The days following the etiquette hall incident passed in relative peace.
Mrs. Conrad no longer raised her voice at Katia. The other instructors maintained their distance, their sharp criticisms replaced by clipped professionalism. Even the noblewomen who had once enjoyed snickering at her missteps now looked away when she walked past.
The King's influence was far-reaching. And it had settled directly over her like a protective shield.
But Katia knew better than to mistake this temporary reprieve for genuine safety.
In this palace, tranquility was never lasting. It was merely the quiet lull before the next inevitable storm.
Then came the announcement. Return home for regular visits.
The phrase rolled off the palace steward's tongue. Every noblewoman participating in the
