The Storm Is Coming

After afternoon tea, Angel let her mind go blank in the sunroom on the south side of the villa's ground floor, basking in the sunlight.

But her leisure did not last long. Ribak soon came looking for her.

"Miss, you want to cancel all your remaining engagements this week? That includes a viscount's ball, dinners hosted by two councilors, and the weekend salon held by Earl Hall's daughter."

The conscientious butler offered the reminder with care.

"Yes. I have some personal matters to attend to this week, so I'll be very busy. Apologize to them on my behalf, and remember to send a gift... Don't cancel Audrey's salon just yet. I might go on Sunday."

Angel yawned as she answered.

Busy... Ribak looked at his mistress's languid pose and quietly averted his eyes. He was already considering how to handle questions from the butlers of those nobles and dignitaries.

Fortunately, she had become a celebrity of Backlund's Social Season. Turning down a few invitations would only make others more eager to invite her. Still, if she failed to appear in public for an entire week, unsavory rumors were bound to spread. Perhaps Miss had gone to Desi Bay for a pleasant, private weekend with a certain middle-aged gentleman... Hm, that gentleman seemed to have left Backlund last week. Could certain nobles have threatened him, prompting him to flee this trouble-ridden place?

Before leaving, Ribak glanced back at his mistress. She was looking south, her profile seeming to glow gold in the afternoon sun.

"That should leave me enough time to respond to any fighting that breaks out on the Southern Continent..."

Only after the butler left did Angel let out a long breath. She settled into a comfortable position on the lounge chair, unable to keep her thoughts from