Cressien pinches the bridge of his nose. “Did the king or queen ever say as much?” There’s an awkward pause. “I didn’t think so. And you knowwhyI didn’t think so, you absolute buffoon?”
“Hurtful and unnecessary,” grumbles Eugene.
“BecauseI am a commoner,” Cressien erupts. “I was born to small-town cobblers. I attended state-run schools and went to an advanced academy on state-provided grants, and I know dozens of commoners just like me who serve in the kingdom’s highest offices at the pleasure of a king and queen who saw their potential, not their rank.”
“And how many of you have a criminal record?” Eugene can’t help firing back.
Cressien shakes his head. “You need to understand that Their Majesties see that as their own failure of policy, not your failure of character. They have no intention of getting rid of you, andtrustthat I asked. They simply don’t know what todowith you.”
Eugene is struggling to process. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Do you have any idea what diplomatic concessions we could extract from other countries if a marriage treaty were on the table—”
“The other part,” Eugene cuts in. “About what to do with me.”
Cressien makes a vague gesture at Eugene’s entire, well, self. “You and Princess Rapunzel are clearly devoted to each other. Their Majesties will always welcome you in the palace, but they aren’t sure what office to give to you as a member of the household.”
“To make me respectable.” Eugene scowls.
Cressien looks more annoyed than ever. “To give you independence.They don’t want you feeling as if your livelihood depends on their good graces. And, loath as I am to say it, I do see areas where a man of your talents might thrive.”
That knocks the wind out of Eugene’s sails. “You do?”
It’s Cressien’s turn to scowl, like he’s eating a vegetable he particularly abhors. “Our spymaster is seeking an apprentice. She reports to me, and regrettably, I would be willing to recommend you for the position if you wish it. Butonlyif you cease acting so recklessly.”
Apprentice…spymaster?
Eugene has to admit it has a nice ring to it. But it’s not just a title; it’s a future. A way to stay in Rapunzel’s life, yes—anda way to make his own.
“I…think I’d really like that,” he says slowly.
Cressien nods, impassive as ever, but he’s running a thumb over his bare ring finger again. “This is not a professional recommendation, but…a personal one. Tell Princess Rapunzel about how you felt. Difficult conversations only get more difficult the longer you wait to have them.”
Eugene swallows.
Before he can muster an answer, Verette’s voice sails across the deck: “Fitzherbert. Your turn to change.”
Part Three
Starfall
Seventeen
Rapunzel
This time, Rapunzel paces around the barge’s salon not with anxiety, but excitement.
She’s back in her violet gown, and strictly speaking, she knows she should be exhausted from the late hour and the agitation, terrified to set foot back onto an island where even the ground itself is spying on them, furious at the deception, and sad for Verette.
But Rapunzel’s mind is already whirring with ways to help the People’s Council, stringing together half-formed plans and taking inventory of the tools at hand. It feels like whenever she had to engineer her own way to the highest reaches of the tower, like finding where she dropped a stitch in her knitting, like charting the stars and spotting the patterns for herself.
A problem can besolved. Enver has Astera locked in place, frozen in time. Cut him off from the tree, and you can move him from the throne. Get the People’s Council into the Starlight Spring, and they can figure out how to get rid of the tree. Find an opening, a diversion to keep Enver occupied, and you can get the People’s Council into the Starlight Spring.
And that’s what’s keeping Rapunzel pacing around the salon now, a perpetual motion machine fueled by the sheer exhilaration of problem-solving.
At least…until there’s a crash from Verette’s cabin.
Rapunzel hurries over and knocks on the door, which swings open. Verette was supposed to be changing back into her own fine gown inside. She’s managed the gown, but now she’s crouched by the closet full of verettes Rapunzel saw earlier. A crate inside has overturned, scattering the charms over the cabin floor.
