The next day the maids Ami had successfully chased off days ago stubbornly insisted on helping her prepare for the evening banquet. The manor was noisy and bustling as everyone prepared for the upcoming events. 

Ami had tried to hide in her room to avoid running into anyone unpleasant like her stepmother or more frighteningly, her fiancé. He’s here. Ami was correct in assuming the man from yesterday was a soldier in the Belland troops. The several hundred men arrived a day early and had settled into the military camp a short distance from the Rhineton estate. Ami only knew this from eavesdropping on the gossiping staff. Neither her father nor her fiancé showed their faces in front of her.

But she’d meet him tonight. He and his top officials would join the other military guests at the banquet tonight. It would be their first meeting. A day before our wedding. She thought of the man she met yesterday. Only a handful of the high ranking soldiers would attend. A low ranking soldier like him must be at the camp tonight. Thankfully she wouldn’t run into him. 

Ami was pulled out of her thoughts by the two maids crossly trying to get her attention. Rhonda spoke first. “Miss, it’s time to do your hair and face. We haven’t much time left.” 

The other maid, Millie, agreed. “That’s right. We have a lot of work to do to make you into a lady.”

Ami groaned. Somehow over the past few weeks these two had taken it upon themselves to make her into a lady rivaling her sisters. Ami wasn’t sure if they had been chastised by her father about her unacceptable appearance or if they were in a competition with the other staff after getting their pride bruised. But their nagging wouldn’t cease today.

Before her debut celebration, Ami prepared for the few events she’d been invited to on her own. That meant a mended gown in fashion ages ago, hair either braided to one side or in a messy bun, and a plain face.

Her father had insisted on updating her wardrobe, so she wore the dresses she’d been given to this month’s house parties, but had prepared on her own. This was the first time anyone had put so much care into her appearance. The process was arduous, taking several hours. 

After pulling her hair away from her face, letting soft caramel curls tickle her chin and cheeks, and painting her face just enough to enhance her features, the maids helped Ami into her dress. Eyeing herself in the full length mirror, Ami was surprised at the finished result. Her hair twisted back into an appealing chignon. Streaks of warm and dark caramel blended together. The golden-brown cosmetics combined with her long eyelashes made her eyes the stars of her features. The girls surprised Ami by lining her eyes in purple, somehow making her green eyes pop. The emerald gown only emphasized the brightness in her eyes.

Ami was a little unsure about the gown. The sleeves fell off her shoulders and revealed her delicate collarbone. The dress cinched at the waist, hugging her hips before flowing gracefully to the floor. Ami had seen this design a few times at other banquets but tonight was her first time to wear it.

The transformation was striking. She did look the part of a society beauty. Her maids even looked impressed. I might actually rival my sisters like this. Ami chuckled, banishing that thought.

Her maids urged her to leave. The outdoor banquet would be filled with guests by now. Like Captain Everick. Ami, no longer distracted by the makeover, tasted bile in the back of her throat.

Her palms clammy and her eyesight swimming, Ami was in no condition to hurry outside. I’ll just walk around upstairs for a bit. She nervously paced the halls until she neared the upper balcony.

Curiosity drew her to the windows overlooking the party. She peered out, heart thumping. 

Lanterns hanging around the perimeter lit the courtyard with a soft glow. Tables were placed throughout, topped with appetizers. Men and women mingled while servants passed drinks. But it was difficult to distinguish between the guests from where she stood.

She shuffled to a door leading to the balcony and stepped out. Ami leaned against the railing, watching the party from a few stories above the guests. Music drifted up to her ears. The night air was cool on her face.

Some of the guests Ami recognized by sight. There was Giselle on the arm of Lawrence Elliot, her other sisters with their mother at a table. Some guests she knew as her father’s acquaintances.

She finally spotted her father with a handful of his colleagues talking to a group of young men dressed in military uniforms. Oh. Though they wore the Empire’s colors, the uniformity of their dark hair gave their lineage away. The soldiers from Belland. And there, in a captain’s coat, tall and speaking with Lord Rhineton, was who she could only assume to be her fiancé. 

In the dying light Ami couldn’t make out his face. But his body language told her he was on edge in front of his future father-in-law and commander. Ami imagined the arrogant look on her father’s face; the enemy he captured a year ago about to fall into his trap again. 

She watched her father look around the party, turning to the manor until he eventually laid eyes on her, who was unfortunately illuminated by the light inside. He gestured to her, and the men around him looked up at her. Startled, Ami straightened and backed away from the edge. But she couldn’t ignore her father’s hand commanding her to come down. There was no way to hide now. 

Ami dragged her feet leaving the balcony, taking her time to find the staircase and, just to upset her father, took the long way around outside, not entering by the well lit manor doors but from the garden. She scowled. If this was the way her father was going to introduce her fiancé to her, she wasn’t going to make it easy for him. 

Finally joining the guests and glimpsing her father in the crowd, she could see the irritation written all over his face at having to wait for his daughter. The tall Belland men shifted and glanced around in discomfort. It looked like no one wanted to be there. That was entirely apparent on the one man she recognized: Lieutenant Merrin, faithfully accompanying his leader. If looks could kill, he would have already finished off all the party-goers.

At last her father found her. His glare let her know that he knew exactly what she was doing. But it was gone in a flash when he smiled brightly at the man in front of him, whose back was turned to Ami. 

Now she could hear her father’s words. “Amoret, there you are. Captain, this is my daughter Amoret. It’s about time the two of you met.”

But as the man turned to face her, Ami realized in an instant this wasn’t their first meeting. No, she recognized him immediately. The aches of anticipation in her stomach stilled in surprise. In the back of her mind she guessed that her look of shock was mirrored on her fiancé’s face. 

The man she would marry tomorrow was none other than the Belland soldier who stumbled into her garden yesterday. Apparently not a low-ranking soldier, but the man of rumors who held out against the Empire’s forces, Captain Tom Everick. And he obviously recognized his fiancée as the messy girl in worker’s clothes digging around in the garden.

Their bewildered silence must have gone on too long, because her father scolded her. “Amoret, greet the captain.” 

Coming to her senses, Ami closed her mouth and bowed her head. “A pleasure to meet you, Captain Everick,” she mumbled. It seemed he couldn’t find the words, so he ducked his head to her, eyes never leaving her face. 

Neither did Lieutenant Merrin’s, but instead of shock his eyes burned with hatred.  

“Fine, good enough. Stand over here, Amoret, Everick.” The matchmaking father dragged the two back up the steps so they had a small height advantage over the guests. Thankfully they were each on one side of her father, so they didn’t have to stand next to each other. 

That didn’t help her evade the vicious stares coming from the Belland soldiers.

Her father made it worse by calling the attention of the guests. “Thank you for honoring us with your presence tonight. The Crown is pleased that Captain Everick will fight under the Emperor against the savage Makani. Our victory is in our sights!” Raucous cries burst through the night, glasses raised. Of course the Belland troops were silent. Ami snuck a peek at Everick. His face was stone.

“And a personal victory for me, as the Belland hero will become my son-in-law tomorrow when he marries my daughter.” Her father laid a fatherly hand on Everick’s shoulder. The crowd erupted into whoops and whistles. Ami fidgeted, trying not to scowl at them.

Her sisters stared between Ami and her fiancé in awe. Not the fat old man you were expecting, Brigette? Ami got some satisfaction from that. Giselle and Mr. Elliot politely clapped, but couldn’t politely hide their frowns. As usual, her stepmother didn’t acknowledge Ami at all. 

But a blue-eyed soldier with the wolffish stare looked Ami in the eye as he raised his glass to her. Ami shivered, remembering him from the previous ball. Why’d he have to show up?

And then it was over. Lord Rhineton finished up the farce with a toast and then bluntly ignored the guest of honor he’d just introduced.

Somehow Ami ended up at Everick’s elbow. What do I do now? Leave her fiancé to make conversation with people she wasn’t friendly with? Even if it was awkward, at least she was expected to stay by his side. 

The two didn’t look at one another once they became bombarded with well wishes from the guests. That didn’t lessen the tension between them. Ami was acutely aware of the man’s every move and breath.

Drunk, haughty, and cold men came to offer their congratulations in person. Ami found the irony in the number of times she’d been congratulated this month. For her debut, for her engagement, for her boon of a fiancé- more well wishes than she’d ever received in her life for circumstances she was forced into.

The tall, handsome man next to her remained courteous but reserved in his exchanges. He gave his due thanks but said nothing beyond that. 

Much to Ami’s dismay, the young blue-eyed soldier from before came to express his congratulations, eyes hungry. He looked between the two with intent before snatching Ami’s hand. She was startled as he pressed a kiss against her fingers, locking eyes with her.

“Forgive me,” he murmured against her hand, “I’m afraid I didn’t introduce myself the other night, Miss Amoret. I’m Lieutenant Colonel Carter, serving under Commander General Rhineton.”

He smirked at Ami. “I wish to offer my congratulations to the two of you. What a handsome pair you make.” 

Ami glared at him. “Thank you, Lieutenant Carter,” she managed through gritted teeth.

He turned his attention to Captain Everick.

 “You don’t know how fortunate you are. Your fiancée has been defending your honor to your superiors in your absence.” He smirked. “Quite the sight, the little spitfire.”

Everick whirled to look down at her, but Ami didn’t dare meet his eyes. Instead she stepped towards the officer and spat out, “Yes, shall we recount that conversation for him? I remember everything that was said, word for word.” She glared at the offensive man in front of her.

The colonel’s languid gaze looked down on her. She hated how brazenly he ran his eyes up and down her face. His lips quirked into a sardonic smirk. 

“Why would honorable imperial officers offend the lady in the first place?”

The low, pronounced voice coming from the Belland captain surprised Ami and Carter. She risked a glance at Everick: he openly glared at the imperial officer. Carter sneered at the dog who barked back. 

They look like two beasts about to attack. Ami shivered and turned to some officers who gathered behind Carter to greet the engaged couple. While they exchanged meaningless felicitations, the two men deflated, distracted by the newcomers.

Thank heavens. Ami sighed with relief. 

She couldn’t imagine anything else could top that awkward exchange, until one of the well wishers, her father’s military colleague, made a drunken laugh. “Miss Amoret, you look as lovely as your sisters tonight.” 

Ami grimaced at the backhanded compliment. “How kind of you,” she said through a forced smile. Running into him a few times over the year, Ami was used to his callous remarks. 

A younger officer next to him who Ami didn’t recognize beamed with rosy cheeks, obviously deep in his cups. He looked with admiration in the direction of her sisters huddled together with their mother. They made no attempts to hide their interest in the unfolding drama as they whispered to each other. 

Ami tutted. Enjoying the show?

For once she had her stepmother’s full attention; sour face and all. They locked eyes for a brief, unnerving moment. The lady of the manor’s lip curled in disgust before she broke the gaze.

Typical. 

The officer, dragging his eyes back to Ami, slurred, “But you don’t look much like her ladyship.”

Hoho. You just had to bring her up.

The air tensed as Ami gave the ignorant man a chill smile. 

“But of course, I share no blood with her.”

The man, belatedly realizing his mistake, looked like a caught rabbit. But Ami wasn’t finished. 

She raised her voice so her words would reach all in the vicinity. “After all, I’m the bastard daughter of your commander and his dead mistress.”

Her words had the effect she wanted. Good. 

Conversation died immediately among the guests. The faces staring back at her were scandalized. 

Ami smirked. Did he hear it? There stood her father not a stone’s throw away, and he certainly had. He looked ready to explode in anger as he marched towards her. 

Ami pointedly ignored her fiancé, not bearing to see his face. 

The foolish soldier stuttered an apology, searching for an escape. Unfortunately it was found in her father’s arrival. 

The crowd parted for the man who was used to order and obedience. Lord Rhineton leaned over her, glowering. “Amoret, behave yourself, foolish girl.” His voice was deceptively calm. 

Of course. I’m the one who sullies the Rhineton name. 

Ami snorted. She glared up at her father before curtsying low in apology to the party guests, mockery in her every move. 

“It seems I’ve spoiled the party,” she announced to the frozen party attendees. “I’ll excuse myself first.” With a flick of her skirt, she stomped towards the gardens before catching anyone’s reaction. Stumbling in her uncomfortable heels, she kicked them off and dashed away without so much as a backward glance.