Chapter 3
The room erupted.
“Sir, are you saying
“the shopkeeper asked in disbeliet
The man answered crisply, “I serve Prince Roland His Grace has ordered that any item Lady Cecily desires today he will cover the full expense
Jewel Hall exploded with chatter
“Prince Rolars? You mean the Prince Roland – His Majesty’s younger brother? The one who never appears in court but is the King’s favorite? The wealthiest man in Crownspire?”
“I thought he kept his distance from women so why go to such lengths for Lady Cecily?”
“Looks like she’s about to rise straight to the top
The whispers spread like wildfire Cecily looked stunned at first, then delighted, and finally could
barely contain the smug pride on her face
“May task where His Grace is? I’d like to thank him in person,” Cecily said with flushed cheeks
“The Prince isn’t available to meet at the moment,” the guard replied politely “But in due time, he
will present himself to you
Cecily turned to Eleanor, eyes glowing with triumph. “Sister, are you still interested in the
hairpin?”
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she added with feigned innocence, “Oh, silly me
forgot, the Prince has claimed all the new treasures for me. If you want anything else, I suppose it’
cost you dearly. After all, who in Crownspire could possibly outspend His Grace?”
Eleanor’s expression turned ice cold She looked sharply at Roland-only to find him watching
Cecily with a gaze so tender, so full of affection, it was almost grotesque
From that moment on, Cecily had free reign
Anything she so much as paused to admire the Sapphire-Encrusted Gold Diademn, the Silver Gift Gabler Set, even the Swan Maiden Tapestry, said to depict a princess cursed by the gods all of it was quietly packed up and handed to hez
At last Pleanor rose, unable to remain a silent spectator any longer Does your master intend to jeave nothing for anyone else?” she asked coldly, her tone edged with steel
The guard hesitated, casting a wary glance toward Roland, who gave the slightest nod
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“My apologies, Lady Eleanor,” he replied with practiced politeness “Each item is a personal gift from His Grace to Lady Cecily His only wish is for her happiness. The feelings of others
His concern
Eleanor let out a laugh low and bitter Her nails dug into her palm
She turned to Roland, but he never looked her way His eyes followed only Cecily, glowing with indulgence
Well done, Roland, Truly
You’ve outdone yourself
By the time they left Jewel Hall, Cecily was surrounded by noble daughters, basking in their praise
like the sun itself
Eleanor could hardly bear the pretense. She turned and left swiftly
The moment she climbed into the carriage, she barked at the driver, “To the Silver Chalice Inn”
She craved a goblet of wine to drown her sorrows, to silence the pain for just one night.
But before the curtain even dropped, Cecily climbed in after her. “Eleanor! Are you going out for a meal? I’m starved too – take me with you!”
Eleanor was about to order her out, when Roland reached over and held the door calmly in place.
“Drive on,” he told the coachman.
Cecily chattered cheerfully the entire way
“Roland, why do you think the Prince is so kind to me? We’ve never even met before!”
Roland’s voice was uncharacteristically gentle. “Because he’s fond of you
Cecily blinked, cheeks instantly flushed. “Don’t tease me like that!”
“No man knows a man better.” he said, his gaze locked on her “Where his money goes, so goes his
hear! And besides
How could anyone not fall for a lady as lovely as you?”
Cecily’s voice dropped to a whisper, “Then do you like me roo, Roland?”
He froze Be opened his mouth-
But Eleanor car in coldly. “If you re going to flirt, take it ourside. This is my carriage
deses dele’t respond she did need to
She saw clearly the way Roland listed at cectly
And the way he looked at bet
Pure disgust
She laughed to herself, bitter and quier
Turns out, all men really do love a sweet little liar
enfr, aching, full of fenderness
