97 Pacing

There was an awkward standoff when my husband and my one-time suitor both arrived at my side at the same time. I accepted Duke Orla's water reluctantly, unwilling to actually drink it in case he put something weird in there.

"Thank you for your assistance but I believe my husband can take it from here," I informed him as politely as I could.

He gave me a stiff bow. "It is a gentleman's duty to see to a lady's needs. Please excuse me, Your Highnesses."

Duke Orla turned and stalked away in the other direction. I heaved a sigh of relief as he went, dumping the water out into a floral arrangement next to me. I had gotten rid of him for now but my sense of unease about our conversation remained.

Was I being paranoid? Even if I was…paranoia was how people stayed alive in this world. Franz had already proven that because Mariela and the baby were safe and sound despite Sigmund's best efforts to breach the fortress their quarters had become.