Aleksander Hargrove prowled the shadowed corridor outside the guest wing, his aristocratic features set in a mask of careful neutrality despite his growing irritation. This marked the third consecutive evening Valentina had been absent from the formal gatherings—gatherings where her father, Archduke Orlov, had pointedly commented on her absence.

  As the son of Duke Hargrove and Valentina's intended, Aleksander found these absences increasingly... problematic.

  The summit's evening reception had progressed as expected—the usual political maneuvering disguised as polite conversation, territory disputes concealed beneath pleasantries. But Valentina, whose sharp observations typically provided him valuable insights on the shifting alliances, had been nowhere to be found.

  Again.

  He paused outside her chambers, considering the proper approach. A direct confrontation would be unseemly—aristocratic courtship had protocols, after all. But these disappearances required expnation.

  Aleksander signaled to the servant standing discreetly nearby. "Has Lady Valentina returned to her quarters?"

  "Not yet, my lord," the servant replied with a formal bow.

  "And when did she leave?"

  "Shortly after sunset, my lord. She declined escort."

  Declined escort. Interesting. Valentina typically embraced the formal protocols of vampire nobility, understanding how they reinforced proper hierarchies. Declining escort suggested a desire for privacy—or secrecy.

  "Thank you. You may go," Aleksander dismissed the servant with a casual wave.

  Instead of waiting at her door, he decided on a different approach. The summit's schedule provided perfect cover for his investigation—as Duke Hargrove's representative, he had legitimate reason to be anywhere in the estate.

  He moved through the corridors with practiced aristocratic confidence, nodding to nobles and servants alike with the perfect measure of acknowledgment each station deserved. His path took him toward the eastern wing, where Baron Cassian's administrative offices were located. If his suspicions were correct...

  Sure enough, as Aleksander rounded the corner, he caught sight of Valentina emerging from a side corridor, her aristocratic composure slightly less perfect than usual. Her normally immacute hair showed signs of having been outdoors, and she moved with the quick purpose of someone hoping to return unnoticed.

  More telling was who followed several paces behind her—the silver-haired young man from Baron Cassian's household. They maintained proper distance, nothing openly inappropriate in their behavior. But Aleksander noted how they moved with synchronized awareness of each other, a subtle coordination that suggested far more familiarity than their respective stations should allow.

  Aleksander stepped forward, deliberately making his presence known. "Lady Valentina. What a pleasant surprise."

  Valentina halted, momentarily startled before her aristocratic mask slipped back into pce. "Lord Aleksander. I didn't expect to encounter you in this wing."

  "Nor I you," he replied, his tone pleasant while his eyes remained coldly assessing. "Your father mentioned your absence from this evening's reception."

  "I had matters requiring my attention," she stated without eboration.

  Aleksander's gaze shifted to the silver-haired aide, who had stopped at a respectful distance, his unusual violet eyes carefully lowered. "I see you've been... consulting with Baron Cassian's staff."

  "I've been exploring the territory's agricultural innovations," Valentina replied smoothly. "Baron Cassian graciously provided a knowledgeable guide."

  "How considerate of him," Aleksander commented. "Though I'm surprised such exploration requires multiple evenings. The summit's substantive discussions are happening in the council chamber, not the fields."

  A flicker of annoyance crossed Valentina's features. "Are you questioning my priorities, Lord Aleksander?"

  He offered a thin smile. "Merely expressing concern for your father's peace of mind. Archduke Orlov seemed quite... perplexed by your frequent absences."

  "My father is well aware of my intellectual interests," she countered. Her posture shifted subtly, chin lifting in the aristocratic expression of dismissal. "If you'll excuse me, I should prepare for tomorrow's sessions."

  She moved to step past him, but Aleksander shifted slightly, not quite blocking her path but making it clear the conversation wasn't finished.

  "Your intellectual interests," he repeated, gaze flicking meaningfully toward the silver-haired aide who remained motionless in the background. "Is that what we're calling it?"

  Valentina's eyes fshed, the first genuine emotion breaking through her composed exterior. "Whatever you're implying, Lord Aleksander, I suggest you reconsider. My activities are my own concern."

  "As your intended, I would disagree."

  "As my intended, you would do well to remember that our arrangement is political, not personal," Valentina replied, her voice dropping to ensure only he could hear. "And it remains unconsummated."

  Aleksander's jaw tightened at the pointed reminder. The marriage contract between their houses was signed but not finalized—a strategic alliance that could still be dissolved if either family chose to break it.

  "You should be more cautious about the company you keep," he said, voice equally low. "There are... rumors about certain members of Baron Cassian's household. Unusual circumstances that might draw unwanted attention."

  Something shifted in Valentina's expression—a subtle change that Aleksander couldn't quite interpret. Was it concern? Or defiance?

  "I'm perfectly capable of selecting appropriate company," she replied, her aristocratic hauteur fully engaged. "Now, if you've finished questioning my judgment, I have matters to attend to."

  This time when she moved past him, Aleksander allowed it, watching as she continued down the corridor without a backward gnce. The silver-haired aide followed at proper distance, his gaze still carefully averted, though Aleksander caught the briefest fsh of those unusual violet eyes as he passed.

  There was something there—something beyond the typical servant-noble dynamic. Aleksander was certain of it.

  He waited until they disappeared around the corner before moving toward his father's quarters. This development required careful consideration. If Valentina was developing an inappropriate interest in Baron Cassian's unusual aide, it could affect the marriage alliance. Yet accusing the daughter of Archduke Orlov without absolute certainty would be politically dangerous.

  No, this required a more subtle approach. The summit would continue for several more nights. Ample time to gather evidence of whatever was developing between Valentina and the silver-haired young man.

  Aleksander signaled to one of his personal attendants who materialized from the shadows. "I want Lady Valentina's movements tracked. Discreetly. Note every conversation, every interaction with Baron Cassian's household."

  "Yes, my lord," the attendant replied with a bow.

  "And find out if there's been any further confirmation of our suspicions about his parentage. Any interactions with Baron Cassian or his pet that might suggest a familial connection."

  "The one called Kieran, my lord? The potential hybrid?"

  "Yes." Aleksander's jaw tightened. The name still felt like a splinter in his mind. "I want to know everything about his movements, particurly around Valentina."

  As he continued toward his father's quarters, Aleksander reflected on the possibilities. If his earlier theory about the young man's hybrid nature proved correct, and Valentina was involving herself with such an aberration... the political implications would be significant.

  More personally concerning was the way Valentina's eyes had sharpened with interest when speaking of her "intellectual pursuits." Aleksander had never seen that particur expression directed toward himself, despite years of formal courtship.

  The realization stung his pride more than he cared to admit.

  Aristocratic marriages were political, of course—alliances between houses rather than romantic entanglements. But Aleksander had always assumed Valentina understood and accepted her proper role in their arrangement.

  Now he wasn't so certain.

  He would watch and wait. Gather evidence. And if necessary, ensure that this unusual distraction was permanently removed from Valentina's attention.

  After all, the proper order of vampire society depended on maintaining appropriate boundaries. And Aleksander Hargrove considered himself a dedicated servant of proper order.