Page 141 of Song of the Heart Scale
And my darling sister Gianna, precious, docile, and beloved by fools, had wasted no opportunity to humiliate her further. Whispering tales into our father’s ear and watching with wide, innocent eyes as Cat was dragged to the whipping post like a servant who had stolen from the kitchens.
Imagine their faces when I returned.
I would make them wait, of course. If I’d learned anything from this forsaken world and the other, it was that timing was everything.
As the carriage trundled across the Northern District, I peered out the window and saw the remnants of war. I asked the driver, “What happened?”
He grunted. “Prince Damien took down Emperor Thorne. It was a bloody fare, I tell ya. But we were blessed by the Immortals, my lady. As soon as the false emperor Thorne died, the skies opened and it rained.”
“Hmm… interesting,” I murmured. Apparently, there had been a famine while I was away.
Twenty minutes later, we pulled up to the Ryder residence and I asked the driver to announce my arrival. When I descended the carriage steps, I heard startled gasps and murmurs from the servants as I made my way through the door.
“Where is everyone?” I asked the servant who ushered me inside.
“The main hall, my lady.”
We strolled through the outdoor corridors, hushed and blanketed by the soft drape of night. Even though I’d been away for months, this was still my home. I remembered every curve and bend like it was the back of my hand.
They were gathered in the main hall of our ancestral estate. Father stood at the head of the hall like some monument carved from ice with Gianna posed at his side like a wilted lily.
I took my time entering.
“You seem surprised.” My voice echoed through the vast chamber, piercing and cold as the wind that howled beyond the stained-glass windows. “Surely you didn’t think you could mistake another woman for your own daughter and escape my notice forever.”
The two of them looked me up and down as if wondering whether I was telling the truth or not.
“The emperor has fallen,” I muttered. “Cat and Prince Damien are gone. Royal Prince Bai now sits on the throne,” I said carefully. “Do you think His Highness will let you off for what you did to Cat? The woman who took my place?”
Gianna’s painted smile wavered. “Arya, I—”
“Spare me, Gianna. I know what you did.” My voice cracked like a whip.
Her mouth snapped shut like a trap. Sensible, for once.
Father’s expression barely shifted. “I knew the moment you entered this hall that you were no imposter.”
“Did you? Was that before or after you ordered my double to be flogged?”
A ripple of discomfort passed through the room. I savored it like wine warmed by a hearth.
His chin lifted. “I did what was necessary to preserve this house’s reputation,” he stated. “You had been behaving erratically.”
“She,” I corrected, stepping closer until I could see the flicker of doubt in his eyes, “was not me. And you knew it.”
A beat of silence. Then: “You have returned. That is all that matters.”
“Oh, Father,” I said, my voice sweet as poisoned honey, “you should beveryafraid.”
He paled. Beautifully.
“From this day forward,” I continued, addressing not just him but Gianna as well, “you will no longer be head of thishousehold. I think it’s high time Jacob took over. I mean, if your handling of the mines is any indication, then you should have given up your position a long time ago.” I stabbed my sister with a glare. “As for Gianna… Well… she’s the daughter of a servant. Illegitimate. I don’t think you have a place here anymore.”
Gianna made a small, strangled sound. “Father!”
“Arya—” our father started, but I held up a hand to stop him.
“Quiet!” I silenced them. “I’m sure once Royal Prince Bai learns the truth of what you’ve done, he’ll agree with my choice. Don’t you think?” I tilted my head and smiled.
