Chapter 154

"Head of House, what's going on!"

I'd just been drinking tea when a voice loud enough to shake Bella's palace rang out.

Must be Irenber's knights, arriving.

I let a smile settle on my face. Across from me, Bella tried to look unbothered, but a thin crack had already crept into her smile.

"The tea is wonderful, Your Highness the Princess Consort."

One quick-witted young lady piled on the compliments. It was almost funny, watching the ladies savor their tea and fawn over Bella with such refined composure, as if the commotion outside the door had nothing to do with any of them at all.

Would they keep that up even if the place caught fire?

If someone shouted "fire," they'd scatter in a panic fast enough. I was busy picturing just how ridiculous that would look when—

"I must see Head of House at once! Open this door!"

As…