Chapter 58

Scarlett was holding back. Needless to say, for Scarlett, “holding back” was one of most irrelevant and abhorrent phrases in the world. But that day’s event—the yearly gathering of the entire family in the Castiel domain to celebrate a bountiful harvest—was extremely important and sacred. It wouldn’t do for a fit of anger on her part to spoil the whole thing. If only she had been a little older. Then she might have had more options. If only she’d had more experience and could speak a little more eloquently. Then maybe instead of this wretched holding back, she could have charged into battle. But Scarlett Castiel hadn’t even debuted yet. She was still a child, and frustratingly, under these circumstances, silence was her best option. She knew that. She knew it well, and yet… “To think, a hostess not greeting her guests! Was she raised by wolves?” Hearing those words of contempt directed at her mother, Aliénore, was simply unforgivable. “Oh, but her education must have been noble, indeed. I hear she was brought up at a shrine. That must be why—she doesn’t bow her head to anyone but the gods.” Jeering laughter rippled through the group. What a thoroughly aristocratic brand of nastiness. They should be ashamed! Scarlett thought. She vowed that should she ever end up in their place, backbiting was one thing she would never do. No—she would hurl her curses and jeers right at her targets’ faces. “But the shrines over there are like our churches, aren’t they? Only problem children and unwanted orphans are given to churches. How in the world did someone like that end up married to Adolphus?” “I heard the person serving as her guardian is distantly related to the king.” “Oh, is that it? Still, what a letdown. I thought people from her country were more cultured and refined. Turns out they’re no better than savages!” “What can you expect? I heard she’s not even from the mainland. Let’s see, I think it was one of those distant islands—” “An island? How horrid. Can she even read and write?” There was a burst of sneering laughter. No, she wouldn’t be able to hold back after all. Fury flaring in her amethyst eyes, Scarlett took a step toward the offending voices. Just then, someone quietly took her hand. Their palm was gentle and soft. Scarlett glanced up in surprise. Aliénore was looking down at her teasingly. She met Scarlett’s gaze and placed a finger over her lips. “Let them talk,” she said. “But—” “Let them. They don’t know that your mother came from a special place.” Scarlett’s eyes flickered in confusion. “Come now, Scarlett. Didn’t you know? They even have a song about it in Adelbide. It’s quite famous. O beautiful El Sol, O holy isle beloved by the sun…,” Aliénore sang cheerfully. “But that’s not all. The secret of the world is hidden there.” “…The secret of the world?” “Yes. A very special secret, too. Would you like to know it?” Scarlett nodded meekly. Aliénore stroked her head. “Then when you get a little older, go to my homeland.” Scarlett pouted, her disappointment obvious. “Won’t you tell me now?” “Of course not. That’s our family rule.” “Our family rule? That’s horrible. Who made up an awful rule like that…?!” “Cornelia Faris.” Aliénore leaned down to whisper in Scarlett’s ear, like she was about to tell her a very special secret. “Listen carefully, Scarlett. This is a message from the great imperial princess herself.” Her amethyst eyes, so similar to Scarlett’s, sparkled for a moment like stars in the night sky. “If you want to lay hold of the world, search for Cornelia’s starry crown.”