Vivienne's POV
Twenty-four hours until they expose me? I stared at Eleanor in the carriage. Then I'm not waiting anymore.
What are you talking about?
If I'm going down, I'm taking them with me. I leaned forward, banging on the carriage roof. Driver! Take us to Jasper's workshop. Now.
Eleanor grabbed my arm. Isabelle, think about this
I am thinking. Two years of rage boiled over inside me. Beaumont wants to expose me? Fine. But first, I destroy my father. Tonight.
You're not ready. The plan was to move slowly
The plan changed the moment Beaumont sent those assassins. I pulled out the documents Jasper had gathered—proof of my father's illegal smuggling operations. Lord Marcus Ashford has been avoiding taxes, bribing officials, and smuggling goods for five years. The Royal Treasury would love to know about this.
Eleanor's eyes widened. If you do this now, they'll know someone's targeting the Ashford family specifically.
Good. Let them wonder who and why.
We found Jasper in his cluttered workshop, surrounded by papers and spy reports. The thin man looked up, eyes sharp behind spectacles.
Lady Vivienne. I heard about the investigation
How fast can you get these documents to the Royal Treasury? I thrust the smuggling evidence at him. Anonymously.
Jasper's smile was all teeth. Consider it done. By dawn, royal guards will be raiding Ashford estates.
Perfect. Satisfaction burned through my veins. Let's see how my dear father enjoys losing everything.
I didn't sleep that night. Couldn't. I paced Eleanor's townhouse, imagining guards breaking down my father's doors. Seizing his illegal goods. Arresting his co-conspirators.
This is what you deserve. You threw me away to protect your precious reputation. Now watch it burn.
By morning, news spread through the capital like wildfire. The Ashford scandal was all anyone could talk about.
Did you hear? Lord Ashford was arrested!
The Royal Treasury found evidence of smuggling
They're freezing all his assets
His reputation is destroyed
I allowed myself one small smile as I dressed for the palace garden party. First strike: successful.
But the smile faded when I remembered Adrian's words from last night: I will discover your secrets. All of them.
And Beaumont's investigation. Twenty-four hours. Maybe less.
One problem at a time. Today, smile and pretend everything is fine.
The palace gardens were beautiful—roses and fountains and nobles pretending to enjoy nature while really plotting against each other. I'd been here less than five minutes when I felt eyes on me.
Adrian.
He stood near a marble fountain, watching me with an expression I couldn't read. Then he started walking toward me with that same predatory grace from last night.
My heart hammered. After our dance, after that burning touch on my wrist, I'd tried to convince myself it meant nothing. That I felt nothing.
I'd failed.
Lady Vivienne. His voice was cold. Controlled. Interesting timing.
Your Highness. I curtseyed, buying myself a moment to think. I don't understand—
The Ashford scandal. He stepped closer. You arrive at court, and suddenly one of our most prominent lords is arrested for smuggling. Quite the coincidence.
My blood turned to ice. Are you accusing me of something?
Should I be? His eyes searched my face. Because I've learned that nothing at court happens by accident. Especially not something this perfectly timed.
Perhaps Lord Ashford simply got caught doing something illegal. I kept my voice steady. That has nothing to do with me.
Doesn't it? Adrian moved closer, backing me toward a tall marble column. You look at certain nobles like you hate them. The Ashfords. The Harcourts. Lord Chancellor Beaumont. Why?
Because they destroyed my life. Because they deserve to suffer.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Another lie. He was so close now I could feel his heartbeat. I'm trying to protect you, you stubborn woman. Can't you see that? Whatever game you're playing—it's dangerous here. These people will destroy you if they feel threatened.
Maybe I'm more dangerous than I look.
That's what I'm afraid of. His hand came up, fingers brushing my cheek. The touch sent fire through my veins. I watched you last night. The way you held yourself during that waltz despite being in pain. The way you didn't flinch when facing the Lord Chancellor. You're either the bravest woman I've ever met or the most reckless.
Which do you prefer? I breathed.
Both. His voice dropped to a whisper. God help me, both.
He leaned in. His eyes dropped to my lips. My heart stopped. This was happening. He was going to kiss me, and I was going to let him, and everything I'd planned would fall apart because I wanted this too much
Adrian!
We sprang apart like guilty teenagers. Princess Elise appeared from behind a rose bush, her young face bright with mischief.
Mother's portrait unveiling is starting. Father's asking for you. She looked between us, grinning. Am I interrupting something?
No, Adrian said, voice strained. He stepped back from me, and I felt the loss of his warmth like a physical ache. I was just... questioning Lady Vivienne about court matters.
Is that what we're calling it? Elise's grin widened. Because it looked like
Elise. Adrian's tone held warning. Go tell Father I'll be there shortly.
The princess giggled but obeyed, practically skipping away.
Adrian turned back to me, conflict written across his features. This, whatever this is between us, it can't happen.
I know. My voice was barely audible.
I'm expected to marry Lady Seraphina Blackwell. Political alliance. The Council demands it.
I know that too.
Then why— He ran a hand through his dark hair, frustrated. Why do I keep seeking you out? Why can't I stop thinking about you?
Because I feel it too. Because one dance shouldn't have changed everything, but it did.
Your Highness, we should
Adrian. His eyes met mine. When we're alone, call me Adrian.
The intimacy of it stole my breath. That wouldn't be appropriate.
Neither is this. He gestured between us. But here we are.
Before I could respond, shouting erupted from inside the palace. Guards running. Nobles gasping.
We rushed toward the commotion. A crowd had gathered in the main hall, all staring at something on the floor.
Lord Marcus Ashford lay collapsed, clutching his chest.
Someone get a physician! a guard yelled.
I stood frozen. My father—the man who'd cast me out without a second thought—was dying right in front of me.
And I felt... nothing. No satisfaction. No grief. Just emptiness.
Step aside! A physician pushed through the crowd, kneeling beside my father.
Adrian's hand found mine, squeezing gently. Do you know him?
He's my father. The man who raised me. The man who destroyed me.
No, I lied. I don't know him at all.
But across the crowd, I saw Celeste. My stepsister stood rigid, her face a mask of fury as she watched the scandal destroy her family's name.
Then her eyes found me. Found Adrian's hand holding mine.
And recognition flickered across her features—something that made my blood run cold.
She leaned toward a servant beside her, whispering urgently. The servant nodded and disappeared into the crowd.
Eleanor appeared at my elbow, her voice barely audible. We need to leave. Now.
What's wrong?
That servant Celeste just spoke to? He's her personal spy. The one who's been investigating your background. Eleanor's face was grave. By tonight, she'll know everything.
My world tilted. Twenty-four hours until Beaumont exposed me. And now Celeste was investigating too.
The walls were closing in from all sides.
Adrian squeezed my hand again, concerned. Vivienne? Are you all right? You're pale.
I looked at him—this man who made me feel things I'd sworn never to feel again. This man who would hate me when he learned the truth.
I'm fine, I whispered.
But we both knew it was a lie.