I sat across from Dowager Duchess Annelise in the morning room, watching as she casually sipped her tea while reviewing what appeared to be household accounts. The past few days under her guidance had been exhausting but enlightening. Today's lesson apparently involved the estate's finances—a topic that made my stomach knot with anxiety.
"Alaric's birthday is approaching," I ventured, hoping to start with something less intimidating.
Annelise glanced up, her silvery eyebrow arched. "Indeed. And what have you planned for the occasion, Duchess?"
The emphasis on my title wasn't lost on me. Everything was a test with her.
"I've ordered a specially crafted pocket watch from the master clockmaker in the capital," I replied, feeling a flutter of pride. "And I thought perhaps a private dinner, just the family."
"A thoughtful gift," she acknowledged. "Though I wonder if you've considered what Alaric might truly want."
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
