ra's
ream. It was the most profound, peaceful night of rest I had experienced
ood last night felt like it belonged to another lifetime. That tear was the final, pathetic offering to a dead love. The naive, heartbroken gi
s: paying my respects to my mother-in-law, Eleanor. It was a mandatory
sh my hair. Her reflection in the mirr
her hands trembling slightly. "Perhaps you should
dlines and family honor above all else, had despised me from the moment I crossed the
and devoid of its usual timidness. "I must g
intricate pattern of a Dragon's Flame. It was a gift from the royal family upon my marriage, a glaring,
open doors. It belonged to Mrs. Sharpe, Eleanor's senior maid. She was a Dragonless old woma
f younger servants who were polishing a massive dragon-bone fossil. She saw me
accharine, mocking tone. "Look what the cat dr
hind her stifled their giggle
me. I walked directly across the room, my heels clicking shar
hrough the room's ambient noise like a bl
t was more of an insult than a greeting. "My lady. The Dowager Duchess is st
was under the impression the Dowager Duchess tends to her dragon's
ected me to call her bluff. Her momentary su
o me. "After thirty years of loyal service in this house, do you think
d lash
ac
onnecting with her cheek echoed like a
m their hands, their mouths agape in sheer terror. Mrs. Sharpe stumbled back
hand, my expression
stocratic authority. "No. You have forgotten yours. I am Aurora Foley, the duly we
er. "Who gave a Dragonless slave like you the audaci
e openly disrespecting a superior of the ruling class was a capital offense. The reality of what
ants. My voice was gentle again, but it held an unmistakable, razor-sha
edly swept ov
upor, practically throwing themselve
rom the inner archway. "What is the meani
rted by two personal maids. Her hawk-like eyes immediately took in Mrs
her voice devoid of any
tically. "Dowager Duchess, you must help me! Her
ht. The intimidating aura that used to make
aid, my tone perfectly even and respectful. "I was merely co
ult the Duchess of this estate. I had to step in. After all, we cannot allow the impeccable
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