West stayed inside Sasha's bedchamber, doing naught but pace around. He found no articles owned by her. No gowns, no dresses. Not even a bloody hairbrush.

It was as if she never stayed in this chamber at all.

With nothing to do, he stood in front of the gigantic window, staring blankly at the vast winter wheat plantation that spanned for miles beyond the walls of Belcourt.

For a long while, he just stood there.

And then he scoffed.

He should have known.

It was the only place his mother took refuge in when she was due to have her child.

When nowhere else was safe for her, Belcourt was.

From that little detail alone, he should have known that Belcourt was more than an orphanage who made girls into ladies who serviced privileged men.

Was it not because of Belcourt that the former king was forced to leave his throne?

Was it not because of Belcourt that his mother did what she did?

The sound of the door opening drew West back from the vague painting of his mother that still hung in one of the drawing rooms in his estate, bring him back to where he was at that moment. He turned and found a surprised woman standing in the open doorway.

West blinked at the radiant beauty standing a few feet away from him. He knew of her, he thought. She was known to men in his station.

Aliya.

Her auburn hair bounced as she took a step into the room.

He had seen her grace some of the biggest balls around Sutherland.

It had always been a debate amongst gentlemen about her true identity. Was she truly a Belle, or was she not?

She could not be. She was too beautiful, even for a Belle.

She never announced herself in balls. She would simply grace inside. She would jest about her life in Belcourt, but she would say it in a way that would make one question if she was narrating a fairy tale.

But to West, it was never a question. Of course, she was. She was the master of seduction. And now, she was here in Belcourt.

"Oh, pardon, sir," she said, looking around the room, sparing him less notice than most women did. Or perhaps it was something common to Belles, he thought, reminded of Sasha. "I was hoping to find Sasha. I was told she has arrived. The other ladies and I were hoping she joins us this afternoon."

"She had somewhere else to go," he said, stepping away from the window. "I am quite certain she will be back soon."

Aliya nodded. "You must be wondering why I am addressing you," she said. "We have been introduced before."

"Yes, I do remember." Malcolm Walcott, the Marquess of Hartcaster was a member of the peerage who was friends with Aliya at the time of their introduction. Hartcaster was secretly being cursed by men in his station for trotting around balls with a beautiful woman he claimed to be a close friend while his own wife and son were at home. There was, of course, a hidden reason behind their contempt. All those men would not hesitate when given the same privilege as Hartcaster.

The woman smiled. She was indeed an incomparable beauty, yet—and it may be a detested claim amongst his species—the woman never interested him. Perhaps it was her extravagant way of showing herself, leaving no room for imagination. Or simply because she was desired by all other men. "Famous. You do remember, after all." She looked around the room and then at him. She had the sort of confidence that Sasha did not have. "Well, I do hope that you feel comfortable here, West. I can address you by your name, yes? Or would you rather be addressed by your title?"

This woman knew how to please a man. "My name will suffice."

She knowingly smiled. "Of course, it shall." Her eyes went to the window. "That window might be big, West, but it will bore you to death. Would you like to join me and the other ladies for some tea and sandwiches downstairs? I am certain Sasha would not mind."

She was not even asking if he did mind.

"There are no gentlemen. The season has just begun and most of them are quite busy at the moment, although we expect a flock of them starting on the morrow after their initial slug of spirits."

He was about to respectfully declined when a thought occurred to him. These ladies could provide him with information.

West allowed a small smile. "Very well, I shall allow you to entice me to tea and sandwiches."

*****

Moments later, West was almost praying for Sasha to return. He was surrounded by Belles who could not even talk to him. They contented themselves in regarding him with interest.

"I cannot introduce you to them, of course. Only your Belle or another flower can do so," Aliya explained to him. "None of whom are present at the moment. I should have given this more thought when I invited you."

When he pulled his lips on a tight smile, Aliya chuckled.

"I do feel your frustration, West, but that is a rule we all abide by." She looked at the other Belles in the room, five of them in total. "Now, ladies, would you care? This gentleman is utterly uncomfortable with the staring."

"Ah, but Aliya," said one of them, "you must realize we are curious."

"He is Sasha's, Summer, if that is what you are curious about," Aliya replied.

Summer's eyes widened. "Oh, I did not realize the Fainting Belle was finally assigned to—"

"Would you like a stroll outside, West?" Aliya interrupted, giving Summer a darting look.

West considered Aliya's proposition, eyes on his cold cup of tea. Then his eyes went around the room. This was absolutely ridiculous. These women followed Belcourt's rules down to the very last word. How had he ever convinced himself they would break it? Because Sasha was doing it?

He might have landed into the perfect, easiest Belle, after all.

He stood and offered his arm to Aliya. "I suppose the air outside is only mildly colder than my tea."

As the two of them made their way to the garden, Aliya withdrew her hand from his arm and ambled beside him with no sign of apprehension.

"How do you find Belcourt, West?"

"Interesting."

She nodded. "It is." She turned her head to look at him. "And Sasha?"

Who would have thought that he would be strolling down a garden with one of the most beautiful Belles and yet his bloody groin reacted when she spoke Sasha's name?

Aliya chuckled. "You do not have to answer," she said, "I believe I found the answer."

They finally reached the garden and their pace slowed down.

"But do be careful," she said, voice serious.

West frowned. "Whatever do you mean?"

Aliya sighed, her eyes fixed up ahead. "Being a gentleman can provide you with many privileges, West, but it can also land you in the worst situations if you make the wrong decisions." Her head turned to face him and she frowned at his expression. "I hope you are not thinking that it is a threat. I have seen enough gentlemen of Belcourt make decisions simply because they thought their titles are enough protection." She smiled at him then. "There is but one simple rule, of course. You do not hurt the Belles. Or any Belcourt lady."

West tore his gaze from the woman and kept walking. "Do you think I will hurt Sasha?"

"Oh, it is not a question. You may hurt her in one way or another."

He scoffed.

"When you tire of Belcourt or of her, you will have to leave her. Men, in my experience, often find themselves bored after some time."

This lips tightened, his jaw clenched.

His gaze darted back to Aliya. The knowing smile on her lips reminded him of just how long this woman could have been doing this; how many flowers had come by.

"Has anyone hurt her before?" he asked.

"Oh, I cannot tell," she said with a shrug, her answer as vague and mysterious as Belcourt. "So perhaps it is best if you help her manage your relationship. She is young, you see. She may not know how far she should go. She has much to learn. It would be best if you prepare her for the worst early on."

West frowned at Aliya. "Why would I be the one to help her? Should she not have enough experience by now?"

Aliya smiled and nodded. "Her experience is quite different from the rest of the Belles, West. That is all I can say. I am a concerned Belle, that is all. I consider all of them my sisters." She walked on ahead of him. "Now that I have said what I wanted to say, should we discuss something else?"

West followed behind her. "How long have you been in this court?" he asked.

"Oh, wrong question, West," Aliya said with a smile. "The answer would lead you to calculate my age and a woman never reveals her age."

"A woman aging well might."

"True, but I try to keep as much secret as I can."

"Then do tell me, since you have asked how I find Belcourt," he cautiously started again, "And I have said I do find it interesting. I wish to know if there are any other places I cannot venture to."

"Has Sasha not told you?"

"She has."

"Then do ask her the question again. I am in no liberty to tell you."

West nearly gritted his teeth. Aliya was the last woman he should be talking to. If there was anyone who could ever be more loyal to Belcourt, it was this woman.

He let the silence linger for a little while before he asked his next question. "Why have you stayed?"

"What?"

"Why have you stayed here. I am certain that one of your gentlemen would have been quite happy to give you a generous gift by freeing you from Belcourt."

She laughed. "You believe that walking out of Belcourt is freedom?"

"At the very least, you will be free of its rules."

"And have those rules replaced by hundreds more you all observe in the kingdom?" She shook her head. "But I shall answer that question, sir." She stopped walking and turned to face him. "I am here because I am satisfied."

His thick brows raised slightly rose. "You do like being a Belle."

"Oh, I take delight in it." The knowing smile returned to her lips. "As you do with your title and the privileges that come with it."

West nodded. "A good answer, but you cannot be a Belle forever."

"Who said I shall live forever?" she replied incredulously.

West did not reply for it was certain the woman knew what he meant. They would grow old. Their beauties would fade. Fresh new gentlemen would come and demand for younger Belles.

Where did it leave the other Belles before them? Where could they be now?

Where would that leave Aliya?

Where would it leave Sasha?

He would have to pay her, he thought. She could have a better life elsewhere than Belcourt.

If his own mother had been content with Belcourt, he would not be here. He would not be looking for his sister.

If she was content here, none of this would have happened. If a better future could be seen for the Belles, his mother would still be here. But that was not the case. The one man who had memories of her was now gone, her beauty represented by a mere painting in his estate. But the woman was no longer here. She had disappeared, nowhere to be found.

"Spring is coming very soon. You should see Belcourt in the spring. This garden will bloom with the most beautiful of flowers," Aliya informed him, changing the subject.

West made no comment as his gaze was stolen by a figure walking toward them from the entrance of the court.

The skirts of her gray dress flew behind her.

As she neared, her face became clear.

He was not quite certain, but it seemed that she was scowling.

*****

Sasha was not happy.

He left the bedchamber when he had always been adamant that his pristine reputation could not be marred by anything closely related to Belcourt.

Yet there he was, the bloody bastard, taking a stroll with another Belle. And not just any Belle. Aliya!

She was gone for merely two hours. Two hours!

"Sasha!" Aliya greeted with a smile.

Eyes still on West, Sasha forced a smile on her lips. "Good afternoon, Aliya."

"I was wondering when you will show up. You left your gentleman alone in your bedchamber. I hope you do not mind that I took the liberty to offer him tea and sandwiches."

"And a walk around the garden, I see," Sasha said through her teeth.

"He and I have been introduced before. I took the advantage and accompanied him while we waited for you."

"Oh, now I see. I hope you had a grand stroll," she gritted out, each word more grating than the last. Marvelous! They knew each other before. Famous, indeed.

Aliya allowed an awkward chuckle, one Sasha could not determine whether to be genuine or practiced. She did not care. She was silently slicing West's face with her eyes. "Do forgive me. I was merely trying to rescue him from the other ladies. They had been making him uncomfortable."

Sasha turned to Aliya, giving the woman a gentle smile. Then she turned to face West again and her scowl resurfaced. "He would not have felt uncomfortable at all if he stayed in the bedchamber where I said I shall return soon."

West tried to open his mouth but Aliya interjected, "It was I who insisted that he join us. Please, do forgive me, Sasha. I was merely concerned. You left him alone. Where have you gone to?"

Sasha froze. "I had to find a messenger. My staff in Coulway had to be notified that I cannot come home tonight."

"Oh, famous! So you can join us for supper as well!" Aliya turned to West. "And I assume you will stay the night in Belcourt, West?"

Sasha's eyebrow cocked high when she heard West's name from the woman's lips. She fixed West a hard look, eyebrow inching higher.

"I believe our dinner shall be delivered to Sasha's bedchamber."

"Well, you can always change your mind," said Aliya, turning to Sasha. "The other ladies wish for an introduction with your gentleman, Sasha. I hope that you can oblige them."

"That shall depend on my gentleman, Aliya," she said, turning to the woman to give her a smile. And then she suddenly felt guilty.

This woman was the first to welcome her here and this was how she was repaying her. Because of what? Because she accommodated West?

"And we shall try to join you for dinner, of course," she added, tone apologetic.

Aliya nodded. "Very well, I will return inside. Are you not coming?"

"West is yet to see Belcourt. We have plans to walk around."

There was something in Aliya's gaze that caused Sasha alarm. "Then go along. It shall get dark soon." The woman gave West a look before she turned and walked away. And as she did, she added, "Have caution, the two of you."

Sasha froze at the tone Aliya used. Her gaze followed the woman as she made her way back inside the estate.

"She invited me downstairs. I made the choice to accept," West said beside her, pulling her attention back to where it was before she heard the threatening tone in Aliya's words, back to the fury that was building up.

Sasha did not understand why she was vexed, but she was. And it intensified even more upon hearing him try to reason.

She remained quiet, avoiding to speak words she may later regret.

"We barely had anything to discuss, Sasha. I could not directly talk with the other ladies. Aliya was kind enough to—"

He stopped when she suddenly whirled around to face him.

West skidded to a stop before he crashed into her.

She looked at him from head to foot. Then she scoffed.

She turned around and continued walking.

"Pardon me if we are not leisurely strolling down a garden, but could I talk to you about my trip to the Library?"

West was immediately by her side. Clearing his throat, he said, "Very well.

"I have been looking into records in the pretense that I am looking for mine."

"You do not have your records?"

"No, of course not."

"And? And did you find her records?"

"No, not yet."

"Then why are you telling me this?"

"I found something else."

"Which is?"

"I found the records of all births in Belcourt and there was indeed a child born in Belcourt in the year 1781."

"I already told you that—"

"I had to confirm that a child was indeed borne here, West. I could not simply rely on your words. It is best to be guided by facts rather than other people's theories."

"Good lord. You sound like a mad scientist."

"Well, I was one—"

Sasha closed her mouth, regretting her words.

"You were what?"

"Nothing."

She could feel his gaze on her. "Sasha, is the Court of Flowers your first court?"

Sasha sighed. "No."

"Then where—"

"I was courted into the Court of Libraries."

"Then how—"

"For a week," she lied. "I stayed there a week before I was transferred to the Flower Garden." She glared at him. "You cannot repeat that to anyone. You are not supposed to know. It was a long time ago."

"Then women can be re-courted—"

"Very rarely. Stop asking questions about Belcourt."

"Why? Afraid that the Palace will know?"

She frowned. "Who told you about the Palace?"

"You did. You also did not tell me anything about it, making me surmise it is where whoever rules Belcourt can be found. Why else would you bloody call it the Palace?" His light blue eyes narrowed at her. "I am not daft, Sasha, surely you know that."

Sasha sighed. She placed her hands on her hips. She was tired. She indeed went to the Library. She did her search and she did not lie about what she told him.

But it seemed that he also had other motives being here. He deliberately accepted Aliya's request to join her and the other Belles for tea. And while she initially thought he did it because of Aliya, she now realized his foolish plans.

"What other things have you been asking the other Belles?"

"You must know I could not ask them directly—"

"You should be careful around them, West," she stonily interjected. "You would not wish for any of them to know what we are planning. As much as you are placing yourself in danger, you are putting me at risk all the same." She helplessly dropped her hands to her side. "Very well, do you truly wish to know about the Palace?"

"You said you cannot tell me—"

"I can tell you what I can tell you. What do you want to know about it? I shall give you the answer that you want so long as you ask me. Not the other Belles. Do you understand?"

He nodded. "Who resides in the Palace other than the women from the Court of Service?"

"We call them the Soldiers," she informed him. "Each court has what we call the Mistress. I am certain you recognize the Mistress of the Court of Flowers."

He nodded. "Lady Mariam. She sent me my acceptance letter."

"And these four mistresses answer to the Maidens."

"Maidens?"

"There are seven in total, all of whom are barely seen around Belcourt. We cannot touch them, we cannot see them. We only see them once in our lives—when we get courted. All ladies in Belcourt has no wish to see them for the second time."

"Why?"

Sasha hesitated. She knew it was not against the law to tell him for he was a gentleman of Belcourt, but she was uncomfortable all the same. He was here because he was being investigated by Belcourt and the kingdom. She should not be trusting him. But he was going around asking questions that might raise suspicions amongst Belles. And that could potentially lead to problems.

"Sasha?"

She blinked, drawn back to the moment. "The seven Maidens oversee the High Court. They are the ones who deliver the punishments when one breaks the law. The gentlemen may also be subjected to trials, you must know."

"Preposterous," was his guttural reaction.

She blinked. "What?"

"High Court? Belcourt has a bloody court system?"

"Belcourt is a society. Have I not told you that?"

"Gentlemen can be subjected to trials by this court, you say? It is not written on the contract."

"Your contract states that you are to abide by Belcourt rules and will have to face the consequences. It is clear now what those consequences are, is it?"

"And these Maidens make the decision on who gets punished?"

"No."

"Then who—"

"The High Priestess," she interjected, looking him in the eyes. "That is who the Palace is keeping safe."