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    That’s Ella Smith?” muttered a baron’s daughter, her voice shrill enough to pierce glass. “Did she… sell her old personality?”


    Let them stare, she thought, biting back a smirk. Funny how “plain” becomes “mysterious” when worn with enough contempt.


    reputation?”


    your opinion.”


    did you commission that gown?” pressed Zoe, whose own dress appeared to be attacking her with sequins.


    art?”


    How quickly allegiances shift when intimidation fails and wit amuses, she mused.


    Ah, men. Always mistaking basic competence for sorcery.


    seen your dress?” Mia popped the tart into her mouth. “Everyone’s your shadow tonight.”


    How odd, she thought. They aimed to bury me under mockery, but all they did was water a seed.


    cold, but did you see how Carter Wen…”