Chapter 41

“Wait Ruby!” Daniel shouted after me, and I nearly tripped over my skirts turning back to face him.

“Daniel, this is important to me. I–” I started, but he pulled out a small envelope from within his jacket pocket, his eyes urging me to open it.

“I don’t want to keep you for the rest of the party, but I really think you’re going to want to see this,” he said.

I took it from him and flipped it over in my hands, whatever was inside felt heavier than paper. “What is it?” I asked.

“Pictures,” he said simply, gesturing me on. “They were incredibly difficult to take, but after I started getting suspicious I had to be sure.”

I raised an eyebrow and tore open the back. Stacked in a neat cluster were dozens of photos of Harper and Lucas’s gamma, the one from the market!

“Oh my goddess,” I whispered under my breath. A few showed kisses being stolen in the shadows of the palace gardens, but several were slightly blurry images of missionary sex. The angle of the camera was awkward, but there was no denying the faces of the people in the pictures.

“How did you get these?” I asked, stunned.

Daniel shrugged, “It was easier than it looks. I’ve been seeing them together more and more frequently recently, and it made me think they were getting less worried about being caught.”

“So you’ve been following them?” I responded.

Daniel grinned sheepishly, “Not closely, but maybe a bit. He had been going by her address for about a week before I finally climbed the tree outside her apartment. From there it was just a matter of time before I caught them in the act.”

I shuffled through the photos once more. It was incriminating evidence, and there was no way Harper would be able to deny it. The memories from my past life of her infidelity, the conversation I’d overheard at the market, and now this.

“Lucas will have to break it off with her, and doing so would be a huge blow to his own reputation. If Harper is so unhappy with him that she’s seeing someone else behind his back, people will have to wonder about Lucas’s character.”

Daniel nodded, “And there’s one more thing.”

He produced a small velvet box out of his pants pocket, and instantly I knew what it was. “A ring?” I breathed.

The hinge opened smoothly to reveal a gold band studded with brilliant emeralds and tiny circling diamonds. It was clearly expensive, even in the dusky light of the balcony, the stones cast sparkling light on the palace walls.

“And look at this,” he said, plucking it out of the cushion and angling it so I could see a line of engraving on the inside of the band. My love, my mate, my wife. .

“They’re planning to get married?” I said incredulously, finding it difficult to keep my voice down.

“Apparently.” Daniel responded, replacing the ring into the box. “It was hiding in a flower vase next to Harper’s offices in the palace. I have to assume Adrian meant to propose in secret. I don’t think he’s noticed it’s gone yet.”

“Better for us to make a move,” I said slowly, accepting the ring box and tucking it away in my clutch. “I think it’s time we cause a little bit of trouble for Lucas and Harper.”

“I mean, considering she is having an affair with his gamma for who knows how long, I’d say they’ve already had a fair bit of it.” He smiled, “Make a little more.”

“I’m going to tell Caleb, if we want to succeed in striking Lucas where it hurts we are going to need his help.”

I saw a flash of irritation cross Daniel’s face just for a moment, but then it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. “Whatever you think is right,” he said solemnly. “I’m not sure where he went, btu I can look for him.”

“He was just..” I started, realizing he was no longer seated with Joseph at the other end of the balcony.

I turned back to Daniel, frustrated, but determined. “Meet back here in fifteen minutes if you haven’t found Caleb?”

“Agreed.” He said, and we both skirted into the ballroom.

The party was still in full swing, with music and dancing. The banquet tables were nearly emptied, and I felt a surge of pride knowing my work had gone over well.

I was stopped a few times by nobles and politicians I had chatted with earlier in the evening, but for the most part the crowd parted and bowed their heads as I passed. Near the podium I was tapped on the shoulder by a reporter and cameraman, whose brilliant, plastically smiles nearly blinded me.

“Miss Ruby! We would be so delighted to chat with you, do you have a few minutes to spare?”

“Oh… I suppose–”

“Wonderful!” The reporter turned to the gaze of the camera, his arm suddenly clamped around my waist like a vise. “We are here tonight with Miss Ruby at the Alpha Ball being thrown by none other than the Prince Caleb! Do you have anything you’d like to say to the people watching at home?”

“Well, Caleb and I are very pleased to share with you all the work being done by the charity organizations we’re supporting–”

“Oh! Ruby! It is so good to see you!” A hideously high-pitched voice squealed behind me, and I knew before looking who had found me.

The reporter beamed at Harper, drawing her into his other side. “What a wonderful surprise, we have the two loveliest ladies at the Ball! Harper would you be able to tell me who you’re wearing?”

“Vinelle’s newest spring collection,” she chirped, spinning around to flare out the bejeweled skirts of her dress. She looked like a kaleidoscope, but I bit back the comment.

“Charming! We have a few other guests to speak to this evening so we won’t keep you from your fun, ladies. And now, for the Duchess Veish, we have heard some spectacular news of her latest works…” his voice morphed into the noise of the crowd and vanished.

“Harper,” I said curtly, nodding my head and starting to leave her.

“Ruby.” She responded, tugging me back by a handful of fabric on my dress. “I thought you might like a bit of help with the paparazzi. I know public image has never really been your strong suit, so I couldn’t just leave you all alone.” She smiled so wide I thought her jaw might pop off.

“I can handle myself, thanks. I don’t need help, least of all from you.”

She craned her neck upwards like she thought she could intimidate me by appearing taller. “What, you don’t appreciate my help?”

“It’s less your help, and more the fact you spent years fucking my mate behind my back.”

Harper narrowed her eyes, “I will ruin you, Ruby. I–”

“Oh I think I hear someone calling me, you’ll have to excuse me.” I said, ducking behind a plump duke behind me.

It was infuriating to leave Harper when she clearly wanted a fight, but I knew the right moment hadn’t arrived. When I hit her, I needed it to drag Lucas down too.

It would have to be perfectly executed. But Harper would be revealed in time.