The sun shone through the tall windows of the minstrel parlor, making the silver and golden threads woven in the tapestries on the walls sparkle. Usually filled with the hubbub of practicing court musicians and rehearsing stage performers, today it was reserved for the lady of the castle's private lessons. A vase of freshly picked flowers in one of the corners tickled the nose with their sweet aroma, and the joyful tune of a lute danced in the air, all setting the perfect mood for a lazy, calm afternoon. And a pleasant afternoon it was, judging by the bright smiles of the four young women residing in the room. A calm one – not so much.

“No, no, my lady, not like that” Rish's voice rang in the empty hall. “It’s not your turn yet. Don’t concentrate solely on the gestures. Think about the rank of the people exchanging the greeting.”

“Slow down, Rish, dear,” Saya rolled her eyes and patted the young Binshi on the shoulder. “It is Lorelei’s first attempt. Besides, you are explaining it way too complicated. Even I’m confused.”

“I think the lady did everything splendidly,” shrugged Milly. “Who would dare find fault in the mistress of Norden?”

“No! She can’t just stumble through it somehow. The greeting is the most important part of every proper welcome. There have been whole clan-wars starting due to someone feeling offended for not being properly greeted.”

“You mean using it as an excuse,” snorted Saya and winked at their mistress.

“No, Rish is right,” Lorelei sighed and tucked the unruly strand that had escaped her crown-braid behind her ear. “With the Grand Council drawing near, the Duchess of Norden can’t be so negligent. What if I really offend someone from the Binshi delegation?”

“Trust me, there will be someone offended no matter what you do.” Saya shrugged and drew a couple of sad chords from her lute. “Last year, it was that the wrong herbs were used while preparing the deer meat. The year before – the Limerian delegates supposedly got the better rooms. Before that…”

“The birch juice accident,” continued Rish and frowned.

“The what accident?” Lorelei blinked and looked at her friends.

“Don’t ask, my lady,” replied Milly and shuddered.

“Indeed. And especially, don’t say a word about it in front of Sir Duncan. It is… a sensitive topic.”

“You three are impossible!” Lorelei pursed her lips. “Now I want to know even more.”

“By the Mother Above, our lips are sealed. The honor of Norden’s knightage depends on it.”

“Aw, come on now!”

The four women giggled and the lesson continued. Lorelei tried to concentrate on the task at hand – the typical Binshi greeting ritual. It sounded simple in theory. She had to hold her right hand, palm-down, and her left with the palm facing upward. Her partner had to do the same and then the two sets of palms had to touch in what the Binshi called otdavak. It was the metaphorical gesture of the right hand “giving” a blessing and the left one receiving it. Then, the two people had to press foreheads together to show that they are of the “same mind and spirit”, as Rish had put it. In practice, however, was much more complicated.

The right hand needed to be given first, and its blessing received, before the other person stretched out their right hand, and who was to start the whole process was a convoluted mess in and of itself. If one was entering someone else’s home, the guest was supposed to initiate the otdavak. But if it was a public place, the more junior of the two had to start the ritual. In case that the younger party had a higher standing in the clan, however, the senior started first. And then when that was cleared, came the pressing of the forehead. What if the two parties were on hostile terms? Then they pressed their cheeks side by side. Pressed right cheek meant reconciliation. Pressed left cheek showed that one party had grievances with the other. And then, if one party was with a higher status, they could opt not to press foreheads but to kiss the brow of the other person, symbolizing that that party needs to listen and obey their superior’s will. And then there was the case of one person greeting a whole summit where they had the left palm facing up and the right at the gathered people, showing that the greeter receives the blessing of the Mother Above and distributes it equally amongst all parties present.

“The best way to start a feud is to not offer otdavak properly.” Rish touched Lorelei’s palms in the correct succession and leaned forward to press foreheads. “But you should be fine, my lady. You are the hostess and the one with the highest rank, so the ones who should initiate the ritual would be the ambassadors.”

“Wait,” Lorelei raised an eyebrow and looked at her friend, “then what was the point of the whole lecture!?”

“The Duchess of Norden should know her peoples’ customs.” The Binshi smiled back. “And technically, the Star-gazer is the highest person in Norden, at least to us, so in theory, should you have interactions with Lady Shana that require an official greeting in front of the Binshi delegation, you wouldn’t offend anybody.”

Lorelei’s stomach twisted. Offending the last holy prophet of the Binshi before her own people was not something that she or Noah, or Norden as a whole, needed right now. Remembering the animosity between Yalda’s peers, Lorelei felt a chill run down her spine. Every interaction between Limerians and Binshi was like a walk on thin ice – a single misstep and the slippery surface would break, the chaos beneath drowning the fragile peace that was built with so much effort and sacrifice.

The sudden shadow falling over her fiend’s face didn’t escape Saya’s sharp eyes. The young woman smiled and her fingers ran over the lute, a playful melody escaping the strings.

“Enough etiquette and protocol! Why don’t we practice dancing for a change? You really liked the one Rish showed you last time, didn’t you?”

“I did,” Lorelei tilted her head, “but I feel guilty since Rish always has to dance the male part.”

“So what?” The Binshi huffed and straightened her back. “It is a nice change and besides, those squatting moves in the second part are excellent leg-training. Maybe next time you will agree that we do a dagger dance?”

“Let’s keep to the regular dances for now.”

With Saya playing the lute and Milly joining her with a lively folk song, the two other women bowed to each other and moved with the music in a springy, fast dance. Step after step, Lorelei’s mind drifted away, her body following the forms of the dance subconsciously. Instead, her thoughts were circling around, coming nearer and nearer to the sore spot in her heart. Would everything end up fine during the Grand Council? Was she going to do well or mess something up and inconvenience Noah? Was he even going to allow her to participate in the event when she was just a substitute duchess?

A substitute. The word rang in her mind as if someone had shouted it. Lorelei knew it was a stupid thing to worry about. She had decided not to put much thought into her current status and aid Noah to the best of her abilities. To know her place and cherish the little warmth and joy she could get while fulfilling her duties. She knew she was greedy and out of her mind, remembering his hug, his large hand carefully stroking her head, his voice, calming her down, and yearning for more. She thought that she had steeled her determination, that she would play her part and walk away with the bitter-sweet feeling of a job well done in her heart when the time came. But then, two days ago, one word from Anuk had shattered her resolve.

“Lady Shimshi,” the little girl had chirped while twirling around and delightedly showing off her new dress, “what does ‘betrothal’ mean?”

“It is the promise between a man and a woman to get married,” she had answered absentmindedly while her eyes had marveled at the glowing embroidery on the little girl’s dress. “Why are you asking, dear?”

“The Highness and baba Neli were talking about a betrothal.” The child stopped spinning and pursed her lips. “But it isn’t right. The Highness is married to Lady Shimshi. He can’t get a betrothal, right?”

The rest of the conversation was a blur in her mind. For the past two days, Lorelei had time to ponder over it and calm down enough, but the pricking sensation in her heart still remained. It was not like she had any illusions. It was clear as day that Noah would remarry after the year was over. And it was definitely going to be a high noble lady, otherwise, Prince Lionel wouldn’t have tried to hamper his plans by tying them together. And it wasn’t like Noah had to inform her about his plans or even the identity of his future spouse. This had nothing to do with her. Still, it stung. Like a thorn covered in poison boring deep into her chest.

Lorelei wanted to laugh, to cry, to curs. Instead, she spun around, following Saya’s tune.

Was she jealous? Of a woman, she had never met? One that actually had the bearing and qualities to be the Duchess Norden instead of an imposter like her? A lady who could offer to Noah the support of status and money? Was she jealous over a man she clearly knew to be out of her reach? The simple answer was yes, and this realization infuriated her and made her feel completely hopeless.

As the pace of the lute quickened, both dancers spun faster and faster. Gripped by the music, Lorelei poured her frustration into the dance, finally letting go and drowning in the song’s melody. After a few chords, the tempo made a sudden change again. Lorelei tried to follow with the correct steps but lost her balance and tripped. Falling forward, she could see for a split second the bewilderment in Rish’s eyes before the Binshi sprang forth and tried to steady her. However, she was a split second too late.

A strong arm wrapped around Lorelei’s waist and pulled her backward, her body landing on a familiar broad chest.

“You need to be more careful, my duchess,” Noah’s breath tickled her ear. “You might sprain your ankle.”

“Y-your Highness!” Lorelei jumped up and had to struggle for a moment before his grip finally released her. She made a deep curtsy, all the while trying to calm her heavy breathing. It was a good thing that she could use the dance and the startle from just now as an excuse for her flustered look.

“I see you are learning some of the local dances,” Noah greeted the rest of the ladies with a nod and a smile.

“Yes, my lord.” Lorelei tried to avoid looking into his eyes as she answered. “I thought it might be useful considering the upcoming events.”

“But dear duchess, it seems that you are lacking a proper dance partner for the task.”

“Rish has been very helpful in that regard.”

“I have no doubt in Rish’s abilities, my lady. However, the ones dancing together during the festivities around the Grand Council would be the two of us. I hope you wouldn’t mind practicing the next dance with me?”

“I would be delighted, my lord,” replied Lorelei with a stiff smile. Seeing the triumphant look in her husband’s eyes and the big grins on her friends’ faces didn’t make matters easier.

Returning to the middle of the parlor, the two pressed palms together and waited for the music to start. Not a moment later, Saya’s lute picked up a very slow, graceful melody, and Milly and Rish began singing, their voices intertwining and reverberating in a hypnotic tune. Although Lorelei couldn’t understand the words of the song, it felt so beautiful and sad at the same time. The pace reminded her a bit of voletta - a new, rather intimate dance that had been gaining popularity amongst the younger generation in Sefis, despite the grumpy murmurs of nannies and matrons. She had watched many young couples twirl together under the deceitfully modest tune of the voletta, hands almost inseparable, heads - so close that some sweet nothings could be whispered. She had thought that there couldn't be a greater bliss than sharing such a close moment with the one you loved, had fantasized of the time she would be able to do it too. Now, she knew that it could also be a quiet agony.

Very slowly, Noah guided her through the forms of the dance, sometimes adjusting his steps to compensate for her mistakes.

“You are doing very well.” His low voice reached her ears as they spun close to each other.

“You don’t need to flatter me, my lord. I am aware of my shortcomings.”

“Critical as always,” he snorted keeping her hand between his fingers for a moment longer than needed. “Why don’t you just accept the compliment?”

“It is wasteful throwing pearls to a pig.” Her response made him frown.

“Is this another one of master Levi’s pearls of wisdom?”

“This one is courtesy of my lord-father." She bowed and stretched out her hand to meet his again. "And the only one I agree with.”

“Don’t even mention it." Noah received her palm. "You know very well my opinion about that lowly rat!”

“But an apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

“What has gotten into you today?” Noah’s grip around her fingers tightened and Lorelei could clearly hear the worry in his voice. This was not the right time. This was not the right place. There were too many witnesses. And yet, she felt the need to talk to him. As master Levi said ‘The quicker the cut, the lesser the pain.’ She had experienced enough pain already to last her for a lifetime. There was no need to delay it anymore.

“Should someone like me attend the Grand Council?”

“Someone like you?” Noah’s eyebrow arched as he peered into her eyes.

“A false duchess.”

“False?!” Her husband raised his voice but remembered they weren’t alone and continued with a whisper. “In what way are you false? Haven’t I acknowledged you as my lawful wife?”

“We both know that this is a temporary arrangement, my lord." Lorelei licked her lips as the two spun together. "After the year passes, you will be marrying your betrothed.”

He stared at her blankly as the steps of the dance parted them for a moment. When their hands connected again, Lorelei could feel his fingers twitching.

“Did my mother bother you again? Or was it Shana?”

“No,” she shook her head, withstanding the piercing gray gaze. “And it does not matter. It is something that will eventually happen, not a secret. You don’t need to be so alarmed.”

“I am sorry, my lady. I should have talked to you about it sooner.”

Lorelei could see the self-deprecating smile twisting his lips and the crease between his eyebrows. Why did he look like he was hurting? Instead, she asked a completely different question.

“Who is the honorable lady?”

“Marzbane Ilmaz of Pandad.”

“I see.” She nodded but unexpectedly, her husband continued.

“Pandad is one of the greatest trading forces amongst the Marzbanats." Noah held her hands and kept her closer, despite the dance dictating for them to perform the next figure separately. "They sit on the safest route between the Empire and Shareeba. They also supply the rest of the Marzbanats with goods from the East and have influence over some of the rulers in the region. Having their support would be invaluable when the time comes for Crown Prince to ascend the throne.”

“You don’t need to explain all this to me.”

“I do. I want you to understand. The Crown Prince needs my support. He needs Pandad. A blood tie to them would lean the scales in our favor.”

He finally let her go but his gaze still lingered. Lorelei chose to stare at her feet and moved mechanically, no longer caring whether she performed the right steps. Yes, she did understand. She wanted to assure him that she does, despite the thugs in her heart. She wanted to tell him that it was a wise decision. Instead, when the dance brought them closer together again, her foolish mouth whispered the wrong words.

“Is the lady… beautiful?”

From the corner of her eye, she could see her husband stiffen, but he recovered so fast that it had no effect on his graceful steps. His reply was also calm and devoid of emotion.

“I’ve never had the honor to meet the lady personally. And it doesn’t really matter.”

“No, it doesn’t,” Lorelei shook her head. “After all, enough wine can numb the senses and make everything feel like a dream.”

“Lorelei…” He pulled her closer in total disregard of the dance. "Don't..."

“Pardon me, I said too much.” She blushed and, although her common sense was screaming, she was unable to stop her mouth from blabbing on with lightning speed. “I know our first night together was a disappointment. And I am grateful for your abstinence… then and even now. I hope for your next marriage to bring you and your lady happiness, in and outside of the marital chamber.”

Saying that, she went silent. The blood pulsating in her ears made it almost impossible to distinguish the sound of the lute. Her fingers holding Noah’s hand felt numb and cold.

“Let me clarify, Lady Lorelei.” She lifted her head, hearing the shaking in her husband’s voice. His eyes bored into hers and she saw pain in their depths. “I have not met my future bride but I can confidently say that she is as lovely as any thirteen-year-old girl would be.”

Lorelei tripped but Noah managed to catch her. Mouth agape, she glared at him as he gave her a slight nod.

“But she is a child!” Lorelei’s nails dug into his hand. “You…”

“I am old enough to be her father,” murmured Noah. “Our age difference is irrelevant to the parties forging the contract.”

“But… you wouldn’t! I understand that this time you have to consummate the marriage but… You wouldn’t, would you?”

“Of course I wouldn’t!” Noah stopped abruptly and a growl escaped from between his teeth. “What kind of monster do you take me to be? She is barely older than Shana! I had enough restraint not to touch you. Do you think I am so lustful as to lose myself when presented with a child?! Damn it! My own mother was barely four years older than her when she was forced to have me. Unlike some, I don’t like using women and children, neither as pawns nor as means to satiate my cravings. And you should know that better than anyone!”

“No! I…”

He shook Lorelei’s hands away and stepped back, leaving an insurmountable distance between the two of them. Not even a muscle twitched on his chiseled face as he bowed deeply.

“Please excuse me, duchess. I don’t want to overstay my welcome. I will come to practice dancing with you at another time.”

He then turned around and walked briskly out of the room, leaving behind three startled women and a shaking Lorelei. As the door slammed behind his back, a piece of Lorelei’s heart shattered.