When I woke up the next day, at first I stared at the ceiling in confusion. Gone were the soft pink curtains of my four poster bed that I grew up seeing everyday, this one instead a deep red. Everything was darker, the shadows here thicker and deeper than back home. I rolled over. There was no sunlight filtering through the curtains, nothing but grey sky peeking through to dimly mute the walls. I squeezed my eyes shut.

I considered falling back asleep. There was no reason to get up. Jourdon was likely already gone, off at first light to make the most of the day. Perhaps I should have risen early to say my farewells, but even as I considered it, my jaw clenched, the headache at my temple throbbing anew.

I reluctantly pushed my blankets off, wincing as my head panged. The floor was cold as I poured myself a glass of water. The Angels' voices were softer this morning, barely there—I was used to them by now, but they hadn't relented since last night. They tended to do that when I was angry. I had tried to act normal with my maids after my argument with Jourdon last night, going through the familiar motions of undressing and readying for bed. Sabine hadn't been there, and I wondered faintly where she had gone after serving dinner.

"Your Highness! You're awake!"

I turn to see Jeanette, wide eyed as she holds a tray of pastries and steaming tea. My stomach turns at the food—but I smile anyway.

"I just woke. Not to worry, I would have called if I needed you."

The maid's lips were still pursed as she set the food out on the small table beside my bed, unconvinced. "I'll go fetch your robe. You must be chilled."

I nod to her. It is quite cold, the coolness from outside leeching in through the stone walls. Not even the soft carpet that decorates the room is enough the dispel it. Once she retrieves it, I wrap the silken robe around myself gratefully and take a seat at the table. I had asked the night before to break my fast in my rooms, saying I was feeling unwell and wished to get some extra sleep. Which wasn't completely untrue, with my head as it was I didn't feel my finest. But the truth was back home I had usually taken my meals alone unless it was a special occasion--or Elliotte barged in. I preferred those moments of solitude. Especially when I started my day, and right now, after the long day before, I needed the time alone with myself to gather my thoughts before another long day of playing Jourdon's happy bride to be. I knew it likely would spur on rumors after the night before, but there were somethings I just could not change about myself, no matter how hard I tried.

I closed my eyes sipping my tea. "You may leave me," I said to Jeanette, who was hovering around the room, fixing my bed. "You may return at half past. I am alright for now."

Jeanette frowned around the room, likely thinking of all the things she could be doing. She nodded reluctantly.

"I'll return then to help dress."

She departed and I let out a sigh of relief. I leaned back in my chair, looking up at the ceiling. The dark painted images stared back, their eyes glinting like the gems that surrounded them. My vision blurred, and I jumped, thinking for a moment the Garnetti kings of old had come to haunt me, but when I touched my cheek, there was wetness there. I frowned at my fingers.

I shouldn't be crying again. Crying was viewed as weak. It was something Mother always said. I had never seen her cry once in all my time growing up. Yet I couldn't contain them like she could. The argument with Jourdon last night, the play—everything. It was all so different. I was so far from home. I couldn't just call on Elliotte to talk to him, like I would do sometimes at home after a particularly difficult session with mother. He had been my only person, and now I didn't even have him. All I had were the Angels, but right now all I wanted of them was to be quiet.

I was alone. The knowledge hung down over me, a heavy, unwavering weight. I hunched in response, covering my face with my hands.

"Hunching like that isn't good for your posture, Your Highness."

I straightened immediately, hastily rubbing away my tears. I turned to find Sabine at the door leading to my maids' chamber. She walked into the room uninvited. She held no tray or dress or anything that would explain why she was here now in my bedchambers, and as she peered around, she made no effort to explain herself.

"I told Jeanette I wanted to be alone."

Sabinestared back at me, her expression stony.

"Do you?"

"Yes."

She made no move to leave.

"The prince is off to the coast. Olivi, if I am correct."

I narrowed my eyes at here. "As I am aware. He informed me last night."

"I see." Sabine moved through my room,running her hands over my recently smoothed out bedspread. She stroked the silk with her fingers. "That was all he said?"

Heat traveled up my neck, and I pulled my robe a bit tighter. "More or less, among other things. Quite frankly, this is none of your business."

She shrugged. "The other maids are talking. Just wanted to hear what happened from you. They said you two fought after dinner."

She looked over at me. She had most likely seen most of the play while partaking in her serving duties last night.

I inspected her. True, just moments ago I had wished for someone to confide in. But I wasn't sure Sabine was it. I also didn't see myself with many other options. Something pressed itself forward, the idea that she had come here simply to see...how I was doing?

It was absurd. Also, incredibly relieving.

I let out a breath. "The maids really do see and hear everything, don't they?"

She gave a smile. It was a pleasant change to her expression. "You have no idea."

"He informed me he won't be long. He had to return to finish off things. Because his mother fell ill, he didn't finish what he set out to do initally."

Sabine sat in the other seat at my table, perching across from me. I chose no to point out that I hadn't invited her to sit. Sabine was definitely not like my other maids, and it would likely get me nowhere.

"He didn't mention what he was doing, did he? I heard there's some...dangerous business over along the coast."

I frowned. "No, he didn't, actually. What do you mean, dangerous business?"

Sabine sat back, her lips pursing. "Oh, just some gangs. Organizations still lingering from back before." She licked her lips as if debating something, before she added. "Mentions of Ourelian's Chosen."

My blood went cold at the words, but I quickly dismissed them. "The Chosen have been disbanded under the conditions of the Treaty."

Sabine shrugged. "The same Treaty that bound you to Jourdon?" There was a flicker in her eyes, something for more calculating than what I expected from a maid. I shifted uncomfortably under her words. Jourdon was clearly not very inclined to this marriage. She looked away before I could reply. "But, I'm just going off maid's tales. I'm sure its all mostly speculation."

I crossed my arms, my tea now gone cold. "What else are the maids saying?"

She looked at me in surprise. "Oh, well, mostly they talk about you. To be honest, the only other person that seems to dominate their discussion is the other prince."

I frowned. I didn't much care to know so many were paying attention to me. But I suspected is was not to be avoided. I was new, exciting--a stranger. Once Jourdon and I were married, I was sure the attention would fade.

"Prince Pierre?" I asked, failing to hide my interest. "What do they say about him?"

Sabine frowned. "That he is a fiend. That he is wicked. And that you have no business getting to close to him." Her voice had grown sharp. Too sharp.

My eyebrows rose. "I beg your pardon?"

Sabine stood. "My apologies Your Highness." Her shift in tone was jarring. "I have overstepped. I just have heard some not so savory things about the younger Prince. It worries me."

She dropped her gaze, but based on the tight set of her mouth, I knew this shift to polite maid was costing her.

"Why would his actions worry you? What could you possibly have heard?" I couldn't help but be skeptical. Some people had talked about Elliotte in a similar way. For some reason, Sabine's distaste for Pierre only made me want to know more about him. It was likely all just misconceptions about a young man who liked to enjoy the indulgent pleasures of life. It's not like he would be the only one.

Sabine looked up at me. But before she could speak, there was a knock on my door.

I remained seated, and after a brief hesitation she left to my outer chambers to receive my visitor. I heard a mumble, a polite exchange, and a moment later Sabine returned. She looked down at a letter in her hands, a dark blue seal at its back. She frowned at it, something in her jaw tense, before she passed it to me without a word.

The front only held my name, Ophelia, in a looping flourish. I broke the seal on the back—which held the dark helmet of the Garnetti crest. I opened it, thinking for a moment that Jourdon had left me a note before he departed, my heart warming despite myself. Only I was mistaken and a different kind of thrill ran through me when I saw it was from Prince Pierre.

Dear Princess Ophelia,

Your presence is insisted upon this evening, at a private soirée to be held in His Highness, Prince Pierre's chambers. Please come dressed in your finest, so we may all be dazzled by your exquisite beauty.

Warmly,

Pierre

Despite myself a small smile curved my lips at the note. It was laden with the same extravagance Pierre had exuded the previous evening, and though it was overwhelming, after the news of Jourdon, I found myself pleased that he was trying to be my friend.

Sabine cleared her throat. "One of the things I have heard about Prince Pierre is that he is impulsive with a tendency to go after what, and who, he wants... no matter how forbidden."

If that's what she was concerned about, she barely knew me. Despite our argument, I was still determined to make this marriage work. I had decided so last night before falling asleep. Just because our courtship before the wedding would be nearly non-existent, didn't change that I had a lifetime to win Jourdon over.

But, there was one thing I had always forgone for him. Even though Elliotte had urged and tempted me for years, I had always kept to myself, keeping myself locked away. And back at home, I'd had my reasons. If I didn't get close to anyone, there would be less to hold on to when I left--even if I had still failed that by allowing my one close connection to my brother. But last night had proved I needed to go about things differently here in Garnette. I hadn't known where to start.

Pierre had given me the opportunity. I had hide myself away for Jourdon, and that hadn't done me any good.

Just one party, one chance to meet the court and get to know them. That's all it was. What harm could it be? I could make up a reason to leave if I got uncomfortable.

"Get me something so I can write a response."

I said yes.