Tori Transmigrated - Chapter 201: Love Doesn't Make Him Less Annoying

Chapter 201: Love Doesn’t Make Him Less Annoying

“I said I have no plans to marry,” Tori told Dimitri. “Anyone. Not specifically Piers.”

He blinked and didn’t seem to know what to say. “Then that means you won’t marry him?”

Tori looked back at the guildmasters walking around in front of them. “My plans after I finish school are to travel and work with crystals, in addition to my responsibilities with my county and Lions Gate. Outside of those, I’m not making any plans. However, no matter what happens, I will support Piers. Whether I am in Soleil or abroad, whether I marry him or not, he will always have my backing.”

Dimitri’s eyes crinkled up and he looked at her with curiosity. “Even if he marries another?”

Tori chuckled and shook her head. “Despite how it may appear, I do not control what the first prince does or does not do. If he wants to do it, he will do it.” She paused for a moment. “And I’ll do what I want to do. He knows that, and we have a good relationship because of it.” Even if he doesn’t want to be my sidekick. Tsk. He’s missing out.

The young man beside her nodded his head slowly and turned back towards the room. “You’re being ambiguous on purpose.”

Oh, now you decide to be perceptive? “We are considering all our options and enabling flexibility in our decisions. You should consider focusing on your project instead of my marriage.” She made it sound as if the conversation on the subject was over.

The only person she talked about this in detail with was Piers himself.

She thought of it as their dirty little secret.

She doubted even Axton knew that she and Piers had already discussed a possible partnership in a political marriage after she finished all her schooling.

After all, they were both planners who took their responsibilities seriously. This shouldn’t have been surprising to anyone.

It was just that she knew herself well enough to know that despite all her claims that she’d do what she wanted, when it was important, she would put her responsibilities to others above her own wants. If she went the Princess to Crown Princess to Empress route that Alessa had in the game; the route that original Victoria was portrayed to have wanted, she would put all her focus on it and neglect her desire to see the world and do crystal experiments.

Tori would have many regrets, though Piers had once told her that he would never let her have any. She cracked a smile to herself.

That’s such a domineering CEO thing to say…. She had been right about him the first time they met.

“Your Highness!” She heard one of the knights speak up behind her and she turned her head back to the entrance of the facility. The guildmasters and their members also turned around at once and immediately bowed.

“Well…speak of the devil….” Tori said to herself as she tilted her head to the side and gave a small nod of her head to the tall man in dark blues and blacks. Piers was in his usual casual wear. Behind him, Axton was in grays and khaki, appearing more an adventurer than one of the empire’s five dukes.

Dimitri seemed to tense up beside her before quickly bowing. His face had paled, as if he’d been caught saying something he shouldn’t have. Tori almost wanted to snort at him.

“How is the review of the facility?” Piers asked as he reached her.

“This isn’t nearly as bad as I heard it was,” Axton added as he furrowed his brows and looked around.

“Were you expecting a dilapidated hovel?” Tori raised her brow and sent him a questioning look. Axton pursed his lips and gave a small nod.

“Honestly? Yes.”

“Your Highness, Your Grace,” Dimitri said from behind her. “Good day.”

“Guthry.” Axton gave him a small nod. Piers’ eyes flickered to the top of Dimitri’s bowed head, but he didn’t say anything in greeting.

He turned his attention back to Tori. “Are you going to be here the entire day?”

“Most of the afternoon. We want to discuss what else is needed and what plans can be made with the guildmasters and their members,” Tori said, motioning to the older men across the room. They still remained with their heads bowed.

“Rise.” Piers gave a clear order and they immediately stood back up. He lifted his hand and gave them a dismissing wave. “Continue.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Did you need to talk to me about something?” Tori asked as she narrowed her eyes. He gave her a nod. Tori looked back at Dimitri. “You should accompany the guildmasters and take note of what they’re saying.” Dimitri gave her a nod and rushed off. Tori looked back at Piers. “Walk with me.”

She swept past him, and he followed behind her, exiting the building and out into the open area around the building. “Distanced guard.” Piers gave a quiet order and Axton and the two knights who escorted her slowed until they were several paces behind.

“What’s wrong?” Tori asked. “Is it an issue with Pargath?”

He glanced at her and looked down at her wrist. She followed her gaze to her bracelet. Without a word, she slid her fingers across a light bluestone and activated it. A subtle glow came from the crystal, and she looked back at him, silently asking if he was satisfied with the effect of what she called a ‘private conversation bubble’.

Their tests on the island showed that it had the ability to contain noise originating from within about a meter of the wearer, even if the wearer moved. She was hoping to be able to adjust the range using an adjustable ring in order to sell it to the imperial family.

Piers looked ahead of them.

“The third prince’s mother’s family have been ordered to remain in their home and, aside from servants sent out for necessities, they are not allowed to leave.”

Tori jerked her head back. “They’re under house arrest?”

“There has been no news from the third prince’s mother, the second queen. It is suspected that she has also been placed under house arrest,” Piers replied as he looked straight ahead of them. His expression didn’t waver as he spoke, as if they were just discussing the weather. “The third prince wishes to return, but his uncle, the Ambassador from Pargath, refuses to let him for fear that he will be imprisoned.”

“What about the King of Pargath?”

“They are unsure if he is dead or alive.”

Tori took a deep breath. For a moment, she was relieved that she ended up in an exceptionally stable and peaceful position in Soleil instead of a kingdom where half-brothers were destined to fight for the throne. Her situation wasn’t ideal, but she’d take it over fighting for the crown any day.

She couldn’t even imagine Gideon trying to fight for the crown against Piers. The only way the prince of brother-complexes would get to be the emperor was if Piers let him.

“Shouldn’t there be an announcement if he died?”

“News can be blocked,” Piers said. “I have arranged for people to investigate. The third prince has asked for assistance in gathering information as it seems that his resources have been cut.”

“Only gathering information?”

“Until we know what is happening, it is difficult for him to make arrangements.”

“Difficult for him, but what about for you?” Tori asked. His eyes were clear, and he seemed unrushed.

“I have several offers available. If he is willing to limit trade with the Duraga Federation and lower import and export taxes from Soleil, Varsha, and Hong for twenty years, then Soleil will support his claim to the throne and Varsha and Hong will lower tariffs.”

“By support you mean support his faction in a war of succession?”

“I mean invading the Duraga strongholds in the south through Pargath.”

Tori’s eyes widened. “Piers, that’s war. And Soleil hasn’t invaded another country in several hundred years.”

“Do you think we are unable to?” He gave her a questioning look and Tori went quiet.

She lowered her eyes. “It isn’t that we’re unable,” she said in a quiet voice. “But war is not a small matter.”

Piers looked ahead of them. “Did Dede, Miss Sonia and JP’s grandfather, tell you about his tribe?”

Tori nodded. Dede talked a lot and told her a lot about his people.

“He said along the south and the steppes, there were once many tribes that had long settled to be sedentary. This was especially true along waterways and places with suitable land for farming. They were also part of the Duraga tribal system. There were conflicts amongst the nomadic tribes and a need for land, and they began to demand it from the sedentary tribes. Of course, the sedentary tribes refused; they had nowhere else to go. They were coerced into supporting the nomadic tribes in fighting for land from the surrounding nations, Soleil included. Many of the smaller tribes, both sedentary and nomadic, couldn’t refuse and those that did were….” Tori didn’t know how to put it nicely. She lowered her head. “There were a lot of refugee tribes seeking asylum in the neighboring countries. Dede’s tribe came to Soleil and were resettled.”

“The aggressive and powerful tribes consolidated themselves into a centralized power and began to attack the border regions, taking small plots of land for themselves. The larger empires weren’t as affected, but many of the smaller kingdoms have been. A few no longer exist. The more land and resources the Duraga Federation gets, the stronger they become and the more they will challenge us for more land and resources,” Piers said. He glanced at her. “You know this.”

She closed her eyes and let out a low breath. “What is important about the Duraga strongholds in the south?” If that was his target, there must be a good reason.

“It is where they store resources they’ve taken from caravans, where they have land that is being farmed, and where they keep their feed, as the weather is suitable for keeping animal feed dry.”

Tori turned her head towards him and narrowed her eyes. “You’re going to try to cripple their armies by cutting off their food?” That was quite a classic tactic.

“The ensuing chaos would distract them from Pargath, allowing the third prince an opportunity to regain power. He needs to free his supporters and secure his position.”

“You think the Duraga Federation will abandon the first prince in the chaos?”

“Yes.”

“What about afterwards? They’ll know of Soleil’s involvement and could become hostile.”

“I have made preparations.”

She narrowed her eyes and gave him a suspicious look.

“Then, what do you need me to do?” Tori asked.

Piers was quiet for a moment. “Nothing. You should concentrate on Lycée and the delta.”

Tori raised a brow and turned to look at him with dismay. “Then why did you come all the way here if you don’t need me to do anything?”

He lowered his eyes a bit and a quiet voice replied. “Ask you to dinner….”

Tori stared at him for a moment. “I can’t, I’m busy. I don’t know how long this will take.” She saw him flinch just a bit at her straightforward words. She almost didn’t notice his lips tremble.

She took a deep breath. Most people thought Piers was unapproachable and cold, but sometimes, to her, he was a big puppy that required a lot of attention. “I’m free tomorrow. Why don’t we go riding tomorrow? I need to take Layla out.”

The corners of his lips rose, and he lifted his head a bit. “All right.”

“I’ll ask Sonia and Ilyana if they want to go out, too. I haven’t been riding with them in a while.”

Piers’ smile fell once more. He seemed to want to ask why she wanted to bring them, but held back. “All right….” This time, he was more hesitant to agree.

“Then, how about I’ll go riding with them in the morning and we can meet up for lunch by Lions Gate, at the plaza. Tell Axton we’ll have lunch at the Three Queens.”

“Axton can’t come,” Piers said in a firm voice. Tori frowned.

“Why not?”

“His birthday is coming, and I want to plan it.” Tori resisted the urge to look over her shoulder and see if Axton heard. It seemed that Piers wanted to keep it as a surprise.

A wide smile filled her face and she put her hand on his arm. “Okay, we’ll keep it from him. Do you have any ideas?”

He turned his head from side to side, but paused. “Mother suggested having it at Nassaun House.”

Tori wrinkled her nose. “Isn’t it still being repaired? What if it’s not done by then?”

“We can call Mr. Merced,” Piers said.

Tori thought for a moment. “Hmm…we’d have to make it a weekend event.”

“We can postpone it until winter break.”

Tori shook her head. “No, I have to go home for winter break.” She saw Piers knit his brows together. “Home as in Presidio.”

“You’re going this year?”

Tori nodded and cocked her head to the side. “Didn’t Sebby tell you?” Piers still carried a look of confusion. “Idunn is pregnant. She’s due before winter break. We will have the baby’s trifecta ceremony during the twelfth month so I can be present.”

His eyes dilated just a bit. “Master is going to be a father?” For a moment, he didn’t seem to be able to match the title to Sebastian. He frowned once more. “They were only married a few months ago. To have a baby so soon….”

Tori slowly squinted her eyes. “Piers…babies aren’t made when a couple gets married….”

His face remained unmoved, but she could see a hint of color heat up his pale cheeks. His lips tightened into a line. “Master…got started early.”

Tori bit her lips to keep from laughing. “Yeah, my entire family is made up of overachievers,” she said with a lopsided grin. “He told me was going to tell you ahead of time so when the invitations are sent, you will have made arrangements already.”

“Is he considering me for a godparent?”

“No,” Tori said in a smooth voice as they reached the front of the building, where they had started their walk. “Idunn suggested it, but Sebby wants someone a bit more accessible.”

“I am accessible.”

“You’re busy.”

“I am responsible. I will be a good godparent.”

“Then you bring it up to Sebby,” Tori said with a chuckle. Godparents couldn’t be too closely blood related, but oftentimes, a godparent was the spouse of one of the parents’ siblings. Uncle Rom was both her uncle’s husband and her godfather. Idunn was both Sebastian’s wife and Fiona’s godmother. “I suggested Ewan.”

Piers frowned a bit and narrowed his eyes. “Ewan is too young.”

“I’m already a godparent and Ewan is older than me.” Tori reminded him as she held back a smile. Her goddaughter, Sophia, was adorable and surprisingly sturdy for a baby. Architect Ebbadottir said she got it from her side.

Piers didn’t defend himself. “I will call Master today.” He looked determined and Tori shook her head.

“Then go back and call him. I’ll finish here and call you when I get back to the dorms to confirm tomorrow’s plans,” Tori said. She looked at him carefully and lowered her voice. “How are you going to distract Axton tomorrow? Won’t he follow?”

“Montan,” Piers said this as a matter of fact and Tori didn’t question him.

“Axton is very attentive to him. He’s a good big brother,” Tori said. Piers nodded in agreement. “That being said, your brother is a bit pitiful.”

“That is how Gideon is.”

Tori bit her lips and closed her eyes. RIP, Gideon…. “I know you love your brother.”

“Love does not make him less annoying.”

She was quiet for a moment. “That’s true.” She conceded as she remembered that they told her that Gideon used to stalk his brother from outside the library windows.

She decided not to press Piers further about Gideon. Piers and Axton remained a bit longer, observing Tori talk to the guildmasters and Dimitri about the craft school. In the midafternoon, Axton was able to convince Piers they had to leave as he had to return for the imperial family’s family dinner.

Piers reminded Tori to call him later once more before they left. Tori had nodded, but kept most of her focus on the schedule the craftsmen were talking about.

Not much needed to be changed. There was plenty of room to work and the supplies were enough to get started. The next step was to try to recruit students and the guild gave their permission to use them as advertisements to promote the school and lure prospective students.

A few spots to apprentice and learn the crafts of carpentry and masonry were opened at the school by the master craftsmen who were registered with their respective guilds. Prospective students could submit applications and the craftsmen who would be the masters would review them before accepting students.

The spots were limited, and Tori hoped that would increase demand.

After some further arrangements and dates to meet at a later time, the group returned to Horizon. Dimitri and Tori invited the two master craftsmen to ride back in SIG One and took the opportunity to discuss the craft school further.

From what Tori observed, it really wasn’t that difficult to set up the school with skilled and trustworthy people. She didn’t understand why Dimitri didn’t work with the guilds in the first place. After they dropped off the craftsmen, Tori turned her sharp eyes towards Dimitri.

“How difficult was that?” She couldn’t hold back the annoyance in her voice. If he had worked with the guilds properly in the beginning, the orphanage would likely never have had that ceiling collapse and her nephew wouldn’t be missing a leg.

Dimitri lowered his eyes. “They didn’t want to work with me before.”

“And why do you think that was?” Tori’s sharp voice didn’t soften. Instead, her glare hardened.

Dimitri swallowed hard. “I felt that they were too rude to Alessa, and I was unreasonable in dealing with them.” He grit his teeth. “I should’ve been calmer. Alessa’s project and mine weren’t connected. I should not have angered the guilds.”

“It’s good you’ve learned.” She looked back at the window and Dimitri sank back into his seat and went through the notes he’d taken. Tori was only there to guide him and ask questions to assist with planning, but he had to do the execution of what was necessary himself.

“Can we stop at Duel so I can speak to the printers?” Dimitri asked. “I want to make the advertisements to attract students.”

Tori nodded and touched a crystal on the wall. “Mr. Novak, please take us to Duel.”

“Yes, my lady.” The carriage turned towards the Fourth District.

While Dimitri went to speak to the printer about signs, Tori went to get a snack with the knights and brought something for her driver and footmen. She finished her coffee when Dimitri returned.

“I can pick up the signs at the end of the week. I will post them next weekend and send a few to the guilds,” Dimitri told her, as if reporting. She gave him a small nod and they headed back to the carriage.

SIG One was parked just outside the cafe, on the cross street. As they approached, a voice called out to them. Dimitri stiffened and Tori let out a heavy sigh.

“Good evening, Baroness,” Tori said with a curt nod of her head. “Are you coming back from the Golden Cow?”

“Yes, I was reviewing the orders expected for next week!” Alessa beamed, as if happy that someone asked. She looked at the two of them standing beside each other and the smile on her face almost faltered. “Are you two coming from Duel?”

“Fosse Village,” Tori replied. “We’re trying to get his project back in working order.”

Alessa’s eyes looked at Dimitri, as if asking him to confirm. He put on a small smile and nodded. “I have about another year and a half to make it successful, but it’s almost as if I’m starting from the beginning. As the Countess has experience and knows guild members, I’ve asked her for assistance.”

“The Countess has been helping you?” Alessa’s eyes were wide as she drew her head back and looked from Dimitri to Tori and back. Tori wasn’t sure if Alessa believed she’d do such a thing.

Tori’s brows rose and she nodded once. “I want to assist where I can. After all, we don’t want another incident like at the orphanage to repeat itself.” She caught Dimitri flinch at the reminder. His eyes lowered, but he said nothing.

Alessa seemed eager to agree. “Then, can the Countess spare time to visit the orphanage with me and look over the project details? I will arrange for transport and meals on the day of.”

Dimitri jerked his head back and looked towards Tori.

Her gaze was calm as she kept it on Alessa’s slender figure looking at her with hope in her eyes. Tori’s lips curled up a bit and gave the other young woman a nod.

“All right,” she replied in a smooth voice. “I will accompany you to the orphanage and take a look at the progress of your project.”

“Ilyana, she’s not stealing Tori from you,” Sonia said with a sigh as Ilyana sat on a borrowed horse, pouting. Tori on Layla ahead of her held back a small laugh. “And even if she was trying to, Tori has her own thoughts.”

“She is envious of our relationship!” Ilyana asserted. A small meow came from the basket on Layla, as if in agreement. The horse Ilyana was riding was JP’s Nuage, as Tori asked him to do damage control regarding her reputation as Piers’ unconfirmed partner. “She’s approached Tori far more often than she had previously.”

“Tori is a valuable resource. Everyone knows that,” Sonia replied, trying to rationalize it. “She’s organized and good at managing projects. Multiple projects at once. It’s not surprising that Hart, who’s terrible at just managing a single project, went to her for help.”

Ilyana scowled. “This is Guthry’s fault.”

Sonia and Tori both looked at her with exasperation. “How is this Guthry’s fault?” Sonia asked.

“Obviously, if Guthry didn’t need Tori’s help, then Hart wouldn’t have gotten it into her head to try to get help from Tori.”

Sonia pursed her lips and looked towards Tori. “She has a point.”

“Ilyana, can you trust me?” Tori asked as she looked over her shoulder. “I have my reasons. Hart’s project has to do with the orphanage, and I’m concerned that something like before will happen again. As for the Golden Cow, while they are not direct competition, they have a lot of potential to be and it’s better to have some insight in the goings on of the company than not.”

“Don’t be jealous. No one is going to take your place as Tori’s best friend.” Sonia assured the pretty brunette. Ilyana still huffed as they entered the plaza where Lions Gate and the Three Queens were located. Sonia looked towards the Three Queens and saw the imperial carriage parked nearby and smirked. “You only have one competitor for Tori’s attention and he’s already here.”

Tori rolled her eyes. “No one is competing for my attention. And let’s not forget that Ilyana got twelve secret admirer letters this week.”

“I’m not interested in younger men,” Ilyana said in a crisp, matter-of-fact voice.

“And I’m not interested in men at all, but that doesn’t stop people from admiring you,” Sonia replied with a laugh. They brought their horses to the Three Queens and dismounted. As per usual, Tori took the longest to get down.

“I’ve been looking forward to the onion soup here for days,” Ilyana said as her hand went over her stomach, as if trying to stop it from growling.

“I’m here for the chicken and wine. Last time they served it over rice…I can’t have it any other way now,” Sonia told them with a sigh.

Ilyana pursed her lips. “Now I want that, too.”

The trio climbed up the steps to get to the entrance. The familiar valet at the door greeted them warmly and Tori stopped to make small talk. Sonia was about to walk into the restaurant when someone shouted for them to stop.

Tori turned her head to the plaza and saw three teenage girls rushing towards the steps. They couldn’t have been more than fourteen or fifteen years old. Their hair had braids or were loosely tied, and their clothes appeared to be from the local villages. Clean and without any patches or holes, but a bit worn.

Many people from Horizon’s surrounding villages came into the city every day to do business or play. It wasn’t surprising to see them there, but Tori didn’t recognize them.

The girl in the center of the three took a bold step forward. She looked towards Ilyana. “Are you Lady Ilyana Agafonova?” she asked in a trembling voice.

Ilyana walked back down the steps as Tori and Sonia looked back.

“Yes,” Ilyana said with a warm smile. “Can I help you with something?”

The girl’s face heated up with a blush. “Stay away from Alex!”

Tori furrowed her brows, her thoughts immediately going to her cat, who was on the steps of the Three Queens, being led to an outdoor table apparently prepared for him. However, that didn’t make any sense; everyone called Alexander by his full name. And she was fairly sure the girl was talking about a human.

Sonia stood up straight and frowned. Ilyana tilted her head to the side and looked taken aback as Tori and Sonia came down the steps to stand on either side of her.

“Excuse me?” Ilyana asked. “Who is Alex?”

The girl in front of her seemed to grow even redder. Her hands tightened at her sides, and she grit her teeth. “Alex Cosgrove!”

Ilyana continued to be at a loss. She looked towards Tori and Sonia and mouthed ‘who’? The other two shrugged. Sonia was either in class or at the equestrian training grounds; she knew even less people than they did.

For the life of her, Tori couldn’t remember any such person with that name. Seeing them just as confused as she was, Ilyana turned back to the girl.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know anyone with that name,” Ilyana told her. “Do you have the right person?”

“Don’t try to pretend!” One of the other girls beside the girl in the center stepped forward and sent Ilyana a scathing glare. “You’re Ilyana Agafonova! You’re a fourth-year student at Lycée du Soleil.”

Ilyana nodded her head slowly. “Yes. However, I don’t know anyone by the name of Alex Cosway.”

“Cosgrove!” the girl nearly shrieked. She took a step forward and Sonia and Tori immediately did the same. They flanked Ilyana and stood just a half step in front of her, partially shielding her.

“Young lady, she has already told you that she doesn’t know anyone with that name,” Tori said in a calm voice.

“And what do you mean to tell her to stay away from this Alex person?” Sonia asked, her voice sharper as she narrowed her eyes. “She doesn’t even know who they are!”

“Alex is Jillian’s boyfriend! He broke up with her saying that he’s in love with a Lady Agafonova from Lycée du Soleil!” The third girl proclaimed this with indignation, and Tori almost couldn’t believe how ridiculous it was.

They were confronting Ilyana about some man Ilyana had never heard of?

“Many people are in love with our Ilyana,” Tori said. “She’s smart, kind, and very beautiful. That being said, simply because this Alex person said he’s in love with her does not make it mutual.”

“I don’t know who this person is!” Ilyana said as she grit her teeth, insulted.

“Don’t lie! Alex is handsome! Every girl in our village has liked him at one point or another. There is no way you would not like him back!” The girl they assumed was named Jillian, who stood in the center of the trio, shouted back at them.

They weren’t sure if the girl was bragging or not.

Sonia sneered. “How handsome can he possibly be if Ilyana doesn’t remember him? And she is very good at remembering the names of our underclassmen.”

“He’s not a student at Lycée du Soleil!” The second girl lifted her chin up, as if the most prestigious secondary school in the empire was beneath her. “He’s a knight! He’s in his last year at La Garda!”

Ilyana seemed to go quiet to think. She shook her head. “I don’t recall meeting someone with that name. Tori, was there someone with that name that Ewan or Sir Navarro introduced us to?”

Tori shook her head. “I only really know Ewan’s roommate, Sir Hughes…and a few people from their tabletop gaming club.”

“That’s his club!” Jillian gasped. “He’s the vice-president of the tabletop gaming club at La Garda!”

Sonia’s eyes crinkled up. “We don’t know who that is!”

“I don’t care if you don’t know him. All I know is that he broke up with me because of her!” Jillian pointed to Ilyana.

“Young lady, none of us know who he is,” Ilyana told her in a placating voice despite shaking with anger at the accusation. “And I have not approached any young men with romantic interest. I am not interested at this time. I have too much to do.”

“And much better taste….” Sonia said in a low voice. Tori elbowed her.

Ilyana shook her head and waved her hand, preparing to turn around and drop the conversation. “I am afraid there is some confusion. I do not know your boyfriend, nor am I interested in him.”

“You’re lying!” The third girl said, stomping her feet on the ground. “You seduced him! Don’t try to hide it! It’s obvious that you have no qualms with stealing another’s boyfriend!”

Ilyana’s eyes went wide, and Tori and Sonia gaped at the girl. The girl had just told Ilyana that she looked like someone who would happily be a third party in another’s relationship. Tori’s eyes narrowed and she grabbed Ilyana’s arm to support her.

Sonia slowly shook her head. “Young lady, I don’t know who you are, but you will watch your words,” she said in a low, threatening voice.

The three girls seemed to be tense at the sound of her voice, but as they looked at each other for strength, they stood their ground.

“She stole my friend’s boyfriend!” One girl almost screamed at the top of her lungs as she pointed at Ilyana.

“She did no such thing! She doesn’t even know who you’re talking about!” Tori scowled. She was facing a girl younger than her; she could not allow this to turn into a physical fight and restrained herself. Through gritted teeth, she tried to keep her voice steady. “Young lady, if you do not apologize immediately-”

“Seductress! Cheater!” The girl turned around and yelled out into the busy plaza. “Ilyana Agafonova seduced-”

Her voice suddenly went quiet, and she froze in her spot. Her two friends turned to look at her, wondering why she’d stopped.

Tori didn’t need to wonder. She saw the piece of paper with familiar dark ink strokes on top of the girl’s head, as if it had fallen from the sky and landed there. It was a silence charm. Temporary and harmless, but quick and effective.

She also wasn’t the one who put it there.

But she recognized the handwriting immediately. She’d studied it often and could even replicate it.

“My apologies,” a man’s calm and pleasant voice spoke up behind them. “It looks like the wind blew it out of my hands.”

Tori almost asked aloud ‘what wind’?

A tall man with wide shoulders stood in front of them with a cold smile on his face as he looked at the girls who were making a scene on the steps of the restaurant. His blue eyes were like ice as he crossed his arms over his broad chest.

He made no move to take the charm from the girl’s head.

“The ruckus out here was disturbing my meal, so I came out to see what it was about,” Kasen said in a frigid voice. “Can someone tell me why these three young ladies are slandering Lady Ilyana?”