I had not intended to meet Dahlia Joyce in Sierce at the auction hall . Had not expected the young woman to bid first on the ‘cloud gas’ niter recipe , only to throw the bid for me last minute and then go after saving a half beast . How did she even have such an exorbitant sum when I was certain her family was impoverished and hassled by collectors ? She was more independent than I had wanted her to be …. Less easily manipulated to play the part I required …. And yet …… I couldn’t help but feel drawn to her . So here I sit at my desk , rolling my pen across the smooth surface , and fidgeting with my sapphire brooch at my necktie . What if she recognizes me ? What if my voice or manner betrays me ? She must not know …… that I am the woman she traveled with . She must see me only as the man who would be her husband …. At least until after the wedding . I grimace , thinking of ……. Keeping her locked up just to ….. quite literally save my face . Women are not allowed to hold property or title in the Tara kingdom , and the last servant to know the heir was a daughter and not a son is long dead . I have always strived to keep my secret safe . To keep my voice level , even , soft spoken , calm and low . To keep my shoulders square and my eye contact direct . To keep my clothing bound to hide those horrifying curves that beset me as a teen . I have avoided all physicians save one surgeon apothecary whom I paid handsomely and swore to secrecy . Most minor ailments I tend myself , and certain herbs to stop the monthly cycle . And now here I am ….. marrying some poor girl to maintain the act and allay suspicions in court ….. but what if Dahlia Joyce ….. is not someone who’s loyalty can be bought ? What if she cannot be …… silenced ? What then ? A chill of dread and hopeful anticipation courses through me as I hear her footsteps in the hall and the door click . The problem is …… I’m too lonely . In another world we might have been …. Friends . I have no idea what that must be like …… and yet I’m oddly attracted …..