It was Lola's. She had told me it was the only thing her mother left her. And she had given it to Milton Stephens.
He paused at the door, as if just remembering. "Oh, right. Lola transferred the deed to this estate into my name. I hear you're fond of the pastoral life. Just remember, you're living under my roof now. Mind my rules."
My whole body went rigid. When Lola burned down the cottage, she had told me this estate was bought for me. That I could fill it with fruit trees and vegetable gardens.
From the very beginning, she had never intended to give me anything.
"Milton Stephens."
I called after him, my voice scraped hollow.
"Has the young heir ever laid eyes on the Crown Prince?"
Milton froze for a moment. "What, you're going to claim you have some connection to the Crown Prince? The one who barely shows his face in public?"
I let out a bitter laugh. "I've heard he's fond of colored sky lanterns. If we could earn even a smile from him, get him to attend your wedding, wouldn't that be a feather in your cap?"
He looked half-convinced at best. "A lowborn wretch like you would know the Crown Prince's preferences?"
"Believe it or don't. If it turns out to be false, it costs you nothing."
After Milton left, I curled into the corner of the bed. My body burned with fever, and a vicious pain twisted through my lower abdomen, but no one came.
Looking back now, meeting Lola Black was the single greatest regret of my life.
Somewhere in the haze of unconsciousness, I caught a glimpse of the seven-colored lanterns drifting past the window.
Only then did I let myself breathe, and smile.
Long ago, my father and I had made a pact: no matter when or where, if colored lanterns rose into the sky, it meant I was in danger. Someone would come to take me away.
At some point, Lola arrived. She sat at the edge of my bed for a long while.
When she saw me open my eyes, she touched my forehead. "The fever's broken. Come on, sit up and have some porridge."
I dragged myself upright, every joint screaming. "Milton was here. He forced an entire bowl of Severance Root down my throat. Did you know that?"
Lola's expression stiffened. She lowered her gaze. "I knew."
"You knew?"
I fought with everything I had to keep the tears from falling.
She reached for my hand. I pulled away.