Her Gilded Revenge For Stolen Fate novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12 Danger

Nina hadn’t forgotten how sharply her mother Dorothy had scolded her after she’d last offended Hadley.

The experience had served to clear Nina’s head a little.

She was well aware that she was in the royal palace, moving among women from the great and powerful families.

Each of them was born to a high status. Even her uncle, Quentin, held his rank largely because of his father’s legacy. In one more generation, their family’s standing would slip.

Her cousin, Matthew, was still a scholar with no official post.

Her own brother, Chris, was old enough to know better, yet he showed no ambition and was content to idle his days away.

Her younger cousin, Simon, was too frail and young to be of any help.

While other great families were secure with promising heirs, their own family’s future looked uncertain.

Nina hadn’t truly understood this until Dorothy’s harsh scolding for offending the respected Hadley. That incident left her anxious and much more careful.

Now, she wouldn’t dare cause a scene, especially not at a palace feast.

She looked away, ignoring Vivian.

“The Imperial Menagerie is up ahead, Host,” the System reminded her.

The empire, forged in the conquests of a warrior-king, still burned with his militant spirit.

The royals enjoyed their garden parties and poetry contests, but their favorite pastime was still riding out in small groups to hunt.

Within the palace walls, they housed a private menagerie of fearsome creatures.

Once, a high-born lady was walking past when a tiger roared. The sound frightened her so profoundly that she lost control and wet her gown. The story of her humiliation spread quickly, making her the court’s favorite joke for a season.

Since that day, perhaps to toughen people’s nerves, every guest entering the palace was now led past the Imperial Menagerie, even if it meant taking a longer route.

Some bold princes even hold their own revels there, feasting and drinking to the sound of growling beasts. It was a deeply unsettling custom.

Vivian lifted her eyes calmly, taking in the surroundings.

The grounds were dotted with viewing pavilions, shaded by the thick, green canopy of towering oaks.

“You think the crown prince’s favor makes you special? I’ll teach you a lesson!” A young, petulant voice carried clearly from nearby, followed by the murmured pleas of others trying to calm him.

Everyone looked toward the sound of the scuffle. There, two young boys in fine clothes were fighting.

More accurately, one was throwing punches and kicks, while the other was curled up, arms shielding his head.

Vivian knew at a glance who they were.

The attacker was the Ninth Prince, Nicholas. The one taking the beating was unmistakably the crown prince’s cousin, Edward.

A moment later, the black bear roared, a powerful sound that tore through the air.

Instead of being frightened, the noble ladies simply reacted with mild amusement, chatting and offering their opinions.

“They say that the bear was brought from the northern territories. A fine specimen,” one lady observed.

“I believe it just gave birth. The cub looks quite adorably clumsy,” another remarked.

Vivian took advantage of their distraction and slipped away unnoticed.

Soon, the roars grew louder and closer. The massive, dark shape of the bear was now moving toward them. It was only then that they realized the danger.

“How did the bear get loose?” a woman cried out.

“There are still people in there! Someone help them!” another shouted.

“Where are the guards?” voices rose in panic. “Fetch the guards!”

The approaching bear made Nicholas and Edward forget their fight entirely. They stood frozen, overcome with fear.

Outside the Imperial Menagerie, Celia watched with a growing sense of dread.

It was Nicholas in the bear’s path, the younger brother of Xavier.

She and Xavier had argued recently, which had delayed her. That was why Vivian had gotten to Hadley first with the token.

But they had since talked it through and reconciled.

Nicholas was only a child. To shield a boy in danger spoke of Celia’s courage, not her virtue.

Beatrice glanced at Sylvia with quiet approval, thinking how truly loyal she was.

No one had even noticed that Vivian was gone as well.

Unaware of the whispers outside, Celia moved on instinct. Taking a steadying breath, she stepped in front of Nicholas and spread her arms wide. “Stay behind me, Your Highness,” she said softly. “You’re safe with me.”

The bear stopped moving, just as she’d expected.

It was only a few paces away, so close that Celia could smell its foul, hot breath.

Nicholas was trembling so hard that he could barely stand. He huddled behind Celia, too afraid to even look.

But Celia was only a slight young woman. Even with all her extraordinary fortune, she could only shield one person at a time.

That left Edward standing alone in the open, with nowhere to hide.

The bear turned, fixed its eyes on Edward, and charged.

Then, just as it lunged, a woven basket swung into its path.

Though the bear’s eyes could not make out what was in the basket, its nose knew immediately.

It recognized the scent of its own cub.

It was a new mother, fiercely protective.

So the instant it realized its cub was gone and caught the cub’s scent all over the boys, it burst from its cage and charged straight at them.

“It’s Vivian!” Nina blurted out.

The ladies all looked up to see a girl standing on the viewing pavilion. She was clutching a thick rope with both hands, swinging the basket back and forth dangerously close to the bear.

The strain of lifting the heavy cub was evident. Sweat dotted her forehead, and her loose hair revealed the scar on her left cheek. Even from a distance, everyone could see it was Vivian.