The next day, at five o'clock on the dot, I arrived outside the boutique with Maxwell and Bertrand in tow. I stumbled a little as the train jostled on its track. We were speeding towards Italy, but were almost there. We'd have to leave soon for this big important dinner with some statesmen and diplomats. But there was no way we could pass up the opportunity to see who was behind the note I received last night. At least, Bertrand and I thought so. Maxwell was less sure.

"It could be a trap," he whispered with a frown.

"Or a genuine offer to help," Bertrand said, uncommonly optimistic. "One we desperately could use." We looked to the door of the boutique, and I stepped forward to enter, alone, like the note dictated. "If anything's amiss, shout for us," Bertrand said softly, his voice a little worried.

"And we'll bust in there, fists blazing," Maxwell said. His voice was low, but fierce, and I smiled at my protective adopted brothers.

"Thanks." I shooed them back a little and slipped inside the boutique. I let the door slam shut behind me, and looked around at the empty room. "Hello?" I called.

Slowly, the changing room door handle clicked and the door drifted open.

"I should've known it'd be too much to ask for you to arrive promptly, Riley." Olivia's snide voice preceded her exit from the dressing room.

"Olivia!" I shouted, and in spite of myself, I rushed forwards to hug her. She gingerly patted my back and then pushed me away. "I didn't think you were returning to court. You left so suddenly..." A realization dawned on me. "Were you being blackmailed? Or threatened?"

She nodded. "And I'm not one to let something like that go. Since the Coronation, I've been laying low and conducting my own investigation into the mysterious blackmailer. I called you here because the time has come for us to work together and share our information."

"Information? What did you find?" I had softened towards Olivia a bit, especially knowing that she had been treated just like me. Being threatened and blackmailed made her seem a little more human than she had during the social season. But all that aside, I still wasn't 100% sure I should trust her. She'd have to give me something first.

"It's small, but it's a start," she said. "I was able to extract information from the messenger who delivered the blackmail letter to me. I traced through it and discovered the letter went through at least six different middle-men before it reached me."

"That's so elaborate. The blackmailer obviously took great pains to hide their identity."

"Exactly. More likely than not, it's someone with a lot to lose."

I nodded, and sighed. I supposed it was time to trust her with the information we had learned, as well. "A disguised noble lady had a maid at Applewood direct Tariq to my room with a love letter."

Olivia's face was unreadable, but she nodded as if putting the pieces together in her head. "One cloaked action likely connects to the other. There are layers of duplicity at play here, but it all points to one of the ladies. Which is why I'm rejoining court for the international trip." Her stoic face fell into a fierce scowl. "I want to be here to find the culprit."

I nodded; for probably the first time ever, I could completely relate to Olivia. "But," I wondered aloud, "Is it safe for you to do that?" I had already lost my reputation, but Olivia had saved herself from that…so far. I didn't want her to go through the same thing I had.

Olivia straightened her posture and raised her chin a little. "I'm a Nevrakis," she said. "We're not known for 'safe.' We're known for crushing our enemies." She balled up her hand into a fist to emphasize her last words.

Just then, there was a knock at the door, and I heard Maxwell's voice, full of worry. "Riley! Say something or else I'm bringing the hurricane fists!"

"You've given away our element of surprise!" Bertrand's scolding words came, muffled through the door.

"But I can't just bust in! What if she's changing?"

I laughed loudly, even as Olivia scowled. "Clearly 'alone' was too difficult for you to understand," she growled.

"Sorry," I said, and then shouted to the door, "Maxwell, I'm fine!"

"Okay!" he shouted back. "Consider these fists holstered...for now."

"Maxwell and Bertrand may consider you their own, but you never know if you can really trust them." This was from Olivia, who was looking at the door through narrow eyes.

"Drake and I did find a suspicious envelope of cash in their study," I said hesitantly. I couldn't really believe that Maxwell and Bertrand would betray me, but I couldn't deny they had their share of secrets from me, too.

"Let me guess, they didn't bother to explain it to you."

"Well, no...but, I have no reason to doubt their actions. They've always stood beside me."

"So far." Olivia had started sifting through gowns, studying them with a careful eye. "Do you know what you're wearing to dinner?" she asked me casually, apparently done with the serious conversation.

"Uh...clothes?" I said. I had been so wrapped up thinking about this meeting I hadn't given any thought to it.

"Still as hopeless as ever," Olivia said, a hint of humor in her voice. "You're lucky I'm actually trying to help you this time." She pulled out a glamorous, long red evening gown. "You'll need the right dress to make a good impression tonight. And the Italian statesman you'll meet today loves red."

I smiled a little. "I thought red was your color." She had said it so many times during the social season, threatening any lady who thought she could pull off the color better than a Nevrakis.

"After everything that's happened...we can share it." Olivia's voice was so gentle, it almost scared me. She saw my face and scowled. "You can take your jaw off the floor anytime."

"It's just...touching, that's all."

"Just try it on before I change my mind."

I did, and was surprised to find it fit like a glove. When I stepped out, Olivia smiled a genuine, non-snarky smile. "I'm not saying you wear red better than me," she said, "But you wear it well."

"Thank you!"

"Listen," she said, "I'll find you when I have more information to share."

She turned to study the dresses again, but I stopped her. "Does this make us friends?" I asked.

"No."

"You sure? Not even a little?"

"We have a mutual enemy."

"Okay, well, that's a start." I smiled at her and waved as I left her alone in the boutique.

Maxwell and Bertrand were still waiting right outside the doors, looking ready to pounce. They stepped back a little when they saw me in my new red dress.

"Why are you suddenly dressed up?" Bertrand asked.

"Well..." I said, and quickly summarized what just happened, ending with Olivia picking out a dress that would help me make a good impression at dinner.

"That's...unexpected," Maxwell said when I finished my story.

"I'll take any ally we can get," Bertrand said, "Even one as hostile as Lady Olivia."

"Maybe it'll be good to have her on our side for a change," Maxwell decided.

We all stumbled a little as the train slowed to a stop. It seemed like I had finished with Olivia just in time; we had arrived at our stop in Italy, and it was time for dinner!

Justin joined the three of us in our limo as we headed to the restaurant. He reminded me that not only would I have to worry about charming the dignitaries at the event, but also the press, who would be surely lurking around.

"Smile and wave, then enter the restaurant," I said, brushing off his dire warnings.

"Don't think you're safe once inside. The predators never stop watching."

"Is the press going to criticize me for my fork placement?" I asked, halfway between sarcasm and actual worry.

"Yes."

"And you'd deserve it," Bertrand joined in. "Always keep your forks ordered properly!"

"You should be on guard," Justin counseled, "But also look at this as an opportunity to prove to the press that you are ready to be queen. You think Madeleine was just trying to win King Liam during the season? No, she was also wooing the people, the press, and the court so they would support her when Liam made his decision."

I crossed my arms defensively. "I feel like I did a pretty good job of all that, too."

"You did," Maxwell assured me.

"But none of that matters now," Bertrand said gloomily. "We're starting from square one. Less than square one, really. So you have to prove yourself all over again."

The rest of the ride was spent giving me tips on impressing not only the journalists but also the statesmen. There was one in particular who I was supposed to schmooze. He was apparently an old friend of Liam's mother, and his opinion of me would be rather weighty on the rest of the court. I got a crash course in trade policy and Italian football teams, and before I knew it we were pulling up to the restaurant.

Hana was waiting outside the restaurant, and beamed when she saw me and Maxwell. She took Maxwell's other arm and the three of us entered the restaurant together. We stopped in front of a crowd of photographers, and struck a pose. As I was smiling, my eyes darted between the photographers, and I gripped Maxwell's arm tightly as I saw a familiar face.

"Ow," Maxwell said as we left the press mob. "What was that for?" He pried my hand from his arm and shook it out.

"Sorry," I said, "But I saw her! The photographer from that security badge. The one who took the picture of me and Tariq!"

"She's here?" Hana gasped, looking around.

"Yes, we have to go get her!" I said, starting to head back towards the press. Maxwell held me back.

"We don't want to cause a scene right now," he warned.

"Yes," Hana agreed. "If she's covering the party, she'll be here all night. You'll get a chance to talk to her without making a scene."

I sighed, but stopped, knowing they were right. "Okay, if you're sure..." I turned back to my friends and tried to mimic their comforting smiles.

"We'll find a way to draw her out and get her alone," Maxwell assured me. "But right now, we'd better get seated for dinner."

Hana was seated separately, so we said goodbye and Maxwell and I shuffled off to find our own seats. I smiled warmly as Liam approached us.

"Lady Riley," he said to me with his eyes and smile bright. "What a pleasure to run into you here."

His eyes swept down my gown, and I could see a faint blush on his cheeks as he looked back up at me. "Red is...certainly your color," he said, clearing his throat a little.

"Perhaps I should wear it more often," I said with a grin.

We chatted for a minute, only taking our seats once Madeleine's mother tapped a glass to get the room's attention, signaling the start of dinner.

As Maxwell and I found our table at last, I realized that we were actually seated with the statesman that they had been telling me about. Bertrand introduced him as Signor Francesco.

"Buona sera Signor," I said, remembering Justin's Italian 101 lesson. "I'm delighted to be here in your beautiful country."

He asked me to call him Francesco as we all sat. "These dinners are pretentious enough without the 'signor' nonsense."

I laughed a little and agreed. As Francesco complimented me on my gown, Olivia joined our table. Just in time to take credit for it, I noticed with an internal eye roll.

Our dinner progressed quickly; Francesco was nice, and interesting enough for a statesman. We made small talk about football and wine, and I even managed a semi-intelligent comment about trade policy which seemed to impress him. Soon enough, dinner was over. Francesco took his leave as the party broke into mingling before dessert. Bertrand turned to me with a large smile, obviously pleased with my work. But immediately after complimenting me, his smile disappeared and he turned to Maxwell, already thinking about the next big crisis or whatever. He asked to speak to Maxwell alone, and as they left, Drake took Maxwell's seat at our table.

"Hey," I said cheerily.

"I thought you'd never stop talking to that Italian guy," he said.

"Aww," I said, "Did you miss me?"

"You're preferable to standing alone in a corner."

I shook my head, but smiled. "Clearly a high bar."

"Yet so many fail to clear it. Except you, of course." He smiled fondly at me. "Nice dress, by the way."

Olivia cackled a little, reminding me she was still there. "Just adorable, you two," she said with a sneer.

Drake just looked at her, dropping his smile. "What are you even doing here, Olivia?"

"Helping Riley."

Drake let out a monosyllabic laugh. "I've seen your kind of help. We're better off without it."

I could tell this would only get worse until I stepped in, so I cut off Olivia's next barb. "Olivia's actually helping, Drake. She came to me earlier today with information to help our investigation."

Drake didn't reply, but looked sideways at Olivia. Olivia told him, "I was targeted just like Riley. We have the same enemy."

He sort of grunted and leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. But finally, he said, "If Harkness is okay with it, then fine. But I'm watching you."

"Don't hurt yourself."

"Did you find something new, Olivia?" I asked.

"I've been following a lead." She showed me some pictures, and Drake and I balked. They were the photos from Liam's bachelor party, the ones that had almost been sold to the tabloids. Drake asked where she got them, but Olivia wouldn't say. She said that she had an idea of who was behind it, and asked for my help. I hesitated.

"I have a lot going on," I said, thinking of the photographer. I looked around the room, but didn't see her. There was still a group of press outside the restaurant doors though, so I was hoping she was still around.

"I'll do it," Drake said, sitting forward. "I'll work with Olivia to get to the bottom of this, and I'll let you know what we find out."

I nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Drake."

Olivia sneered, but agreed.

"Play nice, you two," I said as they left me alone at our table. After they were gone, I stood and stretched a little, looking around the room. I saw Hana and Maxwell talking, and decided to join them. "Is it time to corner our photographer?" I said eagerly as I walked up.

"Just what we were thinking," Maxwell agreed. "We just need a way to get all the press together, then once we see her, we need to get her alone."

"I think I have an idea about how you can do that," Hana said, her voice shy but eager to help. As she told us her plan, I had to agree...it was brilliant.