Discovery

Siv tries to calm her nerves. She had hoped the weather would be a little warmer today to have the afternoon tea out in the garden, but it is not. Thankfully, she was granted permission to use the conservatory and the maids have already prepared and dressed a round table for the guests.

She has carefully chosen the china the servants will be using. She made a seating chart, even though there will only be six ladies, seating according to title is very important. She has instructed the chef as to how she wants the sandwiches, scones, and sweets presented. She even told them to make fresh cheese and jam.

Siv wears a purple velvet dress since the color is related to royalty in this world too. She wants to make a statement. For some reason, it seems that's what tea parties are all about, making statements. She has her hair down, unfortunately, the only way she can style it these days. She sighs as she smooths out her locks with both palms.

"Well, this is as good as it's going to get." She heads to the conservatory about half an hour before the guests' arrival. She just wants to make sure everything looks perfect. She checks the cups and the saucers, the silverware and the plates, and finally takes a seat to read over her notes one last time.

"There are really only two ladies you should be wary of." Siv jumps as Gary emerges from between the foliage.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Siv pushes her chair and grabs the butter knife close to her.

"Oh, I don't think that will do any damage, love." Gary says with an amused smile.

"What do you want?"

"I am here to help." He shrugs his shoulders.

"Why?"

"Because you intrigue me, Lady Siv."

'Intrigue him?'

Siv studies him for a moment before lowering the useless knife. The action encourages Gary to take a few steps closer.

"So, who should I be wary of?"

"The duchesses mainly. The first one is the Dowager Duchess Jostad." He starts. "As you know, she is Rouva Runa's mother. Which makes me wonder, who have you angered to get another Rouva's mother as a guest, Lady Siv?" Gary chuckles. Siv just stares at him motionless. For a moment, he thinks she didn't hear him.

"I don't know." She answers, unperturbed by the implications of her affirmation. His smile disappears instantly.

Gary didn't understand why a noble young woman like Siv, who was going to marry the crown prince, is training so hard. He couldn't understand how she could dig a dagger into someone's throat and kill them. But now he does, or at least part of it.

"Well, the Dowager is a snake and she will bring up things that will embarrass you." He explains.

"I already know that."

"What you don't know is her weakness." He wiggles his brows suggestively.

"Well, are you going to tell me?" Siv asks when her patience runs out.

"The late Duke of Navic was married to her for years, but unfortunately, she couldn't give him an heir. And since there were no other possible heirs, he panicked."

"Panicked?"

"He did what any man who is desperate enough to save his dukedom from extinction would do; he slept with as many women as he could, hoping that one of them would give birth to a son."

Siv is a little shocked. It feels odd listening to this stranger speak to her with such familiarity. It is actually refreshing, something she never thought she would say about a thug-boss.

'Ha, I think no other man in this whole world would tell me a story about a duke sleeping around.'

"Her weakness, my lady, is that the duke did have a son. However, he is such a disgrace to the family that the sole fact of mentioning him would throw her off guard."

"I see. So I should just mention the Duke of Navic. I assume he inherited the title."

"Yes, that is accurate." Gary inches closer to Siv, way past the appropriate distance. "If you want to add some extra salt on the wound, just mention Baroness Edman in the same sentence. There were some racy rumors going around about an affair." Siv's face flashes red before she pushes to her feet and puts a few feet between them.

"Thank you, Sir Gary, for the helpful information. But I believe the guests will be arriving soon, and I don't think any of what you said would help if I become the topic of a scandal, would it now?"

"True, but I did say that you need to be wary of two ladies." Siv eyes him for a moment then looks at the sun clock by one of the large glass windows.

"You have five minutes before you have to leave, Sir Gary."

"Fair enough." Gary starts striding around the conservatory, forcing Siv to follow him. "Duchess Dolph is more dangerous, my lady." He smells a bed of cosmos before he continues. "She is young and beautiful. Rumor has it, she seduced the duke when she was eighteen. He was sixty four."

'Gold digger much.'

"Her husband passed away four years after they had married, under suspicious circumstances I must say." He smells some tassel-like purple flowers hanging from one of the pots, he smiles when the gentle scent tickles his nostrils. "She has been enjoying her deceased husband's substantial fortune ever since, indulging in luxury, extravagant travels and gatherings, and…" He takes a few steps through some oversize leaves enjoying keeping curious Siv on his heels.

"And?" She finally inquires.

"And Men, my lady."

"But why should I be wary of her?" Gary touches a few plants before he gazes at her.

"Her targets have always been younger men."

Siv looks at him confused. She doesn't understand how any of this information affects her. And why it would make the duchess a danger to her.

'Did Siv and the duchess have an encounter in the past? Maybe she offended her or something.'

"I still don't understand, Sir Gary. I would appreciate it if you could give me a clear answer as to why I should be wary of her." Gary leans on the wall of glass and stares at her.

"She was Brandt's first." Siv blinks a few times. She is too shocked to register that he just called the crown prince by his first name.

"First?"

"First sexual partner." He walks to her and pats her head. For some reason, the gesture seems appropriate when he sees the expression on her face. "And first love."