Bianca lowered her head briefly, then lifted her face again. Her eyes were wet now, but her resolve was firm.
"Adrian wants to run away with me," she said honestly. "But we need time. Money. Just a few months. If I stay at home, Father will lock me away or force the marriage before that."
She swallowed. "If I live in the castle… Father won't give me any money. But if I work even as a maid I can save. I'm begging you, Valerie."
The room fell silent.
Valerie studied Bianca for a long moment. For the first time, she did not see a spoiled girl or a stubborn cousin. She saw someone cornered someone trying to reclaim control over her life by whatever means remained.
And yet, beneath that, Valerie felt something else.
Suspicion.
Bianca was being too bold. Too confident that the Duke's protection could be used as a shield. Too certain that everything could simply be "delayed" without consequence.
And Valerie knew one thing for certain:
