Reid blinked. Her second cousin was a Knight? While she’d assumed her second cousin existed, she hadn’t thought Victor was actually him. Disappointment filled her. She’d just spent a couple days with a new-to-her family member, yet she hadn’t asked him a single personal question. He hadn’t inquired about her life either. What a waste. Folding her arms, she waited for Victor to lead the soldiers and horses around the side of the property.

Dexter cleared his throat. “This is the first time you’re meeting your grandparents, correct?”

Reid nodded.

“Well, as your fiancé, I figured I should accompany you. This is an important moment in your life. I want to be here for it…and for you.”

Dumbfounded, Reid could only gape at him, not knowing what to say.

The door swung open, and a gray-haired woman with a round face appeared. “Welcome, Prince Dexter,” she said.

“Duchess,” he replied.

The woman’s attention landed on Reid. Scanning Reid from head to toe, the older lady squinted. “Reid Ellington?” Shock laced her words.

“Yes.” Was she Reid’s grandmother?

A kind smile transformed the elderly woman’s face. “Welcome, child. It’s nice to finally meet one of our grandchildren.” Still beaming, she waved Dexter and Reid inside.

The entryway was long and narrow, with several doors on either side and a staircase at the back. They entered the first door on the right. A single sofa and two chairs adorned the room.

“We have company,” the duchess announced.

Seated at a desk under one of the windows was an older gentleman with thick gray hair. He somehow swung his entire chair around, then pushed it forward, all while still seated. With utter amazement, Reid realized there were two large wheels attached to the chair, which allowed him to move throughout the room.

He stopped before Reid, taking her hand in his. “After all these years, I can’t believe you are truly here,” he said, tears in his dark eyes. “Welcome.”

“I’m sorry,” Reid said, “but my father never even told me you were alive.”

He squeezed her hand, then released it, waving her toward the sofa. She sat, facing her grandparents, with Dexter at her side, though he’d left a respectable space between them.

“I bet there’s a lot your father never told you,” the woman—Reid’s grandmother—muttered.

“Lady Reid,” Dexter said, his voice oddly formal. “I want to officially introduce you to Duke Gregor Axian and his lovely wife, Duchess Constance Axian.”

While Dexter had referred to the woman as duchess earlier, the fact hadn’t registered until now. Her grandparents were the duke and duchess of Axian? How had Reid not known this? Nara had said they were one of the ruling families, but she’d failed to mention their titles.

“You look a wee bit shocked,” Gregor said, chuckling.