For the last two days, Tori made a point to avoid Dimitri and Gideon. She knew when they were set to arrive and planned around them. She had more important and interesting things shed rather do. Her family also seed to try to keep them away from her by sending them out of Moss Hill, on tours of Kings Harbor. Tori could continue her exploration of the city when they were gone.
When she wasnt doing so work on her Lyce project, she was playing with her little cousins: Aiden and Maeve, Siobhan and Duncans son and daughter, along with four-year-old Ava, Bridget, and her husband, Baldwins, daughter. It was both to help distract them while succession ceremony preparations were taking place and to bond in order to strengthen family ties.
Red-headed Aiden took it upon himself to show Tori around the castle, proudly showing off the old fortifications, various rooms of interest, and the courtyard where he and his sister practiced with weaponry.
A few tis, Tori played hide-and-seek with her little cousins. Moss Hill was large and she had to put limits on where they could hide so she wouldnt spend an entire afternoon searching for them. She was still at a massive disadvantage and had to secretly rely on her cousins nannies to clue her in on where to find them, otherwise the ga would go on forever.
In an attempt to wrangle them in because she was tired of running around the castle, and at one point, found herself going down a dark and damp corridor questioning her life choices, she seized a chance to play with Ava and her dollhouse, which was a model of the original Moss Hill castle.
Ava seed bored with playing, so Tori made it a dungeon crawl. Maeve overheard and wanted to join. Aiden ca to find them to play and ended up joining. Cousin Eili dropped by to see what they were doing, as she hadnt seen any of them all day and found it too quiet.
After Tori explained what was going on, Eili and her wife wanted to try and they proved to be much more interested and aggressive in the ga than the children Tori was originally leading. Eilis mage even had a tragic backstory that she made everyone listen to.
With her days filled, Tori only had to see Dimitri and Gideon at the large dinners in the main dining hall, where all the guests would co for a al with the family. There, she ignored them and sat with Kasen as far away from them as she could. However, sotis, she could almost feel their glares on her.
Tori wanted to et their glare with one of her own. Did they think she wanted to see them at her cousins succession ceremony, which also fell on her actual birthday? Of course not. The family was celebrating a few days later for the distinct purpose of avoiding unwanted guests. Although, she did get a special breakfast treat that morning and all her friends called to wish her a happy birthday one after another.
Tori wondered if they had planned it. Piers called the night before, as if waiting for the mont it was officially her birthday. The flashing comcry by her bed stopped her from falling asleep. It irritated her and she replied with a curt thank you, goodnight before going back to bed.
In the morning, she called back after her friends birthday wishes to try to appease Piers.
He said he wouldnt do it again and would call at a more reasonable ti on her next birthday. He also told her to ignore his brother and mother.
She found out from Andy that Gideon and Dimitri were detained at the gates to Kings Field under suspicion of being imposters. She had asked him if it had anything to do with her and Andy laughed. He assured her it didnt, but Tori still had her suspicion.
That was likely why Dimitri and Gideon were glaring at her.
She took solace in that shed be rid of them soon. They were scheduled to leave with their respective parents two days after the succession ceremony. From the information Tori was given, Baron Hart and Alessa would leave the day after.
Tori only had to see Alessa for one day, and even then, it was limited, as Tori spent her ti with her family and eting other mbers of the marquis families and so important vassals and rchants her cousins thought would be useful for her to know.
When the celebration after the ceremony started, they would be stuck in the sa area. Tori continued to keep her distance. Alessa was spending her ti with Dimitri and Gideon, taking turns dancing with each of them as possible. Tori was vigilant and made sure to avoid them while dancing. She always danced as far away from Alessa at all tis and always with soone she knew. So far, Alessa hadnt said or done anything that would cause her trouble.
As the evening progressed, Tori beca a bit more comfortable. Alessa and her two love interests werent anywhere near her and Tori was having fun dancing, eating, and eting interesting people. She knew she was going to be physically and ntally exhausted after the party.
Tori! Eili threw her arm around Toris shoulder as she pulled her back. Were going to dance. Join us! All the OTuagh girls!
Tori tilted her head back to look at her cousin and wrinkled her nose. Im a Guevera.
Close enough. Co on! She tugged Toris arm and Tori looked back at the local lord and lady she was speaking to.
Excuse for a mont. My cousins call. She gave them a small nod of her head as the older couple chuckled and raised their glasses to her, as if in encouragent.
Eili led her to the center of the room where Bridget, Grammie, and even Maeve were already getting in a large circle. Eilis wife also seed to be herding additional won into the circle and Tori bit back a laugh. Her cousin said all the OTuagh girls and she ant it and more. There were additional cousins whod co from all over the empire, as well as the young Nordursin ladies.
There were about twenty of them in the circle. As Tori took her place between Eili and Bridget, she saw Duncan escort Siobhan forward. Siobhan shrugged off her navy cloak, handing it to her husband before raising her arms and stepping out to join them in the circle. At once, Tori and the crowd began to clap and cheer.
All right! All right! Im here! Siobhan laughed. She turned towards the musicians and gave them a nod.
The hand drumr beat his drum five tis in succession before the music burst from the other musicians and filled the room. Tori heard her cousins let out whoops as they began to move. Tori had a wide smile on her face as she shuffled along, moving in tandem with her relatives as they stepped in and around a circle.
She didnt have to think; her body seed to know what to do and Tori almost felt as if she were enjoying a ride. Her favorite part was always the part where they moved to the center, clapped, and turned. As they stepped back out of the circle, they spun around and looked for soone to pull into the dance.
Papa! Tori saw her father and extended her hands towards him. His brows shot up and he quickly handed his wine glass to her mother so he could join her. He let out a boisterous laugh as Tori grabbed his hands to swing him into the circle and spin around with him.
She could feel her heart racing as she swung around the circle, nearly colliding with others in the chaos. After she let her father go, she rushed back to her place in the circle to continue. Her face was flushed and she could feel so sweat collecting at her brow, but she reveled in the rush.
As the song completed, Tori was pinching the sides of her skirt to bow towards the inside of the circle, where Siobhan was left to stand, clapping her hands and stomping her feet. They ended with a loud yell before clapping and cheering. The ladies on the dance floor began to disperse to catch their breaths as the musicians played so calr music.
Do you know how to dance northern dances, too? A womans low, husky voice asked her and Tori turned around and bead.
Yes! But only the basic ones, Tori said. Lady Idunn, youre well versed in western dances, as well.
Only the basic ones, as well. Idunn Birtadottir Nordursin was a tall, blue-eyed beauty with an undercut on the left side of her head and long, straight ash-blonde hair swept over. She was Sebastians senior in Lyce and Universit by a year and, according to Kasens gossip, Lady Idunn and Sebastian were once involved. I heard about your project in the delta. I have extensive experience in farming technologies if you need assistance. I assisted Kasens greenhouse project in Nordur.
Toris face lit up at the offer. Before she could reply, she heard her na.
Lady Tori! Soone called and she imdiately turned in the direction of the voice.
She caught a movent over Lady Idunns shoulder and squinted. Madam Guthry waved towards her. She looked back at Lady Idunn and gave her an apologetic smile. We should have lunch tomorrow to discuss that further. We have many farrs who I believe would rather do sothing more familiar than fishing, but we have very little land.
Lady Idunn glanced over her shoulder and nodded. Then, I shall arrange for lunch tomorrow.
Tori gave her a small, thankful nod and stepped around her. She approached the Pri Ministers wife with a smile. Good evening, Madam Guthry! Im sure my cousin already greeted you, but thank you for coming. We hope you are enjoying the celebration.
Tori pretended she didnt see Dimitri standing there with displeasure barely contained on his face. She focused on greeting his mother.
Oh, were enjoying it imnsely! The seafood is a welcod change. Honestly, Charles and I havent had our fill! Madam Guthry laughed and took Toris arm in a familiar gesture.
Interest in seafood was a good sign, especially from a Horizon native, like Madam Guthry. Toris brows shot up and she nodded. I agree! I managed to get many recipes to try. Heres to hoping!
By the way, I saw you dancing out there. Have you had lessons?
Tori lifted her chin and puffed out her chest a bit. Yes, formal lessons in all regional dances since I was a child. Both folk and ballroom.
Wonderful! Would you consider dancing with Dimitri? He isnt familiar with western folk dances, but hes had lessons in the waltz. Would you mind? There was a distinct sound of pity in Madam Guthrys voice when she was referring to her son and Tori pulled her lips inward to keep from snort-laughing.
She looked towards Dimitri and found him staring at his mother, dumbfounded. His mouth was opening and closing, but no words ca out, as if a fish on land. Dancing with him notwithstanding, it was funny to see his expression. She might have been avoiding them because she didnt want to deal with them, but she wasnt going to back down when the situation arose.
The corners of her lips curled up. I dont mind. Since he and Gideon were glaring at her whenever they had the chance, she might as well use this opportunity to find out what shed done this ti to anger them.
He whipped his head around. What? He shook his head and seed to take a cautious step back. Tori tried to hold back her smirk.
Is he afraid of ? Dumbass.
Wonderful! His mother's smile widened and looked towards her son. Tori could see her eyes narrow a bit as her voice lowered. Dimitri. Ask the lady to dance.
She wasnt sure if he was horrified or upset, but a small part of her couldnt help but relish his discomfort.
Is sothing the matter, Mr. Guthry? Are you nervous? she asked in a calm voice. There isnt anything to worry about. Im sure youll be fine. She watched his eyes narrow as the corners of his lips tugged downward.
Im not worried at all, Lady Guevera. He seed to force a smile and took a step back to give her a small bow before extending his hand. May I have this dance?
Tori wasnt shaken. They were surrounded by her family and their friends in a formal setting. From what she knew of him, he wouldnt act out or make a fool of himself in public. If they were alone, yes, but not in front of so many influential and powerful people, including his parents.
She placed her hand in his as her lips tightened into a line. Dimitri stepped forward and walked past his mother. Any pleasantness of his face vanished as soon as Madam Guthry couldnt see his expression. Tori stared ahead of them as they seed to march through the crowd, to the dance floor, and get this over with.
I want to let you know that -
Youre only dancing with because your mother asked and you cant say no in this setting, Tori said as they reached the dance floor. She turned to face him, their bodies slightly off center from each other. Her left arm rose and rested on his upper arm, just below his shoulder. I know. Im doing this for the sa reason. She cocked her head to the side and gave him a wry smile. Dont embarrass .
The corner of his eye twitched and he held up her right hand in his left one. Likewise, Lady Guevera.
She stepped back as he took a step forward, matching the pace of the other dancers. As they moved around the floor, Tori had a genuine smile on her face. Not only did she enjoy dancing and was satisfied that he wasnt purposely leading her into collision with another couple, but Dimitri was upset. It wasn't the normal reaction one would like on a dance partner, but Tori gleefully relished it.
Every ti she looked at him, it almost seed as if he were trying to fight off anger, disgust, or annoyance. From further away, outside the dance floor, he may have appeared to be wearing a pleasant smile and enjoying himself, but up close, she was sure he was seconds away from flinging his hands off her and declaring he couldnt take it anymore.
Staying quiet and letting the dance pass without incident was ideal, but Tori couldnt help herself.
By the way, I heard you were detained at the city gates.
Imdiately, the smile he was barely hanging on to disappeared. Tori tried to hold back her amusent as she gave him an innocent, questioning look. A flicker of anger passed over his eyes.
Did you have anything to do with it?
She knew they'd bla her. Even if I said I didnt, you wouldnt believe . His mouth opened for a rebuttal, but he didnt have one. He narrowed his eyes.
Can you answer with a simple yes or no for once?
I believe I have said no to you before, but you insisted otherwise, Tori said with a knowing expression. Do you not rember when you called into a classroom to demand my designs be given to Miss Hart and her design-thief friend?
His face reddened and she felt the hand holding her squeeze her as it trembled. I was asking for your help and a shred of kindness. His cold eyes bore into hers. I find it interesting that you give so much help to others, but denied assisting Aless-Miss Hart.
Well. Tori gave him a matter-of-fact look as her voice softened, as if explaining sothing to Ava. Most other people havent taken my generosity and accidentally given it to soone else to exploit.
The redness had reached his pale neck and he gripped her hand tighter. You acknowledge it was an accident. I dont expect you to change your mind now, but youve seen the state of Chetterswickshire.
I have. Both my cousin and I spoke to Baron Hart about the status of his barony and what he is doing about it. Chetterswickshire and the Hart Barony will be reviewed by the march, Tori replied. Dimitris eyes narrowed more so and his face darkened. Before he could hurl another accusation at her, she continued to smile and elaborated. They will find out the underlying cause and work with Baron Hart on a several-year-long plan to revitalize his baronys failing economy. These things dont happen overnight and there is a sizable amount of research and work that must be done.
His expression didnt ease. Why are you helping?
Tori raised a brow. Im not helping. Hart Barony falls into Anlar. This is sothing between the march and Baron Hart. She smirked. Dont tell you think Im conspiring to ruin Baron Hart in a misguided attempt at revenge targeting his daughter for so reason. His eyes widened and he drew his head back. She let out a small snort and gave him a derisive look. Youre the Pri Ministers son who entered Lyce ranked first. You should be able to think more critically than this, Mr. Guthry. Its very disappointing.
He swallowed hard and looked away. Perhaps if you didnt act as you did-
Perhaps if you didnt believe every rumor you heard or every whisper in your ear, youd be able to analyze the situation a bit more clearly." She pulled her hand from his as the music slowed to a stop. Dont use as a scapegoat for every difficulty you or Miss Hart have. There is a saying I read in so obscure book: be careful what you wish for. She raised her hands to clap and turned to throw a smile at the musicians before looking back at Dimitri. "By the way, you shouldn't worry your mother so much. Don't do more than you can handle; that's how mistakes happen." She narrowed her eyes as her smile hardened. Thank you for the dance, Mr. Guthry. You're a much better dancer than expected. She pinched the sides of her skirt and gave him a small, almost mocking nod. Lets never do this again.
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