Chapter Thirteen
Welcome to Stein, My Lady
I was never travelling through a magic circle ever again.
I was the only one in my carriage who hadn’t thrown up. Clearly, everyone who’d travelled with us was more than used to this mode of travel as they weren’t bothered at all.
That didn’t mean I didn’t want to throw up.
I did.
Oh, bugger it all, I did.
The last time I’d felt so sick was on my eighteenth birthday in my old world, and that was entirely my own fault for overestimating my ability to handle vodka shots.
Which, really, was a rite of passage for most British people.
Right now, my stomach was churning enough that I was almost envious of Bella throwing up in her hat.
I was just on the cusp of wanting to do the same, but if I did such a thing as a noblewoman, I’d never live it down.
Thankfully, those who’d travelled with us were understanding, and we were currently taking a break just outside the snow-dusted arrival site in Stein.
The Vermillion knights who’d accompanied us from the estate were long gone, having stayed in the empire’s territory, and as I stepped out of the carriage, I was greeted by the view of just how powerful Stein was under Kalon’s rule.
It was a small bloody army.
Was I being threatened? There was no other reason to send so many knights. Surely, I did not require more than ten people to accompany me to Stein Castle. Nobody needed more knights than that unless they were off to conquer another country.
“Goodness,” Bella breathed from behind me. “My lady, are you being welcomed to Stein or threatened with war?”
Both were possible.
Kalon had said that he didn’t know if he wanted to kidnap me or kill me. Perhaps he’d settled on both.
“I don’t quite know,” I replied, looking at the sea of knights.
It was at least one hundred strong.
That was not necessary.
“Lady Alicia.”
“Yes?” I twitched at the sound of my name and turned towards the voice.
The owner of it hopped down from a large, brown horse and removed his helmet, revealing a shock of dark hair.
He shook his head, and as he raised it, his long fringe parted to reveal two perfectly blue eyes that greeted me with pure scepticism.
“Sir Hayes Talwick, Chief Aide to the Grand Duke and Head of the Stein Knightage at your service, my lady. It’s an honour to greet the future mistress of Stein Castle. ”
Everyone around us stilled, and an unsettling air of silence wrapped around us as all attention was drawn by his words.
“Sir Hayes!” Bella stepped forwards, but I held out my arm to silence her.
Mistress.
Ha.
He was quite bold.
And stupid.
Not only did I know this man from the book, but his prolonged eye contact would have explained it even if I didn’t.
He didn’t like me. He didn’t believe me good enough to marry the Grand Duke. He didn’t believe that his respected master would marry someone from the empire when there were plenty of noblewomen in Stein who would be suitable and would secure Kalon’s position.
His own sister was one of them, and she’d been a minor nuisance in the book.
After all, Sir Hayes Talwick was a Stein-born noble in line for a marquessate, and his sister was a fair call for Kalon’s wife. Many of the old Stein nobles who’d survived the war believed their new lord should marry one of their own to strengthen his ties to the land, but it didn’t matter.
The second I’d set foot in this place it was all but the law that I was the Grand Duchess, even before we married. Regardless of my personal feelings or how quickly I wanted to get out of this situation, I had no choice but to assert my authority.
If I didn’t do it now, I would never gain the respect of those around me.
I wanted to leave here, but that didn’t mean I wanted to be miserable before that happened.
Sir Hayes was testing me.
“It’s quite all right, Bella,” I said softly, holding my hand out for a fan.
I’d recently learnt how wonderful they were to strike the fear of God into people thanks to Vivi, and this was a perfect time to test it for myself.
She whimpered as she handed it to me. “My lady—”
I closed the distance between myself and Sir Hayes until I towered over him, giving the fan a good snap against my palm for emphasis. “Forgive me, Sir Hayes, but I must have heard you incorrectly. Did you just greet me as the future mistress of Stein Castle?”
He said nothing.
“I was led to believe that the residents of Stein hold the Grand Duke in high regard. Given how his closest aide and Head of the Stein Knightage is so remiss in his greeting towards His Highness’ fiancée, the first daughter of House Vermillion, the Sword of the Empire, I must have been wrongly informed.
” I stared at him. “Especially as you’ve been so impudent as to meet my eyes before being told to raise your head—while addressing me incorrectly at that.
If you’re weary from your journey or unsure of your words, you may address me as the future madam or lady of House Stein.
Otherwise, I would expect the heir to the great Talwick Marquessate to be more mindful of his manners. ”
Sir Hayes immediately dropped his gaze, but the clench of his jaw didn’t escape my notice. “I apologise. I misspoke, my lady.”
“Then I shall give you one more opportunity to greet me properly.”
He whipped his hand through the air, and all the knights behind him dropped from their horses to their knee.
“It’s an honour to greet Lady Alicia Vermillion, the eldest daughter of the noble House Vermillion that is the Sword of the Sada Empire, the future Grand Duchess, upon your entry to Stein.
We have been instructed by His Highness to safely escort Your Ladyship to the castle. ”
That was much better.
“The achievements of the Stein Knights during the war are legendary in the empire,” I said, casting my gaze across the group. “I’m honoured to be escorted by such a brave order upon my arrival to my new home, and I trust that you’ll take care of us well. Please stand.”
A low murmur of agreement rumbled through the knights as they got to their feet.
“Sir Hayes, please raise your head.”
He did so.
“My lady-in-waiting and maid are quite shaken by our journey through the magic circle. I would like if we could rest here for an hour so they might recover before we continue.”
Sir Hayes’ nodded. “Hutchings, escort Her Ladyship’s attendants to the rest area. Will you be joining them, my lady?”
“No. I will rest in my carriage, so you can all be at ease.” I took a step forward and rested my fan on his shoulder, then in a low voice said, “I will forgive your insult to me today, Sir Hayes, but know that I’m not in the habit of extending such graciousness more than once. You would do well to remember it.”
“Of course, my lady. Again, I extend my most sincere apologies for my lack of respect.”
I took a step back and looked up, catching the eye of one of the knights.
She was a young woman who looked around my age, and her long silver-blonde hair was tied up into a ponytail that swung as she whipped her head around.
Turning away from me couldn’t hide the flush that rose up her cheeks, and it took her only a moment to look my way again.
Her blue eyes sparkled with something I rarely saw directed my way, at least since I’d woken up in this world.
Admiration.
I smiled at her, and she gasped, this time turning her whole body away from me. I barely suppressed a chuckle as I headed back for my carriage.
Just when I thought I’d escaped my accidental harem…
***
My arrival at the snow-covered Stein Castle was a far more appropriate greeting than the one Sir Hayes had offered me. The household staff were waiting, lined up on either side of the door, and Annie gasped when she saw it.
“Wow! It’s like it’s right out of a romance novel!”
I wondered what she’d say if she knew this was a romance novel where I came from.
The door swung open, and Sir Hayes appeared, holding out his hand. I begrudgingly took it as I descended the steps from the carriage, but at least he’d remembered his manners.
“Welcome to Stein Castle, Lady Alicia Vermillion.” A tall, older gentleman with half-moon glasses resting on his nose took a step forwards. “I am Sir Edward Arkwright, the Head Butler of this castle. It’s an honour to meet you, and I hope your journey here wasn’t too difficult.”
I smiled. He gave me warm grandpa fuzzies. “Thank you for the kind welcome, Sir Edward. Our journey here wasn’t too bad, although we did encounter a vicious dog on arrival.”
Sir Hayes tensed.
“Thankfully, the situation was handled quite quickly.” I glanced at the human statue next to me.
Sir Edward’s gaze quickly flitted Sir Hayes’ way before the butler bowed his head. “I’m glad to hear it, my lady. And please, call me Ark.”
“Very well, Ark.”
“I must apologise on behalf of His Highness, the Grand Duke,” he said, head still bowed. “His Highness was called away yesterday on a monster hunt in north Stein and is regrettably unable to greet you on your arrival.”
Regrettably, my arse.
There was nothing regretful about that at all as far as I was concerned.
The less we saw of each other, the better.
“Do you know when he will return?” I asked.
“I’m afraid not, my lady. The Grand Duke extends his most sincere apologies and hopes you won’t be too slighted by his absence.”
No.
On the other hand, I was delighted by it.
“I suppose it can’t be helped. The safety of the citizens is paramount, after all.”
“Indeed. Allow me to introduce you to Madam Ingrid Arkwright, the Head Maid.” He held out his hand to the woman on his right. “Your attendants should report to her.”
Arkwright?
Ah. They looked awfully similar with the same hazel eyes and pointed chin. Were they siblings?
Ingrid offered me a warm smile with her bow. “Welcome to Stein, my lady. I look forward to serving you. Please call me Ingrid.”