The garden of the Salon and the lake shimmering in the sunlight, couldn’t stop the unease I felt walking while Lord Justin. His firm grip on our connected arms felt like he was branding me. We passed through a gate with servants bidding us hello.

As we wound through the lush green path, the sound of laughter and muted conversations reached my ears. If I try to turn back around and leave, how much a problem would that cause? The thought was a tempting, but impossible one.

Justin steered us toward a group of people – mostly men – who were talking under a large tree that looked similar to a weeping willow. In their hands they held cigars, puffing on them occasionally. My stomach knotted from the scent – even from the distance we were at it was strong.

“Lord Justin!” A man with wild sandy-brown hair called.

The group turned their heads – some smiling, while others looked like they wanted to recoil from being in the same vicinity as Justin.

“Good day!” Justin chuckled, slowing us to a stop a few feet away. “It’s lovely to see you all here.”

“Indeed.” One of the men puffed on his cigar, blowing the smoke at several of the women in the group. They wrinkled their noses and raised their fans – attempting to blow it away. “You haven’t been to the track lately, Lord Justin.”

“Ah yes.” Justin nodded, fingers twitching ever so slightly on my arm.

He must be having financial difficulties. I quickly glanced at him. A faint memory of the story tickled the back of my mind. At some point at the start of the story, Justin Blain’s business started to have difficulties and in response, he started committing different forms of fraud to cover it up. Why would a man who is having financial problems agree to marry Kyla? It makes no sense.

“I have been busy lately.” Justin shifted, releasing me, and wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “I was securing a marriage deal with Duke Thornevale.”

“Hmm?” A man with cherry red hair glanced down at me, a slow smile touching his thin lips. “She’s pretty – even for a bastard child.”

“Congratulations, Lord Justin.” Another man, with black hair – and a beard that desperately needed a trimming – chuckled. “Her figure is very interesting.”

I felt a flush of anger crawl up my neck, and my hands began to ball into fist. What is wrong with these pigs?

“Surely, you’re not going to speak of another woman’s body in my presence, Matthias.” One of the women spoke up, smacking the black haired man with her fan. “How lowly of you.”

“I’m sorry.” He mocked flinched before wrapping her in his arms. “You know my eyes are only on you.”

“Lord Justin.” I leaned toward him, pitching my voice low. “I’m going to take a walk by the lake. That way you can enjoy your time with your friends.”

“Hmm?” He stiffened, glancing over at me. “Yes. I suppose so. I’ll call on you in a little bit.”

“Sure.” I pulled out of his arms and took a step back.

The group began to talk among themselves, never once noticing me slipping away. Justin, however, watched me walk away until a large cherry tree blocked his view.

I feel like I need a shower and a deep scrub. I thought, absently scrubbing my hands down my arms. This world could make a Saint swear. How an author thought this was a good world to create was lost on me. Maybe it’s due to my 21st century mind, but the way women are treated like prized steaks rubbed me the wrong way.

If I ever get back to my world – I’m going to find the author – I’m going to give them a piece of my mind.

I walked toward a narrow path along the bank, gazing out over the water. The surface was crystalline – now that I could see it up close. In the distance, swans swam in the water, lazily moving around without a care in the world.

It must be nice. I scoffed, looking away. To be free without worries.

I meandered down the path, trying to get as far away from Justin as humanly possible. If he tried to look for me, I hoped he’d waste so much time that he’d give up. That is if the universe was feeling generous for a change.

I turned around the bend that opened up into a small plato at the bottom of a steep hill. Evidently, the universe was still choosing to mock me. In the center of the area, Viola and the two girls I had run into at the boutique stood, gossiping in a loose semi-circle. I expected to run into her at some point, but I didn’t think it would be this soon.

I started to turn around to avoid a confrontation – that I had no desire to humor – but Viola’s voice called out before I had finished moving.

“Well, well, well.” She said, voice dripping with venom. “If it isn’t Lady Kyla.”

Her companions snickered, waving their fans rapidly before their faces. Do they not realize how stupid they look?

“Hello, Lady Viola.” I responded, voice dry. “I was just leaving.”

“What’s the hurry?” Viola raised her own fan, walking toward me. Her posse followed on her heels, shooting death glares toward me. “We left so many things unsaid the last time we met.”

“Did we?” I tilted my head, putting on the best dumb found expression I could manage. “I don’t recall when we met. It must have been so long ago that you slipped from my mind.”

“She’s either daft or completely insane.” Her ginger companion giggled.

“Or she’s trying to pick a fight.” The brunette rolled her eyes.

“You can pretend all you like.” Viola smirked, flipping her blond hair over her shoulder. “You might be curious about that amazing dress you left behind. I had it gifted to my eight year old cousin. She adores how stunning it is.”

The two girls giggled like Viola had just spoken something scathing. With the way they worshipped the ground she walked on – she could have said carrot and they would have snickered. This is why I hate dealing with ‘mean’ girls. They’re so childishly predictable.

“Is that so?” I flashed a smile. “I guess even trash finds a place in the right hands.”

“How rude.” The brunette ground out, snapping her fan closed and pointing it at me. “The only thing that is trash is that dress you have on now.”

“Are you trying to show off your body to the entire kingdom?” The ginger rolled her eyes. “Only people of a certain status would wear something so scandalous.”

“I’ll be sure to let Madam Poslyn know of your opinion.” I laughed. “I know she’ll be so thrilled to hear about one of her clients disparaging her work.”

“M-madam Poslyn made that?” The ginger’s face drained of all color. “I mean – of course I know it’s her work. Everyone knows how great her clothing line is.”

“Yeah.” The brunette nodded. “She’s the best.”

“She must have been coerced into making that thing.” Viola hissed. “No doubt Lady Kyla forced her to create something so revealing.”

“That’s right.” The ginger grinned, fanning herself again. “Madam Viola’s sense of fashion is never as horrible as what Lady Kyla has on.”

“Perhaps it would look better on someone else.” The brunette snickered. “Maybe even on Viola.”

“Be quiet, Kelsey.” Viola snapped, rounding on the girl. “Why in god's name would I wear something so hideous?”

“Probably to match your personality.” I suggested, crossing my arms. “My dress is perfectly fine. I think the problem is you all. Not me.”

“Excuse me?” Viola spun around, jabbing her fan into my chest. “The only one with a personality disorder is you.”

“I don’t know about that.” I swatted the fan away. “Don’t you have anything better to do with your life rather than talking down to people?”

“You will show Lady Viola respect!” Kelsey fumed. “She is much better of a person than you! She even knows the crown prince personally.”

“Does she?” A deep masculine voice asked to our right.

I groaned and turned – knowing who exactly had just interrupted the conversation. To three women’s surprise – Prince Cassius walked over, a glass of wine in his hands. His face was devoid of emotion – but his eyes spoke for him. Irritation flickered in the red depths, along with a glimmer of amusement.

Why – of all the people that could have interrupted – did it have to be Cassius?

Today was not my day.