“Yeah, but lockpicking is so useful! I won’t use it for bad things. I’m sure it’ll come in handy someday!”
“Listen, Nonna. People who use their abilities for ill eventually lose their lives because they’ve misused those talents,” I warned.
“Okay.”
“I trained you because I want you to live a safe and happy life. Do not disappoint me.”
“I won’t, Mom.”
“Nonna, how about sparring with me sometime?” Miles asked.
“Really? Can I, Mom?”
“Sure.”
Nonna eagerly agreed to learn hand-to-hand combat from Miles, and with that settled, we left the farm.
Nonna was in high spirits as we departed. Thanks to her martial arts training in Shen, plus training with Chester and now Miles, she would likely surpass me someday soon. She was only twelve, after all. And she had plenty of potential.
But I couldn’t shake the sense of unease I had.
I didn’t want Nonna to get involved with the Third Order. I doubted Lord Edward would do such a thing, but then again, I couldn’t say the chances were zero. The way the scales tipped would depend on the circumstances at the time.
Back home, I fell into thought as I sipped my tea.
Just as Lord Edward would stop at nothing to protect Jeff and this kingdom, I resolved anew to do whatever it took to protect Nonna.
Bertha came in to inform me that dinner was ready.
“Will Jeff be late tonight?” I asked.
“The master said he wouldn’t be needing any dinner,” she said.
“I see. I’ll be going out briefly tonight after the meal, then.”
“Very well, my lady.”
Once we were done eating, I told Nonna I was going to visit “Mr. Sweet Tooth,” as she called him, and I would be back soon. She was using a cat toy to play with Ash and Berry.
“Okay. You don’t need to bring me back anything.”
“I couldn’t even if I wanted to. It’s a pub, remember?”
“Oh, right. Say hello to Mr. Sweet Tooth for me.”
“I will,” I promised.
I changed into a plain dress and lace-up boots to ensure I could be ready for anything. If something happened to me, Nonna might end up in the Third Order.
The Black Thrush wasn’t very far on foot. Zaharo greeted me with a lazy grin when he saw me.
“Hey there. You’re looking well.”
“Thanks, I’m doing great.”
Zaharo brought me my favorite drink and sat across from me at the bar. There were two other patrons there currently, but they were sitting far enough away that they wouldn’t overhear our conversation.
“You look physically well, at least,” he said pointedly.
“My husband might be assigned to an important position,” I responded.
“Well, that’s good for him but inconvenient for you, isn’t it?” he said.
“Yes, it is.”
Zaharo rose to his feet and fetched a glass for himself, then sat back down across from me.
“Talented people get moved up whether they want to or not,” he mused.
“My husband is the crown prince’s favorite. So there’s nothing we can do about it.”
“That’s not what I mean. I’m talking about you. Are you all right? You might end up being a pawn for some very powerful people.”
I gave him a faint smile and took a sip from my glass.
“Maybe. But that’s fine. I’m prepared to be someone’s pawn if it means I can protect Nonna.”
“Come on, now.”
“I mean it, Zaharo. Before coming back home to Ashbury, I devoted my life to my family, and I still do.”
“But it’s your life.”
“It is, but I live for my family. That’s what makes me happy.”
“I see. Well…” Zaharo stared into his glass, pausing briefly before continuing, “Maybe this is just how your story is meant to unfold. But if there’s anything I can do to help, you let me know, won’t you?”
“Thank you… But why?”
“Just feel like doing you a favor—no strings attached. I consider us birds of a feather. You were placed in circumstances you didn’t choose, but you survived. Just like me.”
That made me happy. “Thank you. I’ll turn to you if the time comes, then.”
“Yes, leave it to me. But for now, I’m still going to protect you from Hector.”
“He’s still looking for me?”
“Yep.” Zaharo had a grim expression on his face. “It’s been five years since the prison break. No—six years now. Hector still hasn’t given up tracking down the red-haired woman behind it.”
“But why? He’s being way too stubborn about this.”
“There’s a rival gang challenging Hector’s. And he really wants that red-haired woman to come work for him. Maybe he’s got someone he wants to break out of prison? Who knows?”
“Is he genuinely that short on pawns?”
“You shouldn’t kid yourself. You’re no ordinary pawn. You’re an exceptionally useful one. And a terrifying one, because you have a will of your own.”
“Oh, stop it.” I laughed bitterly.
I had three more glasses of liquor while Zaharo filled me in on the latest town gossip, and then I headed home.
Jeff wasn’t back from the palace yet.
Just as I changed into my nightclothes and was about to get in bed, Nonna came to my door, pillow in hand.
“Mom, can I stay with you? I can’t fall asleep.”
“Sure. Let’s go to your room.”
We climbed into Nonna’s bed together and chatted about mundane things until she finally drifted off.
I carefully slipped out and decided to get some exercise.
Zaharo’s right. I do have a will of my own. So I refuse to be used and discarded like a tool.
I exercised until I broke a sweat, freshened up with a bath, then got into bed. Jeff still wasn’t home. Somehow, I got the feeling he was digging in his heels and trying to refuse the position of deputy minister of military affairs. But I was almost—no, definitely—certain his efforts would be futile.
Well, it’s time to sleep. Tomorrow will be another busy day.
Jeff came home after midnight.
“Welcome back, darling.”
“Thanks, Anna. You’re still awake.”
“Yes. I’m sure you had a tough day. What happened?”
“I’m very sorry. But I’ve been appointed as deputy minister of military affairs.” Jeff embraced me and apologized with a look of profound regret on his face. If I wasn’t his wife, this would be news worth celebrating. That thought made me feel very guilty.
“It’s fine. We’ll manage somehow. Lady Blythe told me the other day she’s barely been to the castle since she married Lord Edward. I can just avoid it, too.”
“Well…”
“Yes?”
“The thing is, you’ve received an appointment, too. You’re to be Princess Delphine’s conversation partner and language tutor.”
“What…?”
“I’m so sorry, Anna.”
“No, it’s not your fault. So they’ve given me a position as well… What did Lord Edward have to say about it?”
“My brother? I didn’t see him there. The meeting was only for senior officials. I insisted your health was too frail for this, but for some reason, Prince Conrad just refused to listen. He kept saying, ‘It’s fine. I promise we won’t push her too hard.’”
I fell silent, lapsing into thought, and Jeff leaned in closer, looking very worried.
“Anna? Did something happen with Princess Delphine?”
“I’m not sure why she chose me for this role, but during the incident, I did see Prince Conrad while I was acting as her body double. The princess knows I’m your wife, so she must’ve told him.”
“And he found out you’re not actually frail.”
“It’s all right, Jeff. I’ve handled much tougher jobs under worse conditions. I’ll give it a try. If it really becomes too much to bear, we can just renounce our titles and go live on the sheep farm to spin yarn for a living.”
“Anna…”
He hugged me tightly, so tight that my bones creaked. I patted his back to signal for him to ease up and that my ribs were in danger.
“It’s an honor Prince Conrad thinks so highly of you. Let’s face this together, Jeff. So please, don’t look so sad. That handsome face of yours will be ruined.”
“Oh, Anna, you really…”
“Ahem!”
We were interrupted by someone clearing their throat loudly. We both turned to see Nonna standing in the door. She had a cool expression on her face, deliberately avoiding making eye contact with us.
“Pardon me for interrupting, Mother and Father.”
“Well, Miss Prim and Proper. What brings you here at this hour?” I teased.