17

Andre

In celebration of the peace treaty with Helvet and the mine dispute finally being settled, the palace threw a ball in honor of Mabel. They were very, very clear this was all because of her and people needed to thank her.

I was glad that she was finally getting some real recognition instead of trouble, but she looked less than thrilled to have to attend the event.

Especially as the star.

Luckily, she'd had a couple of weeks to prepare for it, and Ian was all too thrilled to have an excuse to buy her a new gown. He was way more into fashion and dressing Mabel than Mabel was. It was almost amusing, especially because Mabel did it for Ian, and he did it so she would shine as brightly as she should.

Plus, people were all abuzz about Marquis Matthias and his brother's demise. Apparently, they had died trying to poison each other a few days ago.

And Ian was a bit too amused about it all. So yes, clearly, my husband killed two people. I knew I should care, especially as the head of the police, but all I could think about was how many lives he probably saved taking those monsters out.

He did not have to do much given they had been gunning for each other. Renee was telling the truth that her father wanted to take out the marquis. It was in his journals, and the household knew it well. The marquis was smart enough to know he was a threat now that David was gone, not simply he wanted Raymond to inherit the title.

Their whole family was trash like that. But there was ample evidence that the brothers were plotting to take the other out, so no one doubted the scene Ian had set. Both men had poison in their pockets and the story told was they had spiked the other's coffee at their breakfast meeting to settle the issues.

Instead, they killed each other. The servants at the marquis's household were all questioned and even the marchioness as she was there when they both became violently ill. The butler had been in the dining room as well.

Part of me wanted to know how the heck Ian had pulled that off with so many people around. The other part of me wanted to stay in the dark and just be grateful he was on the right side of life.

Even if he was a bit too amused that he had easily killed two people.

Mabel was stunning in a sliver strapless gown that looked designed just for her. She could be more adventurous now that she was married, and as much as I hated how many would stare at her, I loved getting to see her dressed like that.

Especially knowing we would take it off of her later.

Her eyes flashed heat as she looked at me. "You look very handsome, My Lord."

"Words cannot describe your beauty, Your Grace," I murmured as I moved closer. We had to get going otherwise I would have taken her back to the bedroom and gobbled her up.

At least twice.

"Apparently, Ian is meeting us there, so I get the privilege of escorting you," I told her. I shrugged when she frowned. "He was called to the palace while you were dressing. He said it was nothing important, but the king wanted it ironed out before the fun."

She accepted that and we headed out. It was truly hard to behave myself on the ride over, and from the looks she was giving me, she clearly felt the same.

We were able to bypass the normal line because we were in Ian's carriage or apparently Mabel could now. I asked if that was true and she smirked, commenting being married to Ian had to have perks when he steamrolled her so often.

Fair enough.

I got out first and offered her my arm. She accepted it and we headed towards the doors. Before we could even arrive there to be announced, a woman stepped out in front of us.

"Oh, you are escorting him again, Your Grace?" she said too loudly, giggling like an idiot. "It makes it hard to have a proper conversation or dance with the marquis if you monopolize his time."

Mabel slapped on her fake smile. "Apparently, shielding Andre is needed given the last time so many daughters were thrown at him because of his title while relatives made it clear he should feel blessed they would consider him since he was a commoner less than a year ago. And the married nobles are worse trying for affairs like he's the new flavor to taste."

And clearly, that woman was in the last category from the way her cheeks flushed. "Truly? How horrible! Well, it's good you are here to watch over him then. I thought it would be nice to introduce him to my husband since I heard the marquis will be taking over the police station inspections and putting faces with the territories will be smart."

"Thank you, My Lady, but we are doing a lot of that at the minister meetings," I said with a smile. "I appreciate your concern and desire to help, but tonight is about the grand duchess's huge accomplishment. We should celebrate and leave business for another night."

"Of course, of course! Have fun, and if you need a dance partner who's safe for you, come find me, My Lord." She curtseyed to us, making sure I saw almost all of her cleavage pouring out of her dress.

It was hard not to shiver in disgust.

I loved breasts as much as the next man, but in the nobility, they were frightful for the traps they tried to lure you into.

"Keep staring at breasts like that tonight and you will not see any at home," Mabel warned me under her breath after we were announced and headed inside.

Her jealousy was always so attractive. "I was not staring for fun, but more I cannot look away. If I exposed my privates, I would be vulgar, but the way… It's disturbing."

She was quiet a moment. "I heard your joke about a mousetrap being buried in breasts at balls because there had to be something painful behind the offering and way women behaved."

"That was not meant for your ears," I grumbled.

"I still found it amusing. So did Kathy."

I swallowed a groan. Colin would smack me if he knew his sister heard me say something like that.

Several young ladies hurried over to us and I thought to talk to Mabel, but I realized they were focused on me. They were all flapping their fans and hinting for me to ask them to dance.

"I apologize, ladies, but I am almost twice your age," I said, clearing my throat. "That makes me uncomfortable. Have a lovely night."

"I am not much older than they are," Mabel reminded me, mirth in her tone.

"You do not act like—you are almost ten years older than the one. Kathy said they debuted that girl at fifteen. No. By the goddess, no. I am not even dancing with a girl that young."

"You will upset many of the single men saying that too often or near them," she teased me.

"Good. Kathy was saying one of the men circling that girl was fifty. That's beyond upsetting, and if I saw someone that old try to court a girl that young, I would absolutely ask if he was in his right mind."

She gave me an amused look, but then steam about came out of her ears when a couple of other women joined us and pushed for me to sit at their table. I brushed them off by saying we had to find Ian, but Mabel shot me a look as we walked off.

"You are going to have a large expense of clothing since it seems I will have to burn every jacket you wear after an event from all the women touching you," she seethed before turning away and heading towards the refreshments.

Damn. I liked that she loved me enough to be jealous, but clearly she was truly upset.

I nodded to Ian when I saw him watching it all. I saw he was with Colin and a few others, nodding to each of them in turn as I joined the group.

"Do not worry, the fuss over you will be better next season," Ian comforted. "You are the new, bright, and shiny for the nobility to want."

I snatched a drink from a passing server. "It's unnerving."

"I would have thought a match was in the making with you and Lady Kathy given the closeness of the families," a man commented.

I could not even hide my shock, staring at him like he was an idiot.

"I disagree as well, but I think I should be offended for my sister at your reaction," Colin said, his tone simmering.

I gave him a look to stuff it. "She is too young for me. First off. Secondly, people are not simply puzzles to complete. So what if we are both close with the grand duke? That does not make a marriage match."

The man snorted. "It does in the nobility, Marquis. I was thinking of making an offer to court Lady Kathy for the same reason." He snickered at me over the rim of his glass.

I had a hard time keeping my mouth shut given the man had to be older than me, at least in his forties.

Colin's gaze was hard, clearly saying to let him handle it. "Thank you for thinking of my sister so kindly, but I do agree with the marquis that he is too old for her. As you are."

"I beg your pardon?" the man scoffed. "You make me sound like some geezer who—"

"You are nothing of the sort," Colin cut in easily, clapping the man on the back. "My sister is simply young. She needs to experience life a bit before being matched with someone who is experienced in life. Whatever would you have in common to discuss? You are too much of a gentleman to have a wife and other women on the side for that. You want one love. Age matters."

Colin was good. He was much better at handling the situation than I would have been. He'd put the man in his place and made it clear he knew the truth about his "friend" at the same time and would not accept that for his sister.

Ian snorted. "If the man Kathy marries ever thinks to break his vows and touch another woman, she would contact us to help her dispose of the monster and we would."

"Gladly," I muttered, shocking everyone there. I simply shrugged. "I adore Lady Kathy like a little sister. She's amazing. She deserves love and a real marriage, not simply a match."

"Only a fool would try for her hand with the three of you protecting her so vigilantly," another man there said, shaking his head.

"I have allowed two men to dance with her tonight," Colin said proudly.

"Yes, but you watched them like a hawk and damn well told me to stalk the one when you lost your view," Ian teased him.

"I would do much worse if I had a little sister with what I have heard," I defended. I shivered. "Or even what I have experienced already. Too many are aggressive and pushy. Those are the women. I cannot think the men are better."

I was glad when they all agreed, but we changed topics.

Unfortunately, that topic was a few single female relatives the other men there had… So clearly, they were ignoring my earlier words.

Wonderful.

"Again?" Mabel grumbled as she joined us to find two women fawning over me. She seemed upset until I gave her a look begging for help. "Ladies, thank you, but the marquis has a full dance card and will be sitting with us. I hope you enjoy your evening."

They both shot her looks like they wanted to smack her but thought better of it since Mabel now had the power to sink anyone's social reputation. They both bowed to her, and with one last look at me like I might stop them from leaving, turned away.

I did not even meet their gazes to give them hope.

"You are evil, Your Grace," one of the men "teased" her, clearly miffed because one of the women had been his relative.

"He's pale and near a panic," Mabel defended, gesturing to me. "He has spoken to many women at luncheons or tea parties. The balls are too much for many of us, and as someone who felt the same, I will protect our dear friend. Plus, he is technically my escort tonight since Ian must stand with the royals, and they want to make sure I am separate."

"Yes, of course," the man muttered, shooting me a glance. "Well, my cousin will have to catch you at something a bit calmer so you may get to speak with her and see how lovely she is."

"Let us dance, Marquis," Mabel chuckled, an edge to her tone.

I gladly accepted and led her to the dance floor. "Thank you."

"Hmm, it seemed as if you enjoyed the fawning and eyelash batting that time."

"I did not—I do not, darling," I said under my breath. "Only from the one I love." I slid my arm around her and moved with the music. "I do not wish to make a mess. It's hard to know how to handle this and—I am in over my head, Mabel. Please, even if you are upset, do not leave me like that again."

Regret filled her eyes. "I apologize. I promised to shield you and yes, I stormed off being a child. I will protect you better."

"Thank you. I do not want their attentions." I felt better when she seemed to truly accept that.

Good. I meant it.

We danced two songs, and then it was clear that Mabel needed to take a break. The ballroom was hot since it was so packed and now it was late summer. I offered to take her outside to cool off, and something filled her eyes that I did not understand.

I escorted her to the terrace where others were, but then she moved away from me and seemed to melt into the shadows. She stepped off the terrace towards the gardens and threw a look over her shoulder that she expected me to follow.

Of course, I would. If nothing else, there was no way I was trusting people and letting her be alone at the palace.

I caught up with her around a corner which was part of a covered walkway. She took my hand and led me to a part of the gardens with tall cut bushes that looked almost like a maze. I flinched when I heard someone cry out and it was not in pain.

My eyes were huge as I looked at Mabel. She nodded, clearly saying that was what the gardens were for at noble parties.

Which meant it was a good chance for us to get caught. That made me want to turn around, but then suddenly Ian was there with his hand on my lower back.

"Left and another left gives a dead end with a hiding spot in case anyone comes up on us," he said quietly.

"And how do you know that?" Mabel hissed at him.

"I grew up here, lovely. I know all the secrets, and I found out the hard way too young what the maze is used for. I hoped to be just as naughty someday with the right person. Never in my fondest dreams did I think two people."

Interesting. By then we were down the first left and then there was the second one. It was barely lit from the moonlight and yes, there was a bit of a dip in the bushes for almost an alcove.

The moment we were out of view, I mashed my lips to Mabel's. "Show me why I never look at a woman besides my wife."

"She cannot give you a blowjob here without ruining her dress," Ian drawled.

"I meant she touches me and I get instantly hard," I admitted, moaning when Mabel was already undoing my pants.

"Do you want to show him who he belongs to, lovely?" Ian chuckled as Mabel touched my cock.

"That ring does," she countered. "This is just a reward for being good and a down payment on tonight once we get home."

She stroked me until I finished in the bushes. Then she gave me a heated kiss and tucked me back in my pants. She glanced over at Ian. "Your turn?"

"I would love that but another time. Gerald wants to present you with a gift, and he said he wanted to do it soon."

"Whoops," she chuckled.

"Go first," Ian said to me quietly, nodding that he understood.

But luckily, I listened, and he was so smart. I practically bumped into a couple coming into the maze as I reached the exit.

"I did not expect to see you here, Marquis," the woman said, sounding as if she'd had a few drinks.

"I was the lookout," I chuckled, giving her a wink before she asked more.

"Ian, cut it out," Mabel giggled loudly.

Ian came into view carrying her and nodded to the couple. "We are newlyweds after all."

"Oh my," the woman gasped, her eyes comically wide. She watched him carry Mabel off. "How scan—"

"Have fun with your own tryst," I chuckled, nodding to how the man was wrapped around her. She wanted to act like she witnessed some scandal?

Right, and they had been out there to do some gardening in the dark?

I headed back to the terrace and found Mabel and Ian waiting for me, mirth dancing in their eyes. They each touched my hand before we had to go back inside by all of the eyes.

"Do not leave me to be abducted by some giggly debutant," I hissed at them both.

"You poor thing," Mabel cooed.

She was being a bit of a brat about it, and I was going to spank her later if she was not careful. She would have hated it—she had hated it and gotten upset when men came out of everywhere to try and win her attention for her money.

It was not any different or fun because it was women shoving their breasts at me and my title.

Ian caught on to my true feelings and nodded that he understood and agreed. Or that was what I took it as. It helped me at least.

The music stopped, and Ian led us up to where the king and queen were.

They presented her with a custom-made gold crown that was very tasteful and apparently was the design every saint wore once acknowledged as the saint. I was not the only one shocked to hear that. Normally, the pope did it before handing over control of the Holy Empire to the saint… But we all knew that was never going to happen.

I was touched that the king and queen had gone to the effort and made it for Mabel. So was Mabel from the way her eyes teared up.

And then she was presented with two large chests of gold and one of raw gemstones that were directly from the royal family mine.

"Helvet made it clear this was for you to decide how to invest in the future of the continent," the king said proudly. "As we have invested money to have greenhouses as the temples to keep growing lifesaving plants, you touched the royal family and nobles of Helvet. Now that we have peace, many wish to come visit and see the changes you have made to the temples."

"I will do my very best, Your Majesty," Mabel promised. "Now that the goddess has seen how the nations can behave well together and stop threatening war every time they do not get their way, she has made it clear there are other illnesses she wishes to cure so her children do not suffer."

We were all shocked at that. I shared Mabel's bed and she hadn't told me that.

"Anything in particular?" the queen asked hesitantly.

Mabel nodded. "The infectious lung disease. The goddess is unhappy how often that can attack the youngest with no hope. Especially in the poor areas. She has made it clear that is my next task from her."

"That is quite a feat, but if anyone can handle it, it is you, dearest saint," the king said firmly. He raised his glass and stared out at the audience. "To peace in Areca, the continent, and blessings to the saint who has made this possible!"

People toasted her and cheered, actually seeming to mean it instead of the normal evil of the nobility.

The rest of the night was lovely, Mabel excitedly talking of expanding each temple or converting an area specifically to help cure contagious diseases. She called it a quarantine facility as the goddess had shown her how to do it with science and holy power.

She was thrilled because now she had the funds to work on the first one and stop making the royal treasury and budget for the kingdom suffer. And she wanted the holy power sensors that caught all the fleeing priests at the border to be at the police stations. She thought that the best compromise so people could check on their own without pressure and the sensors not be abused.

"I agree," I told her. "That is something that could easily be locked in the safe that only the head of the station or the duty captain would have access to. That way nothing gets lost and people do not abuse it. I speak to all of them directly."

"Exactly," she agreed. "I thought of that when you gave over the keys to the safe in your office when you officially designated a new head of that station. Plus, they are the men who see the most bad handling a station on their own, so they deserve to have the joy of finding people with holy power that will not be abused anymore."

"That sounds like a very nice future," the queen said quietly. "Yes, I think that lovely. If the person wants, they can inform the temple in the capital where you decided training will be. Or they do not have to decide anything. No more pressure and people can find their own path."

Mabel shared a look with her. "Yes, exactly. It sounds so nice. Maybe give them a pamphlet with options. A job making medicine, healing at a hospital, or becoming a priest. So much possibility instead of fear and being forced."

"I think your vision will not be just for Areca. After more of the leaders heard what you did and have listened to your plans for the future, they are as hopeful as we are," the queen said before shooting me a glance. "And glad you stood your ground to have your freedom. They want that most for you and for themselves."

Ian flinched, and I was very sure something was going on… And I was not going to like it.

On the way home, Ian finally told us what that comment was.

"It was suggested by several kings that we annul our marriage," Ian said quietly. "That it was not needed, and trapping you in any way could hurt the future you could give all of us. Also, that they still are not thrilled you are married to the royal family."

"Well, they can shove it," I grumbled.

Ian gave me a look to be strong. "Other nations have all agreed to back off and that you will be of more help if you are protected and left as you are. But hope you will eventually travel as their guest and do not see that possible as the grand duchess." Ian let out a slow breath as he blinked back tears. "I promised to let you out of the marriage now that you are safe if you desire."

Mabel did not even hesitate. "Well, I do not desire that, so you offered and kept your promise, but if you ever bring it up again, I will banish you to the sitting room couch for a month. At least. And I hope you tell them that I am done with their interference in my life. They wanted me married, now they want me free—I do not care what they want. I am not theirs."

"Well said," I praised, my heart racing too fast still from what Ian had said. I rubbed my chest and tried to calm down now that Mabel had made it clear she wanted to be with us.

"But, lovely, it is something you should—"

She met my gaze. "So only you and I will have sex tonight. Someone else will get a time-out since he does not listen to his wife. We all promised no running or leaving. I think I was rather clear how I felt about that, yes? No more discussion needed?"

"No, no, more discussion needed," I agreed before I pulled her over to my lap and kissed her.

Fine, we let Ian join us in bed that night after he apologized.