RIDDLE

of grace. The entire room was silent, w

a, then let my gaze sweep over a prou

easured. "The most important thing for the Welc

xchanging triumphant looks. They

sturing towards Finley with a magnanimous sweep of my ha

k of relief on his face. He th

e ambiguous title of 'guest,'" I declared. "She d

. Eleanor tried to sit up straighter, h

This was what he wanted, but hearing it from me

, "I, Allegra Riddle, formally offer to cede my po

to silence. I had just called their b

ughtful expression cross my face, "

trice asked, her voic

the Alpha heir. Surely you review t

s. The steward handle

ing back to the room, "that the Welch

crackling of the fire

red, her haughty expression crumbling. "Rui

thwind fortifications required a complete rebuild, an expense that was not budgeted for." I listed

g in her eyes. She knew I handled the househ

son insisted, though he looked sh

s pack has not had to default on its loans to the Ironfang Duchy, the on

that s

eatrice's, "is what is currently funding your lavish lifestyle, paying for this

faces were a mottled red and white. The ultimate humiliatio

clusion. "I will gladly step aside as Luna. I will return t

!" Patrici

being traders, insisted on very specific clauses. In the event of a formal Rejection or if

and the new Luna, but it would mean immediate bankruptcy and ruin. Or, they

re. "Allegra has managed this household's finances with more skill and dedication

He had no idea. He saw me as a burden, a duty. He was

" she said, her voice a low rasp. "The heir is everything. Finances can be mana

had irrevocably shifted. I was no longer th