Chapter Twenty-Seven #2
That didn’t narrow it down in the slightest, but it was as apt a description as any when I realised who he was talking about.
Count Harver was a shameless lout with a bitter wife and three mistresses.
He’d fathered nine children across the four women and was known for his hedonistic lifestyle.
If he wasn’t a highly intelligent businessman in the hospitality sector, he’d be nowhere near any royal events, but he held enough power that there was no option other than to invite him.
He was also someone I was pleased to see, given that the countess had been one of the voices I’d heard tittering about us quite enthusiastically on our arrival.
“Count Harver,” Kalon greeted him.
“Your Highness, Lady Alicia.” Count Harver stopped in front of us and bowed. “Congratulations on your engagement.”
“Thank you,” Kalon replied. “I believe the same should be extended to you. I hear your eldest son is engaged to the second daughter of Viscount Hendwin.”
The count bristled with pride, straightening up. “Yes, they met recently at a banquet and hit it off. I have several business dealings with House Hendwin, so we were both pleased to agree to their marriage.”
“You must be thrilled.”
“Yes. My wife and I are very happy he’s marrying the woman he loves.” Count Harver glanced at me.
I smiled. I know what you mean by that, you lousy bastard.
Kalon nodded. “He is indeed very lucky. So few of us can say the same.”
“Many arranged marriages are happy ones, Your Highness. A union between House Vermillion and the Imperial Family is advantageous for the entire empire, so I’m sure you’ll be happy together.”
“Oh? You appear to be mistaken, Count Harver,” Kalon said, his tone flat.
The count flinched. “I’m sorry?”
“While it’s true that a marriage between myself and Alicia has great political benefit, I would never seek to marry a woman I do not love. I must ask you to refrain from speculating about the circumstances of our engagement, unless you wish to have your lips sewn shut.”
Ouch.
At least he’d moved on from slicing out tongues.
It was nice to have some variety to your threats.
“I—I apologise, Your Highness. Lady Alicia.” He bowed his head to us. “It was impudent of me to assume I know of your relationship.”
Was it my turn? Goodie.
“Count Harver, I hear you’re in negotiations with Viscountess Evsea of Stein to distribute their wine through your restaurants,” I said, circling Kalon’s arm with both of my hands and leaning into his side.
Count Harver blinked at me. “Y—yes, I am, my lady. I wasn’t aware you were familiar with such things.”
“Well, I am to be the Grand Duchess of Stein, so it’s only proper that I’m aware of things happening within the grand duchy, don’t you think?
” I smiled warmly. “I also happen to be acquainted with Viscountess Evsea through my aid policy, and we were actually able to share a bottle of her finest wine with His Majesty last night thanks to her kindness.”
“Indeed.” He cleared his throat. “Evsea wine may be the greatest on the continent. The viscountess is an impressive woman, having become the head of her house at a relatively young age.”
“She certainly is. She’s quite formidable, not to mention extremely loyal to Stein and the Grand Duke.”
“A fine trait for any noble, my lady.”
“I’m glad we agree.” I looked up at Kalon. “We should greet my father. I see him looking at us.”
Actually, I had no idea where he was. I just needed to end this conversation.
“Of course, darling.” He touched his hand to mine. “Excuse us, Count Harver.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Oh.” I stopped alongside the count and laid my hand on his shoulder, leaning in. “A word of advice, my lord.”
Count Harver froze.
“You should remind the countess to be mindful of the things she says in public,” I said in a low voice. “She would do well to refrain from speaking vitriol where the subject of her conversation can hear.”
“I’m afraid I don’t—”
I tightened my hold on him, and he winced. “It would be a great shame if your business deal with Viscountess Evsea collapsed because she found out your wife was speaking ill of her liege, don’t you think?”
He ground his teeth together. “Is that a threat, Lady Alicia?”
“No.” I laughed hollowly. “I don’t make threats, Count Harver. I make promises.”
His fist clenched at his side. “I understand.”
“I’m glad we’re on the same page.” I released his shoulder. “Please extend our congratulations to your son and Lady Hendwin on the occasion of their engagement.”
With a bow of his head, he said, “They will be honoured.”
“Let’s go.” Kalon guided me away from him and towards a servant with a drinks tray. He passed me one before taking a glass of his own. “Is that what you meant when you said this was your battlefield? Threatening his business deal? How did you even know about that?”
“People like Count Harver value one thing above all else: money. People are surprisingly easy to control once you know their weak spot.” I sipped the champagne.
“That deal would be huge for him as no public restaurants openly sell the Evsea wine. And I found out because she told me about it herself. One of the mages accompanying us works closely with her to regulate her greenhouses, so she sent him along with a note for me asking if I would check him out for her.”
“Ha. I expect nothing less from Elena. Are you going to tell her?”
“Of course. I haven’t even met her in person, and I already know I like her more than the entirety of House Harver. I can’t possibly allow her to go into business with someone like him.”
“Allie, do you remember when you said you’d behead my enemies for me?”
I peered up at him. “Yes. You told me you didn’t need me to do it.”
“It appears that I’ve changed my mind.” He met my eyes. “That was far more enjoyable than I thought it would be.”
“Well, bridging two factions of high society and using my knowledge as a weapon isn’t really beheading people. It’s more… cutting them off at the knees.”
“Then I shall gather the heads while you collect the kneecaps.”
“That’s beautiful. You should make sure to include it in our wedding vows.”
Kalon smiled. “Duly noted, darling.”
“That’s enough of that for tonight,” I scoffed.
“Lady Alicia, is that you?”
I turned and recognised the face of Baroness Kilgard. She’d once been the Original Alicia’s etiquette teacher, and they’d gotten along famously. She was the soft female influence my predecessor had needed. “Baroness, it’s lovely to see you again.”
She beamed but quickly froze and curtseyed. “Forgive me, Your Highness. I was too excited to see my former student and neglected to greet you.”
“Don’t worry yourself, Baroness. It doesn’t displease me at all to be overshadowed by my fiancée,” Kalon replied.
What a simp.
The black magic accusations were going to come any moment, I just knew it.
“Oh, my.” Baroness Kilgard touched her fingers to her lips. “The rumours of your love must be true.”
I cleared my throat. “How are you?”
“Oh, I’m very well, thank you. The Grand Duke and Stein seem to be treating you well, my lady.” She smiled.
“Yes, I’m very happy there. Everyone has been so kind and welcoming to me, I’m very lucky.”
“I’m so glad to hear it. If you have a moment, might I introduce you to someone? The daughter of a dear friend of mine is making her debut tonight under my care, and you’re around the same age.”
I raised my eyebrows. “It’s quite late for a debut, is it not?”
“Yes, but she’s from the countryside. Her household had some financial difficulties and wished to recover before she debuted. They recently had an investment pay off greatly, so they sent her to me for some lessons. I was, of course, happy to oblige.”
A chill ran down my spine.
That sounded all too familiar.
Countryside.
Financial difficulties.
No. It couldn’t be. It was too early for her to appear, and besides, that was a background that could apply to any number of low-ranking nobles across the empire.
Fortunes were squandered much quicker than they were made, after all, and there were less opportunities in the rural areas when compared to the capital.
“Allie?” Kalon nudged me.
“Forgive me, Baroness, I’m still tired from our long journey here.” I smiled. “Of course. It would be a pleasure to greet your charge.”
The baroness’ face lit up. “You’re as lovely as I remember, my lady. She’s close by, so please give me a moment.”
“Are you all right? Do you need some air?” Kalon asked, bending down so his lips were right by my ear.
“I’m fine,” I said, staring after the direction the baroness had gone in.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I—”
The baroness was back.
The girl on her arm was a dainty, blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty that I thought I might recognise with my eyes closed. Even the fairytale light blue gown she wore was exactly as I expected, and it was one I could describe with my eyes closed if I had to.
I was going to throw up.
She wasn’t supposed to be here.
Not yet.
I wasn’t ready.
“Lady Alicia, Your Highness, may I introduce my charge, Lady Lillia de Armand.”