13 Chapter Twelve

As the next few weeks passed by, the Dukedom of Aedile grew busy as it prepared for my nineteenth birthday.

"Val!" Ethan clamored, rushing up to hug me in a particularly sweaty shirt.

"That was not appreciated," I frowned, trying to not gag.

"Are you excited to be nineteen?" His eyes glimmered with joy. "Aw, my baby sister is all grown up…"

"It doesn't feel too different from last year." I fiddled with an accessory attached at the waist of my dress, watching the servants clean the ballroom in a rush. "And I grew up a long time ago."

"Yes, yes," Ethan patted my head affectionately.

"Go take a bath." I glowered at him.

Thankfully, Ethan did as I said, and I was left alone in the hallway outside of the ballroom. Rather than excitement, all I could feel was a wash of melancholy. Another year had passed since I turned back time. I had gotten Roman to save Ethan but… what else had I done?

"Miss Valerie." One of the servants tapped me gently on the shoulder. I turned, alarmed.

"Oh, I'm sorry." I interlocked my fingers and stared at the lace accessory on my dress.

"The Duke is looking for you," the servant said. "He wants to meet you in his study."

I nodded sharply. "I understand. Thank you."

The feeling of dread couldn't help but grow as I made my way over. What could my father possibly want to talk about? Ethan? Arthur? Roman? Or even my birthday party? Then why was worry building up in the pit of my stomach?

"It's Valerie," I said quietly at his door.

"Come in."

His study was dimly lit, illuminated mostly by the large glass window behind his desk. The room was quiet and comfortable, draped in soothing colors of brown and bronze. The Duke of Aedile sat at his chair, glancing at several papers.

"Valerie," my father looked up and put his pen down.

"Yes?" I sat on the edge of an armchair, discomfort prickling along my neck.

"You're smart, Valerie, sometimes even smarter than your brothers. Sometimes even smarter than me. When you first brought up the idea of your business three years ago, I didn't know what to expect. But you quickly found your ground and made the family proud." He smiled fondly. "Since you're smart, you must know of the unrest stirring amongst the nobility."

My breath caught in my throat.

"Because of your brother's loyalty to the first prince, Aedile's neutrality has been broken. As a duchy, we uphold and stabilize the rest of the empire through our example and justice. Therefore," my father's gentle gaze didn't match the cold chills running up and down my back. "I have begun planning for your engagement."

---

"My lady, you look beautiful."

I looked into the mirror but couldn't feel a thing. My father's words still echoed in my head. "I have begun planning for your engagement. You may start searching for someone at your party." He said that, but when we made eye contact I knew there was only one person he wanted me to marry.

For the duchy. For the family.

I stared into the silver mirror. My clear blue eyes were framed by darkened lashes and glimmering blue powder. Small gems had been affixed along my brow, while iridescent powder highlighted and softened my face. In an opalescent blue and purple dress, with tulle falling down in thick, feathered layers, I looked like a pearl. I looked like a gift.

My hands trembled underneath glittering bracelets. I knew what I had to do, but why did it feel so hard? It didn't bother me as much before - maybe because I knew no one, knew nothing back then. Why did my chest constrict and prick with each shaking breath? Was it because at the end of the aisle, I'd be seeing Ieuan?

Then, who did I want to see?

"My lady, are you ready?"

I whipped my head around. My maid stood at the doorway, looking worried.

The ballroom was flush with people. They chatted in their glittering gowns and suits, laughing, talking. The party seemed to glow, emanating joy and energy. For some reason, I couldn't feel it. I felt sick.

Opalescent streamers fluttered down from the ceiling, and the tables were packed with white and faintly lilac flowers. The entire party seemed designed, engineered to lock me into the spotlight. Even the moon outside glowed full and silver against a dark sky.

I met my father at the entrance. He held out his hand and smiled. My father, kind and firm. His eyes communicated, once more, the responsibility I understood.

The room seemed to hold its breath when I entered. The tulle shifted and sang in gathers around me, glittering under candlelight.

"Thank you all for coming to celebrate the birthday of my daughter, Valerie Aedile!" My father raised my hand, and the crowd erupted into applause. "Surely, the Aedile house couldn't have a lovelier and more wonderful flower. Throughout these past nineteen years, she's enriched our lives with so much light and joy."

I smiled stiffly. Ethan, Arthur, and my mother drew up next to me. The Dukedom of Aedile. Our history rich and long, our power abundant and stable, our influence ever expanding. We all had duties to uphold our legacy. We all had responsibilities to fufill.