Page 223 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

Nasty clown that he is.

Hear that, a level eight and he was bested by a mere level five.

A satisfied smile pulls at my lips.

I wonder if he’ll try to get out of the betrothal now that he knows what I am capable of.

Perhaps I should have done this before, scared him so badly he would have jilted me from the beginning.

“Their Majesties are waiting for you.”A servant knocks to let me know.

I take another look in the mirror to ensure my appearance is spotless—one less thing my mother can complain about. Noticing a stray strand in the back of my updo, I quickly pin it back.

The walk to my parents’ quarters is short, but with trepidation building inside of me, it feels far longer. A few maids walk behind me, and when we reach their apartments, they go ahead to announce me.

It’s surprising they would call on me in their quarters rather than the throne room, but this only tells me I should be more prepared for an attack. Their quarters are more private in case they need to tell off their daughter.

The doors close behind me and as I walk deeper into the anteroom, I notice my parents sitting on a sofa in the drawing room, their expressions solemn.

A deep breath and I announce my presence, “Hello, Mother, Father.”

My mother doesn’t turn to look at me.

“Minerva. Welcome back,” my father says as he gets up to give me a hug. “Please, take a seat.”

Mother glances at me from the corner of her eye and scoffs.

“Before you say anything,” I start. “I know you are not pleased that I disappeared without word. But I was not doing anything bad. I just wanted to participate in one last mission before giving up my career.”

Another scoff from my mother, this time with an added roll of her eyes.

“Please understand that Ilovemy job. I love fighting demons. It’s part of my identity and I don’t understand why I have to give it up.”

“Because your husband does not want you to work,” my mother snaps.

“He is not my husband yet.”

“But he will be. And his family has made it clear that they want you to give up the military. No noble family would like an unladylike daughter-in-law.”

I bite back a retort because what I’d like to say wouldcertainlybe unladylike.

“Your mother is correct. Theron’s family has some expectations that you must meet.”

Before I can answer, my mother continues, “We heard about your altercation with Theron yesterday.”

Of course they would.

“Really, Minerva. We’ve raised you better than this. Where are your manners?” My mother gives me a sharp look. “We know you’re proud of your time in the military, but surely you have more sense than to try to attack someone who is far above your level.”

I raise a brow. She’s heard about the fight but has not heard about Theron being the losing party? Interesting.

“And how could you even think of attacking your fiancé? You must, of course, apologize to him.”

“You’re not even going to ask me why I attacked him in the first place?”

“Because you had something to prove,” she states confidently.

“No. It’s because he touched me when he should not have.”

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