Chapter 34

Maria straightened, her polite mask slipping for just a moment before sliding back into place. "I'm sorry?"

"You heard me." Keira crossed her arms, fixing the other woman with a level stare. "Ever since you introduced yourself, you've been making little digs disguised as pleasantries. So, what's your issue with me?"

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean—"

"Cut the crap." Keira's voice sharpened. "The comments about my background, about how 'overwhelming' royal life must be for an outsider, about how I need to learn the 'unspoken rules.' You've been condescending to me since the moment we met."

Maria smiled, but Keira could tell it was all performance, nothing genuine behind it. "I was merely trying to prepare you for—"

"For what? For the fact that you don't think I belong here?" Keira took a step closer. "Look, I get it. You're from a royal family, I'm not. You've known Alexei your whole life, I haven't. But if you have something to say, just say it instead of