He snaps out of it as soon as I tease him and changes the subject. “I intercepted these from one of our messenger boys. One is a letter to Prince Iann as well as another from someone named Luna, again.”
“Already? He just arrived. How does he have letters already?”
“Kings and queens have ways of getting news around urgently. King Marcel probably sent this right after they departed Saden. Anyways, he’s under your charge so you get to give it to him. After you read it, of course.”
“How am I supposed to do that? Have you not seen the huge royal seal on the front?” My fingers stroke the wax.
“Chana.” Is all he says before walking away. At the door he stops and pivots. “By the way, she said you’re late. She’s in the sanctuary.” He leaves and my hands fly to a pocket watch on the table.
I had three hours to work on the dresses before my late afternoon lesson with Chana, and I am already ten minutes late.
The rafters of the sanctuary always smell of mildew and the lack of light keeps the interior cold. It is one of my least favorite places in the castle, but Chana loves meeting up here. She once said it reminds her of her home, Pivennen, in the Kingdom of Ethmay.
I’ve asked a few times how she ended up here but she either ignores my question or changes the subject. Eventually, I give up.
Climbing up is the easy part, getting to the small platform Chana waits on is challenging. There are beams that I must cross, without falling, and more importantly, without making a sound. Sometimes the sanctuary is filled with people, people who are not supposed to know others are lurking up high.
Having traversed the high rise several times already, I manage to get across quickly and don’t fear the height as much anymore.
“You’re late,” Chana whispers, peering over the edge.
Below is a person, their knees planted on the gold marble, praying to what looks like a sculpture of Mathemous.
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“There are twenty-five of them.” She doesn’t bother with questions as to why I am late. “In the letter to the Queen, King Marcel II said there would be twenty-four guests.”
I follow her gaze to the man below. “And you think he’s not with them?”
“I didn’t say that. I’ve been watching each of them individually. You and Vera are to find out more. The Queen wants names and positions of every single one.”
I nod. “Understood.” I hold up the letter Sky gave me. “I’m told you can help me with resealing a letter.”
She pulls her attention away from the man. “Have you read it yet?”
“No.”
“Read it and then slide it under my door tonight. You can give it to the Prince in the morning.”
“What—” I’m cut off when the doors to the sanctuary open and in comes Prince Iann, his courtier, and another man I briefly glimpsed during their arrival.
“What did I tell you?” the courtier says to the man praying. The man on his knees in worship looks irritated but keeps his thoughts to himself. “No one suspects a thing.”
The courtier then sits on one of the seats and kicks up his feet.
“We get it, your plan worked,” Iann says. “Doesn’t mean you’re any less stupid for doing it.”
“Plan,” Chana whispers to herself, and I can see her mind beginning to work.
“Whatever.” The courtier waves him off, a little too comfortable for being in front of a prince. “I’m working on my part but what about you? When are you going to ask her?”
“We just got here,” Iann snaps.” I haven’t even said more than a couple words to her. It’s going to take time.” Iann sighs. “You want me to just walk in and?—”
The door opens again and Iann stops talking mid sentence. This time, it’s people from the Queen’s court who enter. The courtier straightens up and they all act like they are praying before they get up and leave together.
Chana is already looking at me before I turn to her. “Read that letter and find out what they plan to get from the Queen.” I nod. “The Queen must be protected at all costs.”
19
