"I'll head for the villa in Birth tomorrow," Trent said to Caroline. They were in bed, of course, because she was in Coulway, bound to meet Esther. She came by his villa to rest as she told her mother earlier, before heading to the palace.

She ran her hand over his stubbled jaw. "And I shall be in our villa in Birth by then," she said, kissing his shoulder.

"You will?"

"Ellise has agreed to go with me. We are leaving after my meeting with Esther," she added, lightly biting his arm. "Should I visit you? Or will you climb up my window?"

Pulling her closer against his length, Trent bent his head and whispered in her ear, "I will come to you this time." His fingers traced her thigh under the covers. "What did you tell your mother?"

"Oh," she sighed with pleasure as his fingers dipped between her legs. "That I am not feeling well and I need the fresh air so I wanted to come early..." Her chin tilted and her mouth sought his with a moan. "And then I told her I wanted to be with you before the wedding, by the sea, making love; and I also told her not to worry because we are going to be married anyway."

"No, you did not tell her that."

"But I wanted to."

His laughter rang around the room. He pulled her on her back, she spread her legs wider, and he settled between them.

"No comeback?" she chided.

He shook his head. "Let us not talk for a while," he said, kissing her. "My mouth will be quite busy," he added, eliciting a fire in her eyes, and she bit her lower lip, reaching behind her for the post as his mouth moved lower and lower still.

☙✾❧

Caroline had been waiting for Esther to call for her, and that day came merely a few days before her wedding with Trent.

The woman was in Cloveshire Palace, still in mourning.

One of Esther's ladies-in-waiting guided Caroline into the princess' bedchamber, which was far more extravagant than any rooms in Sutherland. Gold lined all corners of the room, from the woman's giant four-poster bed to the brush on her dresser.

Caroline had only been in that room a few times in the past because Esther always enjoyed taking adventures outside the palace where she said she could be free. But for now, she had to mourn and lock herself in.

"I was told of what happened to you, Caroline," Esther said the moment they were left alone, eyes welling with tears. "I spent months fretting over you, but your father assured me you were doing well in Belcourt. He said Belcourt is a friend of the kingdom and he was not worried. I wanted to tell her to take you out of there, but how could I? No one believed me and my theories against Belcourt. I cannot believe you landed in there after your attack!"

"I was surprised as well. You cannot imagine the horror I felt."

Esther's petite form stood and walked toward Caroline. "It must have been because of me and my stupid conspiracies about my brother. If I did not ask you to spy on him, it would not have happened."

"Oh, it was not because of you," Caroline had assured her. She took the woman's hand and squeezed it. She did not if Esther was innocent. No one could ever be sure where the royal family was concerned. There was always something lurking in the shadows in this type of games. But Esther was a cousin, and they had shared many moments together in the past. She knew how to deal with the woman. "I had an amazing adventure in Belcourt."

"Have you found something suspicious?" Esther asked. "You were there when Albert died, yes? I was meaning to call for you, but your father advised that we step back for a moment as he does not wish for Belcourt to focus their attention on you after leaving should they indeed be responsible for my brother's death."

"I found many interesting things in Belcourt, but nothing deeper. They guard their secrets religiously. And no one truly trusted me there. I was considered an outcaste."

Esther sighed.

Caroline shifted in her seat and the princess sat beside her, making her even more uncomfortable. How one does comfort someone who may be an enemy? "Has there been any progress on Albert's case?"

Esther shook her head. "I mean, no, I do not know. Father does not share such news. Emory, too. Mother and I are distraught, of course."

"But you must have your own suspicions."

"I do, but I do no longer wish to take them seriously. Or act upon them. Look how things turned out."

"Surely, it is not your fault."

"I knew something was up, but I did not expect this. I... I loved Albert. I still love him. I miss him dearly. And guilt overwhelms me because he died with me thinking he was planning something against the kingdom."

"We all have silly ideas, Esther. And you only did what you thought was best."

"But that is the point, Carol. I could have just sat here in my pretty dress and did nothing. And maybe Albert would still be alive. Someone must have felt threatened. Someone must have learned of my suspicions and misinterpreted it. And now Albert is dead."

"Albert is dead because someone wants him dead. You did not want him dead, did you?"

"No, of course not!"

"Then whoever killed Albert is the only one responsible, not you. He was the crown prince, Esther. Of course, there were people who wanted him dead."

"I hate that some people think it could be Emory. Good Lord, Emory does not even want to be king and now he is next in line!"

"Gossips die, Esther."

Esther forced a smile and wiped her tears. "I know. I just... I do not know how I can make this right."

"You simply have to deal with his death first and foremost. Let the others who have the power bring Albert the justice he deserves."

Esther nodded. "Yes, I know. It's just a little difficult."

"Losing someone will always be difficult," Caroline said. "But it will get better. The pain will lessen. And whatever remains, you will learn how to bear."

☙✾❧

"How was the ball?"

"I enjoyed their brandy," Ellise replied. Seated in a chair, she looked down at her feet. "Your dog is sniffing my foot."

Sasha smiled at the spaniel. "Seven," she called, and the dog immediately turned and ran across the carpet to where Sasha sat and jumped on the woman's lap. "I heard Jade, the Belle, barged into the ball."

"Yes." She turned to the window. Everleigh was a nice place, but she would rather not be here. She would rather be on the island just across from here.

"How is Rothsker?"

"Still a child."

"I am glad he is in your care, Ellise."

"I have no choice." She turned to stare at Sasha. "Are your plans final?"

The woman nodded. "We have to do it."

Ellise shook her head. "I cannot believe you have done such great sacrifices for Belcourt. You could live a wonderful life as we speak."

"I am having a wonderful life."

Ellise shrugged.

"Belcourt has been my home most of my life. It is home to hundreds of women and children."

"So I've heard," she wryly said.

"But Belcourt needs a revolution. One that is different," Sasha said, voice even and precise. Ellise liked that about the woman. She liked that somehow Sasha was the same as she. Her emotions were always controlled, her mind always aware. "It should be timely, and it should be a willing one," Sasha continued.

"You want the women to discover things on their own."

"As I have, yes."

"Belcourt has been around for decades. No one ever thought of doing what you did. What makes you think someone will do so now?"

"Because I have planted questions in their heads. Because of what I did, they are now curious. We have a chance."

"I do not intend to focus on Belcourt. They should save themselves on their own now that you are no longer inside."

Sasha nodded. "Someone eliminated Albert. Arielle is a threat, but she does not have as much influence on the king. I am almost certain she does not have a relationship with him. Albert may probably be the only member of the royal family who has a connection to her. And now that he's dead, she may turn to her other brother, the new crown prince."

"Emory."

"Yes. We do not know Arielle's plans. As regent of the High Priestess, she has control over Belcourt more than ever. We have to focus on how to keep Reginald and Leo safe while we prepare Sutherland for the return of their true king."

Ellise nodded. Conditioning the people would be as easy as taming wild animals. They simply needed careful and subtle scheming.

"Who do you think killed Albert?" she asked Sasha.

"Emory. He is the most likely suspect. I see no reason why Arielle would lose the only ally she has in the royal family."

"Then she may get to Emory for revenge."

"Her desire for power may be greater than the feelings she had toward Albert."

"Who do you think controlled who?"

"Between Albert and Arielle?" Sasha asked. "I cannot tell. But it must have been Albert. He entered Belcourt for a reason."

"You still believe Albert meant to side with Napoleon?"

"Records show that Belcourt never liked Sutherland's decision to side with Britain. Albert found an ally in Belcourt."

"If Belcourt is siding with Napoleon, then the Royal Circus has to side with the kingdom."

"We side with Sutherland."

Ellise sighed. "I hate this sort of game."

"But you are well-equipped for it more than I."

Her eyes went to the dog sleeping on Sasha's lap. "Your child will grow up in this kind of mess."

"My child will grow up knowing what is right."

"Fair point," she said, standing up. "I have to go."

"Are you going home to Coulway?"

"I prefer Strait, but it is too far. The St. Vincent villa in Coulway is also out of the question. My brother and his wife are back in there and they make my head ache. As you know, Aliya's cousin is still missing."

Sasha smiled. "We are doing our best to convince the captain to let him go before the ship departs Sutherland."

"I do not care if she lets him go. I simply want my peace back. And for now, that is in Coulway."

"Then you have your own villa in Coulway?"

"No."

Sasha frowned. "Then where are you staying?"

"Sinclair."

Sasha's eyes widened. "The hospital?"

"It is very peaceful at night."

"I cannot imagine how it might be with the number of patients that come and go."

"Double that, and that is the chaos in my brother's house. Oliver alone is equivalent to the noise of an entire ward."

"West has a secret villa in Coulway. You are always welcome to stay there."

"I will consider it. Thank you."

☙✾❧

Trent wished he did not have to visit his parents, but he had to. His father demanded for his presence. But to be fair, their family dinner did not turn out to be as bad as he had thought.

The duke was not his typical brooding self. In fact, he seemed fine. By fine, he asked Trent about his next plans with the Circus. Still not the most ideal conversation with the family, but still an enormous improvement from last time when he shared the news that he was withdrawing his status as a gentleman of Belcourt.

He wondered if his mother had anything to do with it. The woman had been giving her husband a look throughout dinner and every time she did, the duke would clear his throat and ask Trent trivial questions. Always about the Circus, of course. Even Jamie, his brother, looked confused that the boy drew Trent aside after dinner to share his theory that the duke may be dying because he saw no reason why dinner lasted until the last course.

He knew he should thank his mother, but as he left home, he was uncertain if he wanted that version of his father. He was so used to the old devil that this one seemed a little too tamed for his taste.

But surely, it would not last long, he thought to himself while inside the carriage heading to Birth. The man would soon find more things for Trent to do. And there were many things to do. The new Darcy was making certain that everyone had a mission to fulfill, and Blackwood was letting her take the reins.

Working with Ellise St. Vincent was a pain, he thought. In fact, Trent would prefer working with Dior. But the man was back to being just a member of the Royal Circus. To Trent's surprise, Dior seemed relieved he was no longer Royal Master; he had always thought the man desired the title.

He scoffed, realizing that he was discovering a lot of things lately. Perhaps because he was no longer a flower and therefore had more time to spend with the other Royals.

His journey was too boring that he was even surprised he was tired when he reached their villa. In five days, he would wed Caroline at the church where his parents married. The thought gave him enough energy to climb his way up to his bedchamber. Just five more days and she would be his.

Orlin must be somewhere, he thought, taking off his coat, also wondering if he should come to Caroline now. Remington had purchased the villa not a few blocks away many years ago. And ten miles away was Albert's villa where everything started for him and Caroline.

He heard a sound coming from the garden below. Pulling at his cravat, he walked over to the window. Then he frowned, seeing a shadow disappearing to the side of the villa.

He rang for Orlin. When the man did not appear soon enough, Trent made his way down to the hall. And then he frowned. The doors were open, letting in the breeze from the sea outside.

"Orlin?" he called. "Anyone?" he asked again.

No answer.

He closed the door, turned, and found his way to the drawing room. "Orlin?" he called out again. Had the man forgotten that he would be here today and was still in Coulway? He walked over to the liquor cabinet, intending to pour himself a glass.

Then the door burst open. Trent whirled around to find two men walking into the room. He did not have to look twice to know who they were—or what they were. They were royal guards from Cloveshire.

He stiffened, sensing something was definitely wrong. Who in the royal family would come and visit him in the dead of the night?

Then his answer came as she walked into the room.

"Hello, Trent," Jade greeted with a sweet smile.