Elena’s POV


    The day after the party, I woke up in a good mood, especially after having that night’s conversation with Deacon. However, that mood was instantly ruined the second I went down to the dining room for breakfast.


    “Princess…” Jayden loomed over me from behind just as I was about to take a mouthful of waffles into my mouth.


    I wouldn’t have minded it if it weren’t for the cautiousnessced in his voice.


    Sighing from the foretelling trouble I was feeling, I ced down my fork and slowly looked at him with raised brows. “Shoot. Hit me with whatever bad bullet you got in there.”


    Raising up his phone, he shook it a little to make an emphasis before giving me a sheepish smile and a


    cautious look.


    “I just… received an email from the pce. Duchess Dianne is asking for your presence… again.” He opened his eyes and met my empty ones, that’s filled with disbelief.


    After the stunt she pulled off after the party. I’m not quite sure if seeing her would be the best thing to do, especially since everything was still hot.


    I leaned back on my chair and tapped my fingers on the table a couple of times, thinking.


    If I won’te, it would be a bigger issue, though, because I’m sure she’d make a big deal out of it.


    Standing, I sigh, knowing I’m really out of options and exhaustedly nod at Jayden.


    Forget breakfast. I lost my appetite.


    Unexpectedly, when I came to her residence wearing a simple red sundress and an inch heels, she didn’t


    mock me.


    Without looking up from the fashion book she’s reading, shemented instead, “You came. I wasn’t sure if you would.”


    “You officially announced my engagement before the entire court, Duchess. I assumed we were family now,” I replied coolly, which made her halt whatever she was doing and ce it on the table,


    Sitting up properly, she looked at me, her lips curving into a half smile.


    “Still sharp–tongued, I see.” She nodded her head. “Yes, I did dere it. Perhaps in poor judgment, but it was merely due to the heat of the moment.”


    Obviously, it’s the heat of the moment where she got an opportunity to cook me alive in front of that noblewoman. But she didn’t seed.


    Keeping my head held high, I frankly replied to her, “No, Duchess. We both know you did it to provoke me. You know exactly how they would react. But… you underestimated me.”


    She looked at me for a little while before tilting her head. “More like… I overestimated your silence.”


    I let out a smallugh, remembering how many times people think I don’t fight verbally, thinking that I


    wasn’t capable of it. “That’s a mistake many had made, Duchess. But…”


    Keeping my eyes on hers, I firmly added, “But you should know that I never stay quiet when my name and the name of people I care about are dragged through the dirt.”


    Silence engulfed both of us. We were just there, looking at each other, weighing our reactions and actions.


    She was staring into my eyes as if she could read my soul from there.


    Not a few minutes after, one of the maids served tea, but the sound of the porcin clicking and the tea droplets rippling only made the tension around us feel heavier.


    Finally, the Duchess broke the silence between us. “I’ve changed my opinion of you.‘


    My eyes flickered as I stared at her, waiting.


    “You’re not weak nor naive.” She nodded her head, almost looking like she was appreciating me. Well, a little. At least. Sighing, she continued, “Well, let’s say you’re not what I expected from a she–wolf raised in


    the mud.”


    “You’re right, Duchess. I was raised in hardship. But mud washes off. Pride… doesn’t.”


    She straightened her back in silence while wearing an unreadable expression. “You’re not the kind of daughter–inw I ever imagined. You challenged tradition, and you speak too freely. You won’t be easy to control.”


    I almostughed at her words. If she looked at herself in the mirror, she’d see one of the most untamed women in the pce.


    But not wanting to make things harder, I only smiled a little. “Maybe it’s for the best, Duchess. I’m not meant to be controlled because I’m meant to stand beside Deacon and not behind him.”


    She shook her head and sighed frustratedly. “You two will cause a shake in the foundation of this pce.” I stepped forward and spoke with conviction, “Goo. Maybe it’s about time someone did.”


    After all, though the leadership in many things were done right by the king, some things needed changing. That includes some unfair traditions regarding how they view rogues and other women.


    The Duchess studied my face, her expression looking like she was caught between irritation and reluctant admiration, but I couldn’t help but hide a smile, knowing the important thing was that she was unexpectedly starting to warm up to me.


    “Dacon is my only son. And above all things, he’s a prince and a warrior. Do you understand the weight of that?” she asked.


    I nodded without a pause. “Of course, Duchess. And I’m not here to be a hindrance. Instead, I’d be his support in every step he makes.”


    A flicker of approval she tried to mask with irritation shed in her eyes before she looked away from me.


    This time, I smiled genuinely.


    One down. One to go.


    As it reading, my mind, she turned to me and asked, “Do you have ns to pay the Grand Princess a visit?”


    Sara Lili


    Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.