Prince Karne’s warning to “be careful of the Second Prince” replayed in my mind.
I’d let my guard down.
When the Princess and 2nd Prince first arrived, the hall buzzed with excitement. But soon everyone went back to their own conversations, and I didn’t see the 2nd Prince again.
I shouldn’t have been so relaxed.
I didn’t want anything to do with someone Prince Karne had warned me about, especially not now.
“Sorry, but I already have a dance partner,” I said politely, meaning I wouldn’t dance again.
If it were anyone else, I’d have been more direct. But he’s a prince, so I kept it gentle.
I tried to pull my hand away, but the 2nd Prince held on and whispered, “We’re allowed to take new partners now. You’re Irin Nayander, and I’ve wanted to meet you.”
“I don’t think that’s possible,” Edmond said in a cold tone, squeezing my hand firmly. Veins showed on his hand.
“My fiancé isn’t feeling well,” Edmond said—and pulled me away.
“That’s too bad,” the 2nd Prince said softly. “I wanted to speak with you even for a moment, but I understand.”
His golden eyes looked like snakes.
‘Not that I’m unwell, but that I said I am,’ he implied.
“He’ll be better next time,” Prince sneered. His voice was oily and slimy.
‘I don’t want to see him again.’ Edmond and I both felt that instinctively.
The prince introduced himself: “I’m Déséar J. Kirletia, Second Prince of the Empire.”
Edmond frowned. “I hope next time you remember my name too, Irin.”
It was rude, like he already expected familiarity.
He looked at Edmond and said with a fake smile, “Maybe next time the Duke can meet more comfortably with his ‘cute little fiancée.’ She seemed too busy today.”
Edmond narrowed his eyes. “I’m too busy as it is. Too many people are chasing after Golden Named. I don’t know about another meeting.”
“You’re both admired. But,” the prince hissed, “we will meet again.”
He turned and walked away.
Princess Dandelion flopped onto a sofa and hissed, “So annoying!”
“Why is the Duke so obsessed with her? She only spits toxins like a viper!”
“She seemed kind of soft, actually,” Déséar said.
“Oh, you’re on her side too?” Dandelion jumped up. “Why are people so enamored with half-strong, monstrous girls anyway?”
“It’s true she’s strong. That’s why everyone’s interested,” Déséar shrugged.
“That’s creepy. She makes deadly poison—that’s monstrous!”
“Calm down, you can’t let jealousy ruin things.”
“I’m not jealous—” she snapped.
“Then you wouldn’t be upset unless you cared about the Duke.”
She froze.
He went on: “Her face’s okay, so I thought she’d be nice to have around—like a pretty decoration. Of course, you’d have to stop her using her power first.”
Dandelion frowned. “Watch your tongue outside.”
“Don’t worry, I’m careful. But honestly, isn’t that true of any saint? Everyone acting holy has their dirty secrets. I’m actually tame by comparison.”
Déséar didn’t respond but chuckled to himself.
He looked thoughtful and heard his own words in his mind: “I can’t promise another meeting.”
He smiled. “I want her.”
There was someone else he wanted to steal from.
The morning after the event, I felt uneasy leaving my room.
Meeting the First Prince yesterday had shaken me, and now this.
The newspaper headline read: “Piersen Venomine, stripped of title for using dark magic on Irin Nayander.”
It said Duke Klaus formally removed his son Piersen from the family rolls. The couple divorced, and Klaus stayed alone in the mansion. They also mentioned someone tried to register me as a Venomine heir—but my name is Nayander now, and as a Golden Named, I don’t need that.
I wondered if Klaus had done so out of desperation.
I glanced at the clock: had Edmond woken yet?
We’d returned to the castle last night, both shaken. I stayed up planning with Edmond, who suddenly caught a chill and went to bed early.
Where was he now?
I knocked on his door. No answer.
Then I felt a tingle—Edmond’s voice in my head: What will I do? I feel so weak…
I flung the door open. He was in bed, covered in blankets, standing in front of the mirror.
I rushed to him, “Edmond, are you hurting? Are you in pain—why are you standing?”
As I spoke, the blanket slipped off him.
And I froze.
