3/3 Chapter 85 Hidden Currents Chapter 35 Hidden Currents To Zephyr , crippling one of Cornelius ' strongest arms could not come at a better time . Exposing Matthew's crimes and the Zonfrillo family's covert help - would lure many wavering ministers to the Sixth Prince's side . Yet doing so would drag the family into open allegiance far too early , inviting risks it was not yet ready to shoulder . Soren had been " ambushed " on the road to Lakebourne while digging into Matthew's affairs , the blade lodged beneath his collarbone was the price of that silent duel with Zephyr . Callum pieced the story together in a heartbeat . Their eyes met , a wordless accord passing between cousins . " Did you stop by Fragrant Pavilion today ? " Soren asked , catching the soft , feminine sweetness clinging to Callum's clothes . " Hardly ," Callum replied . " Naomi's birthday kept me inside the estate all day . The scent felt oddly familiar . Soren studied his cousin for a moment longer , then let the matter drop . The final guests drifted into the night , their farewells still echoing beyond the courtyard walls . Inside the family parlour , Tristan had joined his buddies - a reunion so rare it felt momentous . Lanterns threw honeyed light across polished floorboards while tired servants cleared the last porcelain cups . Married for these ten years , Tristan had brought his seven - year - old along from the barracks . The boy , tempered by camp life , was sturdier than other children , all sinew and sun - browned mischief , the kind who laughed even when disciplined with a switch . Yet , the moment Soren stepped through the doorway , the little soldier straightened as if inspected . Eyes shining , he skidded to a halt at the officer's boots and called with a worship that made everyone smile , " Uncle Soren ! " Winnifred's face softened the instant she spotted the child ; dimples she thought forgotten returned . But when her gaze shifted to Callum , a sigh slipped out , barely audible above the crackle of the brazier . " Soren's marriage touches the matter of the Zonfrillo Estate , so we must keep it on hold for now , " she said . " Callum , tell me , when do you intend to marry ? " Callum , usually blunt about such questions , suddenly fidgeted with the iron buckle at his wrist . " I only fear that you will dislike the one who has caught my eye ," he muttered . 1/4 14:44 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 35 Hidden Currents Soren lifted a brow , intrigued . : 58 +20 Free Coins Winnifred's answering smile was indulgent . " If you truly like her , and her family is respectable , that is enough for me ." Callum was neither heir to the Estate nor the eldest son . That simple fact granted him rare freedom ; any pillow - side persuasion a future wife attempted would find he held little power to squander . After a thoughtful pause , Callum only offered , " In time . You'll see . " Winnifred knew her son . If he could state the name now , he would have . That flicker of uncertainty told her the girl's standing was delicate - possibly someone once weighed as a match for Soren . Yet she was no hide - bound matron . Having met once was not the same as being in love . When wedding vows were spoken , Callum would keep his own courtyard ; he and Soren would cross paths only at festival dinners . A quiet guess bloomed in her mind - perhaps the girl was Fiona . Penelope might have dismissed Fiona in favor of Roxanne , but Winnifred had formed her own opinion . Earlier , during Naomi's birthday feast , she had studied Fiona from a distance . Even when Naomi greeted her with frosty courtesy , Fiona stayed warm , neither currying favor nor retaliating - evidence of breadth and discernment . Callum , she knew , was competent at warcraft yet clueless in affairs of the heart ; a sensible wife like Fiona could only steady his compass . Of course , all this remained conjecture , yet it never hurt to treat Fiona with extra courtesy . Back at the Niven Estate , Fiona changed out of her banquet silks and rummaged through her writing chest . She selected a cake of shimmering goldleaf ink , wrapped it in blue brocade , and dispatched a pageboy to deliver it to Callum . When she crossed the courtyard and met Meryl in the corridor , she saw that delight still danced in Meryl's eyes , impossible to hide , " Mother , what has you smiling so brightly ? " Fiona asked , curiosity bright as morning glass . Meryl patted her daughter's sleeve . " Your granny has written , " she announced , her tone both proud and amused . " She praises your learning and has rewarded you with two storefronts . " She paused , then added , " For now , I shall manage them on your behalf . They will join your dowry after you marry . " 2/4 14:44 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 35 Hidden Currents : 58 +20 Free Coins Fiona knew better than to wheedle in matters of property . She merely hoped her upcoming conversation with Harriet would progress without a hitch . While straightening the fur collar at Fiona's neck , Meryl murmured , " Did everything go smoothly at the Zonfrillo Estate today ? " Naomi might still harbor a thorn or two , yet the day had passed without real incident . Fiona nodded , offering a reassuring smile . To dodge idle speculation , she and Harriet had arranged to " bump into " each other at a bookshop , chatting casually as though chance alone had seated them beside the display shelves . Clear Sky Pavilion , the grandest book emporium in Jexburgh , drew a steady stream of refined patrons . Though Fiona's beauty caused more than one head to turn , her presence there seemed as natural as parchment and ink ; no one found it the least bit strange . The instant Fiona stepped over the threshold of Clear Sky Pavilion , the scent of sandalwood and sweet osmanthus folded around her like a welcoming veil . The proprietor , hands tucked respectfully inside his sleeves , bowed low . " Ms. Fiona , please follow me ." Fiona's voice carried both patience and a hint of curiosity . " I'm waiting for Harriet . " The proprietor straightened , offering a reassuring smile . " Ms. Fuller has already arrived . " Only then did Fiona realise that Clear Sky Pavilion was yet another thread in the vast tapestry the Fuller family wove across Jexburgh . Harriet stood near a latticed window , sunlight tracing her hair . " Harriet , you never cease to expand my horizons , " Fiona said with a bright , conspiratorial smile . Harriet's lips lifted in polite acknowledgment , yet a cool calculation flickered behind her gaze . " This place isn't mine . I'm merely the caretaker . Did you bring the formula ? " Fiona produced a slim bundle of sandalwood parchment , placing it in Harriet's palm as though it were a jewel . " Women cherish beauty . Rouge and powder already sell like spring blossoms . A remedy that nourishes the face will do just as well . The challenge is how to make its name ring through the capital . " After all , anything fresh meant to touch a woman's skin was a leap of faith , and courage was scarce among silk - robed nobles . Harriet said nothing , merely tapped the parchment against her fingertips , signaling for Fiona 3/4 14:44 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 35 Hidden Currents to continue . 58 +20 Free Coins " If Duchess Zonfrillo herself declares the formula effective , no one will question it . The ladies . of Jexburgh copy her diet , her gowns , even the tilt of her hat brim . They will line up to buy , " Fiona uttered .