Two months later, Elena Hart had become impossible to avoid.
Not in an irritating way.
Merely in the way one could not avoid sunlight or weather.
She was simply... there.
At court.
At charity functions.
At medical conferences.
At palace gatherings.
At events Marian would rather avoid.
Especially the events Marian would rather avoid.
Which seemed deeply unfair.
"Why is she everywhere?" Marian muttered.
Across from her, Adrian looked up from a report.
"Who?"
"Miss Hart."
"The palace physician’s assistant?"
Marian stared.
"See?"
"What?"
"You knew exactly who I meant."
Adrian returned to reading.
"Everyone knows who you mean."
That was unfortunately true.
Elena Hart had become something of a sensation.
The common-born healer.
Countess Everett’s protégé.
The young woman whose medical recommendations had reduced medicine shortages in three provinces.
People talked about her constantly.
Marian found the entire thing exhausting.
Not because she disliked Elena.
Because she didn’t.
That was the problem.
It would have been much easier if Elena were awful.
But Elena remained stubbornly pleasant.
Inconveniently pleasant.
Infuriatingly pleasant.
The sort of person Marian wanted to dislike and simply couldn’t.
"I saw her yesterday."
Adrian’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
Marian blinked.
"Really?"
"She was presenting findings to the Health Commission."
"Oh."
The answer came naturally.
Without concern.
Without suspicion.
Why would she be suspicious?
Elena worked with medical programs.
Adrian oversaw dozens of government initiatives.
Their paths crossing was inevitable.
Normal.
Reasonable.
Not worth mentioning.
At least that was what Marian told herself.
Life remained comfortable.
Wonderfully comfortable.
Marian spent her mornings reading.
Her afternoons shopping.
Her evenings attending social events she occasionally complained about.
A perfect balance.
In her previous life, she had worked herself to exhaustion.
Now?
Now she intended to enjoy being rich.
It was one of the greatest decisions she had ever made.
"Lady Marian."
Marian looked up.
A maid stood nearby.
Looking apologetic.
Dangerous.
Apologetic servants usually carried responsibilities.
"What?"
"His Grace requests your presence."
Marian sighed.
"There it is."
"There is what?"
"Work."
The maid smiled.
Marian mourned quietly.
The Duke of Valmont was discussing politics.
Again.
A personal attack.
At least from Marian’s perspective.
"Pay attention."
"I am."
"You just yawned."
"That doesn’t mean I wasn’t listening."
"It absolutely does."
Marian rested her cheek against her hand.
"I trust you and Adrian completely."
The Duke looked suspicious.
"As you should."
"Excellent."
"That is not an excuse."
"It absolutely is."
Her father sighed.
A familiar sound.
One she had caused many times throughout her life.
"You’ll be Empress someday."
"Adrian will be Emperor someday."
"That’s not the point."
"It is from where I’m sitting."
The Duke stared.
Marian smiled.
The Duke surrendered.
As expected.
Honestly, people worried too much.
Especially powerful people.
Her father worried.
Adrian worried.
The Emperor worried.
Everyone worried.
Meanwhile Marian intended to enjoy her life.
Someone had to.
The summer charity gala arrived three weeks later.
Marian loved charity galas.
Not because of the charity.
Because of the dresses.
An important distinction.
The ballroom glittered beneath hundreds of chandeliers.
Music drifted through the air.
Nobles filled every corner.
And Marian was having a wonderful time.
Primarily because she looked stunning.
The silver gown had been an excellent choice.
She knew this because at least four noblewomen looked irritated.
A reliable measurement system.
"You’re smiling again."
Marian turned.
Adrian stood beside her.
Handsome.
Elegant.
Annoyingly perfect.
"That’s because I won."
"Won what?"
"The dress competition."
"There wasn’t a competition."
"There always is."
Adrian laughed.
Marian immediately felt pleased.
Success.
Another successful evening.
Then someone approached.
Marian looked up.
And smiled.
"Miss Hart."
Elena curtsied.
More gracefully now.
Court life was slowly teaching her.
Though some things hadn’t changed.
The warmth remained.
The sincerity remained.
The slightly overwhelmed expression remained.
"I hope I’m not interrupting."
"Not at all."
"You absolutely are," Marian said.
Elena froze.
Adrian sighed.
Marian laughed.
The poor girl looked horrified.
"I’m joking."
"Oh."
Elena visibly relaxed.
Adrian shook his head.
"One day someone is going to believe you."
"That sounds like their problem."
"Marian."
"Your Highness."
Elena looked between them.
Then unexpectedly smiled.
Not politely.
Not formally.
Genuinely.
As though she had witnessed something amusing.
The reaction surprised Marian.
Most people became nervous around royalty.
Elena simply looked entertained.
Interesting.
The three of them spoke briefly.
Nothing important.
The weather.
The gala.
The latest charity initiatives.
Perfectly ordinary conversation.
Then Elena excused herself.
A group of physicians had apparently arrived.
She disappeared into the crowd.
And that should have been the end of it.
Except Adrian watched her leave.
Only for a moment.
Only briefly.
Still.
Marian noticed.
Not because it bothered her.
Because it was unusual.
The observation lingered.
Small.
Harmless.
Like a pebble in a shoe.
Then Adrian spoke.
"She’s adapting well."
Marian blinked.
"Who?"
"Miss Hart."
"Oh."
The strange feeling disappeared immediately.
Of course.
That was all.
Elena had arrived in the capital barely three months ago.
Naturally people would notice her progress.
Especially someone like Adrian.
Who appreciated competence.
Nothing strange about that.
Nothing whatsoever.
Still...
As the evening continued, Marian found herself watching Elena occasionally.
Not often.
Just enough.
The heroine laughed with physicians.
Discussed treatments.
Listened attentively when others spoke.
She seemed happy.
Comfortable.
Useful.
A strange word.
Useful.
Marian couldn’t remember the last time anyone had described her that way.
Beautiful?
Frequently.
Elegant?
Constantly.
Charming?
Almost daily.
Useful?
Never.
The thought amused her.
If she tried helping with medicine, people would probably die.
Which seemed undesirable.
"No."
Marian immediately shook her head.
Adrian glanced toward her.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"What was nothing?"
"I was having a conversation with myself."
"A dangerous habit."
"I enjoy my own company."
"I’ve noticed."
Marian smiled.
The thought vanished.
Just like that.
Completely forgotten.
Because it didn’t matter.
Elena was Elena.
Marian was Marian.
And Adrian was Adrian.
Everything remained exactly as it should be.
Or so Marian believed.
Across the ballroom, Elena glanced toward the future Crown Princess.
Lady Marian Valmont looked radiant beneath the chandeliers.
Beautiful.
Confident.
Beloved.
Everything Elena imagined a future Empress should be.
For a brief moment, Elena smiled.
Then returned to her conversation.
Completely unaware of the storm slowly gathering around all three of them.
And above them, the music continued to play.