Chapter 129

The carriage that entered the imperial palace grounds came to a stop at the Marble Palace.

When the attendant opened the carriage door, an older noblewoman greeted Adele with a demure bow.

A face Adele had never seen before — which meant the woman likely wasn't one of the capital's nobility. That, at least, was a small mercy. It meant word of her would spread a little more slowly.

"I greet Countess Grilles. This way, please."

The noblewoman, who introduced herself as Viscountess Marilla, led Adele up to the second floor — to the very bedroom she used to occupy.

The furniture that had, until recently, sat shrouded under white cloths had all been polished to a shine, and the bedding had been replaced with something new. A fire crackled in the hearth, and red roses had been arranged into the shape of a heart in the middle of the…