Her name still echoed in her mind.
Alice.
Not Aurora.
Her heart hitched, faltered, and began pounding in her chest like a traitor trying to break out.
She took a half-step back before forcing herself still. She wet her lips. Her voice didn't come out strong.
"…H-How did you know?"
Hardy didn't answer immediately. He tilted his head, eyes scanning her face—not cruelly, not even accusingly. Just… calmly. Like he had seen it all before, and understood more than she did.
Then he looked around at the estate steps, the crowd thinning, murmuring past them. His voice dropped.
"Is that a conversation you want to have here?"
Alice's gaze darted. The last of the estate council members were still loitering, guards positioned by the doors, a few curious heads turning their way.
She shook her head, quick and short. "No."
He nodded once.
"My family's holding a little gathering tomorrow evening. Nothing political. Just a dinner. You could attend."
She hesitated. "Why would I—?"
