Her brother meant it truly, though Cressyda only felt the sting of the hidden truth. ‘But I’m not,’ she replied. ‘I’m not really a princess.’
Ottone paused, shock rippling across his features. ‘Don’t say that—’
‘But it’s true.’
They fell silent, turning away from one another. The drumbeats of the Summer Carnevale drifted through the tower.
‘Let’s not talk about this any more.’ Cressyda heaved herself outof the chair and wiped her damp palms on her skirts. ‘You’ll be leaving again soon and you shouldn’t have to worry about these things.’
‘I’ll still worry.’
‘I know.’ Cressyda folded her arms. ‘But I can look after myself.’
Ottone did not look convinced. ‘I suppose you’ll always have Alinore. Where is she? I didn’t see her on the balcony.’
‘She’s watching from the crowd.’
Ottone’s mouth dropped open. ‘Alinore’s in the main square unchaperoned?’ He paced from one side of the room to the other as if he might suddenly run to find her.
‘She’s done it before. She says it’s fun.’
‘And you don’t stop her?’
‘Of course I try, but you know how she gets when she’s decided something.’
Ottone rubbed his chin. ‘That’s true.’ His gaze drifted off to the far side of the room and he stood, smiling wistfully.
Cressyda watched him. She had never seen an expression on her brother’s face quite like that before.
‘Alinore’s going to miss you,’ she said. ‘When you left for the Ferente court, she was gloomy and snappy for moons.’
Ottone shrugged, but he looked pleased.
‘And this time it’s different,’ Cressyda added quietly. ‘This time, after visiting Carniva’s court, you’ll go to war.’
‘I’ll only be part of a small battalion at the borders of the Diaspass Kingdom,’ he replied, but Cressyda could hear the uncertainty in his tone. ‘I’ll barely see the real fighting in the Ofarim Hills.’
‘But still.’ After a pause, she added. ‘Do you really have to go?’
‘I’m the spare Prince. It’s my purpose.’
‘But it’s the Diaspass Kingdom’s feud with Journier, not ours!’she protested. ‘They supported the rebels against the Proassians to force all taxable trade through their borders. Now it’s backfiring and we need to come to their aid. It’s their own fault!’
Ottone smiled wryly. ‘You should sit on Father’s council. You read so many books, I bet you know more about the situation and its history than most of them.’
Cressyda snorted and rolled her eyes. Though actually, she had often thought as much herself. She always listened keenly to the councilmen’s debates during mealtimes, considering every argument and weighing them against what she had studied. Often, she could see the flaws in their reasoning long before they reached a muddled conclusion.
‘You laugh, but it was announced recently that a Princess is going to ascend the throne and rule in a kingdom in the Western Realm,’ said Ottone.
‘Yes, Princess Talia Corenvale of Bavaugh,’ replied Cressyda with a sigh. ‘I heard that too. But that’s the backwards Western Realm, Ottone. They don’t even have Masters. Such a thing would never happen in the Central Realm.’
Despite her dismissal, Cressyda could not help but feel a flicker of curiosity stir. She tried so hard to live within the limits offered to her, shaping herself to fit the mould. It was difficult to imagine anything else.
‘I’ll only be gone a few seasons,’ said Ottone.
‘Meanwhile Samsel goes off to the High King’s court in Galasque to enjoy feasting and drinking all winter long.’
‘That’s his prerogative as the heir; he must be protected.’ Ottone grimaced. ‘At least he’ll be out of your way.’
