Page 50 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
He didn’t care about me or what I wanted. Just what would serve him.
Another thing was clear: I would never be able to reconcile the modern-day liberties and freedoms I was used to from my past life with the lack of them in this world.
I gripped the handle of his office door and yanked it open. “I suppose I should offer you and the marchioness my congratulations. After all these years, you’ll all finally reap the rewards of raising Ivelle Lovett’s daughter.”
No matter how far down the pecking order House Lovett had fallen since their divine power had waned, they still had close ties to the temple and had some of the bluest blood of all the noble houses. That blue blood ran through my veins, and when mixed with my paternal line, meant my noble blood was pure enough to rival that of the Imperial Family if it came down to it.
More than that, my father had loved my mother dearly, even though their marriage had been cut short by her illness shortly after I was born.
It was a low blow to use her name, but it was powerful enough to hit my father where it hurt.
Right now, with this sick, twisting knot building in my stomach, I wanted to hurt him.
Annie hurried after me as I stormed down the hallway. “Lady Alicia, are you—”
“When I reach my room, send for Bella and run my bath,” I ordered. “I will take dinner in my bedroom this evening. Instruct everyone that I do not wish to be disturbed, even if the house is burning down.”
“Yes, my lady,” Annie replied softly. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Yes,” I said, looking back at her. “Pray that I’m dreaming.”
Chapter Eleven
The Worth of a Woman
“Up.” Bella clapped her hands. “Annie, get those blankets off her.”
Annie yanked them away from me, but I reached out and grabbed them, engaging in a paltry tug of war that resulted in my win.
“No. Leave me alone,” I said, burrowing back under them.
“Absolutely not!” This time, Bella was the one who grabbed the blankets, and she was much stronger than me. “You’ve been wallowing in self-pity for the last two days and you must bathe. To speak frankly, you smell like the knights’ quarters, my lady.”
Annie gasped. “Miss Bella!”
My sentiments exactly, Annie.
I had a vague memory of visiting the knights’ living quarters once after a big training session.
Basically, Bella was saying that I smelt like a men’s locker room.
“You have no choice. You have guests coming this afternoon.”
“I don’t want to see them. Tell them to go away,” I grumbled.
“Lady Vivian thought you might say that, so she told me to tell you that she will break down your bedroom door if you do not receive her and Lady Sasha.” Bella sniffed. “We’ve already drawn your bath, so let’s not waste water.”
“You sound like my mother.”
“I’m not nearly old nor elegant enough to dare to dream of assuming such a position, my lady.”
The age part was true. She was the same age as me, after all.
“You will feel much better after bathing.”
“All right, fine, fine. I’ll bathe.” I dragged my heavy body out of bed and allowed myself to be steered into my bathroom. I shed my nightclothes and got into the bath, sinking down into the hot water.
It felt good.
