Alora's little plan worked better than she had expected.
Whenever she had the chance, she found a reason to bring Roxana and Ambrose together. Sometimes, she sent Roxana to attend to him at the carpentry shop. Other times, she conveniently allowed Roxana to deliver his food.
There was only one thing left to do. Ambrose had to make the first move.
One busy afternoon, Alora and Roxana were assigned to deliver groceries to a large mansion in the Noble District. The moment they arrived, Alora couldn't help admiring the beautiful property. The gardens were perfectly maintained, and the mansion stood proudly behind tall iron gates.
"Stop staring," Roxana teased.
"I'm not staring."
"You've been looking at the fountain since we arrived."
Alora laughed softly. "It's beautiful."
Before they could continue talking, they began unloading the groceries. Several servants helped carry the goods inside while Mr. Nathan remained near the carriage, checking the delivery list.
They had barely finished unpacking when Roxana suddenly came running toward them.
"Roxana?"
Alora frowned. Her friend was breathing heavily, her face pale.
"What happened?"
Roxana didn't answer. She kept looking behind her as though she expected someone to appear.
The other workers exchanged worried glances.
"Are you alright?" one of them asked.
Still, Roxana said nothing.
Alora followed her gaze and noticed a man standing some distance away. From his clothing and the way the servants treated him, he was clearly a noble.
Alora couldn't understand what he could have done to frighten Roxana so badly.
She decided not to question her there.
"Let's finish the delivery," she said quietly.
No one pressed Roxana for an explanation.
Once they were back inside the carriage, however, Alora kept watching her friend.
Roxana remained silent throughout the journey, her hands tightly clasped together.
The moment they returned to the warehouse, she hurried away.
"Roxana!"
Alora followed her around the back of the building and found her standing alone in a corner.
She handed her a cup of water, "Drink first."
Roxana took several sips before Alora finally asked,
"Why were you so terrified?"
Roxana lowered the cup, "I saw..."
She struggled to catch her breath.
"I was pressed and couldn't hold it any longer, so I asked one of the servants where the ladies' room was. While I was going there, I met that noble."
Alora's expression tightened. "What happened?"
"He grabbed my hand."
"What?"
"I tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let go. I think he wanted to force himself on me."
Alora covered her mouth, "Oh my God. Did he hurt you?"
"No."
Roxana shook her head quickly.
"Before he could do anything, a lady appeared. She saw him holding me and immediately slapped me."
"She slapped you?"
"She accused me of trying to seduce her fiancé."
Alora stared at her in disbelief.
"I didn't even know the man!"
"I know."
Roxana's eyes filled with tears. "I was just scared, so I ran."
Alora pulled her into a hug, "You did the right thing."
"I was so frightened."
"I know."
A movement behind them made Alora turn. Several workers were standing there. Ambrose was among them.
From their expressions, it was obvious they had heard everything.
Mr. Nathan stepped forward.
"Roxana, are you certain you're unharmed?"
She nodded, "Yes, sir."
Nathan sighed.
"This is why I prefer sending men for deliveries. Some nobles think their status gives them the right to treat commoners however they please."
Liam nodded in agreement. "Then whenever women have to make deliveries, we should send more men with them."
Nathan agreed. "For now, Roxana, take a few days off. Clear your mind. And if that noble appears again, tell me immediately."
"Thank you, sir."
Roxana nodded before leaving.
Alora watched her go, then she glanced at Ambrose. He was still staring after Roxana.
Perhaps her little plan had already done more than she expected.
---
With Roxana away for several days, Alora and Ambrose naturally began spending more time together.
They talked while working, walked home together after their shifts, and gradually became more comfortable around each other.
Sometimes, Alora caught Ambrose staring at her.
Whenever she caught him, he immediately looked away.
She couldn't help smiling.
Perhaps Roxana wasn't the only one whose feelings were becoming obvious.
---
Later that afternoon, Mr. Nathan was receiving another shipment when a large carriage arrived at the warehouse.
A servant stepped down and presented the delivery papers.
Written boldly across the side of the carriage were the words:
DAMON ASHBOURNE.
The moment the carriage left, several workers gathered around.
"You know, I heard Mr. Ashbourne has a daughter," Liam began.
"Everyone knows that," Patricia replied.
"What was her name again?"
"Maya," Elina answered.
"Right. Miss Maya."
Liam lowered his voice, "They say she was involved with Lord Duncan."
Several workers immediately became interested.
"What happened between them?"
"Didn't he court her?"
Liam nodded, "But apparently, he never married her."
"Poor woman," Patricia muttered.
"I also heard Miss Maya has quite the temper," Elina added. "Apparently, she has rejected several men because of Lord Duncan."
"That's just gossip," Patricia said.
"Maybe," Liam admitted. "But there's more. People are saying she's now involved with a Duke from Aerathia."
The workers exchanged looks.
"Really?"
"That's what I heard."
"Imagine becoming a Duchess."
Liam sighed dreamily. "I'd rather become rich like Mr. Ashbourne."
The others laughed.
"Keep dreaming."
"But isn't it true that Mr. Ashbourne was once a commoner?" Liam asked.
"Yes," someone replied.
"I heard he started with agriculture and slowly built his wealth."
"That's what I've heard, too."
Liam smiled proudly. "That's why I took this job. Maybe one day I'll become like him."
The others burst into laughter, "Keep dreaming, Liam."
Alora listened quietly.
At first, she hadn't paid much attention to the conversation, and then one name caught her attention.
Duncan.
Her hands slowly stopped moving, and the King's birthday suddenly came back to her.
The slap.
The humiliation.
And then Duncan appeared before them, she hadn't thought about him since, or at least, she had tried not to.
Her mother's words suddenly echoed in her mind.
"Don't become too attached, Alora."
She remembered how calmly Irene had warned her not to let herself become too involved with someone beyond their world.
Alora lowered her eyes. Perhaps her mother had been right.
She had been so busy working, taking care of William and worrying about Irene that she hadn't noticed how much space Duncan had taken up in her thoughts.
She pressed a hand against her chest, a strange ache spread through her.
"Strange..."
She frowned.
Why did simply hearing his name make her feel like this? She tried to return to work, but the feeling remained.
For the first time, Alora wondered if she had truly stopped thinking about Lord Duncan...
Or if she had simply been too busy surviving to admit that she missed him.