[Isolde]
Nikolai had mentioned, almost casually, that he’d been siphoning funds gradually over the years—small amounts here and there, tucked away in accounts his father couldn’t touch. Just in case the day came when he’d be cut off completely.
He hadn’t been the perfect son, after all.
So while he didn’t have vast wealth at his disposal anymore, he’d assured me there was enough for our travels. Enough that I wouldn’t have to worry about living uncomfortably, or so he said.
It was strange, because that had been the last thing on my mind.
Comfort? That wasn’t something I was used to. I’d spent years scraping by, making do with whatever I could find or afford. Nikolai was the one who’d grown up with privilege—soft beds, warm meals that appeared without effort, servants who anticipated h
