Of Glass and of Gold: A Vigilante Cinderella Retelling (The Cursed Kingdom Book 2) by Lylah Taylor

Author:Lylah Taylor [Taylor, Lylah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-08-14T00:00:00+00:00

32

Nora

“I’m suddenly feeling quite heated. I feel so foolish, I think I may need to step away from judging eyes to collect myself. Is there some place I can use to take a moment?” When my pleading gaze met hers, she briskly nodded.

“Yes, of course, Miss. This way.”

I followed the server through the energetic room, and the armor studded guards by the door only briefly glanced my way. Having a uniformed staff member acting as my chaperone didn’t raise any suspicions. A couple lefts, followed by a right, led us to an alcove of archways open to the outdoors.

Thinking I could have studied the halls and room locations to recreate blueprints for Dee had been over-zealous. This building was massive. Even with all the guards stationed in and around the ballroom, they still littered this gods damned castle. Finding privacy so I could snoop was off the table.

The midday sun streamed through, reflecting off the posted guard’s armor.

“Miss has overheated in the packed ballroom. She requires a moment of fresh air.” Her rueful gaze ran over my purple, blotchy torso, an attempt to garner sympathy with the men.

The guards exchanged a glance before one nodded in approval.

“I shall leave you here, Miss. The gardens are enclosed, so you are safe from prying eyes. Go ahead and collect yourself. If you need, ask one of the servers for club soda upon your return. For the stain.” She gave a soft smile. With that, she curtsied and shuffled back down the hall.

Standing before the two guards, I offered a simple smile before bowing my head low as I demurely walked past them into the gardens. The afternoon sun beat down, and I took a moment to bask in the illuminating light, angling my face toward the cloudless sky.

I inhaled an invigorating breath. So far, so good. I’d gathered some information regarding the castle’s plans over the coming weeks, and if I played my cards right upon my return, I might be able to convince someone to show me where the next event will take place. Might be possible, seeing as I coerced a staffer to bring me to the lush castle gardens.

I should really get paid for this. I’m quite good.

Deciding I should enjoy the lovely castle gardens before risking getting thrown into the castle dungeons, I meandered around the stone pathways framed with newly sprouting shrubbery and flowers emerging from their winter slumber.

My former life of oppression had started melting, finally allowing me to grow like a seedling breaking ground. Though I feared the consequences, it would almost be worse to continue living the way I had been. At least this way, if I died, I got a chance to actually live the way a soul was meant to. Flourishing, blossoming, having hope, something to believe in.

“Lady Nora?”

I jumped from the startle, whipping around to have the dread in my soul validated when that smooth, lustrous, deep voice said my name. Prince Nicholas stood mere feet from me, dressed in material so fine it glimmered in the sun.

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