Valentina's chamber was smaller than her suite in Dusktown, but still luxurious, especially compared to her tiny attic room in Bridgewater. A wide bed with dark green curtains dominated the room, flanked by a polished walnut desk and a spacious wardrobe. A private wash area lay behind a screen, and the window offered a view of the manicured courtyard.

  Two maids were already unpacking her baggage and carefully hanging her clothes in the wardrobe. When they came to the chest with the false bottom, Valentina quickly stepped forward.

  "I will unpack this one myself," she said kindly but firmly. "It contains delicate Essence tools."

  The maids curtsied and withdrew. When the door closed behind them, Valentina was finally alone.

  She stepped to the window and looked down at the courtyard below. A fountain powered by sophisticated Essence patterns splashed in the center, surrounded by carefully trimmed rose bushes. A stable boy led horses to the stables, a kitchen maid carried a basket of vegetables, and two footmen polished the carriages to a high shine.

  Beyond the walls of the estate, she could see the roofs of other townhouses, and in the distance, the royal palace rose on its hill like a manmade mountain. Somewhere out there, only ten minutes away, was the Ashbourne townhouse. Innogen was so close.

  "Sooner or later, you two will meet," Vyxara said gently.

  "I know," Valentina whispered. She pressed her forehead against the cool glass. "But I still don't know what to say."

  "Maybe you don't have to say anything. Sometimes actions speak louder."

  A knock at the door interrupted her conversation with Vyxara. "Come in," she called.

  Lady Beatrice entered, with a warm smile, but her eyes continued to size Valentina up. "The duchess wishes to see you in her chambers in an hour. She would like to discuss the protocol for the coming weeks."

  "Of course," Valentina replied.

  Beatrice hesitated for a moment. "Can we speak openly with each other?"

  Valentina nodded.

  "I know what you are, of course," Beatrice said quietly. "To His Grace, I mean." She raised her hand as Valentina was about to say something. "I don't judge. That would be extremely... hypocritical. I just want to assure you that you have nothing to fear from me. But both of us have to work together to make this work."

  With a final, knowing smile, she disappeared.

  "Good to have her on your side," Vyxara commented.

  "Wait and see, Vyxara." Valentina thought back. "I'm not quite sure what her interests are and if they really align with mine."

  Valentina turned back to her chest. She carefully opened the secret compartment and looked at the packages wrapped in waxed leather – the Eye of Deceit and her forbidden books. To be on the safe side, she wove a few additional protective patterns around the hiding place and then quickly freshened up for her audience with the duchess.

  An hour later, Valentina stood before the heavy oak doors of the ducal chambers on the second floor. She had changed her clothes and was now wearing a simple but elegant dress that befitted her position as lady-in-waiting without being too ostentatious.

  She was calm, only her heart was beating faster than usual. This was different from Dusktown, where the boundaries had been blurred by months of living together. Here, in Vandercourt, everything felt much more formal, much more dangerous again.

  "Nervous?" Vyxara teased. "The Duchess practically welcomed you into the family last year."

  "That was in Dusktown," Valentina thought back. "This is the heart of power in the realm. Different rules apply here."

  A maid opened the door and curtsied. "The duchess awaits you now."

  The duchess' chambers were incredibly elegant. Light-colored wall hangings in pastel shades, light wood furniture with gold accents, and fresh willow flowers in crystal vases everywhere. Duchess Rosalind sat at a small table near the window, with Lady Beatrice to her right. Both women were also wearing new dresses, the duchess in a dark lavender and Beatrice in a warm amber hue.

  "Valentina," said Duchess Rosalind with a small smile. "Come sit with us."

  When Valentina sat down, Lady Beatrice poured herbal tea for everyone, a delicate blend that smelled of rosehip and mint. Up close, Valentina could get a better look at the first lady-in-waiting. Beatrice was in her late twenties, with honey-blonde hair artfully pinned up and intelligent hazel eyes that seemed to take everything in.

  "Have some tea and relax a little. You'll find," Beatrice said in a melodious voice, "that although Vandercourt is the center of power in the realm as its capital, it offers a little more leeway in social matters. Especially for those of us who..." she paused delicately, "...have multiple roles to play."

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  "A sensible woman," Vyxara remarked appreciatively. "She probably has a few interesting secrets of her own."

  "We'll take a practical approach," said Rosalind, setting down her teacup. "Officially, you are my second lady-in-waiting for the duration of parliament. That means you will accompany me to formal occasions, assist with correspondence, and represent House Greystone at various social functions."

  "The reality," Beatrice added with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, "is, of course, somewhat... more nuanced. Your primary duties lie elsewhere. Primarily, of course, I will take on the duties of lady-in-waiting to Rosalind. But the facade must be maintained impeccably."

  Rosalind nodded. "Parliament begins in three days with the formal opening ceremony. You will be part of the Greystone affinity. Until then, Beatrice will instruct you in the finer points of court protocol, even though you will already have heard much of that."

  "The forms of address are the most important thing," she enumerated. "Dukes and duchesses are 'Your Grace', marquesses and marchionesses 'Your Lordship' or 'Your Ladyship', earls and countesses likewise. Viscounts and barons are 'Lord' or 'Lady', followed by their name. For everyone except dukes and duchesses, however, you can also use 'My Lord' or 'My Lady'. The royal family though..." she paused meaningfully, "is of course 'Your Majesty' for the King and Queen, 'Your Highness' for the princes and princess."

  Valentina nodded attentively and tried to remember everything.

  "Don't worry too much, I can help you out if you forget something," Vyxara said, and Valentina sent her a wordless surge of gratitude in response.

  "Then there's the dress code," Beatrice continued. "Morning receptions call for understated elegance, nothing too elaborate. Afternoon engagements are a little more formal. Evening events..." She looked Valentina over appreciatively. "We'll make sure you're appropriately attired. Unfortunately, the fashion requirements in the capital are a bit more extravagant than even in Dusktown."

  "Parallel to parliament, there will be a tournament," Rosalind explained. "Knights from all over the kingdom will compete. There will be banquets, dances, and endless receptions. You will learn to observe without being observed and to listen without being noticed."

  "In other words," Vyxara murmured amusedly, "be a perfect little spy."

  "The most important players at the moment," said Beatrice, lowering her voice confidentially, "are Duke Alessandro Devereux of Southwatch. He is very charming, but you should not trust him under any circumstances. Duke Aldwin Whitehall of Edhel is a military man through and through, he only respects strength and doesn't think much of women, so it's best to avoid him if you can and be demure and polite if conversation is unavoidable. Duke Draven Darkmoore of Mirkshire..." she shuddered slightly, "...is best avoided altogether. Rumor has it that he has an unhealthy interest in very questionable forms of Essence Weaving and... also has some... sordid appetites in other areas of life."

  "And then, of course, there is Marquess Merrick Ashbourne of Timberpine," Rosalind said casually, but watched Valentina's reaction closely. "His townhouse is only ten minutes away. His daughter and my future daughter-in-law, Lady Innogen, is a good friend of yours, isn't she?"

  Valentina nodded, her throat suddenly dry. "Yes, Your Gra- Rosalind."

  The duchess smiled at Valentina's use of her first name in private, which she had allowed her last year. "You may, of course, cultivate this friendship. In fact, I encourage it. The Ashbournes are valuable allies. But," her green eyes sharpened, "given your... past entanglements with Lorenzo, I expect absolute discretion. The engagement must not be jeopardized by anything."

  The mention of Lorenzo made Valentina's stomach sink. The stolen night under the chestnut tree seemed like yesterday and a lifetime ago at the same time.

  "Beatrice," Rosalind said suddenly, "would you please discuss the arrangements for tomorrow with housekeeper Dundee? I would like to speak with Valentina alone for a moment."

  "Of course." Beatrice rose gracefully, nodded to both women, and glided out of the room.

  Rosalind leaned back in her chair and looked at Valentina with almost maternal concern.

  "You look tired," she remarked. "The last year in Bridgewater was hard, I suppose?"

  "The Illuminator was... thorough," Valentina replied cautiously.

  "Fanatics are always thorough." Rosalind poured herself more tea. "But you survived, and from what I hear, you even excelled."

  She paused, choosing her next words carefully. "Valentina, I know that your position... is complex. You balance many roles, many expectations. But I want you to know that you have my protection. As long as you follow the rules we discussed in Dusktown, I will make sure you are safe. And you can always talk to me. Problems can be solved when people talk to each other, you know."

  "She means it," Vyxara observed.

  "Thank you, Rosalind," Valentina said quietly. "That means a lot to me, and I'll take it to heart."

  And maybe sooner or later she would take her up on the offer, depending on how the situation with Innogen developed.

  "Good." The Duchess rose, signaling that the audience was over. "The tailors will come tomorrow morning at nine. In the afternoon, you will be introduced to some of the other court ladies. The day after tomorrow, there will be a reception at the Montforts' townhouse. It's a good opportunity to introduce you to society."

  As Valentina headed for the door, Rosalind called her back. "Excuse me, I almost forgot to tell you. My husband is out tonight. He is dining with the Earl of Redpool and some others. You will have time to settle in."

  The message was clear: Cosimo would not call for her tonight.

  Back in her room, Valentina felt strangely relieved by this news. She needed time to think, to plan. The last of her belongings had been put away, and she was finally alone.

  She began to unpack her Essence tools and arranged them on the desk. The familiar brass instruments, the carefully sealed vials of Distilled Essence, and the absorber crystals all found their places.

  Then she turned to the chest with the secret compartment and checked again that all the protective and camouflage patterns were intact. The Eye of Deceit and the forbidden books were too dangerous to be careless with.

  "Very thorough," Vyxara praised. "Although I doubt anyone here will be looking for demonic artifacts in the next two months."

  "You can never be too careful," Valentina murmured.

  As the sun set, Valentina lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling. In three days, the parliament would begin, and the most powerful men in the realm would play their political game, in which she was only a very small, insignificant figure, largely dependent on the whims of others.

  "Excited?" asked Vyxara.

  "Scared," Valentina admitted.

  "Good. Fear keeps you alert. And you'll need all your alertness."

  Valentina closed her eyes and tried not to think of soft lips and desperate blue eyes.