CHAPTER 17
AVA'S POV
Two hours into the lesson, the heavy doors opened.
Lady Genevieve walked into the room, holding a small, beautifully painted wooden box. Her friends stood behind her. “Mother,” Genevieve said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness as she offered a perfect curtsy. “Forgive the interruption, but the council requested these lineage documents be updated for the winter solstice gala.”
Morgana sighed, closing her ledger with a heavy thud. “Set them on the side table, Genevieve. We are in the middle of a session.”
Genevieve didn't leave immediately. Instead, she stepped closer to my side of the table, her sharp eyes scanning my face, noting the paleness of my skin and the sweat dampening my hairline. A cruel smile of satisfaction curled at the corner of her mouth.
“Yo
