44 Results in the "A Thread of Corruption" category
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Chapter
Chapter 13 – Holy Ground
Valentina awoke at sunrise the next day, still feeling a slight soreness between her legs. Cosimo had been demanding last night. Not really rough, he never was, but enthusiastic in a way that made her body remember every single position he had put her in. "Stiff?" Vyxara inquired with a hint of amusement. "Oh, shut up," Valentina thought back as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. A knock at the door announced Margaret, who was already carrying a stack of carefully folded clothes over her…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 12 – Good Reception
The Greystone townhouse shone like a jewel in the summer twilight. Essence lamps cast warm, light through every corner of the estate, and the courtyard had been transformed into a beautiful landscape of flowers. Silver-grey and gold banners in the colors of the Greystones and Ashbournes fluttered gently in the balmy evening air. Long tables groaned under the weight of exquisite dishes. There were glazed pheasants, artfully arranged pies, candied fruits, and towers of sweet pastries. And of course lots…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 11 – The Announcement
A fanfare cut through the babble of voices like a sharp sword through silk. The herald in his colorful tabard stepped forward, his staff banging three times on the wooden platform. "Noble lords and ladies!" His voice echoed across the field. "His Majesty has a joyful announcement to make!" The crowd fell silent instantly. Thousands of faces turned toward the royal box, where King Edmund rose from his throne. Although he was not nearly as festively dressed as he had been at the opening of Parliament,…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 10 – Chains of Gold
The next day, the Greystones' carriage rumbled through the narrow streets back to the townhouse, and Valentina could still hear the roar of the debate in Parliament ringing in her ears. It still was exciting to watch Cosimo at work. His carefully placed arguments outside of sessions about the pirate threat and his subtle hints at riches to come had left visible cracks in the opposition. "The Marquess of Timberpine was particularly persuasive today," Lady Beatrice remarked as she fanned herself. "The way…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 9 – Rising Blood
Both froze. The air between them seemed to crackle, and a breeze loosened a honey-colored curl from her elaborate hairstyle. "Val." Innogen's voice was little more than a whisper. "Innogen." They spoke at the same time. "How are you-" "I've been looking for-" They both fell silent, an embarrassed smile flitting across Innogen's lips. "Please, speak first," said Valentina. "No, I... it's just..." Innogen visibly struggled for words. "How have you settled in? In your new…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 8 – The Great Melee
"Fifteen percent!" thundered a voice across the square where Parliament was being held. Duke Alessandro Devereux of Southwatch stood upright, his gaunt face reddened with indignation. "His Majesty's Lord Treasurer demands a fifteen percent increase in military taxes! As if gold instead of grain grew on our lands!" Valentina took her place two steps behind the duchess as the lords of the realm engaged in a passionate and yet very formal debate about the proposed measures. The ladies, wives, daughters,…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 7 – Entanglement
There. There she was. On the other side of the gathering, partially hidden behind a wooden pillar, stood Innogen. She wore a deep sapphire blue dress that made her golden hair shine. It was artfully pinned up, with small pearls glistening in it like dewdrops. She stood with two other young ladies, a Montfort and a Farnsworth, Valentina thought, and nodded politely to their conversation. But the tension in her shoulders gave her away. The way her fingers played with the fabric of her dress. It was…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 6 – The Audience
The Greystone group stepped forward. Cosimo and Rosalind led the way, Lorenzo a step behind, then Beatrice and Valentina. They sank into almost perfectly synchronized bows, the men with an elegant kick of the leg, the women in a deep but not submissive curtsy. "Duke Cosimo," King Edmund spoke, his warm baritone voice filling the room effortlessly. "We are pleased to see you and your family well." "Your Majesty honors us with your attention," Cosimo replied smoothly. "How is your hospital, Duke…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 5 – The King’s Speech
The king took his place, and the assembly rose again. King Edmund let his gaze wander over the crowd, and when he spoke, his deep voice carried effortlessly throughout the entire hall. "Lords, venerable prelates of the Holy Church of the Martyr, and commons of this realm of Sommerland, We, by the Martyr's Radiant Flame King of Sommerland, greet you well." He paused, letting the words sink in. "We gather today, as our ancestors have done for centuries, under the watchful and benevolent eye of the…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 4 – Heart of the Realm
On the morning of the opening of Parliament, the Greystone townhouse had been bustling with activity since dawn. Valentina stood in her slip in front of the large mirror while two maids bustled around her, helping her get ready. "Arms a little higher, milady," murmured the older of the two, a wiry woman named Margaret, as she pulled the heavy court dress over Valentina's head. The fabric was a muted blue-grey with silver embroidery and rustled like water as it draped around her body. "Don't lace it…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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