Guarding His Royal Bride by C.J. Miller

Author:C.J. Miller [Miller, C.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Iliana’s first formal invitation as Demetrius’s wife arrived the next day, tied with a purple satin ribbon and closed with a wax seal with an A stamped into it.

Abeiron stood next to her after delivering it, staring at the wall. He did that whenever they were alone, staring at nothing, as if afraid to look at her.

“Whose seal is this?” she asked.

“The baron of Aetos in Valencia.”

Iliana broke the seal and unrolled the silky paper. The details were written in precise calligraphy.

Abeiron cleared his throat. “A courier brought it this morning.”

Abeiron was dressed as he always was, wearing formalwear before 8:00 a.m. Iliana wondered if he slept fully clothed and changed only to keep his garments looking neat and pressed and smelling fresh.

Iliana took a sip of her orange juice and swallowed her multivitamin. “Who is the baron of Aetos?”

Abeiron sniffed. “He is the most well-known baron in Valencia. Some fear him because of his eccentricities.”

“Eccentricities?” Iliana asked. That could mean anything. She wanted details before she agreed to meet with him.

“He keeps to himself in personal matters, but inserts himself into political matters. The side he takes is usually the side that wins. He has allies and enemies, but his enemies often go silent and find themselves at his mercy.”

He sounded...creepy. “Why does he want to see me?”

“Tradition. You are new to Valencia. He wants to welcome you, as is the custom. The baron of Aetos serves as the country’s official welcome ambassador.”

“I should meet with him, then,” Iliana said. Perhaps the baron could share his thoughts on the situation with the king’s will. She would be careful to ask vague questions, as to not pit him against her by inadvertently appearing to take sides or to have already made up her mind.

Maria had warned her that Stella was sly. She could already have formed an alliance with the baron of Aetos.

“That is your decision. I’ve heard that the baron makes life easier for those who he calls friends.”

She could use allies in Valencia, especially if she was pitted against Stella, who’d had years to gather supporters.

“I suggest you speak to the president about it,” Abeiron said.

Iliana would do that. Demetrius knew everyone and he would likely tell her about the baron of Aetos. Excited, she ran to Demetrius’s office. When she entered the office, he was on the phone and switched to another language.

One day she would study the languages he spoke and then he wouldn’t be able to shut her out of conversations. When he hung up, she circled the desk to show him the invitation. “Guess what came today?”

She had received many similar invitations for the queen of Acacia. She hadn’t before been the intended recipient, except when invited as the queen’s guest.

“I’m guessing it’s good news.”

“An invitation to dinner in Valencia from the baron of Aetos.”

If she had added, “which includes a postdinner orgy,” it would have garnered the same response from Demetrius. His face was cold and hard, the same expression he possessed when he had a gun in his hand and planned to use it.

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