The Fallen Noblewoman and the Patron’s Night

“A traitor who sold out her country! A wicked woman who devoured lives!” My patron used me as both a stepping stone to power and a sacrificial offering. Blinded by the sweetness of patronage, I never even considered those acts to be wrong—until they returned to me as great sins. It was only on the eve of my execution that I realized— “Let’s go, Ariel. Rest for a while. I’ll wake you in a safe place.” —That the hand I should have taken was that of the Marquis of Shumiern.