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Elle led Fidele through the snoinding her way around the gardens She teared up when the big gelding affectionately nudged her

The courtyard buzzed with soldiers Elle saw a flash of a Ranger unifored assassin off, a squad of soldiers trailing behind them

"Elle?"

Elle turned to the chateau front door Oliver stood on the top steps, his ht with joy

"It is you! Elle!" Oliver whooped, throwing himself down the first stair

He was stopped by Emele, who hauled him back by the collar of his jacket The ladies maid was truly lovely Her skin was smooth like porcelain, her features were fine and perfectly proportionate, and her eyes were fastened on Elle

"Elle?" Eined it, soft and warm The ladies maid traced Elle’s uniform, and unlike Oliver she understood its implications "You lied?"

"It’s not what you think," Elle said

"You’re a Ranger Were you tasked with infiltrating the chateau?"

"No, breakingwas an accident," Elle said

"What else did you lie about?" Ein to believe that Is your na to conclusions I--,"

"Ju of the Crown," Emele said, her words as painful to Elle as a hot brand "Your duty is to lie I can’t even be sure I know you! Does His Highness know?"

"He does now"

"Then you have broken his heart, lapdog Everything you did was a lie!"

"Get your head on straight, Emele," Elle snapped "If it was a lie you wouldn’t be able to speak to ht now"

Emele shook her head and backed up to the Chateau doors "Do not talk to o inside"

"Elle?" Oliver ventured, straining against E

Elle offered the stable boy a weak s Oliver away When the groom was safely stowed inside, Emele turned back to face Elle one more time "I liked you, Elle You were hness?"

"I didn’t do anything I genuinely love him Emele, you have to believe me"

Emele shook her head "No, I don’t I would never believe sohness," she said before also slipping inside, shutting the doors behind her