Page 143 of The Royal Art of Revenge

“Don’t Harriet me like that.” I pull back and squish his face again. “The worst thing one can do in battle is give your enemy an advantage. Why would I schedule a visit so they can plot and scheme against me when I can show up out of the blue and catch them off guard?”

He holds his stillness for a moment longer before sagging into a long exhale. “Tonight it is, then. Just... don’t do anything drastic.”

“I can’t promise that.”

“Fine. If you are going to do something drastic, hide in the bathroom and call me first. Then do it.”

I grin. “What a wonderful compromise.”

***

“Harriet.” My father’s blue eyes widen at the sight of me at the front door. “What are you doing here?”

I blink innocently at him. “Finn said you asked him to pass on a message for me to visit. He told me earlier, so here I am. Is it a problem?”

He glances at the guards behind me, his cheeks paling. “Of course not. You’re my daughter, and this is your home.”

No.

“Is... Everyone coming in?”

Sophia clears her throat from just behind me. “We’re also here to collect the rest of Miss Sinclair’s belongings, Mr Sinclair. It would be greatly appreciated if you would permit us access. We won’t intrude on your family time.”

“Oh, yes. Yes, of course.” He turns back to me. “You should have told me you were coming. I would have made sure everything was packed.”

I wave my hand. “I took the most personal things with me before I moved into the palace, so it’s not a big deal. Is there anyone who could help them?”

“Yes, I can make that happen. Marina, is it? She’s been looking after your room since you... Well, since you left.” He smiles tightly, and his displeasure is evident in the slight narrowing of his eyes.

I love that girl.

“Thanks, Dad.” I tuck some hair behind my ear, smiling brightly. “Are you sure I’m not interrupting?”

“Of course not. Like I said, this is your home.”

“Then can I come in instead of standing out here on the doorstep like a cold caller?”

He flinches, then takes a deliberate step back. “I apologise. Come in, come in.” He spins away before I cross the threshold and grabs the nearest maid, instructing her to find Marina. She glances at me with wide eyes before scurrying off with a nod.

I gaze around the hallway.

Not a single thing here has changed. It is what it always has been—a shrine to Jasmine. A place you’d enter and, if you knew nothing about the family, you’d think only one daughter existed. You’d be forgiven for never knowing my name.

After all, that was the whole point for Rosalyn.

To wipe me from existence.

Unfortunately for her, I have far too much vigour for that.

Okay, fine. Spite. I have too much spite.

“Harriet.” The woman in question walks out of the living room and stops dead. “What a... lovely surprise,” she says, her tone a mix of hesitance and shock that says it’s anything but.

I peek around Dad’s side and give her my best smile. “Finn passed on a message from Dad asking me to come over, so here I am.”

“Yes, of course.” She glances at Dad, her annoyance flickering through her eyes. “This is your home, after all, and we were slightly worried that you hadn’t come to visit.”

“I was going to, but things were so busy, then I ran into Jasmine the other day,” I trail off, leaving the rest of my thought unsaid. “I hope I’m not intruding.”