Page 116 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
Besides, Sophia was in some kind of strange rehabilitation plan where her image was concerned, so I fully expected them to both be on their best behaviour.
Even more so given how many eyes would be on us tonight.
Three knocks sounded at the door, and Rina turned from her position beside it to open it. “Yes?”
“His Highness is waiting to escort Lady Alicia,” Sir Hayes said from outside. “Is she ready to go?”
Rina looked over her shoulder. “My lady?”
“Hold on.” Bella took a step back and scanned me from head-to-toe. “Yes, you’re ready to go.”
“Are you sure?” I asked teasingly.
“Yes. Are you certain you don’t need me to accompany you, my lady?”
I shook my head. “There will be plenty of maids there and tomorrow will be a long day for us all. Both of you please relax for this evening, and I’ll call for you when we return. Especially you, Annie, as you look quite tired.”
Bella bowed. “As you wish.”
“Have fun, my lady!” Annie beamed despite how exhausted she seemed and clapped her hands together. “How exciting! I wish I could see you both deb—”
“Miss Annie,” Rina said from the doorway. “The Grand Duke is waiting for Her Ladyship. We shouldn’t delay their departure any further.”
“Ah. Yes. You’re right.” She blushed. “My apologies.”
I winked at Annie before turning and joining Sir Hayes in the hall. “Where is he?”
“His Highness is waiting for you at the front door, my lady,” he replied. “We should make haste.”
“Why didn’t you say so? Ugh.” I followed him to the open landing and gathered my skirt so I wouldn’t trip over it as I walked down the staircase.
At the spring ball, I’d enjoyed feeling like a princess in a fancy ballgown. Now, I didn’t even want to be in this sparkly blue dress.
I really needed to shake this terrible mood of mine.
Was it too late to fake a headache? Or a heart attack?
It was the left side for a heart attack, right? I could just grab my arm now, shout out in pain, and—
“Allie.”
I froze, stopping halfway down the staircase. After barely speaking to me all day, he led with my nickname?
I wanted to choke this infuriating man on his own tongue.
Alas, even if I were close enough to do so, it would be no good. As established, I was a weak woman in the face of a handsome man, and this one in particular seemed to be rapidly becoming my biggest weakness.
Kalon in formalwear was a deadly shot to the heart. His outfit wasn’t too dissimilar to the extravagant princely getup he’d been wearing the first time we’d met, but instead of it being black and silver with a green accent, it was black, silver, and blue.
And there was something about the way the blue detailing on the lapels and underside of his cape matched the shade of my dress perfectly that made my heart beat a little faster.
We… were acouple.
I knew that already, of course, but perhaps it hadn’t really sunk in yet. Until now. Where our matching outfits practically screamed that we belonged to one another.
A weird fizzle of possessiveness coiled in the pit of my stomach.
“Are you coming? Or are you going to stand there on the stairs all night?” He raised his arm, holding out one gloved hand towards me. “Well?”
