Scarlett laughed, sweet as spun sugar. "No one treats me better than you, brother."
"But didn't you have plans with Miss Black today? It's all my fault for being so timid and insisting you escort me into the palace. She won't be upset with me, will she?"
Lester waved it off. "Don't worry about that. Your business comes first."
I remembered this day from my past life. Lester and I had made plans to go boating on the lake.
He'd told me something urgent had come up with the Crimson Guard.
I'd waited by the lake all day, watching the water until the sun went down.
So his urgent military business had been escorting Scarlett to the palace.
A bitter smile tugged at my lips.
Lester seemed to sense something and turned toward where I stood.
His eyes widened. "Norma?"
I didn't answer.
His expression froze.
He walked toward me.
"What are you doing here? Did you receive the invitation I sent?"
When I said nothing, he kept talking, filling the silence himself.
He'd already decided what this was.
"You must have received it. And then found out where I'd be, so you dressed up and came here on purpose."