the opening.
Tell them not to worry. Its just a little crystal fatigue.
Piers frowned. Axton arrived beside him and ran his hand down his face. A little crystal fatigue can add up. You cant do this too often, he said in a firm voice.
I know, I know, Tori said. But this was an ergency.
Piers looked over the room for a mont longer before turning around. Axton followed him. Youre not going to weasel your way in and take up Toris ti?
Tori wants to be with Lady Ilyana right now, Piers said. I have things to do.
Axton raised a brow. Youre not annoyed that its special treatnt?
Piers didnt look back, but Tori heard him over the sound of her friends chattering. Lady Ilyana is Toris best friend; her treatnt should always be special.
Axton paused for a mont and then frowned. Well, then, you can learn sothing from her.
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