XLIV | Autumn

One year later

Jonah was a quiet child, even when he was playing. He was sitting quietly on the same picnic cloth, playing with his wooden toys, and it had been hours.

"He is very much like every child, save for his very calm demeanor," West said to his wife. "Could it be that he is surrounded by adults all the time?"

"I would not call Seven nor Darren adults. Would you?"

He chuckled, sipping his tea and tearing his eyes off their son. "No, not at all."

"If only ours can stay still for one moment—Marion! Halt!" Ellise straightened in her seat while Dior rushed to snatch their daughter away from the path of the approaching carriages that just entered the Everleigh estate. "Two more years and I will bury my own daughter," she added, watching Marion laughing hysterically as her father tucked her under one arm and carried her back to their little picnic.

Her daughter safe for now, Ellise turned to West. "Arielle will be sent away soon. Will you see her before she leaves?"

The man shook his head. "She made it clear the last time I saw her that she wants to leave alone."

"Does she know where she is going?"

"No."

"I hope you do not mind me saying this, but I still believe she should be hanged."

The duke nodded in understanding. "It was not I who made the decision."

"The worst thing Louis made before he stepped down," Ellise murmured, standing to take their daughter away from Dior, carrying her back to the small picnic she was sharing with Jonah just minutes ago. "You stay here because this cloth was laid out for you. The grass did not grow to be stepped on, nor was the road built for little humans like you." The little girl just looked up at her with the same expression Oliver would wear whenever they were together.

Dior stood beside her, hands on his hips. "I don't think she understands."

Ellise sighed and sat with her daughter. Then they both looked at Jonah who was still busy lining his toys in order. "We should get whatever they feed him," she said to her husband.

"Do not be ridiculous," he said with a scoff. "She is perfect."

"Perfectly attracts danger," she said, looking at Marion, groaning when the little girl stood and turned before taking tiny steps back to the road. "At the very least she knows direction."

"She can be a sailor," said Dior, picking up his daughter again and putting her over his shoulder, the only place she liked to stay long.

Ellise looked up at them both and stood. "If she grows old enough with complete limbs, she can be a pirate and I would not mind," she said, playfully narrowing her eyes at the child. "You, little duchess, were not born with iron armor."

"She cannot be a duchess. Unless she marries a duke," said Dior as they walked to join West and Sasha again.

"She will if I can make the king say so," she murmured.

"Emory is not the kind who bends to your charms," Dior said, walking around to entertain his daughter.

"He bent to his father's request," she pointed out.

Sasha shared a smile with Ellise. "Men can be easily bent if you find the perfect spot," the duchess agreed.

Both husbands were too wise to argue. When the last carriage that drove in disappeared, they stood. Sasha called to her son, who stood and ran up to her with one toy in hand, lifting his arms to his father. West picked him up, but he pointed at Marion.

"Your daughter is a bad influence," West grumbled before hoisting his son over his shoulders.

Dior walked with Ellise, the two of them watching the Duke and Duchess of Eaton walk hand in hand toward the manor. Jonah looked over his shoulder at Marion and laughed.

"Even up there he looks pristinely behaved," Ellise said.

"Apparently, I don't see what you mean," Dior said, his eyes covered by their daughter's tiny hands.

Ellise reached out to take her daughter's hand, resting her forearm on Dior's shoulder. "If she marries him, she will be a duchess."

"I thought she would be a pirate?"

Her gaze locked with her daughter's black mischievous eyes and she scoffed, shaking her head with a smile. "Of course, she will be. A pirate duchess."

When they reached the hall of Everleigh, West and Dior brought their children down on the ground to receive the two visitors waiting for them.

Theodora Vandenberg, dressed in a purple cloak, offered a short nod, the closest thing to a curtsy she could feign, while her grandchild, Leila, merely looked on. She, too, was wearing a purple cloak.

"I hope your journey was well, High Priestess," Sasha said with a smile.

"It was tolerable," Theodora replied, looking down at the two children. "They grow fast, don't they?"

"Fortunately, they do," replied Ellise, walking closer.

"Your brother and his wife were just in Belcourt when we were about to leave. They were taking Mason to his mother's grave."

"They do so every month," said Ellise. "I hope my brother did not attempt to trespass the Library again."

Leila smiled. "I believe he understood the last threat he received and seems to be keeping his distance."

"That only means he is looking for another way to get in."

"Will the Maidens be joining us?" Dior asked as he tried to keep his daughter in place with both hands.

"Not in this convention, I'm afraid. Belcourt is busy for the upcoming Courting season," replied Theodora.

"Very well," said West, looking around for the nannies. "We should proceed. King Emory is arriving soon."

"Do not hurry me, Blackwood. He is just a king," Theodora said as she turned to allow West to guide her to the grand staircase.

Leila, on the other hand, stayed where she stood. "I can watch over them," she told Dior, already reaching for Marion's eager hands. To Sasha, she added, "If you do not mind."

Sasha nodded and gave her son a light push. "Show Leila to your playroom, darling."

Jonah took Leila's hand, asking, "Did you bring toys?"

"I did not. But we can make some."

"Do not murder them," Ellise said as Leila turned around with the children.

"I shall try not to make it seem like a crime," the girl said over her shoulder.

*****

They joined West and Theodora in the only room in the manor that was designated for the secret convention.

The Black Clover met twice a year, the first one being last year after the events in Belcourt. With Theodora Vandenberg as the new High Priestess, Belcourt was serving a different purpose to the kingdom. After Louis stepped down from his throne and passed the crown to his son, Emory made some drastic changes, among them utilizing Belcourt's talents. And of course, he could not simply ignore the Royal Circus. Thus, he formed the Black Clover.

An alliance between the kingdom, Belcourt, and the Royal Circus, the Black Clover shall uphold Sutherland's security. The Royal Circus, with the influence and reach of its members, was tasked in monitoring Sutherland's external threats. Belcourt was given the special task to handle covert missions, working closely with the Royal Watchers to safeguard Sutherland and its citizens from within. They were still an orphanage for young girls, but their laws had been revised to protect the children and the women. Anyone could leave Belcourt, but it seemed that not many of them wanted to.

To keep the peace between everyone, the new king called on all members of the Black Clover twice a year, the convention taking place wherever the host of the convention wanted it to be. This time, as host, the Royal Circus decided that Everleigh was the best place.

King Emory arrived last with his trusted advisers not long after the key members of the Royal Circus joined them. The large chamber was closed for the duration of the day and the Black Clover convention began.

That night, after a long dinner, Ellise and her husband took a walk around Everleigh grounds.

"My brother believes still to this day that I only married you for convenience," she told him. "I never thought he considers me a liar."

"It depends on the truth you told him."

"I told him I married you because I wanted to."

He smiled. "I see why he would insist you're a liar."

They walked quietly, their footsteps slow. "But you don't believe the same, do you?"

When he did not reply, she stopped and turned to face him. He had a slight smile on his lips. "There are moments I doubt why you married me, Elle."

She scowled. "Which moments?"

He shrugged and continued walking, tugging at her hand.

Again, she stopped, forcing him to do the same. "You are not daft. You should know by now."

His smile was patient and knowing. "I can only guess, Elle. I do not know everything."

"That's odd. Because I am certain you are in love with me."

"Of course, I am." His smile widened and he started to tug at her hand again. "And I'm starting to believe you feel the same."

She walked with him, her brows still fused. "I fence with you and our friends even when I do not want to."

"I know."

"And I conceded to the name Marion."

"Only after you learned it means 'star of the sea', which is much preferable to Sally."

"Sally's not a bad name."

"Of course," he said, squeezing her hand. "It suited your first horse quite well."

"She was a marvelous horse."

He merely chuckled and silence fell between them again.

"I changed all curtains to the colors you can recognize."

"Much appreciated."

"I sleep in your bedchamber."

"And we both enjoy it."

"I bathe with you, dine with you. I tell you everything." Her frown grew deeper as she talked. "I even wore a dress on our wedding day. And I talk to your mother respectfully. I no longer even flirt with men or women. And that time my brother—"

"Elle," he said, laughing and turning to face her. "I know."

"Well, two minutes ago, you didn't," she ground out. "You are not just Mondays to me, Robert Dior. I accepted you as my other half."

"Good Lord, woman, you can just say it."

Ellise closed her mouth and mastered herself. "I do love you."

He nodded and planted a kiss on her forehead. "I know. And I love you, too."

As he led her down the path again, she said, "Should I expect to hear it often?"

"It depends."

"Do you expect to hear it often?"

"Only if you are inclined to."

"Good. Where are we going?"

"Back to the manor. We'll check if our child is still where she is. And then in our chambers."

She grinned. "Because I made you terribly happy?"

He kissed her mouth. "Terribly."

*****

The convention lasted two days and Leila did nothing but roam around the estate with the two children. She was not the High Priestess, but she would take over once her grandmother saw it fit. They departed Everleigh cordially and traveled back to Coulway.

But before they went straight home to Belcourt, they made a short trip. The villa of the Earl and Countess of Chalbarth was near the park and that's where they ordered their carriage to stop.

Trent and Caroline Durham were sitting on a bench, talking. But Leila's eyes were not on them, but on the girl drawing on a notebook. Leila had seen that notebook many times before. That's where Camila and Jamie planned their future together.

She was still to gather the courage to go and face Camila. Perhaps she never would. Arielle had done many horrible things, but causing the death of Jamie was the worst for Leila.

Her grandmother had been sitting silently beside her as she always did whenever Leila wanted to see Camila in this manner. This time, however, she spoke. "When you become High Priestess again, you will do things better than we all did."

She merely nodded, absently gazing at Camila sitting alone with her notebook.

"That's why you're with me, darling," Theodora said, taking her hand. "As Vandenbergs, we can no longer take royal roles if we want to keep Belcourt. The queen is the last. But we shall do our best to do better to give these people the safe place the previous High Priestesses tried to take away from them. And we shall do so without a crown on our heads."

She merely nodded. She was amongst the High Priestesses who did terrible things. And she was only forgiven because she was merely a child. Thus, she was given a second chance.

She offered her grandmother a faint smile. "I do not need a kingdom to provide Belcourt redemption," she said. "Belcourt has enough to prove its worth to this kingdom."

*****

Leo was jostled awake. He mumbled, half his brain still in slumber.

"I believe your father will one day find the chance to kill me," the voice above him said.

He opened one eye and the blurry vision of his wife cleared. "Are you telling me you are still alive?" He asked in mock horror, sitting up in bed and looking around with eyes wide open. "But how did you survive this long?"

Esther was already dressed, and clearly, she had already broken fast. And if he was correct, she did so with her father. When she scowled, hands on her hips, he laughed and slid back under the covers.

They were married one month now and thus far, nothing significant had happened. They kissed merely once (on their wedding day). Then nothing. He was not even complaining. They were not in this marriage for anything but the peace of Sutherland. But if he was to really assess what they were, he could say they were friends who enjoyed hating each other.

And mayhap he would love doing it for years. They had discussed how they should address any possible affairs with others, and had reached a satisfactory agreement that every relationship they may have should be consulted with the other. Leo would not want a man who could potentially be a spy, nor would she want a woman who could very well be targeting her royal head.

"We should not have brought him along," Esther said, walking over to pull the curtains to the side. "He obviously hates this place."

"Have a heart. He doesn't have anyone else. And he doesn't have a crown on his head, the same one he had planned to take back for years."

"Marrying you may be part of our deal, but traveling around with your father is not."

"Then what do you suggest we do? Bring him back to Sutherland? He may change his mind and say he wants his throne back. Then he would start another war just when we stopped one from starting."

She sighed, then fell quiet.

Leo looked over at her. Their eyes met. She never went against her father's wishes when he told her of the deal he made with Reginald. Nor did she show any hesitation when her mother ordered her to join Leo on a trip around the world.

Of all the women he could have married, he got a fractured one. And it was not even her fault. Like many royals, she was born to obey. She may not like traveling with him now, but Leo vowed to make her experience the things she never had back in Sutherland. Utter freedom from her family.

But it would not be an easy task. She had done many evil things and she would struggle to confront those demons. Traveling could always do that to a person.

"What?" she asked, rolling her eyes.

"If we give him a grandchild, he may start to ignore you," he said in jest.

She scowled, as if he just said something horrible. "I knew it. You are out to seduce me."

"I truly admire your confidence," he said, slipping out of bed. Shrugging into a robe, he murmured, "Americans love confidence. Perhaps you might find a fine gentleman tonight at the ball."

"I am not going."

"Whyever not?"

"People know me here."

He blinked, then sighed in understanding. "I thought you said you don't mind being judged."

"Well, people stare differently here."

Leo walked closer and realized she looked utterly serious. There was nothing there but troubled pride. "Do you ever wonder that mayhap they stare at you because you embody what they want to be?"

"A stupid, insane princess from Sutherland?"

"Insane, yes, but not stupid. Whoever said you are stupid? Tell me their names."

"Why?"

"So I can have a word with them." He grinned when she merely scowled. "Do you doubt my honor?"

"You were never the type to do such things."

"I sacrificed my life for you, Princess."

"You were stabbed because you were outnumbered. I was not even there."

"No, I meant marrying you." He laughed when her eyes rounded in fury. He cupped her face. "Now, stop fuming. We have a long day."

Not long after Leo left, Esther looked down at the street outside their small villa. This was not her first time to be here, of course. She had enjoyed many soirees in the prominent parts of the Americas, but never as who she was now. She never thought her old friends would turn their backs on her now that she was no longer the daughter of the king, but just the sister—and how that came to be. And now that the rumors of her deeds in Sutherland crossed the seas, she realized just how frail and superficial the relationships she had built here before. Some even dared judge her husband. It took all her willpower not to do something. These people did not know the sacrifice Leo did. He gave up the chance to be king. That should say enough for his character.

She thought it was stupid that he would rather travel around the world, but being away from Sutherland was giving him life. He was happier. He was free.

As for her, being away was only taking her closer to the things she had done. It was giving her time to think and look back. She had helped murder her brother, killed others as well. She manipulated a woman to get to her goal, and that same woman was dead, too.

Esther swallowed and blinked back the tears. She turned to the bed and sighed. She may not get the kind of marriage others had, but she at least had someone who understood her demons.

She walked to the door to find Leo. She needed a gown for tonight's ball.

*****

Sheridan sat quietly beside Ruby's grave. It was a simple tombstone, but one filled with beautiful flowers Sheridan carefully selected and procured. Ruby would not want anything ordinary on her already plain tombstone.

There was nothing to sit on because the cemetery behind the convent did not have enough space. So Sheridan read the last pages of her book on the ground in silence. Later, Mother Marissa checked on her. "Are you staying for supper?"

She shook her head. "I am needed in Coulway. I have a paper to run and stories to tell."

The woman chuckled, shaking her head. "You work too much, Sherry. Very well, see me before you leave."

"I will."

When the woman left, Sheridan looked up at the sky breaking into dusk. It was the color of rose and she bit down into her smile, the magnificent view blurring as tears warmed her eyes. She closed her lids, refusing to shed more tears, and rested her head on her knees, imagining Ruby lying on the grass beside her with her beautiful, confident smile.

But there was no Ruby there. Just memory of a woman who had so much color in her.

Sheridan smiled against the pang in her chest, one that hummed every now and then, reminding her of things that never came. Of a promise never satisfied.

"Stop crying, Sherry," Ruby would say if she was here. "How would you appreciate the sky if you can't see it?"

Sheridan sniffled and tilted her head up again, blinking away the tears, clearing her view.

"Someday, Ruby, I'll tell your story, too."

*****

Arielle was quiet inside the carriage.

The Soldiers assigned to travel with her had not spoken a word as well.

No one had to say it, but she knew they were taking her to Sinhold.

There were no goodbyes when she left. Belcourt did not want anything to do with her anymore. She was taken care of for months, kept inside a decent cell in the dungeon, given meals and allowed visitors. But she knew as well as everyone else what her fate would be.

They were fools. They never saw her vision. Never dared look beyond their limited imaginations. They could have had everything!

Now she had nothing. Soon, not even her own life.

There was no Sinhold. There was just the dark ocean to swallow her whole, never to be found again.

Found.

How many children in Belcourt wanted to be found?

Everyone.

One way or the other, they longed for eyes to land on them, to claim them as their own. To be desired not as women, but as children. To be needed not for what they could offer, but for what they were.

It may never happen, she thought. Not when Belcourt was ready to be used again. Not until Belcourt was ready for a true leader with a vision.

The carriage drew to a stop. When the door opened, Arielle frowned. There was no Belcourt schooner waiting for her. There was just a small boat. And a ship not far away.

"What is this?" she asked the Soldier who guided her toward the boat. "Where am I headed?" she asked, scowling at the ship in the distance.

"The Witch is taking you somewhere far."

She stopped and looked at the Soldier with horrified eyes. "Where?"

"You will know once you board." The Soldier looked at her, stepped back, and added, "By the orders of the Black Clover, you are henceforth exiled out of Sutherland. Never attempt to return. To do so is to die."

Arielle let out a tiny gasp of disbelief. She did not even know the woman before her. In fact, she did not know anyone around her. Perhaps she should have let West Blackwood see her off when he offered. But what was the point? She had thought she was going to her death. She did not know she was going to hell. To live alone somewhere out of Sutherland—out of Belcourt—would be torture.

What would be the odds that she would be ever found there?

Her eyes scanned the four Soldiers standing nearby. Then her gaze landed on a dark carriage parked not far away. It was as if whoever was inside had been waiting and watching. She looked at it for a long time, imagining him seeing her now. Was he responsible for this? Did he ask for this kind of punishment for her?

He should just get out and let her see his face for the last time. But he would never do that. He would always remain a coward.

Finally, realizing this was the closest she would ever have of a goodbye from her father, Arielle tore her eyes off his carriage. With a shaky breath, she faced the dark ocean and the silhouette of the Witch in the distance.

She looked up. The night sky had closed, hiding a slight rumble.

Rain. Sutherland would soon wash off every trace of her footsteps.

Louis thought he was giving her mercy, but by sparing her life, he was merely giving her more reasons to hate him.

There was no mercy for the hated.

Just false hopes and uncertainty. And so much fear.

*****

The night was young, but it was not a challenge to the Soldier traversing through the narrow alleyways of the most dangerous place in Coulway. Her footsteps were light and certain through the puddles of rainwater. Rain was always a good cover, she thought as she made the final turn.

He was waiting outside the blue door wearing naught but a bowler hat and his coat. He did not move even when she stood beside him, her hood dripping wet.

"Belcourt needs a favor from the Circus."

"What favor?"

"The Governess has made another attack."

"I've heard."

"We believe it is someone working in a brothel."

He moved, but only to steal her a look. "And Belcourt could not penetrate a brothel?"

"We can, but we require someone we do not have."

"You mean a man."

"Yes."

"The Royal Watchers are of no help?" When she did not reply, he added, "The Royal Circus only handles external threats to Sutherland."

"Yes, but no one is more capable in spying and infiltrating innocent brothels than the Circus."

"Not quite funny."

"The insult was not meant to be funny."

He scoffed, then shook his head. "I'll find someone who can help."

"Thank you. I'd prefer if you can recommend someone the soonest you can. The Governess has already killed six."

"I will send word once I have someone."

"Good. I'll tell him about the mission then."

As she turned to leave, he said, "It is nice seeing you again, Gabrielle Shaw."

"I don't think so, Fairborne," she said over her shoulder before she disappeared in a corner.

*****

The morning light washed over them, the fresh morning dew after a night of rain seeping through the one open window in the master chambers of Everleigh manor.

Sasha was up early, sewing a patch on her husband's favorite riding breeches. He was reading reports in bed, fingers absently fiddling with her nightdress. When he looked up and caught a sight of her, he smiled.

"What?" Sasha asked, eyes on her needle and thread.

"Dust motes," he said. "Floating around you."

She looked up and saw the tiny particles floating weightless in the beams of light. She scoffed. "I look like a painting?"

"No, like a furniture gathering dust," he said in jest, ducking away when she threw her work at him. She circled the bed as he laughed and slipped into a robe.

He did the same, catching her in time before she reached the door. "Where are you going, Your Grace?" he asked in her neck, pulling her tight into his arms.

"Our son."

"Give me one more minute," he said, kissing her jaw.

"We have much to do, Your Grace."

"No, not really."

"Well, I do. I have callers in a few hours."

"Feign a faint."

She laughed and pushed him away.

"You are the Fainting Belle. You can do it," he said, catching her hand and pulling her back to him.

"When will you ever forget about it?"

"Never," he said, kissing her pursed lips.

Sasha sighed and gazed up at him, her smile growing by each second. She, too, would never forget the Fainting Belle. Nor would she ever forget being a Belle. She was all those women. As was she that girl who walked the twenty miles in the rain to get to Belcourt, the Librarian who failed her studies. A Darcy who betrayed the only home she knew.

And she was the woman after those women—a wife, a mother.

"Let us spend the day in the woods," West suggested. "You love the meadow in this season. Jonah needs the fresh air."

She smiled and looked out the window, excitement brewing inside her. She could already picture Jonah walking through the tall grass while they walked behind him. She wrinkled her nose, containing herself. "I have important people to entertain today. And there are letters to send to Belcourt." She stole the window another glance, then groaned. "But it's autumn."

He bent and smiled against her lips. "And you love autumn," he murmured.

She surrendered with a chuckle. "Indeed I do."

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