Born to be wild

Anaisa's stomach constricted, and she bit back a retort.

She was born to have servants. She was born for a life that should now be including palace visits and fancy balls. With her father dead, she and Katia would have taken on his role until they married and promoted their husbands to the Advisory of Lords in their place.

With two daughters, it was likely only one of their husbands would be chosen for the role, since there were traditionally only twelve counts on the Advisory.

The Advisory. She'd realized belatedly that the voices behind the screen in the throne room had been them. She'd heard Barnabas's voice amongst the others, and hate had bloomed in her heart over it.

Despicable man. How was he considered qualified to advise the king?