A Usurper's Cause (Book #4)

Chapter Thirty-Nine

The doors flung open as Elouise exited her bedchamber. She held her head high, ignoring every servant who passed her and greeted her. She made her way to the stairs when she heard a voice echoing off the surrounding—a grating sound that made her seethe.

"I am in no mood," she stated.

"As if you ever are," Victor said as he sauntered over to her.

Elouise whirled around. "Do you stand at your door and wait for me every morning?"

"Don't flatter yourself."

"Oh, no? Then explain why I have all eyes on me at all times?" She glanced pointedly at a young servant pretending to wipe down a vase nearby. The girl gasped and immediately scurried down the corridor.

Victor leaned closer. "To ensure you are behaving," he whispered. "You are a guest here, and I need to always be wary of my guests." Then with his forefinger, he tried brushing a stray stand of her hair away from her face.

Elouise smacked his hand, and he clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth.

"Show a little respect," he warned. "I am the one who still wears a crown."

Elouise gritted her teeth and growled under her breath. "You—"

"Stop!" Ashton pleaded, appearing behind Victor. "Elouise, don't."

Victor lifted his eyebrows. "Go on. I am waiting."

"You are better than this," Ashton said. "He does this on purpose, we've discussed this. You cannot give in. That is what he wants you to do."

Elouise took a step back and folded her arms across her chest. Victor snickered as he moved past her. She listened to his footsteps grow further and further away before groaning.

"You cannot interfere every time, Ashton," she chided.

"I'm protecting you," he argued.

"Don't insult me. I don't need protection."

"If you truly despised my interference as much as you say, you wouldn't listen to me."

Elouise clutched the railing and side-eyed him. "It is to avoid your lectures." She took off down the curved steps.

Even after a year, the palace still felt like a maze to her. She heard doors opening and heard Haven scolding Henry, yet she couldn't find them.

"Are you even listening to me?" Haven asked.

Elouise followed her voice until she emerged into the grand foyer. Haven turned to her, scowling as usual. Henry looked away.

"Starting the day with more shouting," Elouise said, shaking her head. "What has you so angry today, Haven?"

"I wasn't angry until this one showed up," she grumbled.

"I was also having a fine morning until this one called for me," Henry remarked.

Haven took a deep breath and walked up to Elouise, holding a letter in her hand. "I received another update from Clara." Then she held it out.

Elouise accepted it and pursed her lips as she undid the string. She expected it to be like the other letters—pointless and disappointing. Truthfully, she couldn't understand why Haven still bothered to read them and give them to her.

Nonetheless, Elouise unfolded the letter and read it to herself. Then she drew her brows together and looked up.

"A visitor from another kingdom?"