Thank you for your help tonight. Im sorry you had to go through that. Tori hated that tonights dinner was so ntally exhausting. Tomorrow was the wedding and she had to wake up early to prepare for the ceremony as the grooms sister, but all she wanted to do was sleep in and put off dealing with her mothers sister, and mothers sisters goddaughter.
Piers sat on the sofa in her room, holding one tumbled athyst at each of her temples to ward off her headache. A cool, damp towel was placed over her eyes as she lay across with her feet hanging off the edge of the sofa and her head on a pillow on his lap. She didnt see his concerned face as she concentrated on the energy from the athyst.
Itll be over soon.
He almost sounded as if he was going to ensure that with violence.
Alexander was on her stomach and purring in an attempt to comfort her as she replayed that evenings unexpected events over in her mind once more.
After Fabians refusal to accompany Alessa, not only could Tori not believe it, but neither could Alessa. The blonde had looked completely taken aback. Her mouth had dropped, and she seed to want to ask why, but Gideon swept in to save his friend.
He had expressed his disappointnt and then excused Fabian. He only ca to escort in. Due to the nature of this dinner, it is inappropriate for him to be here, Gideon had said.
Tori had to admit, Gideons ability to navigate delicate situations was good. It seed that now that also included situations with Alessa. She had almost praised him for growing as a person.
Fabian had taken the excuse and slipped away. Tori heard he had gone to Fionas courtyard with the other lucky people and joined them in a round of dungeon crawl before Ewan chatted him up about the Guevera knights training. Fionas courtyard was still active even after Nanny Rey had taken Fiona to go to bed.
Of course, Tori could not join them. She was dealing with her mother and aunts tense relationship, and dodging questionable questions from her aunt. Her aunt even had the audacity to sit Alessa next to Tori because they knew each other from school. Her Guevera and OTuagh relatives had not forgotten Alessa and were stunned to see her there, at yet another large march event.
If Sebastian had less self-control, he wouldve kicked her out, even at the risk of offending his aunt. Tori had pulled him aside when he found out and reminded him that it was his wedding the next day and this was not a ti to play into the drama that their aunt apparently needed to live. Besides, Tori insisted that she and Alessa were on better terms.
Not on great terms, but better than when she showed up at Siobhans ceremony two sumrs earlier. Idunn had also helped calm Sebastian down and dinner had proceeded with most of the discomfort coming from Fabianas not-so-subtle criticisms of how her sister raised Tori to be so distant from her.
Tori could manage Alessa, and with Gideon there and Piers threatening aura, Alessa quietly ate and only asked about recomndations to places around Horizon that she could visit. Unfortunately, it was Toris own blood-related aunt that pushed the awkwardness of the dinner.
After Tori had attempted to ease the tension by assuring her aunt that she was simply busy as her Lyce project was much more complicated and complex than she imagined, thus keeping her from visiting, she realized she could not stop her aunt from complaining and making remarks disguised as well-aning thoughts. This was different from Toris mother, who was rather straightforward.
Her parents had been seated further up the table with Sebastian, Idunn, their grandparents and so of Idunns close relatives, so Fabiana was far less restrained than she shouldve been. She made so passive-aggressive comnts, muttered subtle critiques on Tori, and even dared to lightly scold her. For her brothers sake, Tori didnt cause a scene.
She had laughed and brushed off Fabianas words. Still, Fabiana continued until her luck ran out. There were two topics that Fabiana didnt continue to chatter on about, and that was because Piers and Axton stopped her imdiately.
The first one was the Lunar Inns. Alessa had told Fabiana about the Lunar Inn at the Lunar Pavilion. Fabianas face had a smile, but there was sharp coldness to it as she spoke about how Tori was so lucky that Maria had given her the Lunar Pavilion. She had said that shed been offering to buy it from her sister for years, but her sister refused. Then she had asked what Tori had said or done to make her sister give it to her.
She made it all sound as if Tori tricked her Auntie Maria.
Axton had stopped eating and turned towards Auntie Maria, who was seated further down and chatting with so Nordursins. Sister Maria, do you rember how much we paid for the Lunar Pavilion?
Auntie Maria hadnt seed to think anything of it, but laughed and said, If the Duke of Alvere is still paying it off, isnt it a bit too much to speak of?
Fabianas face had reddened as Axton turned to her with a sweet smile and told her that he and Tori had made a joint purchase because the cost of the property was so large. It was an investnt for both of them. He had then asked if she had any concerns about his inn. It was a clear warning that as it involved him, she was not worthy to judge how he spent his money and with whom.
The second topic had drawn a bit more attention. Unfortunately, by the ti it happened, Axton had excused himself and sohow managed to take Gideon and Aiden with him to escape the awkward dinner. They didnt get to hear Fabiana ask the question many people in Horizon wondered, but didnt dare verbalize.
Do you plan to beco engaged and marry my niece, Your Highness? Fabiana had an innocent smile on her face, but the table quickly beca quiet. Her husbands eyes had nearly rolled back as his face paled. Her children had been mortified in place and Tori had felt her heart tighten.
She knew that many people questioned it, but it was none of their business. And she was only sixteen. Let her live her life. If Piers didnt mind, why did everyone else have to care?
She opened her mouth to speak, but Grandpa Sophos had spoken up first.
Fabiana, that is an inappropriate question to ask His Highness. There had been a hint of warning in his tone.
My apologies, Father, youre right. Fabiana had given her father a small nod. Her apology had co too soon, and Tori was suspicious. She was right to be. Fabiana then looked directly at her and gave her a self-satisfied smile as she winked. Tori, do you plan to beco engaged with His Highness? Tell your auntie. Ill help.
Tori had seen her mother standing from the corner of her eye. Antonia had looked as if she were ready to grab Fabiana and physically kick her out of the Fortress.
Beside Tori, Piers wine glass had gracefully returned to the table. His expression had been eerily calm, but his cold voice had sent chills up her spine.
Madam Lombardi, may I ask you a question?
Fabiana had sat up straight and looked excited. Of course, Your Highness.
Who gave you the audacity to ask an imperial family mber such a question? Do you see us as equals?
Tori had heard soone hiss as her aunts face lost color. No, Your Highness-
Then, why do you dare to ask such a personal question of , the first prince of Soleil?
I dont dare, Your Highness.
My personal relations, regardless of who they are with in relation to you, have nothing to do with you. As we are celebrating my masters wedding tomorrow, I will let tonights offense pass, but Madam Lombardi, there will not be another.
Her aunts head had dropped and Fabiana trembled in her seat. The imperial family was known to be asured and even allowed for a certain level of criticism, but they were still the imperial family, and so things just could not be tolerated.
Your Highness, thank you for your rcy, Uncle Enrico had looked like he lost a year of his life as he also bowed his head.
Piers had turned away from them, as if unwilling to pay attention to an insignificant guest. He then lifted his hand and Tori found that he had sohow woven his fingers between hers and placed their joined hands on the table, as if in so sort of act of defiance. Against what, Tori wasnt sure.
Just like Axton had prophesied, her mother had ended up taking Fabiana out of the dining room. Though it had happened after dessert, Tori hadnt seen her aunt again that evening. An embarrassed Uncle Enrico had to be escorted out and Alessa had no choice but to follow. Fabianas adult children apologized to for mother and left soon after.
As the evening wound down, Piers had inford one of the hosts, Idunn, that he was retiring for the night, and took Tori with him.
He offered to take her to Fionas courtyard, but Tori just wanted to rest, so he took her back to her room and prepared a cool, damp towel for her.
Thank you for stopping her, Piers. Im sorry she asked such a question.
It is not your fault. Neither you nor anyone else controls her. Piers paused. Madam Lombardi is different from the Marquess.
Wasnt Auntie Maria right? Piers answered her with a small hum of agreent. Im glad the others didnt have to et her. Its fine if she targets , but Ilyana and the others are off limits.
...I am not off limits?
Any sane person knows that you, as the first prince of Soleil, should be off limits, Tori said with a scoff. I dont know what she was thinking. Not even high nobles would ask you such a question. I know she was asking to target . How is this woman my aunt? Up until now, all her relatives had been amazing. She forgot that there was always at least one relative no one liked.
I will be upset if she interferes with Masters wedding tomorrow. Piers voice lowered. Must she be present?
Tori lifted her hand and took the towel off her eyes. She gave him a suspicious look. Whatever youre thinking, dont.
I have not told you.
You dont need to.
His lips curled up a bit and he put his hand on her forehead and stroked her hair back. You know best.
Nyaow. A lazy ow ca from the gray clump on her stomach.
Yes, Alexander knows best, too.
Tori snickered and gathered Alexander against her as she sat up. Its getting late. You should go to your room. You may not have to get up early tomorrow, but I do. I have to get my hair and makeup done, get dressed...thinking about it is already painful.
Piers rose to his feet and helped her up. Aunt Celine says beauty is pain.
Tori rolled her eyes. I dont want to hear that coming from you. All you have to do is get dressed, so you can sleep in.
You believe I am beautiful? His eyes lit up a bit as she led him towards her door. Tori sneered.
You know you are.
Piers looked pleased. I do not hear it often.
You are very beautiful, Tori said as she opened her door. She smirked. Just like Fifis chicken.
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