LUO YUN GARDEN was an hour's carriage ride away from the Scarlet Palace, right outside the city, a large leisure palace built in the last dynasty. A small portion of it in the far north was open for public use, serving as a park, but the rest was sealed off for large events like the day's luncheon.

  Irina glanced out of her window. "Almost there," she said to an impatient Io. "Do sit still, won't you?"

  "It's difficult," Io hissed back. "Why is this road so bumpy?"

  Myrina said, "It's not." It was one of her first words in the entire carriage ride, and Io, who'd never been an idiot at reading the room, immediately fell quiet. She'd disturbed Myrina's fragile peace, one way or another.

  Myrina hadn't said a single word about anything outside of work to Irina since her outburst two days ago. It was starting to get a bit worrying, but Irina hadn't had the time to have a true, private heart-to-heart with Myrina. Perhaps tonight, if they returned early? That would be pleasant.

  She sucked in a quiet breath and leaned back into her seat, tilting her gaze upwards. It had been a difficult two days, especially considering that they lived basically under the same roof. They came and went from the same entrance, and they spent their time with the same people. But Myrina still stayed distant.

  Irina had four days to salvage their relationship before they were Arecian-bound. It would be even worse, together on the ship, and Irina would be too busy with Stephen and the Arecians and other post-matrimonial matters to try to connect with Myrina. It was now or never. But not in front of Io.

  This was a private matter, and therefore it should be settled between the two of them and the two of them alone. Not in front of someone else, especially someone else who most definitely would tell the others about this.

  So far, Irina had only told Stephen and Justine about Myrina's outburst. Knowing Myrina, she probably hadn't mentioned it to a single soul, and would want to keep it private anyways. Irina respected that.

  But that also meant sticking out this awfully, awfully awkward carriage ride, with someone who was most definitely noticing more than her own good, and would be coming to her own conclusions.

  Io opened her mouth to say something. A cutting glare from Irina shut her up. Clearly having noticed this interaction, Myrina said, "Oh, don't remain quiet on my behalf. I'm perfectly fine."

  "You don't look very fine," Io said bluntly. "Care to share why?"

  "Shut up, Io."

  "You know why, don't you? But neither of you will stay. How sad." She pursed her lips. "Oh well. Fine. I'll stay quiet."

  "Thank you," Irina said pointedly, "greatly appreciated." Myrina gave a curt, quick nod, still not quite looking anyone in the eye. As if she was scared doing that would allow them a window into the catacombs of her brain. So Irina turned her gaze away from her direction and towards Io. "Aren't you happy?"

  "I haven't been to Luo Yun Garden for years, Irina. Every time there's an event hosted there I'm out of the bloody country. It gets annoying after a while."

  "Well then, I suppose you ought to have your fun today."

  "I'll try my best," Io replied with a grin. "I do have a mission to accomplish, after all." Io was trying to lighten up the mood in the carriage, and Irina couldn't blame her, though she was rather certain Io's efforts would be futile. And Io wasn't a fool—there were only so many things Irina and Myrina could argue about.

  And suddenly Irina's mind went back to Justine's words. Apologise. If she did, Io would be one of the people on the list. Io, who spent three years of her teens running around in the most dangerous areas in the world, partially because of Irina's commands. She'd done it because she thought Io was capable of doing so, and what else did Io have for her? When she was out there, as the Swan, the Cygnet, she was one of the most well known agents in the entire world. A mystery to those not privy to her identity, unaware that the name that so many intelligencers cursed day and night was simply a girl of nineteen, who'd faced too many tragedies growing up and was taken in by those who honed her into something to be reckoned with.

  But by doing all that, they also forced Io more and more into a path of loneliness and isolation. But what would apologising do? It wouldn't bring back Io's years.

  No, if she had to make it up for them, she'd have to do something. Do something big. Something worth it.

  And she was running out of time. She added that to a list of things she had to do, or at least attempt to get a plan into place before the wedding.

  Myrina, Danna and Irina. Three names. Two who she stole the future away from, the life they could have gotten, wanted, in the name of the greater good. One, who was forced to risk her life for a cause she had no interest in helping in the least.

  Three names. Three people she had to earn the forgiveness of.

  Io didn't say anything to follow up with her words, probably having realised that no one was particularly listening to her anyways. Instead she leaned back with a sigh. Irina's gaze didn't move away from the slight slit in the shades of the carriage.

  The three horses dragging the carriage continued onwards. And soon the bustling cityscape was replaced by a more quaint, distant township. They were at the border of Hong Cheng. Irina hadn't been here for a while. She'd always liked this area. It was so quiet, so pleasant. Nothing like the main city, where you never got a moment of silence.

  And then, gradually, they began to move past large walls painted red. Irina sat up a bit straighter. "We're there." Not precisely. The garden itself was massive, and it would take at least a few minutes more to get to the main gates.

  Myrina leaned forward to glance out. "We start with archery. And shooting, for those who prefer that."

  Irina winced. "Time for Asteria to dominate the competition again."

  A coy grin rested itself on Io's lips. "Oh, she'll go easy on the poor, unfortunate guests."

  "She always goes easy on everyone." Asteria, despite having been one of Lady Kuroki's (also coincidentally the countess' aunt) students, was not skilled in the art of combat. Oh, she was decent, but she was still nothing against the prowess of someone like Danna or Io. Instead, Asteria's skills lay in her pinpoint accuracy with a gun. She'd spent a month on the front lines as a sniper before her father had refused to let her continue her bloody career.

  But that hadn't stopped Asteria from practising. She was a frequent visitor of the Scarlet Palace's shooting range, and her reputation as a sure shot was known throughout the rich and powerful of the world ever since she'd flaunted her ability at a house party a few years ago.

  "She has to," Io said matter-of-factly. "Lady Kuroki quite literally dragged her aside once and told her to start missing by at least a bit so that no suspicion was raised. People already know she's supposed to be her father's replacement when he inevitably retires, they do not need to know she's extremely handy with a gun."

  "Makes her more of a threat, doesn't it?"

  "She doesn't need to have a gun to be a threat."

  Myrina let out a little laugh. Irina's eyes darted to her momentarily before moving away as the countess stiffened. No need to push her right now. Just let her be, let her forget, let her become more comfortable first before having her open up. Slow and steady wins the race.

  That was the way to go.

  The carriage went to a stop, and Io stuck her head out to get a better look. She confirmed what Irina had already guessed: "We're entering now." The carriages would be queuing up to go in one by one, so that'll take a while. Irina laid her embroidered silk fan on her lap, quickly adjusting her garments to ensure she was presentable. Just in case it had been mussed up during the trip. All was fine.

  A few minutes later she'd gotten off. A few of the other Saian carriages had went before hers, but the rest of the guests were still behind. Ryan walked towards her with a smile. "Fine day, isn't it?"

  Almost immediately after, Myrina gave a small curtsy. "Excuse me."

  Irina's eyes snapped to Ryan. "Right. I've been meaning to ask you about that. What did you say to Myrina that pissed her off so badly?"

  Ryan looked flummoxed. "What?"

  "Myrina's mad. And I'm pretty sure it's because of you. Did you say anything to her?"

  "What? No! I haven't spoken to her in days. What, what did she say?"

  "She didn't precisely say it was you, but what she said was very, very much pointed at you. Did you... did you say anything to anyone else, then? About her?"

  Ryan gave it some thought. "Well, I spoke to Malcolm two days ago about you telling me to get Myrina to help me out."

  "And where was this?" Irina immediately asked, mind turning.

  "At the garden next to Gou Hun Palace."

  Irina let out a groan, eyes shutting. "I sent her there. To find Lord Hu. She must have overheard."

  Ryan looked baffled. "But how? I was quiet about it."

  "Just..." of course Myrina had heard it. She was wiccai. Her hearing was far better than the average human's. And knowing Ryan, there'd probably been a few insults to her capabilities in there. Add that to the stress the countess must have been facing, that would have been more than enough reason for the outburst. But Ryan didn't need to know that.

  (For what felt like the thousandth time in forever, she wondered what would happen if Ryan was made privy to the fact that Myrina was wiccai. She dreaded the way she inevitably had to reveal it to him.)

  "You had an argument with her?" Ryan asked, one brow raised. "I've noticed that you two haven't been talking much."

  Irina gave a stiff nod. "She asked me about... you know. I didn't know how to answer. I don't think there is an answer, honestly. It was... bad. She hasn't talked to me about anything past work for a few days."

   "Well." Ryan winced. "That's awkward. She still planned the luncheon well, though. I saw the programme. Hard to believe she put it together within two days."

  "She's far more capable than you think, Ryan."

  "I never said she wasn't capable."

  "No, but you think it. You think she's stupid and weak. She's not, I'm telling you. She's one of the strongest people I've ever met."

  "Oh, bloody hell, you people tell me this at least once a week. How many times do I have to stress the fact that I don't actually think lowly of her?"

  "Well, she clearly thinks the opposite. As well as most of us." Irina raised her chin. "Think about it, I beg you. And maybe talk to her."

  "About what?" Ryan asked, incredulous. "I have nothing to say. I wasn't even being rude. I don't want her help. She doesn't need my help."

  Irina shook her head. "Think more carefully about every single word you said. Myrina's a sensitive soul."

  "That's her problem," Ryan deadpanned. "If she can't handle a word or two of criticism, it really isn't my fault."

  And that was when Irina decided there was nothing to be gained here, and anything she said would be futile. With a deep breath, she said, "Oh, whatever. Go greet the guests, won't you? I'll make sure everything is in line."

  Ryan gave a little shake of his head and left to do just that. Irina let her eyes flutter shut. Oh, bloody hell. Bu neng rang wo shen shen xin de. They just won't give her a single break. As if she didn't have enough going on already.

  Io let out a little cough. Irina's back jammed upright as she turned to glare at her. "Not a word."

  "So, that's why Myrina looks like she wants to slaughter everything and everyone?" Io asked meekly.

  Irina let out a sigh. "Yes. That's why."

  "I must say, I'm not particularly surprised."

  "Neither am I, if I must be honest with you," Irina replied. "But we can't have something like this happening right now, you get that much?"

  "Between assassins and weddings, yes, I do get that." Io nodded. "Don't worry, I won't say a word. The others will figure it out by themselves, though. I have to warn you that much."

  Irina said, shoulders slumping, "If they do, well, I can only hope they chose to be as tactful about it as you. We don't need to piss Myrina off right now, we really, really don't."

  "It'll be fine," Io assured quietly. "We have other things to be focusing on right now."

  Irina's mind snapped back into focus. Right. Why they were actually here. That was ten times more important than anything else. She nodded. "You're right. I'll go greet the guests. You... stay with Myrina, would you mind?"

  "I'm meant to stay with you. Someone else can talk to Myrina. Ryan, for example."

  Irina winced. "If I must be honest with you, I'm not sure if that would make things better or worse. Either way, alright. Come with me, then. You're about to be bored out of your mind."