Chapter 3

Three days passed in a flash.

The night before the Winter Lantern Fair, I couldn't sleep. I went out alone.

The long street was lined with all kinds of lanterns. Vendors called out, trying to sell their goods.

I walked through the crowd and overheard whispers from people all around me.

"Did you hear? The Turner family heir bought every lantern on East Street just to make Ms. Stacey Reed smile."

"Tsk, tsk. That's extravagant. Poor Ms. Ingram, though, having her engagement broken off in public and getting humiliated."

I kept walking, my face blank. I'd barely taken a few…