Page 29 of Destiny Redeemed
As if on cue, one of the larger birds latched onto the hem of my dress with its beak. I yelped, stumbling backward.Charming. Truly.
Minerva chuckled softly. “I must say, I haven’t seen you here before, Lady Ilyana. Are you new to this particular… hobby?”
I froze.Damn it.I hadn’t thought this far ahead. Improvising wildly, I stammered, “Oh, well, you see… I used to feed geese at my grandmother’s estate in the countryside when I was a girl. It brings back such fond memories.”
“How delightful,” Minerva replied, her tone impossible to read. She glanced pointedly at the remnants of bread in my hand. “Although, my dear, you really shouldn’t feed them bread. It’s not good for their digestion. Here, try some of these grains instead.”
She offered me a handful from her pouch. I accepted awkwardly, silently cursing Laurel for her misinformation.Note to self: find a new source for waterfowl dietary habits.
But the worst was yet to come, as if that wasn’t embarrassing enough. Minerva’s eyes twinkled with barely suppressed mirth as she added, “Oh, and by the way, Lady Ilyana… those aren’t geese. They’re ducks.”
O Mother Earth, please open up and swallow me.
I felt the heat rising in my cheeks.Of course, they are. Because why wouldn’t they be?Forcing a smile that probably looked more like a grimace, I managed to choke out, “Oh,of course! I don’t discriminate, you know. All waterfowl are welcome to my… grains.”
I tossed a handful to the eagerly waiting ducks.
My pretense was already crumbling.Say something intelligent. Literally anything.
Minerva’s lips twitched, clearly amused by my discomfort. “Indeed. Well, now that we’ve cleared up that little… misunderstanding, how are you faring, Lady Ilyana? I hear your business ventures are progressing nicely.”
What business? You didn’t approve the damn permit!I bit back the snarky retort, instead offering her a saccharine smile. “Oh yes, things are going splendidly. My partnership with Annalise at Magnolia is flourishing, and I’ve made some promising investments. Though sadly, my permit for further expansion hasn’t been approved yet.” I let a note of practiced disappointment creep into my voice.
Minerva’s eyebrow arched. “Ah, but if I recall correctly, you already possess a permit, do you not?”
I blinked, genuinely confused. “I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean, Lady Minerva.”
“Come on now,” she said, her tone bordering on being playful. “Surely you remember the tea shop on Baster’s Street? I distinctly recall Lord Elyas applying for a permit on your behalf over a year ago. While it may not be the exact type you’re seeking now, it could serve as an excellent starting point.”
As soon as she mentioned my father’s name, the memory crashed over me like a bucket of ice water.The wedding gift.How could I have forgotten? My mind raced through the ledgers I’d reviewed. I’d been receiving a monthly income from it all this time, carelessly assuming it was an allowance from Father. A whole business, sitting right under my nose, and I’d been too preoccupied to notice.
Rookie mistake, Ilyana. You’re slipping.
“Oh, yes… of course,” I managed, plastering on a smile sweeter than the sweet bread I’d just fed to the ducks. “How silly of me to forget. You know how it is, running so many ventures at once.”
Minerva’s lips curved into a knowing smirk. “Indeed. Well, my dear, it seems you have more to work with than you realized.”
Before I could formulate a response that didn’t make me sound like a complete imbecile, Minerva pulled out an ornate pocket watch.
“Oh my, is that the time? I’m afraid I must be going. It was lovely chatting with you, Lady Ilyana. I’m sure we’ll meet again soon.”
And with that, she glided away, leaving me standing there with a handful of grain and my dignity in tatters.
I tossed the remaining grains to the eager waterfowl, wiping my hands on my skirts. The cool breeze off Lake Calista did little to soothe my wounded pride.
“Ilyana!” Laurel’s familiar voice cut through my self-recrimination. She hurried towards me, her cheeks flushed from exertion. “Finally found you. Did Lady Minerva leave? How did it go?”
I sighed, brushing a stray feather from my sleeve. “Oh, just peachy, Laurel. I’ve had a delightful morning feedingducksand making an absolute fool of myself in front of Lady Minerva.”No thanks to you.
Her brow furrowed in confusion. “Ducks? Not geese?”
“Never mind,” I waved dismissively. “Let’s head back, shall we?”
As we walked along the shoreline, the pebbles crunching beneath our feet, I cleared my throat. “Laurel, did you know about a shop my father gifted me?”
Laurel nodded absent-mindedly. “Of course. The tea shop on Baster’s Street.”
I stopped in my tracks. “And you didn’t think to mention this… why?”
