“To Become a Star” (Part 2)

Lady Pia Carella returns to her room well past midnight.

“Heart,” she snaps, “I wish to retire immediately.”

She sweeps past me into her room. I exchange a glance with Noll, Lady Pia Carella’s primary guard. He just gives me a shrug before taking up his place at her doorway.

I hurry after Lady Pia Carella and begin helping her undo the laces that I had so meticulously tied just hours earlier.

“So,” she says. I can’t tell if it’s a statement or a question.

When I don’t immediately respond, she sighs. “Honestly, I thought I hired intelligent servants.”

“I, uhh…”

“You, uhh, what?” she mocks me.

Am annoyed. But I don’t say that.