Lilly looked and tried not to roll her eyes. She didn’t bother to tell her she wasn’t interested in finding a husband. The room was swarming with young women of different level in the hierarchy. All trying to find a husband and some even trying to increase their own stature in life through marriage. Barely listening to Clara’s incessant prattle she searched the crowds. Her eyes caught a glimpse of Rak standing against the wall watching the dancers, then not far from him she found Jaden. He was standing beside Sarah whose body language spoke volumes of why she was speaking with him. Lilly saw the irritation in the set of his jaw and smirked. He was always too polite and it was obvious Sarah wasn’t taking the hint as he was trying to excuse himself. She looked over at Clara who was seeing the same thing. “Excuse me.”

She strolled through the crowd, her determination to save her friend and to make Sarah very angry. She had run into Sarah on multiple occasions since that time in the exercise yard and she only solidified Lilly’s dislike for her by treating her as if she were a child. Sarah was the daughter of the former commander of Alura’s army but once he died she was left with almost nothing. Clara had told her that she was living off the good graces and obligatory gratitude of the king, in Olestra.

As she grew closer his back was to her and she heard Sarah’s fake laughter with an edge of fear in it. Lilly laughed to herself. Here she was trying to flirt with someone she was afraid of. Taking a deep breath she put on a pleasant smile. “Lord Jaden.” She said loud enough to get his attention. He turned around and an expression of relief flooded his features.

“Lady Lilly.” He bowed formally making Sarah tense, her neck flashed with irritation.

She pushed in and tried to smile politely almost looking as if she were about to grab his arm and drag him away. “Oh, Lady Lilly, how do you know Lord Jaden?” The hint of anger in her voice made Lilly’s smile grow.