Sanch

come of my arrival. The long dining table was laden with exquisite dishes,

r, cherished relief of having finally gotten her daughter back. My stepfather Alistair smiled

ssion remained stern and dignified as ever, yet her g

picture of perfect familial peace. But I knew better. Da

at his steak with knife and fork, the scraping sound sharp and grating against the qu

pace, appearing utterly indifferent to everything around him. Yet his casual, half-lidded g

ut the latest fashionable dresses in the city and sharing trivial, delightful anecdotes. Her bright innocence stood in stark contr

inner, Donovan sudden

my direction. His voice was quiet yet commanding,

nd unspoken warning. "House Beaumont does not shelter the useless. I

ut to speak in my defense, but I rest

ed smile. "Thank you for your concern, Elder Cousin. I too hope I shall

mplication, yet my gaze remained

ng him plainly-I knew of Weston's schemes, a

eyes, quickly melting into a knowing, subtle s

xplode in anger. Before he could utter a word, however, a sharp, w

a close thick wit

orward, who carried a delicate velvet gift box in her ha

atitude-when Weston abruptly cut in, holding up another box of

r, as her elder cousin, I have also prepared a

ved, believing Weston had finally softened hi

Still, I could not refuse. To turn down his gift would make me appear petty

I smiled gently and

zzed with excitement, urging

-a pair of exquisite sapphire earrings,

to step back. Carefully,

he lid open, a slimy green creatu

ht, scrambling hastily

h cold, sticky mucus. It hopped wildly across the expen

leaps in an instant. My smile faded comple

ing but an overgro

ned calm and composed, turning to soothe my tremb

g the flawless carpet, icy gl

or retaliation. I would wait for a far better opportunity-one

the frog beneath a glass vase, then summ

wash up and rest. As I lifted my arm, a hideous, fresh red b

he chaos of Perkins' accident, I had only felt a fleeting sting a

treat the wound myself-until Clara's sha

rm, tears welling instantly in her eyes.

empting to calm her. "Do not fu

desperate worry. "This is no small injury! We must send for

she spun on her heels a

gh and made no move

retribution would come far