s P

t Hays, and my mother, Lady Annelise Hays, walke

the fabric. Several large, gaudy rings adorned his fingers. He look

-fire pattern embroidered on her skirt seemed to frost over with her icy glare. She lo

mother's arms, sobbing, "Mother

nomous look. "Alys! How long are you going to keep this up! Loo

mly settling on my father, the ma

I heard from Clement that you've agreed to the marriage. Good. That's how a daughter of Hou

ment pulled at the wound in my chest, making

"I agree to marry him, bu

? Alys, don't push your luck. Marrying Lord Kensingto

, as a daughter of House Hays, my marriag

if she'd heard the world's greatest joke. "A dowry? A subst

The family is being generous by not tyin

tone. I am about to become Lady Kensington. Do you wish to provo

ngton." Clement's face turned a shade of purple

g, what will people say? That you are cruel and heartless, unwilling to provide a decent dowry for your own

was a man obsessed with appearanc

lise's sleeve. "Mother, how can sister

s is not your place to speak. Or would you rath

immediately hid behind our mother

ced by me. A sick sense of pleasure rose withi

finally speaking. "Fine. You can have a dowr

y. He had agreed. B

dition," I said calmly

you want?" Ann

. "I want to sever all

e powerful than the request for a dow

man. For a noblewoman, severing ties with

aching its peak. "You... you traitor! The fa

lled beast. Ignoring everyone's shocked cr

ody. I could clearly hear the crack of a rib bre

didn't

ll clearer and more resolute th

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