"More like you exposed yourself to me without my concert Marchioness," he retorted but didn't continue heckling. "Oberon came seeking you out after the midnight tolls. He helped provide a flamboyant distraction so none could witness your rescue." He sighed as if caught between exasperation and admiration for Oberon's attention-claiming ways. 
"I'm grateful," she didn't specify to whom, "as it is not in my nature to seek rescue, or normally require it," she was glad for the medication's blurting effects now. 
"When you claimed to have paid blood, sweat, and tears," Prince Damian was serious again, "I had no idea the literal cost of your words. So if it provides you with any comfort, know that at least two of your tormentors fell victim to wildly tragic and unpredictable fates. Imperial Knight Ludwig was escorting Ainsley on a refreshing walk," polite phrasing for try to sober her up outside, "where it seems that a component of her perfume caused a hive of bees to swarm her. Several witnesses attempted to assist and intervene, but even Sir Ludwig was blinded in one eye and your stepsister Ainsley was unfortunately killed. Her body is being tended to by the Imperial Physician's College and prepared for a funeral." He explained it all as if he didn't know she had played a role in that fate somehow. 
And the fact that Sir Ludwig had lost an eye during it was an unexpected benefit. An eye for an eye, Cinderella whispered. 
You're back, Emberlee tried not to feel too relieved. 
Our Bond is not broken, if that is your concern, she sounded amused by the idea. But I do not relish the concept of repeating the last night's adventure. It had hurt her too then. 
The Imperial Prince remained unaware of the internal dialogue, but he had given her a moment to process his pronouncement of Ainsley's death. "And in a strange symmetry of fate, her twin Deirdre also passed away last night. Unfortunately, it seems that after your stepsister's outburst at the Banquet, she and your stepmother Jimena returned to your Capital House to recover. And shortly thereafter, a fire broke out." That was a plot twist neither Emberlee nor Cinderella had anticipated. 
"A fire?"' she sounded incredulous. 
"Your Stepmother Jimena survived and there's no harm to her babe, but Deirdre perished in the fire and many possessions were lost. I'm truly sorry for the travesty," he seemed to be testing her reaction to this part of the news. 
"I was not expecting a fire, did the servants make it out?" she would have to adjust for the losses of the Capital House assets, but ultimately to her people were more important than things. Besides, the Steps had already ruined everything she'd loved in the Capital. 
"The servants had been kicked out by Jimena upon her return to the House, and before long reports of
the fire started; my Father has already set an Inspector to determine if this was arson." He answered and Emberlee couldn't help the surprise from showing. 
"Jimena burnt my House down?" she demanded and tried to find the logic of it. The compound Deirdre was dying of wouldn't have been pleasant, and instinct should have drawn the women into a bathtub, not to set a fire. 
"The Inspector will determine the most likely scenario, and will interview Jimena once she's no longer a patient at the Physician's College, until then she is allowed no visitors." It seemed that even if the night had ended with Emberlee's humiliation, it had also seemed to end with her task of vengeance all but accomplished. "Shortly I'll leave and send a maid to assist you in preparing as my Father wishes to speak to you. As far as the Court is concerned, you were here as a guest since your chaperone left you unattended. Your Uncle Albert has agreed as the Emperor has offered you temporary housing here at the Castle." It was a generous offer from the Emperor and it curtailed nicely into his plans to use her as a political pawn against the Empress.