Chapter 0058
Violet
The door opened. A servant entered, offering me small note sealed with Owen’s insignia. Theodore’s eyes flickered to the door, his posture instantly wary. I straightened, too, expecting more fallout from the dinner. I raised a brow and broke the seal, scanning the words quickly. Theodore leaned closer, eyes narrowing as he tried to read over my shoulder.
“It’s from Owen,” I said, folding the note. “He’s inviting me to a private meeting,”
Theodore’s face tightened, his jaw clenched, “Are you going to accept?”
I met his gaze and smirked. “Maybe he’ll apologize for being so…. mean to his future sister–in- law.”
He didn’t even smirk at the joke. I stood and slipped back into my shoes. “Though the card is a little dramatic. Did he think I’d keep it from me?”
“…maybe.”
Theodore’s displeasure was palpable, but he said nothing as I nodded to the maid and stepped toward the door.
“Get everything ready to leave as soon as possible,” I told him, glancing back. “I don’t want to linger.”
He didn’t respond, only held my gaze with a look that made it clear he didn’t like the idea of me meeting with Owen. I smiled at him.
“Want to walk with me, lover?”
His cheeks flushed. He shot to his feet and took my arm. I almost laughed at how eager he seemed. We followed the maid down a series of dimly lit corridors. I didn’t even bother to look at tapestries. My mind was running a million miles a minute.
What did Owen want? Why the private invitation, especially after all that nonsense in the dining hall? He likely wanted the chance to tear Theodore down, but perhaps he wanted a more direct approach to me. A warning? Another attempt at intimidation? Or maybe something else.
We finally arrived at the door to a secluded parlor tucked away in one of the palace’s quieter wings. Theodore was tense as hell. I pat his arm.
“I’ll be out soon. I’m sure his wife is looking for him.”
The maid knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
As I stepped into the dim parlor, the heavy scent of spiced liquor met my nose, a glass of it in
$25 BONUS
Chapter 0058
Owen’s hand, catching the low light as he swirled it. His gaze was far too intent, his smile too slow. The room felt warm, almost uncomfortably so, an atmosphere that was intentional and obvious. He gestured to the empty chair across from him, an invitation edged in subtle arrogance.
Oh, Goddess, was he going to try and seduce me?
“Violet,” he drawled, leaning back with a smirk that felt all too rehearsed, “I thought we might finally have a chance to talk… properly.”
I closed the door behind me. I didn’t sit, crossing my arms instead, meeting his stare with cool indifference.
“I don’t promise to have much to say before an apology comes.
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A faint laugh slipped from him, and he took a slow sip from his glass, studying me with a dark gleam in his eye.
“So direct. You do have a certain… spirit. One that Theodore, unfortunately, won’t appreciate. He never did understand true ambition.” His gaze drifted over me sleazily. It took everything in me not to surl my lips with disgust. “Or the finer things in life.”
“Are you going somewhere with this? It’s been a long day, and I’d rather be snuggling in bed with Theodore right now.” I smiled blithely, watching him stiffen and the sleazy look in his eyes die out. “He’s an incredible bed partner, you know?”
His eyes twitched and he pushed to his feet. He set the glass aside, lowering his voice.
“If you’re as clever as they say, you know why I wanted privacy. I do have much more class than Theodore.”
There was a dangerous gleam in his eyes that left no doubt about his intentions, and I forced myself to remain still, fighting off the revulsion clawing up my spine.
I held his gaze coldly, waiting until the silence grew heavy.
“Let’s save my time and the bit of patience I have left,” I said icily. “Whatever you think might happen here, it won’t, so what do you want?”
For a moment, his smirk faltered, but then it returned, more calculating than before. He stood up straight back, his eyes flickering with something sharper. “Fine, if that’s how you want it. Let me put it bluntly.” He paused, letting the moment draw out. “How would you like Darkmoon back, Violet? The easy way or not at all?”
