chapter 5

Lyra's Point of View

Like a swarm of bees, the maids flocked to my room, rushing about holding jewelry and materials. Once more, here we go.

I allowed them to dress me up like a life-sized doll as I sat silently. Layers of satin, lace, and silk.

My scalp hurt from the pins holding my hair in place while hands pulled at it. I hardly knew who I was after they were finished.

I was wearing a white dress that fit me like a second skin. It hugged my curves and made me feel a little vulnerable as it shimmered subtly in the light.

In the mirror, I saw a reflection of myself. I wasn't this person. I looked at my ancient, broken phone on the bedside table.

I took it in my hands and flipped it over. No fresh alerts. I didn't anticipate any. At the orphanage, I had no pals. I read books and played games on this device most of the time.

I might as well leave it here. Nevertheless, I put it in the little clutch they had given me. I was startled by my father's voice's abrupt loudness.

"Lyra!" I almost burst out of my skin.

"Yes, Father!" I hurried to the door and called back.

I hurried down the corridor toward his voice after closing it behind me. In a black, well-tailored suit, Gabriel stood at the foot of the big staircase, radiating dominance. He nodded at me in approval.

His words, "You look beautiful, my daughter," came naturally. A tiny smile appeared on my lips. "Thank you."

Victoria stood silently next to him. She gave me a brief look with her icy gaze before turning away.

That should come as no surprise. We walked to the sleek black automobile that was waiting outside without saying another word.

Victoria sat rigidly on Gabriel's other side as I got into the backseat next to him. The journey was tense and silent.

Gabriel was lost in concentration as his fingers drummed repeatedly against his knee. Victoria ignored us both as she browsed through her phone.

I gazed out the window, observing the city as it passed past. Although I had no idea what to anticipate from this alleged

"meeting," I had a hunch it wouldn't be enjoyable. Bigger than I had thought, the edifice loomed ahead. It was intimidating in addition to being large.

The sort of place where people shared secrets over pricey wine.

I followed Victoria and Gabriel out of the car and into the enormous hall. Wealth glistened in the room. gold trimmed furniture, velvet curtains, and crystal chandeliers.

Laughter and whispering between men and ladies in the most opulent clothing sounded like background noise in a symphony of power.

They even sounded affluent when they laughed. Gabriel lowered himself a little.

"Mingle and go. Make some pals. He and Victoria disappeared into the crowd without another look, engrossed in whatever important discussion was ahead. Alone and embarrassed, I stood there.

"Friends?" I said in a whisper.

Kindergarten, what was this? I considered leaving covertly. Instinctively, my hand went to my phone.

I looked at my bank account. Money had been moved into it by Gabriel. Enough to vanish.

Would I be able to run? However, this outfit The gown wasn't very long, but it wasn't designed for running through dimly lit streets either. I looked around.

I didn't seem to be noticed. I might be able to get away.

With my eyes searching for a way out, I began to weave through the mob. Then I sensed it.

A wall. A person, not a wall. I muttered,

"Ouch," as I rubbed my forehead. The "wall" also said,

"Ouch," nevertheless. I raised my head. In front of me was a smiling boy.

He was different from everyone else in this room.

A little lip piercing that somehow fit him, a silver nose ring that gleamed in the chandelier light, and disheveled black hair that curled slightly at the ends.

Despite his height perhaps six feet he had a childlike charm that made him appear younger.

He walked around me like he was checking out a new toy and exclaimed, "You look so cute!"

"Calm down. I will not reveal. I don't care."

He took hold of my hand before I could reply.

"Come on. You cannot spend the entire night standing here like a lost pet. I'll show you something entertaining. I paused.

"I don’t think I should" "Oh, hurry up. Have a little fun. Or are you afraid Duke will visit and chastise you? That was sufficient to get me to follow.

Zyran guided me through the crowd, navigating between servers carrying champagne trays and patrons engaged in tense, hushed discussions.

He tilted his head.

I shook his hand even though I was hesitant.

"Lyra." His smile widened. "I know." Of course he does.

"Nice to meet you, Zyran." "Pleasure’s all mine, princess." He inclined slightly.

"Oh, and by the way, Duke Whitethorn has been staring at you for a while now." I was feeling nauseous. I snapped my head up and quickly stopped myself.

I didn't want to look. The thought of Duke's cold, mysterious eyes from the night before made me shudder.

"He is," Zyran remarked in jest. I inhaled deeply.

"Why?" Zyran shrugged and smiled. He could be interested in learning more about the new princess.

Or maybe he's wearing that pretty little outfit and thinking about your escape preparations." I became icy. His smile spread wider.

We arrived at a more peaceful area of the hallway where less people were present.

Zyran reclined idly against a column of marble.

"So, what’s your story?" "My story?"

"Yes. After years of absence, Gabriel's daughter appears out of nowhere. That is news in this area. Uncomfortably, I moved.

"It’s complicated." "Everything here is complicated." "But you don’t belong here, do you?" I parted my lips, then shut them again.

.

There's no need in lying. "No." Zyran smiled. "Neither do I." I examined him.

"You’re not like them." "God, I hope not." He chuckled. Gabriel's business partner is my father. dull meetings and dull individuals. He bent in.

"But not you. You're fascinating. I chuckled quietly.

"Glad someone thinks so." His smile grew sly as his eyes darted behind me.

"Looks like Duke’s finally making his move." I gasped. I knew who was standing there without turning.

The weight of his stare was palpable. I turned slowly.

A few feet away, Duke Whitethorn watched us with the same enigmatic look. In the dim light, the scar across his cheek appeared even more pronounced.

He whispered, "Lyra," in a velvety voice with a steely edge. Instinctively, I straightened.

"Yes?" His gaze briefly shifted to Zyran before returning to me.

"Your father is looking for you." Zyran's eyebrows shot up, obviously amused.

He teasingly said, "Oh, the big bad wolf comes calling," Duke didn't even look at him. Suddenly feeling small, I swallowed hard.

As I muttered, "I should go," I got a faux salute from Zyran.

"See you around, princess." I discreetly followed Duke as he turned. The weight of each step increased.

Because I was certain of one thing, regardless of what happened next I wasn't prepared.