Tori Transmigrated

Tori couldn’t remember seeing that much snow at once outside her window. Growing up in California, she’d only see that much if she headed up the mountains during winter. She’d never had to wake up to snow, shovel it, or somehow defrost her car before using it, as she was told by friends from Canada and Minnesota. To her, snow was a novelty.

But she was well aware of how troublesome, if not dangerous it could be in enormous quantities at once.

“I’ve never seen so much snow.” Ewan sat across from her at their little table next to the windows on the ground floor of one of Axton’s inns. It was located midway through the Mezzaluna mountains that separated Sur from the Alvere Duchy.

When they left Presidio to return to Horizon with Sebastian, the main road that had been closed on the way down was opened once more. However, they did not foresee a sudden snowstorm that brought their, and dozens of others’, trek to Horizon to a standstill.

Tori counted themselves lucky that they managed to get to Axton’s inn before the storm really rolled in. At the very least, their party had shelter.

“It doesn’t snow this much in Horizon, does it?” Tori asked, looking across the table. Ewan’s eyes were fixed out the window with a look of awe and worry.

“At the most, we get a dusting of snow. I can remember two snowstorms in my entire life where it covered the street, but usually, the snow is so sparse that it melts away by midday,” Ewan said, looking over at her. “If you look towards the mountains, you’ll see snow, but very rarely in the city.”

Tori took a deep breath and pursed her lips. It began to snow as they made their way up and at first, the knights and driver thought it would be a light snowfall. Something that would cover the ground, but not be detrimental to travel. They were wrong.

The wind came in, blowing snow at an angle, and the snowfall was so thick, that by the time they got to the inn, they were calf-deep in snow and could barely see the inn from a few paces away. How the driver was able to remember its location and get them so close was a miracle.

“How long do you think it’ll last?” Tori asked. Ewan shook his head once more.

“I don’t know. I’ve never been in a snowstorm in the mountains.” There was a nervousness in his voice and, though she tried to pretend otherwise, Tori was nervous as well. This wasn’t her modern world with modern technology and structurally reinforced buildings designed to withstand massive snowfall. She had no way of knowing how long the storm would last.

She couldn’t help but think about whether or not they’d have enough food, clean water, or wood to keep the hearths in the inn warm. Tori had carnelian on her, as she knew it would be cold coming back, but it wasn’t enough to keep everyone warm.

“I’m sure we’ll be fine.” Tori smiled, but her stomach still twisted with dread.

“You will be fine,” an amused voice chuckled above them and they looked up to see the manager of the inn, a man likely in his early thirties, approaching them with hot drinks. “This isn’t the first snowstorm our inn has seen.”

He put a cup of dark liquid in front of each of them and then a small separate cup of milk. Tori gave him a grateful smile. “Thank you, Mr. Felmoore. How much is the coffee?”

Nathorios Felmoore shook his head and held the tray under his arm. “No charge. How can I charge Master Nassaun’s sister?” He gave them a warm smile. “If you want some more, let me know. You kids have to keep yourselves warm.”

Ewan and Tori thanked him once more before taking turns putting milk in their drinks. “Hey, Tori....”

“This better not be about a chilling charm, Ewan. It’s freezing outside.” Tori sent him a small glare and he shook his head.

“I can drink coffee like normal,” Ewan said, wrinkling his nose. He looked out the window once more. “I was just thinking that we won’t get back to Horizon when we planned.”

Tori inhaled deeply and let out a sigh as she followed his gaze outside, into the wintry night on the other side of the window. “I don’t think we will either. We can’t travel in this weather.” She looked back at him and furrowed her brows. “Did you call your parents to tell them?”

Ewan shrunk back and shook his head. He brought his coffee up to his lips and took a sip. “Not yet. I don’t want to tell them until we have some idea of when we’ll be able to continue.”

Tori let out a hum of agreement. She hadn’t called her parents either.

Heavy thudding came from the doors of the inn and half the people gathered in the lobby, sitting around by the hearth, and drinking like they were, turned towards the door. Mr. Felmoore walked from around the front desk and unlocked the door. He seemed to brace himself before he turned the lever and pulled it open.

Tori and Ewan immediately shuddered and looked away as a frigid wind blew in through the narrow space between the door and the doorframe. Perhaps they made a mistake sitting at the table directly in line of where the door would open.

Several figures, bundled in multiple layers, hats, scarves, and leather gloves slipped into the lobby. Mr. Felmoore pushed the thick door closed against the wind and slid the mechanisms in place to lock it while the three men who entered stood at the entryway and brushed off the snow on their clothes.

One man lifted his gloved hands and moved the thick hat from his head and unwound a scarf from his face. Tori and Ewan watched as he shook the snow off his hat and gloves before stomping his boots on the wooden floor and making his way over.

“Well, there is some unwelcome news,” Sebastian said as he reached them. Tori pushed her untouched coffee towards her brother, and he gave her a thankful look before happily gathering the warm mug in his hands and blowing over the top. Tori and Ewan waited until he was able to take a drink. “We talked to some locals we passed, and they don’t think this storm will last more than two days.”

“Two days?” the two chorused. Disbelief filled their faces and Tori began to calculate how much time they’d lose if they were stranded for two days. And that was as a best-case scenario.

Sebastian put the mug down and lifted his hand. He gave them a nod. “I know, but that’s apparently not too bad. At the very least, we made it to an inn. We have shelter, food, and water. We’ll be fine here.”

Tori nodded. “I suppose two days of additional travel isn’t that bad.”

Her brother cringed and seemed to pause. “That’s just until the storm passes. After that, there is the matter of clearing the snow off the main road to make it suitable for travel. I don’t know how much snow will pile up, but it’s not a miniscule amount.”

Ewan and Tori both narrowed their eyes. “How long does it take to clear the roads?” Ewan asked, almost hesitant to hear the answer.

Sebastian gave them a pitying look. “Another day or two.”

At once, the two teenagers let out groans of protest. Tori lifted her hand and ran it down her face. “So, four days, if we’re lucky?”

“Maybe five,” Sebastian said in a regretful voice. Tori’s eyes rose and met his.

“What do you mean?”

“Some travelers coming from the other direction have noted that there are already some fallen trees on the road. When the storm passes, those trees will need to be cleared. I don’t know the extent of what needs to be done, but we may be delayed up to a week.”

Ewan knit his brows together and seemed to mentally count the dates. His eyes widened. “Then we’d barely reach Horizon just before Lycée starts!”

“I know,” Sebastian said, taking a deep breath. “Ewan, you should call your parents and let them know. We’ll still make it back in time, as long as another storm doesn’t hit.”

“Don’t even bring up the possibility.” Tori ran a hand down her face and slumped back against her seat. She narrowed her eyes. “I’m going to miss the Prime Minister’s new year’s party and I had told Madam Guthry that I was going to attend.”

“Were you going to escort His Highness again?” Ewan asked. Tori shook her head.

“I wasn’t going to escort him, but I was going to keep him company since he’s attending as well. Maybe follow as he’s going around doing greetings to make sure he doesn’t get overwhelmed.” Tori looked at Ewan and her brother. “Piers made a good impression on the various elites that attended last year, so we were hoping he’d go this year to further establish himself.” She lifted her hand and rubbed her forehead. “But it’s still a large party and I don’t know if he’ll be able to handle it by himself.”

“What about asking Albert?” Ewan suggested. “He’s an aristocrat.”

“He has to be invited,” Tori said. “Ilyana, Henrik, and Albert all qualify, but they have to be invited. I can’t just throw my invitation at someone else and make them keep an eye on Piers.”

Sebastian raised a brow as he drank his coffee. “Did he have any problems last year?”

Tori shook her head. “No, but I was with him last year. And recently, there was that whole thing with the Ward daughter who followed him after a guest lecture at Université. He’ll likely bring a knight with him, but that’s not the same. I also don’t want to have to force one of the others to watch Piers.”

“There has to be someone you can ask,” Ewan said, knitting his brows together.

Tori shut her eyes tight. There was one person who was definitely invited and would actually be a useful pawn in maneuvering attention away from Piers. She just didn’t like him and didn’t think Piers would be happy with it.

“Okay...I’m going to have to make a call.”

“No.”

“Piers, he’s invited.”

“I can go alone.” Piers sounded firm, but Tori took a deep breath. As much as she wanted to believe he’d be able to go to the Prime Minister’s party unescorted and be perfectly able to handle himself, she didn’t have that much confidence.

“What if you’re overwhelmed again?” Tori asked.

“I can bring a knight with me. I’ve had them around me while Axton is at training and you’re in Sur,” Piers told her. She was glad that he had that option, but all she could picture was a knight body slamming an aristocrat away at the slightest sign of Piers’ discomfort.

Sir Dobchek and the others had been much more attentive than normal after a recent lecture and an encounter that led to Piers’ last panic attack.

“You also have the option of not attending,” Tori told him. She didn’t want to bring it up, but she didn’t want to force him to go alone, either.

“No, I need to go,” Piers said. She could hear the stubborn determination in his voice. “I need to make my social rounds and make myself visible to the Prime Minister, his peers, and others who will be attending the party.”

“That’s true, but I can’t help but worry. I think we’d all feel more comfortable there if you had someone with you just to help defuse any awkward situations, or be a distraction so you can leave if you start to become overwhelmed or suffocated by the environment,” Tori said.

“What about Mr. Martin?”

“He’s not invited.”

“Mr. Skuldsen? Lady Agafonova?” Piers asked.

“Henrik hates having to go to these things, and I don’t think Ilyana will be comfortable. The same with Sonia and JP,” Tori said, truthfully.

There was a bit of a pause. “What about Mr. Zisos?”

Tori ran her hand down her face again. Constantine was actually very fitting and had experience counseling and calming people. He’d be able to diffuse situations and make excuses to get Piers out of there. There was just one problem. “I don’t know if he’ll be there in time. He may be delayed going through the mountains, as well.”

Piers took a deep breath. “Is he the only option?”

Tori closed her eyes knowing which ‘he’ Piers was referring to. “He’s the one that works best.” It pained her to admit that. “He’s good at socializing. He can steer people away from you if they come at once. In addition, it would be good to show the guests at the party that you two are on good terms.”

Piers was quiet once more. “I don’t want to ask him.”

“I’ll talk to him,” Tori said. “And I’ll lay out the rules: what he can and cannot do. I won’t let him bother you if he doesn’t agree.”

“If he becomes annoying, I will leave.”

“That’s fine. I would leave, too,” Tori told him.

She heard Piers take a deep breath. “I don’t want to go anymore.”

“Piers.”

“Then talk to him. Make sure he isn’t annoying when we go.”

“All right,” Tori said. “I’ll start making some calls to try to get a hold of him.”

“He is not registered in your comcry?”

“Why would he be registered in my comcry?” She couldn’t help but sound incredulous at his question. “We don’t even like each other!”

Piers chuckled. “Call Sir Dobchek. He is off duty at the moment and will be able to put in a call.”

Tori nodded to herself. “All right. I’ll call you once it’s confirmed. Don’t worry, I will be firm with our demands.”

“I trust you,” Piers said. A moment later, he ended the call and Tori stared at her comcry. She mentally prepared herself and called one of Piers’ usual escorts. She had all twelve of his usual knight escorts registered on her comcry; a suggestion from Axton in case she was unable to reach him.

“Call Ivan Dobchek.” Tori sat on the edge of her bed, in the largest room of the suite where she, Ewan, and her brother were. While she was on her call, they were out in the main room, reviewing strategy basics.

“My lady, good evening,” a man’s voice answered. “May I help you with something? His Highness should be escorted by Sir Weiss tonight.”

“Good evening, Sir Dobchek. I’m actually calling at his suggestion. I need to speak to His Highness Prince Gideon, but do not have his comcry registered with mine. I was wondering if you’d be able to help put in a call request for him. I know you are off duty right now, but when you are best able.”

“Of course, my lady. I am still at the palace.” The knight sounded surprised at the request. Tori was sure they all knew about her mutual animosity with the second prince. “I will be able to arrange it at once. What should I say is the purpose of the call?”

“It is in regard to Prince Piers.”

She timed it to see how long it would take Sir Dobchek to call her back with Gideon on the line. If it were just her calling, she doubted he’d consider calling back, but since it was about his brother, she was certain he’d at least try to respond once.

Tori didn’t expect that she wouldn’t even have time to wash up before her comcry illuminated once more and Sir Dobchek’s name appeared. She slid her finger across the comcry.

“Hello?”

“What do you want?” Gideon’s voice was laced with irritation and Tori rolled her eyes.

“Listen, I don’t want to call you either, but this is an important matter in relation to Piers,” Tori snapped back and glared at the comcry. She would not take whatever fit he was throwing. “Are you attending the Prime Minister’s new year’s party this year?”

“Of course, I am,” Gideon said.

Why do I feel like he’s sneering at me when I can’t even see him? “Then, I have a favor to ask you.”

She heard him give a rather unprincely snort. “No.”

She narrowed her eyes. “All right, I’ll let Piers know.”

Tori didn’t end the call immediately and waited. “Wait...what are you talking about?” Gideon’s voice was filled with reservation as he asked.

“Piers is also going to the Prime Minister’s new year’s party. I was going to meet him there to make sure that he doesn’t get overwhelmed and help him if he does, but I won’t make it. I’m delayed with a snowstorm and will miss the party,” Tori said, calm. “Axton is also not there. He won’t be arriving for another few-”

“I’ll escort my brother!” Gideon cut her off, almost breathless.

Tori narrowed her eyes. “There is no need to go that far. I have something else I need you to do. I noticed that when we were at the rose garden this summer, you did a surprisingly decent job chatting people up.”

Gideon scoffed. “Surprisingly?”

“Shut up and listen to me.” Her voice was sharp. “Because you were able to catch others’ attention, Piers wasn’t crowded by many people at once. He was not overwhelmed that entire afternoon. What we need you to do is the same thing at the Prime Minister’s party. While the people in attendance won’t be as aggressive as those at the garden party, it would be useful for you to simply walk near your brother and talk to people around him if you notice that they are about to approach Piers while Piers is still talking to a set of people.”

“That’s it?” Gideon asked.

“There is more to the scenario. No more than four people should be speaking to Piers at once. However, if Piers is talking and a crowd is listening, it’s fine. Your job has multiple parts. The first would be to assist your brother by limiting the amount of people who speak to him at once so as not to overwhelm him.”

“All right,” Gideon said. “I can do that. What else?”

“You must keep an eye on Piers. If he starts to get anxious, such as his eyes flickering around, his body is tense, or he is starting to fidget, then instruct the knight with him to take him away. Got it?”

“Why can’t I take him away?”

“Someone has to make an excuse and cover for him,” Tori said. And Piers likely won’t want to be around your annoying ass if he’s on the verge of another attack. “The last thing is how you are to act around him. You must listen to Piers and occasionally speak to him. This does not mean asking him a thousand questions or constantly looking at him and waiting for praise.”

“I don’t do that!”

“Yeah, you better not,” Tori said in a muffled voice. “The party is an important event for Piers to show himself in front of important people. He needs to have a good reputation-”

“Who would dare think ill of my brother! My brother is amazing! He’s going to be crown prince!” Gideon seemed to bristle at the very thought that people would look badly at his esteemed brother. Tori rolled her eyes.

This fucking bro-con.... “That hasn’t been announced yet. You can’t go around saying that.”

“But he will-”

“I know he will!” Tori cut him off. She took a deep breath to calm herself. “Listen, if you’re so proud of your brother, this is also a good chance for you to show that you have a good relationship with Piers by supporting him that night. It will reflect well on Piers if his brother thinks highly of him. Just don’t be too eager!” It gets weird.

“I will be sure to accompany my brother properly. Everyone at that party will leave, acknowledging him as a suitable crown prince!” Gideon seemed to almost brag, and Tori looked at her comcry with disbelief.

How in the world did Gideon become the crown prince in the game? Was it simply because Piers let him? She shook her head.

“Just do what I told you and assist him when needed,” Tori said in a low voice. “If something happens to Piers, you will hear from me.”

She slid her finger across her comcry to end the call and tossed it on her bed. She took another deep breath and paced her room a few times before picking up the comcry to call Piers.

“He’s already called me,” Piers said, already sounding a little tired. “You spoke to him?”

“I gave him firm instructions on what he is to do when he’s around you. I specifically told him not to keep asking you questions,” Tori told him. “You’ll also have a knight with you. When you find out who is going, have them call me for additional instructions in case you start to get a panic attack.”

“All right. Thank you for your hard work.” Piers sounded happy.

“Honestly, it’s so much easier when I’m doing it myself,” Tori grumbled.

She heard his low, light laugh. “I also like it better when you’re here.”

“I’m going to train Albert on how to do this when I get back,” Tori muttered.

“Also Mr. Skuldsen.” Piers paused for a moment. “He’ll do it for money.”

It was colder than normal in Horizon than he expected. Last year, the first snowfall of the season hadn’t come down until Lycée started, but this year, there were still a few days left and already there was enough snow on the ground to leave footprints in. Montan shuddered and pulled his coat closer to his body.

On the outside, the coat looked expensive and warm, but the material was subpar: a thinner, looser weave, and if one looked close enough, they could see where some of the stitching had come undone. He knew that most people wouldn’t notice, which was why he wore it. It was also the only coat he’d brought aside from his Lycée cloak, but no self-respecting son of a duke would wear his school uniform when he was out of school.

His mother absolutely forbade him to, telling him that it would make them look bad.

Montan bitterly held back the question: was there anything that made them look good?

However, he still did as his mother barked into his ear while he had been home that winter break. As soon as his mother gave him the money she’d saved, he’d left Sun Garden to stay at a modest Horizon inn. He hated being in that ancient stone prison.

“Thank you for accompanying me out today.” Alessa’s bright smile at his side warmed his heart. He was glad that she contacted him when she returned. It gave him a reason to look forward to waking up.

“You just arrived the other day. Did you have enough rest?” Montan asked. “I know you had to contract a carriage to bring you back and they are not always the most comfortable.”

Her warm smile never faded, and she shook her head. “It’s fine! Our old carriage was also so bumpy. The contract carriage was much smoother.”

“That’s good to hear.” Montan smiled as they walked along the shopping street together. Like him, Alessa was also lacking in funds, though he never told her about his own poverty. Everyone thought he was a wealthy young master of a Duchy, but the truth was, they didn’t have a lot of money.

How his mother even managed to pass him a pouch of gold coins every time he went home was a mystery, and one he didn’t want to look into. At the very least, it helped him give the appearance of the wealthy duke’s son. Unfortunately, his half-brother had declared his intent to take the title from their father.

It was impossible that his half-brother would be denied the title. His half-brother was the only one who had Alvere blood. Montan was silently counting the days when they would be kicked out of Sun Garden.

“I couldn’t stay at the manor any longer.” Alessa lowered her eyes and fixed them on the ground as they walked. Her eyes crinkled up and she gave a small shake of her head. “My father...he just won’t listen to me.”

Montan glanced over at her and felt his heart ache. He understood that feeling. “Is that why you left earlier?”

Alessa nodded. She looked up with red eyes. “How could I stay at the manor? My father and I kept arguing. Nearly every day, we argued.” She narrowed her eyes, and a disgusted look filled her face. “Sometimes, I wish I never left. If I were there, he wouldn’t have been caught by her.”

“The woman who makes bricks?” Montan recalled Alessa talking about that woman with anger and frustration.

She nodded. “My father is now openly courting Madam Voss.” She bit her lips as tears rimmed her eyes. “I couldn’t believe it. I’d only been away a few months. I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn’t listen.” She sniffled and narrowed her eyes. “I told him that he had to pick between me and Madam Voss.”

Montan looked surprised. He looked at her with wide eyes. “What did your father say?”

Alessa’s face reddened, and she lifted her hands to wipe at her eyes. “He wanted to know why he had to choose. He asked me why I hate Madam Voss so much, but isn’t it obvious?”

She looked at Montan, as if asking him to confirm. He nodded and looked ahead of him, disgust, and anger also on his face.

“Commoner women who aim above their station will stop at nothing to get what they want,” he said in a muffled voice. He looked at Alessa and reached for her arm to give her a comforting squeeze. “You should be careful around her. You don’t know what Madam Voss may do.” He narrowed his eyes. “Women like her, women in that position can be desperate.”

Alessa seemed to pale at the thought before nodding her head.

“I knew I couldn’t trust her,” she almost whispered. She looked at Montan with a serious expression. “Only recently did her family come out of debt, but everyone in Chetterswickshire knew how badly they had been suffering without sales these last few years. I have no doubt that she’s doing something questionable to pay off their debt.” She shook her head and looked ahead of them, clenching her jaw. “I’ve asked Adrien to check on it. I’m sure it has something to do with Lady Guevera.”

The name made Montan scowl. Lady Guevera was everything he hated in the nobility. She was arrogant and waved her power and influence around, even going as far as to sue their school. Yet, somehow, she got away with it and everyone loved her for inexplicable reasons.

Even his half-brother.

“She’s been doing whatever she wants recently,” Montan said in a sharp voice. “Simply because she has money and a family who supports her, she can take advantage of her position. None of us would ever be able to challenge her alone.”

Alessa nodded and looked down.

“I can’t forgive her for what she said last year: for accusing me of spreading rumors about her,” Alessa said. Her eyes were still red, and she looked pained as she spoke. “I didn’t do such a thing! I was only speaking about my observations. It’s not my fault that others misunderstood what I was saying.” She gave Montan a beseeching look and he nodded. “I don’t want to go back to school, Montan. I can’t keep facing everyone....” She sniffled once more. “Why did she accuse me of spreading lies?”

“I know you didn’t spread any lies or rumors,” Montan told her with confidence. “You’re not that type of person.”

“I just wanted to go to school and get along with my classmates,” Alessa said in a soft voice. “Now, they won’t even acknowledge my presence when I’m next to them.”

He shuddered. He knew the feeling of being directly in front of someone all too well, yet their eyes wouldn’t even spare them a glance.

“I understand,” he said, barely able to keep his voice steady. “And no matter how hard you try to earn their attention; no matter how good you are, they won’t even look at you.”

“Well, this is a surprise.” A deep voice reached his ears and almost immediately Montan felt his blood run cold. His head snapped up and he looked ahead of him. A tall, middle-aged man with curly dark hair stepped out of a shop and narrowed his eyes as he looked at Montan with almost casual disdain. “So, this is where you went.”

Montan’s face paled as he looked up at Duke Alvere. The man was dressed well, as always when he left Sun Garden. He looked every bit the part of a Duke. New clothes made from the finest materials. Where he got the money, Montan didn’t know.

“Fa-Duke Alvere.” Montan corrected himself and lowered his head. His father didn’t like to be called that. At least, not by him. Alessa was right beside him; he couldn’t cower in the presence of his father. Not only would Alessa be worried, but the Duke would be furious and demand to know why he was acting strangely.

Montan still couldn’t bring himself to look up.

Alessa seemed to look at him and then look at the Duke. She stood up straight and quickly stepped forward, gathering the sides of her modest dress before bowing her head.

“Good afternoon, Duke Alvere.” She greeted politely and kept a modest smile on her face as she lifted her head. “My name is Alessa Hart, daughter of Baron Hart.”

Montan’s eyes flickered up, unsure what he was expecting to see. His father’s eyes went up and down Alessa’s figure before appearing to sneer.

“Oh...a noble.” There was a strange distaste in his voice and Montan looked towards Alessa, hoping she didn’t hear it. Duke Alvere let out a little scoff and turned his head away from Alessa. He walked towards Montan and Montan flinched as his father lowered his head to speak close to his ear. “You’re more like your mother every day.”

The mocking words made Montan shut his eyes and clench his jaw as Duke Alvere walked past. The door to the shop he had emerged from opened and a familiar woman rushed out. She wore a beautiful magenta dress and what appeared to be multiple necklaces bearing mismatched jewels.

There was some ostentatious ring on each of her fingers and her wide brimmed hat was large and elaborate to the point of embarrassment. It didn’t even go with her dress.

The woman’s face was wrinkled and caked with a thick layer of make-up. Montan knew it was both to hide her face and any injuries. When she saw Montan, her face, which was once youthful and beautiful, lit up.

“Montan! Are you out with your girlfriend?”

Montan’s face reddened, and he shook his head. Beside him, Alessa flushed and also shook her head. “No, Mother, this is my classmate, Lady Alessa Hart!”

The pleasure in his mother’s face made his stomach churn. “Oh...a young noblewoman? Wonderful! Wonderful!” She scrambled forward and grasped Alessa’s hand in hers. Montan had to restrain himself to keep from ripping his mother away. The woman leaned forward, looking at Alessa’s face. “Oh...she’s beautiful!”

Alessa looked away, shy. “Thank you, my lady.”

“Well, I must get going and join my husband,” his mother said as she took Alessa’s hand and put it in Montan’s. She gave Alessa a kind look. “Take good care of my son!”

“Mother, we’re not-”

“Good luck, my boy!” His mother looked at him proudly. “I know you can do better than that woman’s son.”

Montan closed his eyes and looked away, unable to hide his shame. His mother released them and rushed after his father like a starving, loyal dog. When she passed him, he quietly removed his hand from Alessa.

“I apologize,” he said as he gave her a small nod of his head. “My mother is...strange.”

“No, it’s fine! She seems very kind,” Alessa said with another brilliant smile. She glanced back in the direction where his parents had walked, and her smile faltered a bit. “Does your father not like me?”

“No, he’s just been...bothered lately,” Montan told her, forcing a careful smile. He pretended to look disinterested. “Rumor has it that my half-brother is coming to claim the title of Duke Alvere, and it has upset my father.”

“Oh no!” Alessa lifted her hand to her chest. “Do you and your brother speak at all?”

Montan shook his head. “Circumstances keep us apart.” What legitimate son would even look at his bastard brother after what happened? He continued to force his smile. “Let’s not focus on such a worrisome topic. Since we’re out today, we should go and check on your project. Has Mr. Rosiek helped you find carpenters to start building a classroom at the orphanage?”

Alessa’s face lit up and she clapped her hands together. “I believe so! You’re right, Montan! Let’s go check!”