“My lady! My lady! My lady! My lady!”

What a racket, first thing in the morning. Leda awoke to the heavy footsteps of her nanny charging into the room like a boar scenting prey.

“Nanny, what on earth—”

“A visitor! You have a visitor!” 

The woman was so out of breath she looked ready to collapse.

“A visitor? For me?”

“Yes! He’s waiting in the parlor right now.”

“But I haven’t invited anyone. I didn’t even receive a letter saying someone was coming.”

Leda tilted her head.

“You don’t need one for a guest like this! Come now, hurry and get ready.”

“Who is it?”

“First, wash up, my lady!”

With practiced hands, the nanny whisked away Leda’s blanket, sat her upright, and began scrubbing her face with a damp cloth.

“I can do it myself—”

“At your pace, the guest would be kept waiting four hours and leave the castle in despair before we dragged him back.”

Leda laughed softly.

“Then who is it?”

Her nanny combed through the ends of her hair before answering in a solemn voice.

“Don’t be startled, my lady.”

“Yes?”

“It’s Lord Angelo Meyer.”

Leda’s eyes flew wide.

“What are you talking about? Why would he come to see me?”

“They said nothing happened at the debutante ball. Perhaps you caught his eye there!”

Leda couldn’t understand it. She had never exchanged a single word with the young lord. He had started toward her once, perhaps to ask for a dance, but Darius had turned him away. And now, without warning, he had come all the way to Edelin?

If it had been the other man…

She shook her head. What if the visitor had been him instead? Even two days after the ball, she had not shaken free of him. The image of that dark-haired man sweeping his hair back and winking at her still visited her dreams, leaving her smiling even in sleep.

Realizing her own disappointment, she quickly straightened her expression. Regardless of who it was, she must show proper courtesy to the young lord.

Clad in a simple sky-blue dress, her golden hair loose down her back, Leda slowly descended the stairs. Voices drifted through the parlor doors—her father, her mother, and Darius.

She drew in a deep breath and stepped inside. All eyes turned to her: her mother, beaming with emotion; her father, unreadable; Darius, frowning darkly. And there, rising politely from his seat, was Angelo.

Leda curtsied. 

“Lord Meyer.”

“Good day, my lady.” 

He said with a small nod. Up close, his neat, kindly features gave him an air of warmth. No wonder they called him the kingdom’s finest match. Though, of course… not compared to him.

“Will you take some tea?” 

Lady Weiss offered cautiously. Angelo paused, then spoke. 

“Forgive me, but I would like a private walk with Lady Leda, if I may. With your permission.”

He glanced apologetically at her parents.

“That’s out of the—” 

Darius began, but his mother’s sharp look silenced him.

“The autumn leaves are beautiful now. There’s a quiet path along the walls. Go and take a stroll.”

“Thank you.”

With Lady Weiss’s gracious leave, Angelo stepped forward, offering his arm.

Startled, Leda placed her hand on it, and together they left the parlor.

***

Edelin Castle, though lacking in splendor, carried the weight of old stone and timeless dignity. It was more fortress than palace, its charm lying in its classical austerity. Along the quiet path by the walls, great trees spread branches heavy with autumn leaves. Whenever the sea breeze swept inland, crimson foliage scattered like drifting petals.

Leda and Angelo walked side by side down the firm earthen path. The soil, damp with autumn moisture, released a faintly bitter fragrance beneath their steps.

“Did my visit surprise you?” 

Angelo asked gently.

Leda nodded. 

“Yes, a little. No… truthfully, very much.”

Angelo hid a laugh behind his hand. 

“I thought so.”

His gaze shifted restlessly between the blue sky and the fiery leaves. Clearly, he had something to say but was hesitant to speak. The distant crash of waves filled the silence, rolling in and out.

“Then why have you come? What is it you wished to see me about?” 

Leda finally asked, unable to restrain her curiosity.

“Ah, forgive me, my lady. I was lost in amusing thoughts, forgetting your feelings.”

“Amusing thoughts?” 

She tilted her head.

“Because I am about to be terribly rude.” 

He admitted with a troubled smile.

“Rude?”

“I did not come alone. I brought an… uninvited guest. He could not reveal himself openly, so I came in his stead. But the one who wishes to see you—it is not I, but him.”

At those words, Leda’s heart began to pound.

“He’s waiting outside the castle. Would you come?”

“Who is he?”

“My cousin. The one you danced with at the ball…”

“Oh!” 

Leda’s heart raced faster still.

“I know it’s sudden, and if you refuse, we’ll leave at once without troubling you further.” 

Angelo said, misreading her silence. He thought her expression was one of displeasure.

Seeing her hesitate so long, he forced a rueful smile. 

“Forgive me, my lady. I’ll take my leave. I should not have imposed.”

He bowed and turned away—only for Leda to hastily catch his sleeve.

“Wait, Lord Angelo!” 

Her cheeks flushed as she spoke. 

“I’ll meet him.”

***

Angelo thought to himself: Who am I, and what am I doing here?

For before his eyes, Jupiter and Leda were walking side by side, while he—Lord Angelo Meyer, trailed a few steps behind like a servant.

“Are you not going to tell me your name?” 

Leda asked at last, fidgeting with her fingers. Since spotting the dark-haired man waiting beyond the castle gates, she hadn’t known where to put her hands, opening and closing her fists nervously.

“Jupiter. That’s my name.”

“I see.”

The last time they met, they had spoken freely, but today he seemed far quieter.

“It sounds… very noble.”

“It should. It was taken from the name of the highest god.”

The arrogant reply suited him perfectly.

The waves crashed high that day. Watching them, Leda thought the sea’s restless heaving mirrored the turmoil in her own heart. She turned her gaze toward the horizon.

Jupiter, stealing glances at her, followed her gaze. Raised in Kleve, far inland, he had rarely seen the sea—only on a handful of childhood trips. Yet now, even the ocean held no interest for him compared to the girl walking beside him.

“To tell the truth… you startled me today.”

“I’m sure I did.” 

Jupiter said with a nod. In fact, no one was more startled by this meeting than he himself.

He had spent the previous day in a daze before finally bursting into Angelo’s chambers at night to ask for help. Not once in his twenty years had he ever sought a favor from his cousin.

“You’re insane!” 

Angelo had laughed. He would never let Jupiter live it down.

But Jupiter had no choice. For a crown prince to expose his identity in Hanover just to meet a girl—such recklessness carried grave risks.

“So you want to use me to get to her? Me, Lord Angelo Meyer?”

“What other way is there?”

“It’ll look as though I’ve come to propose!”

“Then don’t propose. And if you dare—”

“Ha! Now you’ve put the idea in my head. I ought to write the proposal this instant!”

“Shut it, Angelo.” 

Jupiter muttered darkly.

“You do realize, if your father or my aunt find out, it’ll be chaos?”

“I know.” 

Jupiter admitted.

“When was it you said royals don’t marry for love? Yesterday, wasn’t it?” 

Angelo’s laughter kept slipping out as he eyed his cousin’s uncharacteristically dazed face.

“I never said anything about marriage. I just… wanted to see her again.”

Jupiter tried to mask his expression, but heat crept up his face all the same. The self-reproach stung.