“Wait, what did you say?” Riven barely cared that she had shaken the table with her sudden movement, causing a ripple through the delicate tea set, porcelain cups clinking as they settled. Yvette raised a slender eyebrow, her lips curling as Galica answered.

“You mean about tournament pins? I asked because it's customary for the daughters of the family sponsoring a knight to make the pins,” she answered and Riven did her best to calm down, embarrassed by her outburst. She was at another of Eirlys’s tea parties, although much to her surprise, only herself, Galica and Yvette had been invited. It was like Eirlys wanted to make a statement by only inviting girls with magic, but such a private party left Riven feeling exposed.

“I'm surprised that even privately sponsored knights wear them,” Eirlys continued, taking another sip of her tea. “Wouldn't it immediately undermine the point of not disclosing their sponsor?”

“Not if they are clever. There is no rule about what the pins must be,” Yvette chuckled slightly as she spoke but Riven remained silent, taking in the discussion. She had completely forgotten about the pins, but it was considered bad luck for a knight to compete without one. She only had a few days but surely she could make something that would work. It would need to be subtle, something Elias could wear without drawing attention…

“I wasn't aware your family was sponsoring a knight, Lady Riven, but they must be, given your interest,” Galica’s voice pulled Riven back to the party and she shook her head, allowing herself a small smile.

“Unfortunately my family is not. I merely thought it might be a good chance to practice my needlework,” Riven tried to ignore the gasp her words brought. She had borrowed the money for Elias’s sponsorship from Noela, paying off the debt by having her brother double her maid’s pay. It also gave Noela the right to accompany her outside the estate and Noela had been so excited she didn't even ask why Riven wanted the money.

“My, you can't be thinking of giving a pin to a random knight, could you?” The disdain in Yvette’s voice made Riven’s eyebrow twitch and she lowered her cup, meeting the older girl's gaze evenly.

“Why not? There's no rule that a knight cannot have two pins or that he cannot accept a pin from someone other than his sponsor,” Riven replied, her smile laced with venom; if Yvette wanted to play games, then Riven would play today. Galica would no doubt report to Calia on where Riven’s loyalties seemed to lie, and today would be a great chance to show that she held no love to the emperor. Yvette’s mouth twitched in a slight sneer, but she covered it with a feigned smile, tilting her head as though assessing Riven.

“How unconventional of you,” Yvette purred, tone dripping with mock admiration. “A noble lady, stitching pins for strange men? Well, I suppose some families do set… unique standards.”

Riven bit back a laugh, letting her gaze fall demurely to her teacup. Yvette had taken the bait perfectly, and she could sense Galica’s quiet interest as well. Riven took her time, savoring the mild tea, before raising her head to meet Yvette’s gaze.

“Well, perhaps some of us would prefer not to be trapped in a gilded cage,” Riven allowed a faintly pious tone to slip into her words, knowing it would irritate Yvette just a little more.

“A cage? No wonder the Marchioness is trying to get her husband to rescind his bid for your hand,” Yvette sneered, her eyes glinting as she leaned in slightly. “It seems your distaste for the arrangement is well-known; perhaps you’d truly be happier with a knight.”

“Indeed, a knight’s company could be much more appealing than being passed around like a pawn by those too eager to curry favor,” she replied smoothly, letting her gaze drift pointedly across the garden, dismissing Yvette’s comment with a bored air she knew would sting. “At least a knight is clear in his intentions and loyalty, unlike some in the noble ranks.”

Galica gave a soft chuckle, her gaze flicking between Riven and Yvette with a spark of amusement. “How refreshing to hear someone say it outright. I imagine many feel the same but lack the nerve to admit it.”

Eirlys remained quiet, and Riven studied her expression out of the corner of her eye. Eirlys’s stillness, the way her gaze lingered on Riven’s face, suggested she was taking careful note of everything exchanged between the three of them. Perhaps, Riven thought, this was exactly what Eirlys had hoped to achieve by inviting them to such an intimate gathering; but what was she listening for?

Yvette, however, was not content to let Riven win. “Still, an earl’s daughter marrying a knight. Maybe the Vaeldor’s would be wise to bow out before they are thoroughly embarrassed.”

“I said no such thing about marriage, Yvette, but I would sooner marry a knight than set a single foot inside Marquess Vaeldor’s estate,” Riven lowered her teacup with more force than she meant to, unable to help how her hands shook. It was taking all of her willpower to not wish herself away from the tea party, though she had to admit a certain satisfaction at the flicker of shock crossing Yvette’s face. “It is no secret how the siblings of the emperor carry themselves, and I have no desire to live under their blood-soaked hands.”

Silence fell over the garden from Riven's bold words, the only sounds now the soft rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. Riven let the quiet stretch, relishing the impact of her words as they seemed to hang in the air, almost vibrating with the weight of unspoken meaning. Galica’s expression shifted subtly, a slight, almost imperceptible widening of her eyes that betrayed her surprise. Yvette’s lips had parted slightly, her practiced composure shaken for the briefest of moments before she composed herself, her gaze cooling into an unreadable glint.

“Well, Lady Riven,” Yvette murmured at last, her tone carefully neutral, though her eyes held a faint spark of challenge. “Such opinions could be… risky, don’t you think?”

“No more risky than you claiming that the Marquess is a fool, Lady Yvette,” Riven replied, Yvette finally slamming her hand on the table with her anger.

“You–”

“Perhaps you are a better match for the marquess’s son than you realize, Lady Riven,” Galicia smoothly interrupted Yvette’s rant, tone deceptively light, though her eyes gleamed with sharp amusement. “The Marquess’s eldest son has barely shown his face in court in years. Rumor has it he avoids his family entirely and is not even home most of the time.”

“Is that not common here in Vassoria?” Eirlys finally spoke up, her voice mild as she stirred her tea. “In Qatia, many nobles seek distraction in travel, or occupy themselves with other pursuits. Perhaps he’s simply one of those who finds his family’s… interests do not align with his own.”

“Or,” Riven interjected smoothly, eyes narrowing with a hint of wry amusement, “he’s simply the only Vaeldor with a head on his shoulders.”

Yvette’s lips thinned, and it was obvious she was taking offense to everything Riven said. Given that she was set to marry into that same family, it made sense that she would be annoyed with Riven insisting that not only was it pointless, but stupid to want to. Her smile thinly veiled her irritation, but she seemed determined not to let Riven get the better of her. Yvette composed herself, fingers tapping lightly on the edge of her teacup as she measured her words carefully.

“Well, not all of us find the world so simple, Lady Riven. Some of us understand the importance of alliances, even with families that may not be… ideal,” she said smoothly, her gaze sharpening with a condescending edge. “After all, it’s easy to dismiss the Vaeldors when you have no personal stake in the empire’s future. But some of us recognize that loyalty often requires more than just pretty words.”

“I apologize, Lady Eirlys, but it seems that my stomach does not agree with the tea today,” Riven finally stood, no longer willing to entertain Yvette’s game. She had hopefully made her stance to Galica clear and while she didn’t know what Eirlys was hoping to achieve, she saw no reason to stay longer. “Perhaps I am coming down with a cold, and I would hate to spread it to you or the other ladies here.”

“Of course! I hope you feel better, Riven,” Eirlys quickly stood as well, a polite smile on her face though her eyes reflected an understanding that made Riven’s departure feel more like an escape. “We wouldn’t want you to strain yourself with all the tournament excitement just around the corner. Do rest well.”

Riven inclined her head, letting Eirlys’s words serve as her exit cue, though the glint in Yvette’s eye hinted that this wouldn’t be the last she’d hear of today’s exchange. Still, with a quiet nod to Galica, who watched her with an unreadable expression, Riven turned and took her leave.

As she slipped from the garden back toward the estate’s front walk, she allowed herself a heavy sigh, slumping as she stood in the middle of the path. With any luck, Yvette’s big mouth would also help get the Marquess off her back, and perhaps even get Kaelen to withdraw his offer. Honestly, as more time passed, putting her faith in Elias felt more and more like the right choice.

Riven had to bite her lip, resisting the desire to wish herself home. Doing so would put unneeded pressure on Noela and the carriage driver, and she already asked too much of both of them.

“Going home already, Lady Riven?” Noela’s voice caused Riven to look up, and she allowed herself the first genuine smile of the afternoon.

“Yes, I’m feeling rather tired today it seems,” Riven accepted the driver’s hand as he helped her step into the carriage, and she allowed herself to slouch as the door sealed her and Noela inside. “Do you think you can go out without me tomorrow?”

“Yes, but what is it you need, m’lady?” Noela’s gentle curiosity made Riven chuckle, relieved to finally be away from the other ladies. There was something nice about being able to just relax and be honest, instead of playing games and speaking in circles.

“I need to make a few pins.”