A Beast's Tale

Chapter 79

I'd known about the bullying, of course. It was bound to happen. The head maid had assigned Ivetta to work for me because of an immediate disliking for her, and Gilbert's association with Ivetta added fuel to the fire. Yves had been snubbed and ridiculed his entire life because of his Obsidianite mother. Ivetta lacked his social standing and had an obvious and direct connection with the worldwide disaster. She could expect much worse than Yves. But I already had Lucien and Cyril watching her every moment she was at the palace today, and they had my permission to intervene as necessary. The tripping incident was the worst she had experienced that morning.

In fact, she rather enjoyed herself, according to Jin. He'd gone to the ballroom to check on preparations there and found the servants taking a break from decorating for an impromptu dance. Ivetta had been among those singing and clapping to set the rhythm for the dancers. When the head maid arrived, Jin had distracted her long enough for Ivetta and Leon's maid to sneak out and avoid punishment, and that, too, was a small relief. Most of the other servants were giving Ivetta the cold shoulder, but her friendship with Theresa remained intact. Anybody who wanted to slight Ivetta would have to include Theresa as well, and that would be sufficient deterrent to prevent major problems.

Guests arrived throughout the day. I left the socializing to those of my brothers more suited to the task and remained in my office, handling faction business as it came. My usual practice on such occasions was to disappear until the ball and then hear the reports and requests all at once, after which I would leave, but I was still coordinating multiple investigations, and I needed to be available should difficulties arise.

Akatsuki threatening Gilbert within an inch of his life was not a difficulty. It was a welcome diversion.

It also provided me with more information about Gilbert's physical state: he had little stamina. He hid it well, but he'd been on the verge of breathlessness when he'd ended the chase with a warning to Akatsuki, who had never intended to kill him. Gilbert, however, was serious. I didn't think Akatsuki knew the reason for the sudden shift in Gilbert's tone; Gilbert probably killed any who found out to keep it a secret. Regardless, Akatsuki recognized the dangerous edge in the Conqueror Beast's voice and sheathed his sword. He delivered an ultimatum about killing Gilbert should he harm either Belle or Ivetta, and then he left. Gilbert exited soon after.

I needed to warn Ivetta. If Gilbert wouldn't spare Akatsuki, a man with whom he'd shared a close relationship since childhood, I wasn't certain he would make an exception for Ivetta should she discover his weakness. She'd already noticed symptoms, and it wouldn't take her long to realize they were not part of a temporary illness, but a chronic condition. I also wanted to check in with her personally before she left again to care for her mother, since that would be my last opportunity to do so before the ball began. I was leaving my office to do so when Lucien arrived—without Ivetta.

"Your Highness." He bowed low. "I have an incident to report."

That didn't bode well. "Where is she?"

"This way. She is uninjured but shaken. The head maid sent her and Theresa to a storage room for supplies. The storage room," he said, emphasizing the last three words. "Another maid, acting independently, locked them in. Cyril and I apprehended her and unlocked the door immediately, and Ivetta insists she's alright, but..."

"Who gave the orders?"

"An earl with ties to the anti-monarchy faction. The maid was quick to give him up."

"I'll deal with him later. Have the carriage brought around to the nearest side entrance."

"Yes, Your Highness. One more thing. Prince Keith was passing by at the time. He's with her and Theresa."