My concerns had suddenly multiplied.

  After reviewing a stack of invoices, I stretched and idly gazed out my room’s window, only to see Ruby dragging Helian to the annex, with Sapphire trailing behind her. Was this a coincidence?

  Then, I realized: they were leaving the stables.

  Rime.

  I should have moved her off the estate. That was foolish of me.

  I needed to notify Selene about this immediately, and the countess would surely mock me for this slip-up. If we hurried, I could potentially relocate to an inn near the estate to avoid encountering Helian for the time being. It would interfere with my training and worsen Selene’s workload, but it could be the right choice…

  I couldn’t believe I’d made such an obvious mistake. Everything was at risk now.

  A knock came at the door, just in time. "XXXXX.”

  “I’m glad you’re here, Dame Selene. Come in.”

  She frowned as she closed the door behind her. “What’ve you done now?”

  “I’ve stepped in it. I think Helian recognized my horse… she’s talking with two of the squires right now.”

  “The childhood sweethearts, I assume?”

  Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

  “Guessed it in one.” I sighed. “This is a disaster.” I paused before continuing. “I should have been more careful… I’m not sure what to do now. Now that she knows I’m here, she’ll probably figure everything out. The rest of the plan is a wreck. Should I leave the estate?”

  Selene shook her head. “I don’t think so. Even if you leave, the little chatterbox will tell her all about you. We have no choice but to come up with new plans and pass this all off as a coincidence.”

  “I’m not sure she’ll believe it. I’m rather bad at lying… what should I do if she asks about the barony?”

  “Leave it to me. I interact with her on a regular basis, so it won’t be strange if I take the lead on this matter. I’ll introduce you as one of my aides who works here in the county. It’s not false, not technically, so you can see it as being honest… what’s more, an administrative aide would have no reason to attend a nobles’ gathering in the barony.”

  I took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay, I think that’s a good idea. I’m truly sorry to trouble you with this… I’ll need to be far more cautious going forward. I think I got too comfortable here.”

  Or maybe some part of me had made this mistake on purpose. I couldn’t deny I wanted to see her again, speak to her again, hear her voice again — no matter the consequences.

  “More time to yourself, you say? I must not be assigning you enough work.” The dame smiled. “You’d best prepare your dress uniform. I’ll be inviting you and the saintess to dinner in the first-floor dining hall tonight, so be on your best behavior and try not to look like a convicted criminal facing the guillotine.”

  The countess’s previous words about my neck rose unbidden from my memory. I hoped she wouldn’t count this as poor behavior… Perhaps she would let me off with a couple evenings of strict instruction and then return to flirting with Helian.

  Selene excused herself. After replacing the cap on my fountain pen, I made sure both of my desk drawers were securely locked before getting my dress uniform out of the closet.

  After some thought, I returned to the desk and retrieved my earrings. The ones Helian had given me. Wearing personal jewelry on duty was frowned upon in the order, but I couldn’t have Helian think I had forgotten her just because we parted ways.