There was a cool breeze outside, which was very different from the warm study I had just left. Walking down the hall, I could hear my footsteps echoing faintly. Devon stayed back to review the bureau’s reports on the sigils alone. I didn’t mind. There was something else I needed to handle, and it had been on my mind since Julia and Luciana mentioned the hostess role earlier.

Devon hadn’t brought it up. I doubted he even realized the quiet tension in his household. But I’d felt it. In the side glances from some of the staff when we arrived and how they’d simply shown us to our quarters and left. In the overly formal tone of the attendees, who seemed more loyal to someone else. Now, I needed to deal with that.

I paused outside my quarters, where Julia and Luciana were waiting. Their peach robes, designed by my mother, stood out against the muted tones of the hall. They straightened immediately at the sight of me.

“Your grace,” Luciana greeted with a small bow.

I waved off the formalities. “What’s the situation with the staff?”

Julia blinked, exchanging a glance with Luciana. “Situation, my lady?”

I sighed, crossing my arms. “Don’t play coy. What was that nonsense with the housekeeper assigning me attendees and telling you what to wear?”

Understanding flashed in Luciana’s eyes. “Ah. You mean the staff still loyal to some of the former mistresses.”

“Mistresses,” I repeated bitterly. “You mean the former Lord Irving’s concubines?”

There was a pause from Luciana, but Julia stepped forward. “Yes, your grace. Many of the former concubines still have influence over the staff, even though they no longer live here. The resident staff have been known to” indulge their requests.”

I frowned. Devon had mentioned his father’s extensive harem, but most of them were long gone, and off the island.

“And Mrs Ellison?” I asked.

“She’s loyal to the Irving legacy,” Julia explained. Her amber eyes darted toward the door, as if expecting Mrs. Ellison to burst through at any moment. “Which, in her mind, includes the former mistresses. She likely sees you as a threat because you haven’t been officially recognized as High Lady or consort of Lord Irving.”

“How garish,” I muttered, crossing my arms. Of course, someone had to make this harder than it needed to be.

Julia smoothed an errant strand of her golden hair behind her delicately pointed ear. “It’s a power play,” she continued, folding her hands neatly in front of her. “She’s trying to establish herself as the de facto leader of the household. If she can keep you sidelined, she retains control.”

Luciana snorted, crossing her arms over her chest. “But this is your domain now, your grace,” she said. “The staff need to know that. Not some drab, washed-up mundane hag clinging to the past.”

“Luciana!” Julia’s green wings appeared fluttering slightly behind her, as her voice rose in alarm. “That’s’”

“What?” Luciana interrupted, tossing her head, her silver curls swaying with the motion. “Am I wrong?”

I bit back a laugh, holding up a hand to stop Julia’s oncoming protest. “Do you disagree that I should put my foot down, or are you just objecting to the word “hag”?”

Julia sighed, her shoulders slumping as she glared at Luciana. “Of course, you need to put your foot down. Mrs. Ellison has been insubordinate since day one. But it has nothing to do with her being mundane. She’d still be a hag if she were an elf.”

“See?” Luciana said, flashing Julia a triumphant smirk. “We’re on the same page.”

I shook my head, smiling even with my mounting irritation. “It’s settled then. Let’s remind everyone here who’s really in charge.”

Luciana straightened with a glint of satisfaction in her stormy gray eyes. Julia, who’s always so composed, smoothed her dress and nodded. Even though they were as different as night and day, they balanced each other. More importantly, they supported me.

I didn’t want to start unnecessary conflict—Gaia knew enough followed me on its own—but I detested people like Mrs. Ellison.

“Then let’s get this over with. Take me to her,” I said.

I followed Julia and Luciana to the office of the housekeeper in the main part of the estate. Gilded accents and ornate sconces decorated the main residence halls. But as we got closer to Ellison’s quarters, the decor got plainer. Almost as if her world was just on the fringes of lavishness, close enough to enjoy its perks, but always just out of reach.

Ellison’s quarters were sparsely decorated, with utilitarian furniture and a few personal touches. The walls were bare except for a few landscape paintings. It was cold and uninviting.

She worked in a homey but formal office, with walls lined with ledgers and modest flower vases. Ellison was a severe-looking woman with iron-grey hair in a tight bun, standing behind her desk. With sharp brown eyes, she looked over me like someone judged every flaw.

The path from the door to the desk was lined with two neat rows of attendees in burgundy silk robes, their faces carefully blank. All mundane. Even Mrs Ellison herself. For a fleeting moment, I considered the idea that she might have had some hand in raising Devon. Then I took one good look at her, a fierce woman as stiff as week-old bread, and dismissed the thought. She looked fifty, maybe sixty seasons old. Devon was well over 200. There was no nostalgic bond here, just thinly veiled disdain wrapped in polished manners.

“Your grace,” she greeted, inclining her head just enough to be polite but not an inch more. “To what do I owe this visit?”

I stepped forward, my heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. The attendees bowed as I passed. Fourteen of them. Did this woman really need a small army to pour tea and dust shelves? “I wanted to introduce myself properly,” I said calmly. “As the new hostess of Irving Island.”

Her eyes flickered with disagreement. It was hard not to laugh at her futile attempt to hide it.

“Of course. We’re at your service, my lady,” she replied, her tone just shy of biting.

“Good,” I said, stepping closer to the desk. My gaze swept over her meticulously arranged workspace. Perfect. “Because there are a few things I’d like to address. Starting with your audacity.”

She lost her poise, and her professionalism cracked. But she stayed quiet, watching me with suspicious eyes.

“Not only did you fail to introduce yourself to me as your new hostess since my arrival,” I began, “but you also neglected to extend a proper welcome to me or my attendees. That alone is a slap in the face.”

I leaned forward slightly, keeping my tone warm but punchy. “But you didn’t stop there. Oh no. You went out of your way to assign my personal attendees uniforms made from the most miserable excuse for silk I’ve ever seen. I mean, were you trying to insult me, or are your tastes just that appalling?”

Her lips tightened, but still, she said nothing. Smart woman.

“That, Mrs. Ellison,” I continued, “is not just an affront to me as the High Lady of Irving. It’s an insult to my family name—Lady Le Torneau. And trust me, there is a piper to pay.”

I stood straight, letting my words settle over the room. One of the attendees shifted nervously in the silence, punctuated only by the faint rustle of her robe.

That defiance in Ellison’s eyes had vanished, replaced with the kind of wariness I’d expect from someone who just realized they’d brought a wooden spoon to a sword fight. Good. Let her squirm.

There was a slight tremble in her otherwise rigid posture. Behind her, the line of attendees glanced at one another but kept their mouths shut, shushing one another. Oh, they knew. They knew exactly how little chance they stood here. Not against me, and certainly not against my attendees, who could turn everyone in this room into mush if I lifted the restraints on their magic.

Ellison cleared her throat, bowing slightly. “Your grace, it was not my intention to cause offence. The decisions made were’”

“Deliberate,” I cut in, resting my hands lightly on her desk. “Every single one. From the lack of a proper welcome to the insultingly plain uniforms you assigned to my attendees. Let’s not insult both our intelligences by pretending otherwise.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she tried again. “If there was a misunderstanding’”

“There was no misunderstanding,” I said. “We both know what it is. And while I’m impressed by your nerve, Mrs. Ellison, I’m afraid it’s misplaced. I am the hostess now. Your allegiance lies with me.”

I glared at her. The colour drained slightly from her face, and she stiffened, no doubt trying to salvage whatever dignity she had left. Oh Gaia, I was turning into my mother!

“If that’s too much for you to handle,” I added, my voice dropping just enough to make the threat clear, “then you’re welcome to leave. I assure you, the door is wide open.”

The attendees behind Mrs. Ellison shuffled again, their carefully blank faces not hiding the nervous vibe sweeping through the room. Even Luciana let a faint smirk tug at her lips, a silver eyebrow arching in quiet triumph.

Mrs. Ellison, however, was less smug. Her posture remained stiff, as if someone had replaced her spine with a steel rod. Her hands gripped the edges of her ledger so tightly I half-expected it to snap in two. “Your grace,” she began, “the Irving household has a long history’”

“And I’m well aware of it,” I interrupted, and I was getting tired of her attempt to trot out excuses. “But history doesn’t dictate the present, nor does it excuse disrespect. It merely informs. This is my home now, Mrs. Ellison, and I will not tolerate division or attempts to undermine my position.”

My gaze shifted to the line of attendees. This needed to be loud and clear.

“Here’s how things will proceed moving forward,” I snapped, because frankly, I was done with this nonsense. “You will make sure every member of this household understands their role and where their loyalties lie. Any lingering ties to the former mistresses will no longer be tolerated. And if anyone has a problem with that?” I let a pointed pause linger. “They can find employment elsewhere. No one is irreplaceable.”

Mrs. Ellison’s lips twitched, but she remained silent.

“Luciana,” I said, gesturing toward her. “Effective immediately, you’re the matron of this household. Since Mrs. Ellison has been far too busy to so much as introduce herself to her new hostess, I’m relieving her of the burden of managing household operations. You’ll handle all decisions, and only your approval will count.”

Luciana inclined her head gracefully, her silver hair catching the light like a halo. “It will be my pleasure, your grace.”

“And Julia,” I continued, turning toward her. “You’re in charge of my personal affairs and all the attendees. No more petty hierarchies. This household will run as a unified whole, with duties, not favouritism, defining roles.”

Julia nodded, and a look of excitement and mischief crossed her face. “Understood, my lady.”

Mrs. Ellison’s knuckles were white around her ledger now, but she managed a stiff nod. “As you wish, your grace.”

“Excellent.” I smiled sweetly. “Oh, and Mrs. Ellison? If you’re ever unclear about your role here, feel free to come directly to me. I’d hate for there to be any more” misunderstandings.”

Her bow was so shallow it barely counted, but I let it slide—for now. After all, there was no sport in breaking someone who didn’t even have the courage to put up a fight.

Then I added, “One more thing. Make this clear to all staff: the rules and structure of this household will be revised and rewritten in two days. I expect everyone to participate in that process. Those who oppose me as the lady of this house are to leave before then. I won’t employ people who despise and disrespect me.”

As I delivered my final decree, I let my water affinity flicker in my eyes, the faint blue glow casting a ripple of light across the room. Just enough to remind them that I wasn’t bluffing. There was a gasp from the attendees. Perfect. Now they knew I’m not playing nice.

“Dismissed,” I said harshly, and stormed out. Luciana and Julia trailed after me. Behind us, Mrs. Ellison’s clipped, “Yes, your grace,” followed, but the bitterness in her tone was enough to tell me this wasn’t over.

“She’ll try to push back,” Julia muttered as we walked down the hall.

“Good,” I said, flashing a sharp smile. “It would be boring otherwise.” I stopped mid-step, turning to face them both. “But we’ll be ready. Starting now, I’m withdrawing my binding contract with you two. I need you at full strength.”

Luciana’s brows hiked in surprise. “Are you sure, your grace?”

Julia giggled as she clapped her hands. “Finally.”

I extended my hands, the faint hum of magic rippling through my palms as I summoned the contracts. With a quiet, steady murmur, I invoked the reversal. Two brown scrolls materialized, glowing as the bindings unwound. They dissolved into sparks, scattering like embers in the hallway light.

“It’s done,” I said, dropping my hands. “You’re free to use your magic as needed.”

Luciana arched one perfect eyebrow. “Starting now? You make it sound like we’ve been itching to hex someone, your grace.”

“Not to hex anyone, of course. But let’s just say Ellison might find her filing cabinet spontaneously combusting if she keeps up her antics.” Julia giggled.

“Julia,” I said, feigning a disapproving tone. “We’re better than that.”

She gave me an exaggerated shrug, with that unrepentant grin plastered on her face. “Depends. Are we?”

Rolling my eyes, I turned to Luciana, who looked completely unbothered by Julia’s antics. “I’m sure you’ll keep her in line.”

Luciana dipped her head in a mockingly solemn bow. “Of course, your grace.”

The truth was, I appreciated their fire. If I was going to deal with Ellison’s nonsense and the household politics of Irving Island, I’d need allies who weren’t afraid to stir the pot when necessary. Luciana’s sharp tongue and Julia’s quiet wit made them the perfect counterbalance to each other—and to me.

“You’ll both need your full strength. Ellison won’t go down without at least one passive-aggressive coup attempt, and I’d rather not play nice if she tries,” I said as we continued down the hall.

We reached the set of ornate double doors leading to the quieter, more private wing of my quarters. I paused, looking back at them. “You both understand what’s coming, right? There’s more to this than Ellison. The entire structure of this household needs to change.”

Luciana nodded. “We understand. And we’ll make sure it happens.”

“Good.” I sighed, leaning briefly against the door frame. “Because if anyone’s going to tear this place apart, it’s going to be us. And then we’ll rebuild it better.” Then I pushed the door open. “Now, let’s get to work. We’ve got a house to run, a staff to retrain, and at least one insufferable housekeeper to dethrone.”

“And all before breakfast tomorrow,” Julia quipped, following me inside.

“Exactly.” I smirked but paused, a thought striking me mid-smirk. “Tomorrow’s my official mate ceremony” or whatever they call it.” I glanced at Julia and Luciana, half-hoping for reassurance.

Julia chuckled. “That’s what they call it, your grace.”

“Right,” I said, nodding like I’d always known that. “Devon and I will complete the ceremony tomorrow, and apparently, the entire Irving house will be there. You two need to oversee things and make sure it’s all ready.”

Luciana frowned, arms crossing in that very elf-like way of hers. “That’s short notice. Do you think it’s a test? To see if you can handle the pressure or” you know, fumble it?”

I stilled, the thought sticking in my mind like an annoying splinter. “It could be,” I admitted, now suspicious of literally everyone. Devon’s brothers, maybe even Devon himself. “But either way, fumbling isn’t on the agenda.”

Julia’s eyes lit up. “Can we use magic to speed things up?”

Of course, that was her first thought. I smirked, knowing she was practically itching to flex her powers now that I’d freed her from that contract. “Within reason,” I said. “No pyrotechnics or summoning storms. And don’t burn through all your MANA. If either of you faints from overdoing it, I’m leaving you where you drop.”

Julia laughed. “Got it. No fainting.”

Luciana gave a small nod. “We’ll make it happen, your grace.”

“Good,” I said, mostly to convince myself. Chaos tomorrow was inevitable, but if this really was a test, they weren’t going to catch me slipping.

“You’re dismissed for the night,” I said, waving a hand. “I have a few things to go over with Devon before I call it a day.”

Julia and Luciana exchanged a knowing glance. Honestly, they were starting to make that a habit, before nodding in sync. “Of course, your grace,” Julia said, the faintest smirk still on her lips.

Luciana inclined her head. “We’ll ensure everything is ready.”

“Thank you,” I said. As they walked off, I exhaled heavily.

Great. A possible test, a ceremony, and a housekeeper who detested me. What could possibly go wrong?