"Oh, it should be more than a flicker. Haven't you heard? We dragons can light anything ablaze."―Sarah K.L. Wilson, The Ruby Isles

Kathalina had never felt this angry and sad before. She couldn't believe her oblivion would be so short-lived. She knew she had to face her parents but she was hoping to gather some courage before she faces their disappointment. But before that, she had to do something else.

"Where is the ledger's office?" She asked to the dead silent room.

No one spoke their gaze fixated on her angry face. Everyone sitting there understood what it means when people say that looks could kill. She was more terrifying than William and no one dared to utter a word.

"Why?" Hannah asked softly, not to rattle her even more.

Kathalina didn't reply her eyes still fixated on the news article.

William turned her around into his arms and lightly patted her head calming her down. He had an inkling why she wanted to go to the ledger's office. She was angry but deep down she was hurt and it needed to be fixed first.

"Why do you wanna go to the Ledger's office, Kat?" Hannah asked again carefully.

"I want to burn down their office," Kathalina said separating from William, "Their audacity to write something like this in the newspaper for the ton to see. Why would they lie and say my father has retired? He loves what he does, he hasn't retired. If they want to slander me they can but why do they have to drag my father into this."

"Kat, why don't we ask someone to empty the ledger's building first? You don't want anyone to get hurt after we set the office on fire, do you?" Hannah said shocking everyone in the room.

Everyone including Kat turned their head to Hannah with surprise and shock.

"I can do it, burn down the ledger's office?" Kathalina asked surprised. Her anger dissipated.

"If you want to, but the livelihood of many that work in the Ledger will be put at risk and we will need to pay for the damages done and some legal troubles, not to mention we would-be criminals," Hannah said in seriousness, wondering what else could happen.

"So, we can't do it," Kat said pouting.

"Of course, we can, we will need to think this through first," Hannah replied.

"What else can I do?" Kathalina said frustrated, "What they have done is wrong? And they wouldn't even be punished for it?"

"Well, you can talk to your parents. He will be able to ask Ledger to publicly apologize," Hannah suggested.

Kathalina stayed silent, contemplating meeting her parents. She wasn't ready yet. She didn't want to be away from William. She was scared her parents might take William away from her.

"We can go together if you want," William suggested.

"You will come with me?" Kat asked surprised.

"Yes," William replied, "Even though one witness was under-aged I did vow in front of that innocent soul that I would always be there with you, every step of the way, against all odds."

Kathalina smiled through her anger. She loved the right man.

"I will never be ready to face my parents. Which child wants to arouse their parent's wrath and get scolded," Kathalina sighed.

"My third seemed to do just that all the time," Lady Kentshire said looking at Seb. Everyone laughed while Seb only pouted.

"Darling," Father Kentshire said, "We will all be here when you come back. We are now your family too."

With comforting words from everyone, Kathalina readied herself to meet her parents. She didn't know what to say to them, would they refuse to meet her, will they be angry, she would prefer it if they are angry.

Her head was running wild jumping from one thought to an even worse one. The only reason she was not panicking was that William was there with her, comforting her. They sat in the carriage with her hands in his and he made sure she knows he was with her with all his assuring words and sweet gestures.

They arrived at Liverpool's manor. The intimidating building was as old as the royal house itself. No one stopped them on the way, everyone let William pass through with Kathalina. It seems she knew where her parents will be in this vast house. She walked ahead and William followed without a question.

Instead of meeting her parents, they ended up in her chambers.

"Kate," William asked in a hushed whisper, "Why are we here? Shouldn't we be meeting your parents?"

"Yes, the dinner will be served in a couple of hours," She said nonchalantly going through her wardrobe, "I will change into proper attire and we can meet them at the dinner."

"We shouldn't be here," William said walking towards her.

Kathalina turned around to face him, her anger visible.

"And why not?" She asked, "This is my chamber."

"Darling," William said lovingly to soothe his wife, "The circumstances have changed."

"And it is still my chamber," Kathalina said with finality and went back to rummaging her dresses.

William slowly hugged her from behind, catching her hands and locking them in an embrace. He placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

"Why don't we call for your lady-in-waiting and get ready for the dinner," He suggested.

Kathalina relaxed in William's arms for the longest time. She didn't want to leave this cocoon of comfort.

The servicewoman standing at her door was not the usual maid that would dress her up. And it seemed like she ran all the way here as she stood panting at the doorway.

"My lady," She said through her breaths. She realized her mistake and straighten her back curtsying to them.

"My lady," She said appropriately, "at your service. What would you like for me to do?" She added hesitantly, not certain how to speak to noble ladies.

"Will you help me find an evening gown and then help dress me up?" Kathalina asked, trying to make the woman in front of her comfortable.

The woman's face lit up and she nodded fervently.

"I will be in the waiting area," William said placing a kiss on Kathalina's temple before leaving.

The woman kept fumbling with helping Kathalina. She understood it was not her usual duty.

Once the Kathalina was ready she dismissed the maid. She wanted a couple of moments to herself. But the woman was still standing in the corridor.

"Do you need something?" Kathalina asked bringing the woman out of her thoughts.

"We are very happy you are back, my lady," She blurted out.

Kathalina was surprised but the words relaxed her.

"Thank you," She replied sweetly, her smile radiant.

"Can I ask you something, my lady?" The maid asked hesitantly.

"Mmmh," Kathalina replied encouragingly.

The maid hesitated for a long time. She was afraid of something. She was trying to piece the question in the best manner. Kathalina understood the position she was in.

"It is alright, you don't need to think so much," Kathalina said smiling.

"My lady," She said her voice breaking, "Did Timmy come with you? Is he alright? Will he be punished for coming with you? Where is he?"

Kathalina saw her maid silently breaking in front of her from the inside.

"He is alright. I believe he is being well taken care of at Kentshire manor. And I promise he won't be punished for anything," Kathalina said comfortingly, "You need not worry."

Kathalina sent her back after she had thanked her profusely. She joined William in the waiting area and walked towards the dining chamber to join her parents.

"What made you smile so much?" William asked.

"My coachman is going to get chewed out by his lady after he returns," She said chuckling.

Kathalina's cheerfulness rubbed on to William and he knew in his bones he would do anything for her smile. Even if it means bowing down to his enemy who she calls father.

They walked with a light smile on their faces and entered the dining hall where her parents were waiting for them. And so was her ex-fiancé, Lord Adam.

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