RAVETHORNE🐺

Chapter Three

BLOSSOM AND PEACHES

Adelaide Nightvale

I sprang awake in a cold sweat.

Morning light filtered through the curtains, soft and golden, and for several moments, I simply lay there, trying to steady my breathing.

Thankfully, it had only been a dream.

A terrible one, but a dream nonetheless.

I wouldn't be seeing Eudoria today. Still, I would make time to visit the temple and pray for her. Perhaps it would ease the strange heaviness that had settled over my heart.

After preparing breakfast, I took a quick bath and dressed before joining Father and Gwen for the morning meal.

We had barely finished eating when I prepared to leave for the Eyre residence.

Father had asked Gwen to accompany me.

She declined without even looking up.

"I already have a rather busy day."

Busy, my foot.

I rolled my eyes inwardly.

It was always far more enjoyable when Gwen wasn't around to sour the mood.

The dress shopping, at least, was delightful.

For a man who served merely as a Royal Trainer, Uncle Borron possessed a rather impressive fortune. The Eyre household was beautiful, and the endless selection of fine gowns made the afternoon pass pleasantly.

After choosing several dresses, we returned to the Eyre residence—the place where I had spent much of my time since Mother's passing.

Annora and I settled together in one of the sitting rooms, a bowl of grapes between us as we lazily flipped through the latest society papers.

Then one particular article caught our attention.

The Princess of Veryrfall, who had married our King of Yorkhaven, King Vaelor Ashwake, as his second wife, had apparently found great favour in the king's eyes.

In recognition of this favour, the king had bestowed upon her a new title:

Night Consort.

According to the papers, the Queen had been absolutely furious upon hearing the news.

Apparently, she had thrown quite the fit.

Annora and I exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter.

"If this painting truly resembles her," Annora said, studying the portrait printed beneath the article, "then she is beautiful."

"Veryrfall is known for its beauties," I replied. "My mother was quite beautiful herself."

Annora snorted.

"Yes, yes. I know you're beautiful too. How could you not be? Your mother was a noblewoman from Veryrfall."

She flashed me a teasing grin.

I reached over and gently stroked her hair.

"And you don't look so bad yourself, my pretty Ann."

She laughed.

Mama had once told me about Annora's birth.

She had been a princess—the daughter of a king and one of his maids. Because of her mother's low standing, she had never been properly acknowledged by the royal family.

Instead, she had chosen a quieter life.

She married my father, a respectable carpenter from Yorkhaven, and for a time, she had found the happiness she had never known within the palace walls.

Sadly, sickness took her from us far too soon.

The memory made my smile fade for a moment.

I quickly returned my attention to the paper.

After spending the better part of the afternoon gossiping over society news, Annora and I finally set off for the Peace Temple of Veryrfall.

I needed to pray for Eudoria.

Annora, however, had only agreed to accompany me after I promised we would stop at the Love Temple on our way back.

Apparently, she had more important things to pray for.

A suitable love match, according to her.

I couldn't help but laugh.

---

Elissa Duskmere

At last, I was rid of Lady Briar.

Much to my relief.

Mother had insisted that I show her around the mansion, though for what purpose, I could not fathom.

There was always a lady like Lady Briar.

They never truly came to visit the Duskmere family.

They came because they wanted to see Theoren Ravenor.

Theoren was my brother's closest companion, and because most of these women lacked the courage—or the connections—to call upon the mighty House Ravenor directly, they descended upon Duskmere Mansion instead.

It was irritating.

As though enduring Prince Rhydian's relentless attempts to court me wasn't troublesome enough.

The very thought made me want to laugh.

Settle for Prince Rhydian?

Never.

The man was the devil himself.

At times, I feared he might even be more dangerous than Theoren.

I had carefully planned my day, and Lady Briar—the king's attendant's daughter—had nearly ruined every part of it.

I had barely returned to my swing when Leela approached.

"Lady Elissa, someone is here to see you."

I released a long, weary sigh.

"Not again."

I glanced at her.

"Who is it?"

"Lady Lily of House Ravenor."

My brows lifted.

What does she want this time?

Lily Ravenor.

Theoren's stepsister.

She despised me.

And I couldn't exactly blame her.

The prince she so desperately desired seemed determined to cling to me instead, and Lily had never forgiven me for it.

"What does she want?"

"I do not know, my lady."

"Where is she?"

"In the waiting room."

With obvious reluctance, I rose from my swing.

Leela quickly straightened my gown and smoothed the fabric before I made my way toward the waiting room.

When I entered, Lily immediately rose.

"Greetings, Lady Lily of House Ravenor."

It was customary to address members of House Ravenor by their house name.

"Greetings to you as well, Lady Elissa," she replied with a polite smile.

A smile that did not reach her eyes.

"Please, have a seat."

I gestured toward the chair opposite mine.

"What brings you here today?"

There was no point wasting time with pleasantries.

Lily sat.

"I heard Prince Rhydian invited you to be his companion for the Blossom Hunt."

My gaze sharpened.

The invitation had only arrived that very morning.

How had the news spread so quickly?

Interesting.

"Yes," I replied calmly. "He did."

Her fingers tightened around her gloves.

"I want to buy the invitation."

I blinked.

Then a quiet laugh escaped my lips.

"Buy it?"

"Name your price."

How foolish.

She clearly knew nothing about Prince Rhydian if she believed his invitations could simply be purchased like jewels in a marketplace.

Still...

This presented me with a rather delightful opportunity.

Lily had used the prestige of House Ravenor to bully me for far too long.

Perhaps it was time she learned that I was not as helpless as she believed.

"There will be no need for payment," I said sweetly.

Her eyes widened.

"I have been feeling rather unwell lately, and I may not attend."

The transformation on her face was almost comical.

Her disappointment vanished instantly, replaced by unmistakable delight.

What a fool.

"Lily," I continued, pretending not to notice her excitement. "You may have the invitation."

She nearly smiled.

"Leela."

"Yes, my lady?"

"Please fetch the invitation from my chambers."

Leela hesitated for only a moment before bowing.

"At once."

She soon returned with the invitation in hand.

I watched as she passed it to Lily.

The woman accepted it with barely concealed excitement.

"Thank you, Lady Elissa. Truly."

She thanked me several more times before finally taking her leave.

The moment the door closed behind her, Leela turned toward me.

"My lady..."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Why would you give away a royal invitation?"

My expression hardened.

"It seems I have become far too lenient."

Leela immediately lowered her head.

"Even you have begun to question my decisions."

"My apologies, my lady," she said quickly. "I spoke only out of concern for you."

My expression softened.

"I know."

I turned away.

"But leave my affairs for me to handle."

She bowed.

"Yes, my lady."

There was one lesson every noble learned sooner or later:

A handmaiden was not always an ally.

Sometimes, the person standing closest to you was the one who carried your secrets straight into another's hands.

I looked toward the window.

The afternoon sun cast a warm glow across the gardens.

As for the Blossom Hunt...

For the first time in a very long while, I found myself genuinely looking forward to it.

Something told me tomorrow would be anything but ordinary.

And if my instincts were correct...

It would be filled with drama.