Ruby could be the Belcourt rat reporting directly to Robert. Or was it something else?

Deep in thought, Caroline pushed away from the wall and descended the stairs.

Walking into the ballroom, Robert was immediately at her side.

"Where have you been?" she asked him.

"Here, of course, watching the Belles as ordered," he said. A lie. "Have you had a pleasant talk?" he asked.

"Yes," she said with a forced smile.

Her eyes wandered around. Then she saw him.

He was as handsome as ever. His charming smile still disarming, but not in the same way it was before. She was not swooned by it; she simply felt a little helpless. But surprisingly, as if by some miracle, she did not feel as if the world was ending as she had imagined it.

He turned his head, and their eyes met. The recognition was instant. Perhaps Robert's presence beside her confirmed it. She stiffened when she saw him excuse himself from the group he was with and sashayed toward her. Her heart hammered against her chest.

"We can leave," said Robert.

Yes, they could go.

She could run away.

But until when would she do so?

Had she not been running away from this man for too long?

Why? Because he had hurt her in the past?

Yes, he did. Yet the pain was no longer there. There was just anger.

"We can leave," Robert repeated, "but I suggest you face him. It may enlighten you."

Caroline swallowed. Then she squared her shoulders. Her flesh shook, rendering her entire body immobile. But she found she still had her wit. "The only light I want is the one you will see after I punch you in the face, Robert," she gritted out, "but I believe you are correct. I might as well face him."

She saw Trent at the corner of her eye and she turned to throw him a smile. She was alright, she silently told him. He just nodded, eyes on Alexandre. For years, he had told her how he would kill the bastard. He did so in such great detail that Caroline believed it.

But Trent was not doing anything now. He was keeping true to his words. He did not approach. He was leaving her in Robert's care.

Any suspicion Caroline had on Robert earlier flew out the window as she desperately clung to his arm while Alexandre approached them, his steps confident, the smile on his face seductive and arrogant. Like he always was.

Good Lord, why had she fallen for this brute? How?

He was despicable.

She felt shame because now she could hear herself mocking her the young woman that she was many years ago. Why had she settled for this man with blond hair and blue eyes? Naivety, what else? But she was not entirely at fault, was she?

Alexandre was cunning and manipulative. He was good with his words and promises.

He was the same man now. A little older, but still the same useless bastard with nothing to show but his looks and empty words—a hollow, porcelain doll, that's all that he was now. A pathetic laugh rang around her head.

And she had been hiding from him. Good Lord, the years she had wasted! All those years of building her confidence just for this flimsy brute!

The tightness of her muscle had dispersed, replaced by a confident grace, a strange calmness. Someone somewhere must be cheering her on, giving her the much needed confidence with enough sprinkle of spite just for this man.

Just as Alexandre stopped in front of them and opened his mouth to speak, she loudly asked Robert, "Do you know this gentleman, Robert?"

Robert smiled down at her. "Yes, Carol, I do." He turned to Alexandre who was looking baffled. "Alexandre, it is nice to see you again, but I am afraid now is not the best time."

Alexandre scoffed at Caroline with disbelief, his smile morphing into a shape of confusion. "I believe I do not understand," he said, tone very much French, voice very much worthy of a fist down his throat.

"Lady Caroline has been through an accident," said Robert. "She has lost her memory."

Caroline blinked at Alexandre. "Forgive me, but do I know you?"

"He is someone from your past," said Robert.

"Oh, he is?"

"Yes."

"Is he a significant part of it?" she asked, looking at Alexandre from head to foot, then back.

"No, I do not think so," Robert replied, giving Alexandre a pat on the shoulder before he stepped back, pulling Caroline with him. "Perhaps some other time, Alexandre," he said with a small nod of his head. "Would you like to go for a dance, Carol?"

"Yes, very much so," she said, voice sounding so happy she could have fainted at the irony. "Did I do all right?" she murmured as Robert guided her into a waltz.

"You did marvelously well."

She nodded, eyes on Alexandre who had turned with a frown of confusion on his face. Then her eyes met Trent's. His face was unreadable. She swallowed and looked up at Robert. The man was as stoic as ever. And she just witnessed him with Ruby, a Belle he should not be too acquainted with in the first place.

"He told me he loves me," she told Robert. "Not as a friend, but as a man loves a woman."

He just nodded as if he knew it all along. "The question now is what you do with it."

She blinked in surprise. "What I do with it?"

"Yes. Surely, you will not let him wonder if you feel the same."

"He said he is all right not knowing."

"For now, he may be. But he will grow tired."

"He has loved me for years."

"That makes you confident then."

It was not a question, but a judgement. "I am yet to figure out what I feel for him."

He sighed. "This is not how I hoped things to go when I said you settle things between the two of you."

"Then what did you hope for?"

"That you both decide on where the two of you stand with each other so you can focus on your tasks."

"Like you do?"

"Yes, like I do."

"And what are your tasks exactly, Robert?"

"Important," he said.

"Too important to share?"

"Very important," he reiterated.

Caroline shrugged. "If you may not know, Robert, I am doing quite well with my tasks."

"Which is?"

"Looking for the Belcourt rat."

"That is not the task given to you by the Circus."

"I was never given a task by the Circus. I am here because I want to find the person who ordered for my death."

"And if no one ordered for your death?"

Caroline's eyes wandered toward Jade, who had her arm looped around Trent's. "Then I shall make certain that the person who tried to kill me will meet her doom." Then she looked up at Robert. "And also to find the High Priestess."

His face hardened. "That is a dangerous mission. The Circus will not approve of it."

"You speak like Trent. I can handle myself around Belcourt. I am a Belle."

"No, you are not. You are pretending to be one."

"Well, I have access into the Palace."

He blinked. She knew he liked her plan. But he also recognized the risks.

"Does any of the Masters know?"

She shrugged. "I am uncertain if Trent had told them. I will never know, will I?"

"You will need their approval."

"I am not part of the Circus."

"Your family is. Your future husband is. You are part of the Circus," he hissed under his breath.

"Then get me the permission. Trent will not, of course, because he thinks I am being careless. And also because he decided not to approach me. I am to report to you from now on."

"You are being careless."

"But you will get me the permission."

His jaw tightened. "Yes."

⠒♣◆♣⠒

The next morning, Caroline wandered the corridors, trying to compose herself should she ever met Alexandre alone. Her confidence from last night was a triumphant feat, but she was not certain if she had enough left.

Robert was nowhere in sight, probably out somewhere doing something only God knew what.

Trent should be in the breakfast rooms with Jade. Ruby might be with Aaron, but now she could not be sure. The Belle may be with Robert.

"Carol! Are you going down to break fast?" Summer asked behind her.

"Yes," Caroline replied, and Summer looped her arm around hers. "Have you heard?"

"Heard what?"

"Delaney."

"Why?"

Summer leaned closer to whisper. "There is a rumor going around that her flower will pay for her dowry."

She frowned. "Is that why she is not in this party?"

"Could be, yes," Summer said. "Do you believe in luck, Carol?"

"No."

"Then something is fishy, is it not? For Delaney to be recourted into the Garden and then have her dowry paid." Summer cleared her throat. "Now, Aliya is a dear friend, but one would think she made all these possible."

"Including the transfer of her sister into the Garden?" she asked, challenging Summer's theory.

"Hmm. That one is rather difficult to prove. But no matter, Aliya has known many people during her time as a Belle. She may have used one of them to help facilitate her sister's transfer."

"And will that be a bad thing? I mean, if she wishes to be with her sister outside Belcourt?"

Summer narrowed her eyes in contemplation. "No, of course not."

"As long as they have broken no rules, I believe Delaney can leave Belcourt."

"But she will still have her Vow. And Aliya does. The Vow keeps most Belles from paying their own dowries."

"Why?"

"Because these Vows can be anything." In a whisper, Summer added, "It can be your life, really."

"Surely Belcourt will never ask that from anyone."

Summer just shrugged. "Oh well. By the by, I am famished."

"I will find Ruby," she lied. She honestly just needed more time to be alone with her own thoughts.

"Very well, then. See you around, Carol. You should join us for a game of pool later. I am certain you will enjoy it!" the Belle said, waving goodbye.

Caroline wandered around the corridors, avoiding guests of the villa, trying to summon the courage to go down. And when she did, she squared her shoulders and found her way to one of the breakfast rooms.

Unfortunately for her, she entered the wrong one. Alexandre was there, and he immediately saw her. But so did Robert. And again, unfortunately for Caroline, Robert was quite far to reach her in time.

"Caroline," said Alexandre, giving her a charming smile. She could have retched, really, because the sight of him made her sick. "It is nice to see you again." Then he narrowed his eyes at her. "That is, of course, if you still remember me."

She blinked and swallowed. "I am afraid I still do not remember you, Sir."

"But I am certain Robert must have filled you in with the details."

His blond hair was perfectly styled, his blue eyes the same as they were many years ago when she got lost into their depths. He spoke the same. He moved the same. But she did not feel the similar tingling sensation at the pit of her stomach. All she felt was pure hatred and rage.

Amazing, really, how she had tried to avoid this man for years, afraid of his effects on her, only to realize that she could summon an even stronger response to him. It felt empowering. It was as if she was given another chance of meeting him again. And this time, she knew she would not be stupid.

"No, he did not. Why would he?"

His brow twitched. She had seen it many times. He did that every time he was irked. He had always been entitled, always believed that the French was a superior race. "Then perhaps I should remind you. You and I were once—"

"Lovers?" she asked.

He blinked in surprise. Then he grinned. "Yes, chérie, we were."

A sickening shiver ran up her spine at the endearment. Years ago, she swooned at the sound of it from his lips. Now, she just wanted to shove it down his throat until he choked on it. "Then you must have done me a poor service, Sir, because I do not truly remember you," she looked down and boldly stared at his groin, "or anything at all," she added, lifting her head to smile at him. "The experience must have been the same as many others—unremarkable."

"Why, you little wench," he said through his smile, "one would think you are pretending because I broke your heart, you little witch."

"I would not recommend you speak to any of my Belles in such manner, Sir," a woman spoke behind Caroline.

Alexandre blinked and scowled at the newcomer. Caroline saw Robert stop in his tracks. Trent had just entered the room with Jade and other Belles. He, too, stopped, staring at Caroline and Alexandre, and Sasha who stepped between Caroline and the French aristocrat.

"Your Belle?" Alexandre asked.

"Carol is now a part of Belcourt," said Sasha, back erect as she stood face to face with Alexandre. Caroline could not see the woman's face. She did not have to. The woman's indifferent tone was enough to send chills up her spine.

Alexandre laughed. "You must jest, my lady!" He pointed at Caroline. "She is no Belle! She is the Caroline—"

"She is a Belle," Sasha interrupted. "And if you do not remove yourself from her presence, I will make certain that you will be escorted out of this estate and back to the mainland where a boat will be waiting to sail you back to France."

"You cannot do that—"

"I can, and I will if you do not take my warning."

The other Belles had walked toward them now, circling around Caroline and Sasha like soldiers ready for battle.

Alexandre incredulously scoffed as his eyes wandered around the women before settling back on Caroline.

"You wench, all of you are—"

The man could not finish his statement as Trent's fist landed against his jaw, sending him down on the floor. Caroline's eyes widened while Trent's had a glint of satisfaction. He straightened and looked at Sasha, "If he did that to my Belle, I would have done worse," he said for the others to hear. He bent down and grabbed Alexandre by the arm before the man could recognize him. "Off with you, Sir. Bloody tarnation, Dior, help me with this one!" he added, making Robert dash toward them so the two of them could drag the disoriented French man from the breakfast room.

The other guests watched with fascination.

"That is why we have flowers," Sasha said, eliciting a laugh from the other Belles. Without a word to Caroline, Sasha walked away. Ruby and Jade rushed toward her, face filled with concern.

"Are you all right?" asked Ruby.

"What happened?" asked Jade.

"He believes we were acquainted in the past," was all she said. "Do you reckon our gentlemen will be all right, Jade?" she asked.

"I am certain of it. Trent is rather capable. I am not just certain about your flower." She almost flinched when Jade touched her arm and guided her to a chair. "Now, let us not worry about that. As Sasha said, we have our flowers for these things."

⠒♣◆♣⠒

Trent threw Alexandre on the floor of the empty drawing room with a huff.

Alexandre groaned while Robert made his way to the liquor cabinet. "I would not suggest murder, Chalbarth," said Robert as he poured himself a glass of bourbon.

He scowled at Robert. "How do you send someone to hell alive then?"

Robert shrugged, carrying his drink to the winged chair. Crossing his leg over the other, he looked at Alexandre who was wiping blood from his nose, glaring with intense fury at Trent. "Torture?" Robert asked.

"Chalbarth," Alexandre growled as Trent shrugged off his coat and rolled his shirt up his elbow. "Should have known you will be here. Still sniffing after her trail, aren't you? Like you always did—"

Trent shook his hand after sending another fist down Alexandre's face, making the man roll on the floor. He kicked the man's groin, making him coil like a giant ball in the center of the room.

Robert threw Trent a hankie. "The carpet. I heard the five senior Belles are rather fond of the carpets."

Trent placed the piece of cloth on the floor and rolled Alexandre's face over it. The man sputtered out saliva and blood. Then he shouted something in French.

"What did he say?" asked Trent.

"Did not quite catch it," Robert said, sipping his drink. "Be done with it."

"I may need the entire day," he said.

"Your Belle will wonder. Now, be done with it."

Trent bent down, punching the man one more time in the gut. "Thank you for coming here, Alexandre," he said with a grunt as he gave the man another punch. "I would love to kill you now, but I believe I will give the honor to Caroline once she regains her memory. And I hope she does not," he said, giving the man one last blow.

With a sigh, he stood, watching Alexandre groan and squirm on the carpeted floor. "Whining like a battered mongrel, aren't you, Alexandre?" He kicked the man on his back. "Never show yourself in front of Caroline again, you bloody bastard. Do you understand?" Alexandre just moaned. "I do not quite hear you. Do you, Dior?"

"No."

Bending back down, Trent grabbed the man by the hair and lifted his head. "You never show yourself in front of her. Do you hear?" He shook the man's head. "Which of my English do you not understand, you bastard?"

"Yes," Alexandre gasped.

"Louder so he will let the matter rest, Alexandre," Dior said before taking another sip.

"Yes!" Alexandre sputtered.

Trent dropped his head and grabbed the hankie, crumpled the cloth into a ball and stuck it inside the man's mouth. "Good boy," he said, patting the man's blond head. He straightened and turned to Dior. "Are you done?"

"Almost," Dior said, sipping slowly.

Trent shrugged back into his coat and looked down at Alexandre. He ought to have done this a long time ago.

"I am done," Robert said, placing his empty glass on the table and stood. They both gave Alexandre one last glance and opened the door where two footmen were already waiting.

When they returned inside the breakfast room, Jade waved him to an empty chair beside her. Robert joined Caroline sitting across Trent.

It was best to ignore each other, so he did just that, feeling quite satisfied beside the fact that Jade was asking useless questions.

"Sent him with two footmen," he answered one question. "No," he replied to another. "Dior and I managed it quite well, yes. Yes, he was not that hurt."

⠒♣◆♣⠒

The day ended with Caroline getting a visit from the Mistress of the Court of Flowers herself.

At first, she thought Sasha knocked into her room to inquire about Alexandre, but it seemed that the event that morning was quickly forgotten as soon as the footmen escorted the French aristocrat off the island.

She also heard that Alexandre Moulin left with a limp and a swollen face. Trent had been keeping his promise and stayed away from her so she could not directly ask him. Jade could offer nothing either. She tried to ask Robert, who merely said he was too busy with a good glass of bourbon.

Sasha looked around her room and without wasting time with small talks, the Mistress quickly went down to business. "I am certain that you have heard about Delaney's dowry."

"Yes."

"And what do you think of it?"

Caroline shrugged. The woman's face was unreadable. Why was she asking this? Why was she here? "I do not honestly have any opinion on the matter, my lady. I do not know Delaney all too well. We barely had time to know each other to be friends."

"Surely, as a Belle, you have an opinion."

"But I am not truly a Belle, my lady. I am certain you are aware of that."

Sasha just nodded. "But you are under Belcourt's protection."

"Yes."

"And we expect you to do tasks."

"I have a mission."

"To find the Belcourt rat."

"Yes."

"And how is that going so far?"

"I would rather report directly to Arielle."

"Arielle trusts me."

"Yes, I believe she does. But I was not given any instruction to trust you."

Caroline thought she saw Sasha's lips twitch, but she could not be sure. It was true what they said. Sasha was not particularly beautiful like Aliya or the other Belles. But there was something about her that made her quite different from the rest. She seemed to see through people. And it could be quite alarming.

"As your Mistress, I am giving you another task."

She blinked. "Which is?"

"Spy on Delaney once she is out of Belcourt."

She blinked. "Why?"

"Her sister's husband is a suspected member of the Circus."

"You believe that the payment of her dowry is orchestrated by the Circus?"

"It might be," Sasha said. "That is why we want to know what the St. Vincents are up to, most particularly Delaney."

Caroline nodded. "Very well. That will be easy to do."

Sasha nodded. On the way to the door, she stopped and looked at Caroline.

Without saying a word, she left.

Only then did Caroline let out a breath of relief. She fell on her bed and waited until the bouncing stopped. In the stillness of the night, she realized her relief was beyond Sasha exiting the room.

It was more than that.

With wonder, it finally sank into her.

Alexandre was here, and she came face to face with the man.

And it did not hurt. She did not crumble to pieces. Her sanity was intact and it did not bother her one bit that he may come back and haunt her. The fear for her reputation was nothing compared to this newfound confidence.

She did not feel ashamed of having been fooled by him—used by him. It was a thing of the past she could not change. He was not part of her present. And even now, she did not have to face him alone.

Trent came to her rescue. So did Robert. And even Sasha.

She was not alone.

It is enough that you are aware of my feelings. And that I will always stay.

A lump formed in her throat and she cried, the overwhelming sense of belongingness wrapping her shaking form.

Yes, of course, he had always been there. She was too stupid to have thought he was because he had to. Only now could she truly consider that he had always been there because he wanted to stay.

She closed her eyes.

"You... me..." his voice echoed in her head. "Not friends. Just... us."

He was staying.

He was staying and Caroline did not think she wanted to change that.