The moment he gave permission, the attendants descended on Noel as though they had been waiting for the word. Two stationed themselves on either side of him and busily smoothed his hair with soft brushes, while others wheeled in a rack of garments woven from the finest silk, their eyes shining.

They adjusted decorative pins down to the millimeter and fussed over every last fold of fabric until it lay perfectly straight.

With cloth rustling all around him, the scent of perfume in the air, and hands constantly moving over him, Noel nearly lost his bearings. Even at the Winslow ducal residence, no one had ever made this much fuss.

“Enough. This is plenty. I’m only going to the garden for tea. You’re acting as though I’m attending some grand ball.”

Noel frowned and tried to refuse, but the attendants’ touch remained firm and efficient. Telling them to stop plainly would not work. They only bowed politely and repeated the same words like parrots.

“His Majest...

Chapter 36

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