July came fast and so did the Humbrick Ball.

Lady Renee sent out invitations with a special message: My dear nephew, the Marquess of Rothsker has finally returned!

Aliya and Oliver were amongst the first to arrive for the infamous week-long ball where scandals were made and left behind for the rest of Sutherland to wonder about.

"You are quite ecstatic," Aliya noted as he dressed for the opening ball.

"I am, yes."

She frowned. "Why?"

"Now that your mission is over, Ali, mine is about to start."

She blinked. "You mean you are on a mission?"

He nodded.

"But I thought you rarely take missions? You are a Royal Doctor."

"Ah, but this one I nearly begged to do."

Her eyes narrowed. "And what is this mission?"

He smiled at her mysteriously and she scowled. With a sigh, he said, "I have to whisper a few words to Rothsker."

Aliya's eyes narrowed. "But Sasha is constantly with the man!"

"I would not worry about Sasha, darling. You are here to distract her."

"The more interaction I have with her, Ollie, the more I am endangering my secrets. She can be quite perceptive."

"I am certain we can think of something," he murmured, brushing off her concerns.

"You are not taking Sasha seriously. She is quite smart, Ollie."

"But I am smarter," he said with confidence.

Aliya sighed. "I do not know what you would do without me." Walking over to him to tie his cravat, she added, "I shall distract Sasha for you tonight, then."

He kissed her mouth. "Thank you."

*****

"Ivan Miller, Marquess of Rothsker!" the butler intoned and everyone in the ballroom stopped to turn and gaze at the black-haired man with a boyish grin as he stepped through the grand entrance of the room. "Lady Sasha of Belcourt!" followed the announcement and Sasha, clad in a giant purple gown, smiled at Rothsker who guided her into the ballroom as though they were the only people there.

Aliya turned to her husband and murmured, "Darling, you may have a very challenging night," she said. Everyone's eyes followed the marquess and his Belle as they made their way through the crowd, perfectly in tune with each other.

They were quite a pair, Aliya had to admit.

The young marquess looked elegant in a stylish black suit with a patterned royal blue cravat, his bristled jaw somehow molding his boyish smile into a more masculine one. His wavy black hair was tied to the back, much like how Oliver would tie his. And Aliya could remember the man's striking blue eyes which were now focused on Sasha as she turned to whisper something in the man's ear.

Searching the crowd, Aliya found West Blackwood with Tanner MacMier and Rider Fairborne. While his friends followed the marquess with their gaze, West Blackwood was staring at the woman walking beside the man, his face as impassive as always.

Then Aliya saw Tanner MacMier look at Oliver.

"MacMier is looking at you, Ollie, as though he believes you will not succeed tonight," Aliya said through her teeth.

"Which is why I must succeed," her husband said in a grave voice. "I feel like I need a drink."

"No, you do not."

"Yes, I do not."

With a frustrated sigh, he turned to her and grinned. "Then perhaps we should wait for the perfect timing—let Rothsker get comfortable for a while."

She agreed and they both walked around to chat with friends they encountered. A few Belles wanted to meet Oliver and she introduced him to them and he successfully charmed the few ladies with his boisterous jests and odd, yet charming way with words. All the while, they were both watchful of Sasha and Rothsker, even when Lady Renee took to the stand and gave her infamous speech.

It had been a long rumor that Lady Renee had a hand with Rothsker's disappearance in the past. It was said that when Lady Renee's late husband, the Marquess of Rothsker passed away, his young nephew who was to inherit the title, soon disappeared, leaving Lady Renee alone to fend for the many estates that came with the title. Although the most common reason known to many was that Rothsker left Sutherland to escape a large amount of debt many years ago. A few very imaginative individuals, on the other hand, believed that Lady Renee had been keeping the young man prisoner somewhere, which was now proven wrong because as the woman called for the marquess to join her, her smile was genuine.

However Rothsker returned—or if he indeed managed to pay his debts—was still a mystery. No one seemed to remember him, only his debts. And if he had debtors, they were nowhere in sight to go after him.

The man had come back and he was claiming back his title. In fact, he became a part of society too fast, even succeeding in becoming a gentleman of Belcourt, making Aliya curious as to why the Circus was quite desperate to reach him when there were other flowers they could go after. Was it because Rothsker was new and had not yet committed to an ally?

"My dear friends," the man said, his tone pleasant, almost filled with mysterious mirth, "I am honored to be back in Sutherland and I could not be more grateful to Lady Renee for graciously honoring this year's Humbrick Ball to me. It would be my greatest pleasure if you can all enjoy this week's festivities and... scandals—" His words were greeted with laughter, "—and dare not forget that you leave them all behind after it ends to return to your sore, unhappy lives."

As the laughter erupted around the room, Aliya found Sasha standing close to the platform where the orchestra and her flower were located.

She had prepared for this night, Aliya noted, and yet the woman looked unhappy now that the attention was no longer on her. For a short moment, while Rothsker engrossed everyone else, Sasha did not have to pretend.

"Rothsker seems to have had a few drinks," Aliya whispered to her husband. "It is best to approach him after his speech."

"How?"

"Do what you do best and be drunk," she whispered. "Pretend to be drunk," she reiterated.

His eyes glinted. "Again? Why, you are an expert, darling!"

Aliya sighed. "I will go to Sasha now," she said. "You merely need a few moments with Rothkser, yes?"

He nodded.

Aliya walked away and rushed to where Sasha was. "Sasha, you look lovely tonight," she greeted with a smile. The woman's bluish-grey eyes turned to her and looked her up and down.

"Aliya, you look quite stunning as always," Sasha said, gazing at her yellow gown.

"Thank you," Aliya said, turning with Sasha to Rothsker as he finished his speech. The two of them clapped their hands and almost immediately, Aliya hooked her arm around Sasha's. "You never told me that Rothsker is quite a funny man."

"I do remember I told you he is charming."

"He is funny, too," said Aliya. "I like funny men."

Sasha's eyes veered to the direction of Rothsker who was being surrounded by other guests, officially welcoming him back to society. Not far away, Oliver was also making his way to Rothsker.

Aliya let out a forced groan. "And my man is quite foxed," she said, pulling Sasha with her. "Would you mind if I ask for your help?"

Sasha frowned. "What help?"

"Oliver can be quite uncontrollable when he had had a few drinks, and if we do not take him to the nearest empty room, I am afraid he might cause a ruckus."

Aliya was relieved when Sasha hastened her steps beside her.

*****

"Ah, Rothsker!" Oliver shouted, separating the crowd with his large frame and arms. "Get out of the way, gentries," he said, stumbling toward the marquess. "Rothsker!"

Rothsker blinked. "Doctor St. Vincent."

"Yes, yes," said Oliver, managing a burp. "That was one bloody speech, Rothsker, I tell you!" he said with a laugh, eliciting a frown from a few ladies surrounding them.

He wrapped an around Rothsker's shoulders, but the man was fast to escape his hold.

"Ollie!" Aliya's voice said from behind them, and sooner than he expected, she was standing before him, with an awkward smile. "Darling, perhaps we should retire to a drawing room—"

Reading the look in her eyes, Oliver shook his head, grabbing Rothsker. "But I am about to ask Rothsker to join me in the gaming room—"

"I would rather stay here for a while, Doctor St. Vincent," Rothsker said with a smile.

Oliver vigorously shook his head, stumbling forward. Aliya, his beautiful actress wife, hooked her arm around his and looked at Sasha pleadingly.

Sasha turned to Rothsker and said, "Perhaps you can help us lead Doctor St. Vincent to a nearby gaming room, Ivan?"

Rothsker sighed as he looked around at the crowd. Then he grinned. "Please excuse us for a while, my friends," he said, coming near Oliver who immediately wrapped an arm around him.

"Good! Perhaps I can make you disappear again, Rothsker, because, after this night, you will regain your debts by my winning cards!"

Aliya groaned in embarrassment as Sasha led them down the corridor, which was not at all leading to any of the gaming rooms.

Pretending to roll his head to the side, he whispered to Rothsker, "Meet me at the western gaming hall past midnight." The man did not stop, but the faint smile on his lips disappeared. Oliver held his shoulders tighter. "Blackwood wishes to see you," he added. Rothsker sighed. "Is that a yes?" he asked.

The man nodded. "Yes."

"Good!" Oliver said loudly, causing Sasha to look over her shoulder.

"Aliya, perhaps you should take him straight to your bedchamber?"

"A famous idea, yes," her wife said beside him, keeping up with her act of a disappointed and embarrassed wife.

"Ah, bedchamber," he said with a laugh. "I might have to skip on that game after all, Rothsker." He let go of Rothsker to wrap an arm around his wife, "I have a different one to play tonight."

*****

"Thank you, Sasha," Aliya gratefully said to the woman outside their bedchamber. Rothsker merely chuckled. "You ought to hire a group of men whenever you go around in balls, Lady Aliya," he said. "It is not all the time that men are willing to carry your giant of a husband."

Sasha smiled and turned to Rothsker, "Your aunt must be looking for you, Ivan."

Rothsker rolled his eyes. "Yes." He bowed at Aliya and then kissed Sasha's temple before he turned and walked away, massaging his shoulder.

"You do not have to stay," Aliya said. "I know you have to be with him."

Sasha looked at her curiously. "I seem to notice that you are quite chummy with Lady Winthrop."

Aliya frowned. "Lady Winthrop is not in Humbrick."

"Yes, but I believe you have been to a few balls with the woman."

"Ah, yes, of course. Lady Winthrop and I have quite a history. She is the cousin of the late Lady Hartcaster."

"And she is fine with you being Hartcaster's flower while her cousin was dying?"

Aliya smiled. "Well, of course, because she knew that Hartcaster and I were merely friends! And Lady Winthrop is a friend of my mother-in-law. There is no escaping the woman."

Sasha slowly nodded. "Lord Winthrop is a suspected member of the Royal Circus."

"Yes, I was told before I left Belcourt. He was my last mission. I found no evidence that he may be involved with the Circus."

"Then perhaps you can find out more now? You have more access to him being friends with his wife."

Aliya narrowed her eyes. "Is Belcourt claiming a Vow, Sasha? I am only happy to be rid of it, you know. I can look into the Winthrops if you want."

Sasha's face turned serious. "No, Belcourt will ask for your Vow when the time comes."

Aliya nodded. "Good. Then perhaps you ought to remember that I am no longer a Belle, Sasha. Do whatever you wish—spy on me and my friends for as long as you like, but please, do spare me the reminder of what you are. I do not wish to stop seeing you as a friend. What you are doing now is poking into my life in a very obsessive way."

Sasha's lips curled into a tight smile. "I am deeply sorry if I have made you feel that way, Aliya. I am merely concerned. If you ever get involved with the Circus, and if Belcourt finds out, they will not hesitate to act. I am warning you as a friend."

Aliya nodded. "You must also know, Sasha, that I am beyond you in years as a Belle. I know how to take care of myself. Was I not the one who taught you that?"

The woman nodded. "Yes."

"Then perhaps you ought to focus more on your actual mission. Unless the mission is me and my new life, I would appreciate it if you can mellow down with the intrusions."

Sasha blinked. "Please, I hope you understand and forgive me, Aliya."

"I do," she said with a smile.

Sasha looked into her eyes for quite some time and Aliya was not stupid not to recognize the silent challenge in their depths. Despite her words, Sasha was acting not as her friend now, but as a Belle.

"Good night, Sasha," she said, before adding, "Oh, I do recall seeing West Blackwood in the ballroom. Have you had the chance to meet him?"

The woman stiffened. "No, and I do not intend to."

Without another word, Sasha turned and walked away.

*****

Aliya placed her hands on her hips. "You are saying your mission is over?" she asked. "That was all you had to do?"

He blinked. "Well, yes, of course. I only need to take Rothsker to Blackwood."

"You did naught but to whisper to the man, Ollie! What could you have been thinking! We could have devised a better plan if you only told me what you had to do!"

"Ah, my head is aching," he said, falling into the bed.

"Cease the pretense. You are not bloody foxed."

He grinned. "That, I am not."

Aliya rolled her eyes. "I would not be surprised if he does not show up tonight."

"He will."

"How certain are you?"

He raised to his elbows. "He will."

Her eyes narrowed. "There is something you are not telling me, Ollie." When he remained mum, she suspiciously asked, "Who is Rothsker, really?"

Oliver burped. "Perhaps I am foxed after all," he said, falling back into the cushion, with no intention of giving her an answer.

With a sigh of frustration, Aliya realized that she was getting more frustrated with the secrets the Royal Circus was keeping from her and the other wives.

A knock on their door came. She opened it and found Rider Fairborne standing outside. He walked into the room without an invitation and said to Oliver, "There is word from Darcy."

Her husband groaned and jumped out of bed. "Wait here, darling," he said, kissing the top of her head before he joined Rider outside in the corridor.

Aliya tried to listen, but the two men talked in rushed, hushed tones. And soon, before she could grasp a word, it was over and Rider was gone and her husband was back in the room to straighten his cravat.

She frowned. "You are going out?"

"Not right away. At midnight."

"You mean you will also be joining Blackwood?"

"Yes."

"Because Darcy wants all of you there?"

"Yes."

Aliya slowly sat on the bed. "Will he also be there with you later?"

"No, of course not," Oliver burst out as though the image of Darcy joining them was preposterous.

"It seems to me that this Lord Darcy is the true Royal Master, not Blackwood.

"Darcy is the Royal Master whose identity is kept secret. In the event that Eaton will not be able to fulfill his duties as the Royal Master, Lord Darcy steps in."

"But he still gives orders."

"The final word is still from Eaton." Turning to face her, Oliver smiled. "The Royal Master, like your High Priestess, is paramount to the survival of the Circus, thus we have two. Their words are law, Ali."

"And if they say that the women connected to the Circus cannot know everything, you oblige."

He nodded. "Yes."

"And this rule had been present from the start?"

"Yes."

"Then the Circus does not trust women."

"I am not the Circus, darling, and you know I trust you."

"That does not answer my question, Ollie," she said with irritation. "The Circus use the wives—and I suppose even the daughters—of the Royals, and yet it deprives them of the truth."

"Perhaps it is akin to Belcourt using its ladies and its flowers?"

Aliya scoffed. "Perhaps you are right."

He walked toward her and took her hand. "Darling, the Circus trusts its Royal Masters. Just as much as Belcourt trusts its High Priestess, a woman you have not even laid eyes on, yes?"

"Yes."

"West Blackwood has proven to us many times that he will continue his father's legacy and that of the other Masters before them."

"You trust West Blackwood fully then?"

"Yes."

"I only know that he is the son of a former Belle, Elizabeth Blackwood, who bore a daughter which is now in Belcourt. I know nothing about him, Ollie."

"Elizabeth Blackwood destroyed Reginald using Addison Blackwood. She planted evidence against Reginald to help Belcourt and Louis who happened to be her secret lover."

Aliya nodded, not utterly surprised by the information. "Ollie, what if we share this information with Sasha? It might change her mind. I know that she only chose to stay in Belcourt because she believed West betrayed her—and he did. But if she understands what he is fighting for, she may become a very powerful ally. The Palace seems to trust her."

"No," Oliver sternly said, his hazel eyes serious.

"No? That is all you have to say?"

"No, Aliya, because both Royal Masters have agreed that Sasha is to be left alone."

"Why?"

"She is useful," he said.

"In what way?"

"She pries too much, does she not?"

Understanding dawned on Aliya. "The Circus intends to use her again."

Oliver shrugged. "Perhaps, but this is a game she chose to play as well, so do not feel sorry for her. She knew it from the moment she turned her back on West Blackwood."

"West Blackwood may take this too personal, Ollie."

Oliver sighed. "Blackwood will not."

Aliya frowned. "You cannot be certain of that. Ollie, Sasha is only doing what she is doing because that is how she was raised by Belcourt. She came into Belcourt too young. Compared to myself, she never had any appreciation of her life before Belcourt. Belcourt is everything she has after her father killed her mother and himself. And Belcourt was the only one that offered her something after what happened with West Blackwood."

"I know, Ali," Oliver gently said. "But the Circus will not stop just because of one woman. It is the future of the kingdom that is at stake."

Aliya's eyes filled with tears. "Then you are telling me that the Circus will not hesitate to destroy Belcourt if the need arises?"

Oliver bent down to level his gaze with her. His hands gathered hers in a tight grip. "Ali, I will be there with you when the time comes that we have to rescue as many women as we can from Belcourt. I will be there with you, darling, and I promise that. But as you have said, Belcourt is rotten at the core and you claimed you want to fix it. The Circus will not readily cause any of the ladies in Belcourt harm. That is not how we play the game. But you must also understand that we cannot save everyone inside. There will be women who will not hesitate to kill every Royal."

"And if Sasha or any of my friends turn out to be amongst those women because their circumstance designed them to be?"

Oliver offered a faint smile. "And if I or father or even my