“So, you are doing this out of thought for my own well-being?” Lady Steinhouse snorted.

“Like it or not, you still need us. To keep away whatever you are running from, you married into our family. Do you think I could not make clear our relationship? That way, those you are running from will know where you are,”

Grand Lady Steinhouse threatened and Lady Steinhouse burst out in a fit of laughter.

“You misunderstand. My crisis was averted the moment I was married. I could have the king decree a divorce but doing that means he can now force me into a marriage he always wanted. This title is just convenient. I have enjoyed freedom and have no intention of giving it up. You, on the other hand, still have your lives in my hands. I still hold evidence of your grandson's misdeeds. If I am divorced from your family, the king has no more reason to hide it. What do you think would happen to you all if I were to leave?” Lady Steinhouse laughed.

Humph. She almost got suppressed by this walking corpse, Lady Steinhouse snorted inwardly. The old lady may have known about the arrangement between herself and her grandson, but she still did not understand that she was still in danger.

This title was her shield, and not a very good one too. In fact, before the eyes of those who wished her harm, this shield is like going into a sword fight with a kitchen knife. Only she and the king know of her predicament. Did this woman think she could suppress her with such little knowledge?

Lady Steinhouse could see that they believed her words and was gratified. She stood and made to leave, before pausing at the door.

She looked back dangerously and dropped a warning, “Don't think I do not know of your connections to Grand Lady Dockstorm. You best play your cards right; the queen is not the one holding your lives in her hands. You best not provoke me to make sure you join your grandson in his grave,” before she walked away.

Lady Steinhouse had just reached her chambers when she received a package from her maid. She trusted her staff. She had picked them out after serious background checks. She made sure they would never betray her, as such everything inside the mansion was sealed tight. It made the other households frustrated; as their maids could not bring back information from

her household, because her maids were as silent as the royal secret agents. Receiving the letter, she was sure it had not been opened.

“A servant boy said to be from the Krain estate said he was asked by his young master to deliver this,” hearing the word, Krain, she sat up straight. Her maid handed her the package suspiciously. Lady Steinhouse saw the tokens and knew what they were instantly, as she was a lady of society and every lady yearned to have one of these tokens.

Only very few were handed out each year and she did not have one as it took great backing and money to get it. Though she was the king's niece, she was without a mother and did not know much about dressing. Her style had made the two stores blacklist her. Every time she requested one, she was refused.

They did not want their carefully crafted dresses and jewellery to land in hands such as hers. Still, even though she was the king's niece, it was still a lot of money to purchase these. More than she, a sane business woman would dare spend.

The letter that came with it read,

“go and calm your temper,”

She blushed a deep red as she stared at the words. She needed no signature to tell who had written this. She traced the strokes of the words as though she could almost feel his hand and turned redder.

“My lady?” her maid asked as she saw her lady turn a deep shade of red.

“We are going shopping,” she said and got up. She changed so fast, that her maid thought a ghost was pursuing her. Stepping out of her chambers with her maid in tow, she came across The Steinhouse spinster below the stairs and her glowing face took on a dark shade.

“Where are you going?” The Steinhouse spinster asked.

“You had best learn your limits,” Lady Steinhouse warned.

“You are still my sister-in-law. Can you not accompany me?” The Steinhouse spinster answered.

“Do I look like I have the time to bother with the likes of you?” Lady Steinhouse gave a snort, before leaving. The Steinhouse spinster followed her regardless. Lady Steinhouse was her key to re-enter society. She did not care what her brother had done; he was dead and she was not.

Reaching outside, the lady entered the prepared carriage. The Steinhouse spinster tried to enter but was stopped by a guard.

“I only need to be dropped off, you cannot even do such?” she loudly asked Lady Steinhouse in the carriage.

“Let her in,” Lady Steinhouse said. She knew her home was now at the attention of a lot of people and that Old Lady Trent next door, who loves to peer into her yard from her window may be watching.

Let into the carriage, The Steinhouse spinster smiled sweetly. Lady Steinhouse acted as though she did not see her as the carriage moved.

“Where are you stopping?” she finally asked her sister-in-law, when they had gone a distance, “You may be going my way,”

“I doubt that,” Lady Steinhouse said calmly.

“Where too, then?” The Steinhouse spinster smiled as though she was sure where ever the Lady Steinhouse was going, she could go too.

“Madame D'huile,” she answered and The Steinhouse spinster's smile froze.

“Are you going that way too?” Lady Steinhouse smirked.

“I’ve always wanted to see the great Madam D'huile. Since you are going there, let's go together,” The Steinhouse spinster smiled.

“Why should I take you? Do you think you can just go anywhere? Fine. Since you want to embarrass yourself, I will not stop you,” Lady Steinhouse smirked and looked away.

Arriving at the store, they made their way in. Lady Steinhouse smiled at the thought that she could get whatever she wanted because he got her a token. An attendant approached her.

“Are you here for a fitting or a new dress?” the attendant asked. She did not seem to recognize the ladies, so she just curtsied and asked politely. If she knew that this was the recently infamous Lady Steinhouse, she would have not believed it. The lady before her was very beautiful, her face was clean and her dress; though made from expensive cotton, was simple. Lady Steinhouse they knew, was one who knew nothing about fashion.

Madame D'huile was a slender woman in her mid-thirties with godly skills in the craft of dresses. She walked out of the inner room and paused at the sight of Lady Steinhouse. She seemed almost gleeful at the sight of her; this was a person worthy of wearing her creations. She approached Lady Steinhouse in haste. Pushing to the side the attendant, she took over attending to the guests.

“I am Madame D'huile. You, my dear, are a sight to behold. Care to introduce yourself?” she asked.

“Lady Steinhouse,” Lady Steinhouse answered and the woman paused. Looking at her simple dress and the glow in her eyes, she nodded. This was a woman in love. Probably this newfound love has cleared her eyes, allowing her tastes in fashion to transcend to the mortal world.

“I don't remember giving you a token dear, but never mind. Let's deal with that later. First, I need to take your measurements,” Madam D'huile said.

“Oh. I do have a token,” she handed her token to the woman and the woman looked at it before calling for the records. She saw the token was registered under a man's name and smiled.

“I see. This gentleman specifically got this recently. I never thought it would land in your hands,” Madame D'huile said and Lady Steinhouse blushed a deep red. Her shy appearance, if nothing, confirmed the rumours that had taken over the entire capital. The few women listening by the side almost had their eyes pop from their sockets at the thought.

The rumour has been confirmed!

The days that passed were in itself, terribly quiet. One would not know that a storm was brewing. Even skilled noses could not smell it in the air. Everyone went on as usual. Walter barely left home, except for times he helped Lady Steinhouse with her plot. He and the lady, who always seemed to blush at the slightest look he threw her way, had gotten everything prepared. The minister of finance had found a way to have the minister of trade involved. The trade minister agreed, in hopes to have his name removed from the list to be attacked when the evidence is presented before the king.

As Lady Steinhouse stood by Walter's side when he handled matters, Walter's form seemed to shine more before her eyes. Walter's idea was brilliant.