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Grisella maintained her stoic expression, unperturbed by my outburst.
“Ties are regal and traditional,” she reminded me, her tone even. “Every alpha king has always worn one upon his acceptance of the crown. I don’t need to remind you about the importance of upholding traditions, Alpha. The kingdom expects it.”
I rolled my eyes and turned to face her, running a hand through my hair as I flopped unceremoniously onto the stool, dropping an ankle over my knee to grin up at her. “Seeing as I’ve basically been king for the past decade, do we really need to go through all this? Do you really think a stupid choking piece of silk around my neck and a party is going to change anything? It’s all going to be the same after the ceremony, anyway. It’s all a waste of money and time. We have more important things to do, don’t we?”
Grisella returned my look without flinching.
“Despite what the rest of the kingdom—and household—may call you, Alpha, there are formalities to uphold, and for good reason. And legally speaking, you are not king yet.”
I didn’t like Grisella reminding me so damn often, but she wasn’t wrong. And it wasn’t just the coronation ceremony that I needed to endure. I had to get through the wedding, too. The damn wedding.
And turning twenty-five. The trifecta of agony.
I’d managed to put it out of my mind for so long, it had half crept up on me. I swallowed a groan, as if the thought physically pained me.
“And Zephyrine?” I asked, grimacing as her name left my lips. Saying it was as embittering as hearing it had been all my life.
“What about her?”
“Is she settled in, then?” I asked with a hint of impatience.
I felt like Grisella was purposely drawing out the conversation about her.
“Oh, yes. She only came with two servants, a driver and a maid, last night, and according to security, they haven’t left their rooms since they arrived.”
I frowned, bothered by the revelation. “They haven’t left their suites at all?”
Grisella nodded, looking proud of herself. “I may have suggested it was in Miss Zephyrine’s best interest to remain in her suite and not wander too far.”
My scowl deepened, and Grisella stared at me expectantly.
“What?” I asked the housekeeper… if that was the right title for her.
I wasn’t sure what to call Grisella, exactly. ‘Housemaid’ didn’t seem fitting, as she was so much more than that. ‘House manager’ was also not entirely correct, although she did rule Ironhelm Place with a precision I found impressive. She had worked for my parents and grandfather, though she did not seem old enough to me for such a tenure. I trusted her expertise in household matters entirely, but she did wear on my nerves on occasion.
In my household,there weren’t many males around. The trusted household staff was mostly comprised of females, who tended to try my patience with far more speed than even the bickering faeries who dominated my cabinet of high-ranking officials every day.
My cabinet, the Council of Ministers, remained fairly silent, and I envied their ability to stay out of the drama that the household staff could drive into the palace walls without even trying. A friend once told me that the female staff were all trying to mother me since I was orphaned in my teens. I considered it more smothering than nurturing.
I peered at Grisella’s pinched expression in the glass, waiting for her to spit out whatever was on her mind. “Grissi, what do you have to say?”
She shrugged. “She seems… resistant to change.”
Her phrasing intrigued me, and my eyebrow shot up.
“What the hell does that mean?” I demanded, worry starting to take hold.
Grisella flashed me a tense smile. “Nothing that can’t be handled, Alpha. You will tame her in no time, I’m sure.”
I grunted and returned to scowling at my reflection. “That’s all I need on my plate right now. Training a new pet.”
“You have a very competent staff to help you, Alpha.”
I snorted again, and Grisella turned to leave, but I called out to stop her. “Hey, don’t let her stay in her suite for too long.”
“Alpha?”
“Let her explore and get some air, at the very least. Go for a swim in the pool or something. The last thing I need is a bride on the verge of a mental breakdown before the ceremony. Think of how that will be perceived.”
