I frowned.
“But,” he continued, “it pays well enough to support a family. I can’t complain.”
Kelara glanced at me, curious excitement dancing her eyes.
“What’s the oddest thing you’ve overheard during your work?” she asked.
He rubbed his jaw, leaning back. “I suppose the argument between the eldest two princes last week was shocking. Prince Theodore wanted to use taxpayer money—ourmoney—to send guards to each home in the Capitol, looking for his chambermaid.”
Kelara wrinkled her nose. “Why?”
“Because he fancies himself in love.” He broke into laughter and nudged me. “Lyra knew the girl, too. Cindy, right?”
“Ella,” I corrected, my face a stony mask.
“Yes,” he said mid-chuckle. “What a waste of the kingdom’s taxes.”
“And what did Prince Thomas say?” Kelara inquired.
“Oh, that it was ridiculous. As he should,” he added. “He told Prince Theodore that tax money was for the public good, not for his ego.”
I bristled. “The pursuit of love is not a pursuit of ego.”
The humor faded from his eyes. “Theodore wants what all men want—a wife, children, a simple future. He could just as easily find someone else. I’ve heard countless noble women gush about him.”
“But what if he wants Ella?”
He scoffed, but something hard had crept beneath his expression. “Then he can go door to door by himself. No need to spend my hard-earned cash when so many are in poverty.”
I bit my cheek. “I suppose.”
Kelara glanced between the two of us, her brow creased. Just then, Mama called from the other room, announcing supper was ready.
We shuffled in, gathering around the table and diving into pan-fried herring. The air smelled of grease and sea salt.
“Grandpapa’s favorite!” Asha exclaimed, sending the echoes of smiles to our lips.
“Did you toss all of Papa’s books yet, Mama?” I asked between bites. Oil coated my lips, sea salt prickling my tongue.
“No, dear, they’re still in a pile on your bed since you haven’t been home.”
“I might sort through a few more,” I said.
“Why?” David’s eyes found mine.
I shrugged. “They might come in handy.”
“Have you been practicing?” Kelara asked, wiping a piece of onion from Asha’s cheek.
“Actually, yes.”
The silence weighed heavy as everyone’s stares fell upon me. I spotted my water glass, an idea sparking within me.
I closed my eyes.
Let me make them proud.My lips curved upward.
As if it heard me, the water in my cup began to bubble, spilling over the sides onto the wooden table beneath. Asha cried out in alarm. When it settled, I looked up to see Mama’s open mouth and Kelara’s crinkled eyes. David’s expression tightened.
