My fingers brushed over the glittering, black beads that danced down the front of my silver dress. The skirt flowed beautifully. The black, flat shoes Isobel got to go with it fit me perfectly, and the black gloves were just long enough to hide a dagger and a vial of poison. I took a deep breath and looked at myself in the mirror. My blonde curls had been masterfully braided and styled into a lovely updo by Isobel. A light layer of makeup complemented my skin tone and covered the dusting of freckles along my cheeks, and I couldn’t help but smile when Isobel came behind me and rested her head on my shoulders. Tonight, I was not Cat. Tonight, I was Lady Charlotte of the Southern Isle if anyone asked—though hopefully no one would. Isobel, in her immaculate purple gown with a puffy skirt that dazzled like jewels when she walked, was also not Isobel. She was my sister Lady Lydia. And William, who kept messing with the sleeves of his fancy gray tunic, would be our brother Wildebrandt.

“Are we ready?” Isobel asked.

“Ready to be done with this senseless thing already,” William grumbled.

I laughed and rolled my eyes, taking in the room of our larger, nicer inn in the town of Twinvale just outside of Rodenwhal. It was a bit bigger, and it had a table that all three of us could sit at, but it was still a bit cramped. After this, I would need to go back to stealing, so we could get enough money to purchase land and really settle into an establishment.

We made our way out of the inn and toward the line of rented carriages. William immediately grew frustrated, and to help him keep his head, I teased and picked on him until we found ours. With its gold-plated wheels, its external cream color that reflected back the evening sun brilliantly, and the velvet cushioned interior that waited for us the moment we opened the door; I almost felt like royalty.

As soon as the carriage lurched forward, I sunk into the soft cushions beneath me and watched the magnificent buildings pass us by as our driver led us down the smooth road. Opoulsios was truly beautiful. The lush, rolling hills and thick forests that fenced in nearly every town, the finely paved roads, and even the odd-colored houses all contributed to the beauty and uniqueness of the richest country in Calduminia. Within roughly an hour of travel, the Western Palace came into view, and my lips parted at the grandeur of it all. Its immense walls, gold-capped, swirling rooftops, and massive fruit trees scattered throughout its front garden were breathtaking. The driver let us out, and the scent of flowers, fruit, and food filled my lungs. Many people in beautiful dresses and fancy tunics all lounged about the paved walkway—which, like everything else tonight, was also intricately decorated. Though its decor involved shrubs, bushes, and a small scattering of statues and not dresses or fine jewelry or whatever else nobles wore. As we walked past the gazes of many nobles, my tongue instinctively found the gap in my teeth where the small capsule of black liquid was held. Hopefully, I won't need it tonight.

Several men eyed both Isobel and me with interest, and we sneered and shot them icy glares before laughing quietly between each other the moment we passed. “I forget these people are used to looking for a spouse at these events,” Isobel said.

“This could be fun for us,” I added, “though perhaps a bit disappointing for them.”

“Ladies, we do have a job to do,” William scolded while the expression on his face revealed he was just as amused as we were.

We walked the perfectly smooth, polished steps of the palace, and William handed our forged invitation card to a large man holding a golden scepter. He banged his scepter loudly against the ground and then spoke in a voice that reverberated throughout the bustling ballroom. “Announcing Sir Wildebrandt and Ladies Charlotte and Lydia of the Southern Isle.”

I swallowed a nervous laugh and descended the golden steps that led to the beautifully lit ballroom. Fine linens were draped throughout the area. Many tables were decorated in vibrant, colorful arrays of both fruit and flowers. Light from the candles and lanterns reflected off the musicians' immaculate instruments as their tunes carried through the room. Then, amidst the sea of elegance and wealth, a pair of silver eyes burned against my skin.

I tried my best to ignore him, hoping he’d do nothing to draw attention to himself—especially not around William.And I racked my brain as I tried to figure out what I should do. Perhaps I should tell Isobel? But that may not be the best idea. It could cause tension between William and her. Maybe, I’ll just hope for the best—at least for now. I released a sharp breath and rolled back my shoulders to relax myself, then smiled at William who decided to venture off on his own.

Isobel and I made our way toward the sea of people, though it didn’t take long to be requested to dance. A blonde gentleman by the name of Frederick extended his hand to Isobel while his brother offered his to me. We both graciously accepted and allowed the men to lead us to the dance floor filled with puffy skirts and tapping shoes.

“I haven’t seen you around before,” the gentleman said. What was his name again? Hopefully it wouldn't matter. “Are you new here?”

“Just visiting for a while,” I replied sweetly, batting my eyelashes. “The Southern Isle is a great distance away.”

“While you’re here, I wouldn’t mind getting to know you better—your brother and sister, too, of course.”

“Of course,” I smiled, though my eyes wanted to roll.

When the song ended, Isobel found me quickly and hurried me away to a group of ladies who stood around and gossipped idly as they waited for men to ask them to dance. “Oh! Hello, ladies,” said one woman in a green dress and brown eyes and flecks of gold brushed around her face. “You are Lady Charlotte and Lady Lydia, right? I heard your announcement come in. Your dresses are stunning! Who made them?”

“I can’t say I’m sure,” I confessed. “They were a gift from a dear friend we are visiting here. Do you truly like it?”

“Yes! It is splendid. It reminds me of diamonds. So, have you had the chance to meet many people yet?”

“Just a few here and there,” Isobel jumped in. “We just danced with Frederick and Thomas from the house of Armenia.” Thank God for Isobel. I couldn’t even remember my dance partner’s name, and she got both the name and the house. She’s a natural at this.

“That’s nice! Their father is the duke of the Southern District, so either of them are a good pair.”

“What is your name?” I asked, “I fear I may have missed it.”

“Oh, I’m Anne Margath. My father is just a sculptor, but he’s wealthy enough to get invited to the parties.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Anne! Tell me, do you know most people here?”

“Oh, yes!” Anne immediately began pointing out many people in the crowd to us, warning us who to avoid and who is best to associate with for a better social standing in the eyes of the countless, high-nosed nobles here. “And him,” she said, her gloved finger pointing toward Theo as he continued staring at me. “Well, he is Theodore. Everyone knows him. Everyone wants him, but he refuses to settle down with anyone.”

I avoided Isobel’s gaze when I felt her emerald eyes turn to me, and I tried to maintain my worry, but I know she caught it.

“He danced with Lady Eleanor all night during the gathering in the Northern Palace last month, and now he won't even look at her. Poor thing.” One of the ladies jumped in, eager to spread rumors as though she were a germ carrying a disease.

“I heard he enjoys stringing some along, promising marriage, and then leaving them with a broken heart,” piped up another. “It’s all just a big game to him. He gets bored the moment the chase is over.”

“Didn’t he just enter another engagement? That’s his fourth one in two years!”

“He’s been in and out of relationships since the moment he turned eighteen and officially entered high society as an eligible bachelor. I’ve never seen anyone bounce around quite as much as him.”

“If anything, he could at least stop agreeing to engagements if he has no intention to settle.”

“But that would ruin the fun for him! He gets enjoyment out of breaking women’s hearts.”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

As though he were emboldened by the vicious anger bubbling inside me, he confidently made his approach, sauntering down the ballroom and closing the distance between us in swift, easy strides. “Lady Charlotte,” he said, his deep voice and low bow making the other girls swoon. “May I have this dance?”