Page 69 of The Royal Art of Revenge

“Oh, I’ll pop one on in a minute,” she says brightly. “Lead the way, miss.”

Hmm.

She’s a weird one, this Marina.

Still, I tuck my post under my arm and grab my things from the kitchen island, then head upstairs with her hot on my heels. She closes the door behind her the moment we step into my room, and when I turn to look at her, she’s already bowing her head.

“What are you doing?”

“Please, do not go to your scheduled photoshoot today,” Marina says quietly, looking up and meeting my gaze.

I frown. “What do you mean, don’t go?”

“It’s not the shoot you think it is.” She glances at the letters. “The envelope there will give you proof. But it’s not a newborn shoot, it’s a set up.”

“A set up?”

She swallows, glancing at the envelopes again. “I…”

“Why are you telling me this?” I ask. “Who told you to say this?”

She sighs. “I… am spying on your family for someone else.”

Oh.

Well.

I wasn’t quite expecting her to say that.

“Not you,” she says hurriedly. “Well, it’s more keeping an eye on you for your protection than outright spying like it is with the others.”

“If that’s the case, you’re a terrible spy,” I reply.

“Only because I know you won’t tell on me.” Her smile makes her brown eyes twinkle with warmth. “We’re on the same side, and I would be a fool to go against the future crown princess.”

I still.

Very, very few people know of that.

“Be careful what you say,” I say slowly, tossing all the envelopes bar one onto my bed. “There are those in this household that won’t take kindly to hear you speaking such lies.”

Her smile never drops. “They’d much prefer it be a lie than the truth it is.”

“Who are you working for?”

She says nothing.

“It’s in your best interest to tell me.” I tear into the envelope. “If you want me to trust you, I suggest you start being honest.”

She briefly closes her eyes. “The Duke of Kilon.”

I tilt my head slightly, staring at her. The Duke of Kilon—Alecsander Kilon, one of the Crown Prince’s closest friends. In fact, there are rumours that he’s far closer to the Royal Family than just a friend.

The fact there’s a spy claiming to work for him in my house right now suggests there’s truth to the rumours that he’s the dark underbelly of the Royal Family.

Which is exactly what I’ve been hoping to be true.

If I can get Alecsander Kilon on my side, everything will become exponentially easier.