“What did the bitch do now?” Kaelenna asked, grinning as she bit into a honey-dipped scone.
The breakfast room shimmered in soft morning light. Gold trimmed everything: the plates, the cutlery, even the napkin rings—like the Darions needed to remind themselves of their worth. Kaelenna sat curled in her chair, her voice echoing across the long table.
“I’m guessing she ran back to the trenches or whatever with tears and trembling hands,” she said between bites. “How tragic.”
Lady Mirelle chuckled as she stirred her tea, the spoon clinking rhythmically against the porcelain.
“She always had such a fragile spine. Thought silence made her dignified.” She sipped slowly, eyes glinting. “No title. No children. No real claim. She’ll be forgotten before the week ends.”
The maids exchanged quick glances but said nothing. A few stifled grins. One poured more tea as if she hadn’t just heard an entire life dismissed.
Then came the knock. Four heavy strikes—measured and deep—rattled the calm. Everyone paused.
Kaelenna raised an eyebrow. “Who in the world pounds like that at this hour?”
Before anyone could answer, the butler hurried into the hallway. Moments later, polished boots struck the marble floor in perfect unison. Into the breakfast room marched four Federation Court officers, uniforms gleaming with Dominion insignias. They were followed by a tall woman in a charcoal suit, her briefcase locked with steel latches.
Lady Mirelle stood slowly, her smile still in place but her eyes narrowing. “This is a private residence. You’ll explain yourselves immediately.”
The lead officer didn’t smile. “By order of Dominion Oversight, we are here to enforce a legal revocation of protection status for House Darion. Effective this morning.”
Kaelenna set her teacup down a little too hard. “What the hell does that mean?”
The officer unfolded a document, sliding it across the table.
“Lady Seren Veris has withdrawn her alliance-binding consent. As the primary signatory to your Dominion trade and protection treaties, her exit dissolves all current safeguards—effective immediately.”
Lady Mirelle’s mouth twitched. “There must be some mistake. Seren was never the primary. Those deals were negotiated under my son’s name.”
The court clerk stepped forward, flipping open her briefcase with a loud click. She withdrew a second file, stamped with the Veris seal.
“All holdings acquired under Dominion treaty clauses were co-signed by Lady Seren Veris. Not Darion. The moment her name was removed, your trade shields, border protections, and Eastern estate leases were revoked.”
Kaelenna’s face went white. “No, no—this is ridiculous. She wouldn’t—she couldn’t—”
“She did,” the officer replied flatly. From the corridor came the sound of fast steps, leather against marble.
Calyx entered, jacket open, hair askew. “This can’t be right,” he said quickly. “That alliance was structured through my father’s counsel. Those assets are ours.”
The clerk didn’t even look up. “Not anymore.”
Calyx’s voice hardened. “Then I want to speak to her. Now.”
Before the officer could respond, the front door opened again. Riven stepped inside. He looked travel-worn but calm. His eyes locked on Calyx’s immediately.
“She’s unavailable,” he said, voice like iron. “But I’ll deliver the message if you’d like.”
Calyx stared at him. “Who do you think you are?”
“The man who read the contracts,” Riven replied coolly. “You should’ve tried it.”
Lady Mirelle raised her chin. “We demand answers. She married into this house. Her loyalty—”
“Was destroyed the moment you paraded her humiliation through a ballroom,” Riven said, cutting her off. “She gave you dignity. You gave her disgrace.”
Calyx stepped forward, voice low. “You have no idea what she’s done.”
“No,” Riven said, eyes glinting. “But I know what she didn’t do. She didn’t destroy this house. You did that yourselves.”
Kaelenna scoffed from the corner. “So what now? Are we just supposed to roll over while she plays princess of revenge?”
The court officer cleared his throat. “That’s for the court to decide. In the meantime, you’ll return all Dominion-registered documentation immediately. Refusal to comply will be treated as obstruction.”
Calyx’s voice broke on the edge of panic. “You expect her to stand against us?”
Riven stepped closer. “I expect your future wife to explain it to the court. She seemed very confident last night.”