Lady Armbine lifted her glass delicately and cleared her throat. "Now that we've all had a moment to settle, I would be remiss not to take advantage of such a fine company. It is a rare opportunity to have so many young women of promise and experience gathered together."

That was the signal. The table straightened—some subtly, some like they'd been waiting to pounce.

"Lady Evelyne," Lady Armbine continued, "perhaps you might share the results of your harvest festival fundraiser. I hear it was quite the success."

Evelyne simpered, launching into an exhaustive report of donations collected, how many families were "assisted," and which lords had attended (though her focus on which lords had danced with her told a different story).

The next to speak was a Baroness who oversaw trade between three mountain villages. Then another noblewoman began discussing textile imports and the rising cost of dyes. I sipped my tea slowly, nodding and making mental notes, but I felt the shift in the air.

This wasn't a conversation. It was a performance.

And then, as I half-expected, the question came. A Countess with impeccably arranged silver hair turned to me with a polite smile. "Lady Rosaria, might I be one of many to congratulate you on your new position," she smiled, but her eyes bored into me as if evaluating every inch, "I believe your duchy oversees several quarries and silver mines, does it not? What's your current approach to ensuring sustainability and a stable food supply through the coming winter?"

I faltered. Sustainability? I had only just begun reviewing estate reports. I knew the numbers—but I hadn't yet memorized the elegant dance of politics that made them palatable. And food supply? I didn't even know which regions grew what yet. My brain scrambled for anything that didn't sound like I just got here, please be nice.

And then—

"As the duchy borders the southern sea," Lady Celine said lightly, without so much as glancing at me, "Its coastal towns benefit from consistent sea-faring trade routes. I'm sure Lady Rosaria is wise enough to have already considered this. In recent years, those ports have seen increased grain imports in exchange for the duchy's surplus of precious metals, especially due to the war in Ceredulia and the high demand for ore."

I swallowed, shooting Lady Celine a grateful glance. "Y-yes, well said, Lady Celine. My father and I have been working closely with ambassadors to secure longer-term grain contracts. With proper oversight, it offers a sustainable balance—so long as weather and tariffs remain predictable." This was a complete lie—our duchy was falling apart. Which was why I needed to be back as soon as possible to fix it. "If this winter proves harsher than expected, we'll prioritize imports over exports for a season. Stability first."

There was a pause. Heads nodded, impressed. Celine sipped her tea. Cool as a glacier. Part of me felt uneasy—Why on earth would she help me? But I was grateful all the same.

The Countess gave an approving smile—thin but satisfied. "A pragmatic choice."

The conversation flowed on, and the tea party continued with relatively little upsets. It was entirely emotionally draining, and I was ready to return to the palace by the end of it. The first question had helped me immensely, but the noble ladies were bent on evaluating my ability to be the Crown Princess. I don't know why I have to prove myself to them, I sighed. I was going to break off the engagement anyway. But I had to, if I was going to improve my reputation.

What surprised most people—but didn't surprise me at all—was Lady Katia's wise responses. Though she was often overlooked, She was incredibly smart and well-read. Additionally, the fact that she was soft-spoken didn't help her case of getting overlooked. After the teaparty and as the noble ladies started to file out to their coaches, I made my way over to her.

"Katia, you must return to the palace with me! There's a beautiful garden I'd love for you to see." My voice startled her at first, before she realized it was me.

She held up her hands, "Oh no, Lady Rosaria, I-I musn't. Father and Mother will be expecting me." I knew what she was really thinking—'the palace is too great a place for someone like me.' Well, so it is for me, too.

I ignored her protest, "You can ride with me, and send your coachman back to them with a message!" I pleaded. "I do get so dreadfully lonely, staying there by myself. Would you please come visit me this evening?"

Katia bit her lip, torn between proprietary and politeness. I could practically see the thoughts fluttering behind her eyes—I don't belong there. But I smiled and took her hand.

"You'd be doing me such a kindness. Do you want me to die of boredom and tea-induced melancholy?" I said dramatically, then glanced at Odette who was nibbling on a pastry. "You too, Odette! I would love for the both of you to come visit me. It would be delightful."

Odette looked thoughtful. "Hm... maybe I will take you up on that."

Katia laughed despite herself. "W-well... alright..."

"Then it's settled!" I hooked our arms together before she could object further. She let out a soft squeak of surprise as I guided her toward my waiting carriage. "You'll love the garden. There are roses the size of your face and a bench I'm fairly certain is haunted. It's perfect."

_____

I had so much fun with Odette and Katia on the carriage ride back to the palace. It was like being back in high school with my best friends again—and it was nice to be myself and finally let loose without the stare of a million judgemental gazes. Because we were wearing the same dress, I dawned an elegant shawl to cover part of my dress. I didn't want to make Katia uncomfortable, after all.

We laughed about many things, from swans to Vivienne's high pitched voice, to the way some of the older ladies talked about their husbands. The moment we stepped foot in the palace, the mood shifted—lighter, warmer, like shaking off a corset two sizes too tight. The grandeur still pressed around us, but this time, I didn't feel the weight of judgment with every step. Katia and Odette laughed more freely, and I even convinced the staff to bring out little plates of sweets as we curled up on the sitting room sofas like schoolgirls with a shared secret.

After tea and laughter, I stood and smoothed my skirt. "I think it's time we visit the garden," I grinned, gesturing toward the door.

Odette perked up. "Lead the way, Lady Rosaria."

While we walked, I gave them the same tour guide that Roland had given me, though I knew I had about one tenth of the history right, because I'd been hardly listening to Roland. Nevertheless, both girls marveled at the towering statues and elegantly trimmed bushes and flower arrangements. It was a beautiful array of color, and definitely serious eye-candy.

I had a suspicion—and when I steered us toward the white climbing roses near the fountain, I knew my hunch was right. This wasn't just a walk—it was my master plan to get Katia and Roland together more quickly. The progression in the novel had been a lot slower, but I didn't have time for that. I needed them to fall in love so I could break off the engagement as soon as possible.

As we strolled among the hedges, I gently took Odette's elbow and drew her aside. "Hey," I whispered. "You want to help me play matchmaker?"

Odette blinked at me. "With who?"

I tilted my chin toward Katia. "Her. And Roland." I gestured toward where he was sitting by the fountain, clearing his mind after a long day while carving a stick with his dagger and admiring the white climbing roses. As the birds chirped overhead, he looked truly princely.

Her brows lifted so fast I thought they might escape her face. "You want to set up your fiance with someone else?"

I offered a tentative answer. "Yes, and I was hoping you could help me do it?" Then, I sighed. "Honestly, you're the first person I've told about this, but I'm not a very big fan of the whole 'arranged marriage' ordeal... or being the Crown Princess, for that matter."

Odette tilted her head, "Hm. I would never have expected that." She regarded me like a particularly confusing battlefield strategy, or like a piece on a chess board that had made an unexpected move. Then she gave a slow nod. "Alright. I'm in."

I grinned. I knew Odette would be on my side for this—She wasn't a fan of arranged marriages either, which was why she was still single at the prime age of twenty one.

We trailed behind as Katia unknowingly made a beeline for Roland's favorite spot. She hadn't seen him yet, but she had seen the beautiful white roses, which, coincidentally, were also her favorite flowers.

I whispered, "Okay, here's what we do...."

After explaining, Odette rolled her eyes at my bland strategy, but agreed anyway. When we reached the clearing, she did exactly as instructed. "Ah, drat," she said, patting her pockets. "I forgot... um, my gloves. Rosaria, come help me find them."

"Of course!" I chirped, not even pretending to hide my smile. I shot Katia a bright look. "Stay here for a moment and enjoy the flowers, won't you? We'll only be a second."

She blinked, confused but obedient. I could tell she felt a little hesitant at being left behind, but was also happy to continue on her path to inspect the white roses.

Odette and I slipped back behind a thick veil of hedges, crouching behind a rosebush as if we were on a covert mission. Through the leaves, we watched Katia round the corner, lost in thought as she approached the garden bench where Roland sat.

"He's sitting right where she's heading," I whispered triumphantly.

Odette smirked. "So you do have some strategy after all."

"Only a little," I tapped the side of my head. "The rest is all air."

She seemed to find this funny and chuckled, before we lapsed into silence for a moment watching the two begin to speak—stilted, at first, but with the beginnings of something gentle between them.

Then Odette nudged me. "Are you really serious about not wanting the crown?"

I met her eyes. "Dead serious."

"Huh." She tilted her head again, like she was still trying to solve the riddle of me. "Most girls would kill for it."

"Most girls probably haven't had to live under that kind of spotlight," I murmured. "And I don't intend to. Especially if it means marrying someone who doesn't love me."

Odette was quiet for a beat. Then she said, "You're weird."

I smiled, and nudged her playfully. "Speak for yourself."

We watched as Katia laughed softly at something Roland said, and he—he looked almost startled by the sound, like he wasn't used to someone laughing around him without ulterior motives. I felt like a proud parent, and my heart soared watching the romance unfold. Their chemistry—it was just electric. So sweet, so pure, and so refreshing for the soul.

After tonight, there was no looking back. For either of them. They'd fallen hopelessly head over heels.