“The right moment?” Jacob's tone was incredulous. “When were you planning on it being the right time to mention that our family is on the brink of ruin? After dessert?”
I couldn't help the small, bitter laugh that fell from my lips. “Seems about right.” I crossed my arms. “We do love our dramatic timing in this family.”
Lord Zacharia glared at me, his anger palpable. “Arya, this isnotthe time for your caustic sarcasm.”
I shrugged nonchalantly, although my heart was pounding with the thrill and fear of confrontation. “Why not, Father? It seems perfectly timed to me. Everyone's here, after all.”
Jacob shook his head, clearly struggling to absorb the news. “This is serious,” he said, his voice firm. “We need to figure out what we're going to do. We can't just sit back and watch everything fall apart!”
“That's what I've been saying,” I replied, my voice softening a bit. “But it seems likesomeof us are more interested in personal affairs rather than addressing the real issues.”
Gianna shot me a sharp look, her eyes filled with unspoken frustration. She opened her mouth to speak, but Jacob cut her off.
“Arya is right. We need a plan,” he said decisively. “Let’s discuss our options. This isn't just about money; it's about our family's legacy and future.”
Lord Zacharia nodded, the weight of the situation finally seeming to settle on him. “Yes, of course. We'll meet tonight and weigh our options.”
As they started to suggest potential meeting times, I felt a strange sense of detachment wash over me. There I was, stuck in the middle of a family crisis that wasn't truly mine to bear. Yet, somehow, I found myself deeply entangled, playing a role that was never meant for me. As I excused myself from the table, the chilly breeze that swept through the courtyard seemed to echo my inner turmoil, leaving me cold and feeling more alone than ever.
9
ARYA
Angie’s patience, as dubious and thin as it was, seemed to be teetering on the brink. She sat on the couch with her legs crossed and a contraption clenched in her hand, staring at me with an expression that vacillated between exasperation and pity. I, on the other hand, had no patience at all for the small, glowing device she kept shoving at me.
“This,” Angie said for the third time, “is your cell phone. And you need to know how to use it because… well, literally everyone else does.”
I crossed my arms with a scowl and leaned away from thecell phoneas though it was a venomous snake. “Why wouldI, Arya Ryder, daughter of Lord Zacharia, Minister of Rites to Emperor Valenor, need such a trivial thing?”
“Because you live in the twenty-first century, and nobody cares about your noble titles!” Angie snapped, shoving the phone closer. “This isn’t Elaria. You need to adapt. Now, take it.”
Reluctantly, I snatched the device from her hand and stared at it, my lip curling in distaste. “What is the point of this thing?”
“It’s how you communicate,” Angie said. “You make calls, send texts, check emails… You know, function like a normal human being.”
“I have no interest in ‘functioning’ like your kind,” I muttered, turning the phone over in my hands. “This device is small, impractical, and… it’s glowing.”
Angie groaned. “Just unlock it, okay? Swipe up. Like this.” She leaned over and demonstrated the motion.
I mimicked her gesture, albeit clumsily, and the screen lit up with a series of symbols and… strange words, but none of it made sense. “What am I looking at?”
“Your notifications.” Angie tapped the screen. “See all these messages? They’re from your agent. Apparently, she’s been trying to get in touch with you about… Oh, wow. Work. A lot of work.”
“Work?” I repeated, horrified. “Why wouldI—a noblewoman—stoop to something so…vulgar?”
Angie gave me a flat look. “You’re a stunt double in Hollywood. You know, an actress? That’s what you do for a living.”
I stared at her, uncomprehending. “A stunt double? What nonsense is this?”
“You perform dangerous scenes in movies so the main actors don’t get hurt,” Angie explained. “Like jumping off buildings, car crashes, fighting. All the cool stuff.”
I wrinkled my nose. “That sounds absolutely barbaric. Why would anyone willingly subject themselves to such… indignities?”
“Because it pays well,” Angie said, rolling her eyes. “And it’s badass.You’rebadass.”
“I don’t need money,” I declared. “I come from wealth.” She didn’t need to know that my family teetered on the brinkof bankruptcy. Then again, I’d found a way to make my own money, so I was fine.
By the immortals…! My paintings were due… and I was late. If I didn’t make it back to Elaria, who knew what would happen?
