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“Thank you, Roan. I mean, Captain Montgomery. Mother just had this dress made, and I couldn’t wait to try it out.” Her eyes are wide as she tries to help me with the quick change of conversation.
She doesn’t care much about dresses. I know this more than most. But the lavender does bring out the color of her eyes. Her hair is done up on top of her head, two braids wrap around each other with small frills of hair framing her face. I wish she would leave it down more. I know that’s what she prefers, but she always lets her maids convince her to keep it instyle.
“How rude of me, Captain. Let me introduce you to our guests,” the queen begins. “This is Lady Rebecca Davenport and her two lovely daughters, Marya and Eloise Davenport.” I nod to each of them respectably.
“Lady Davenport is here visiting her cousin, who has something terrible to report, indeed. He had his purse stolen this morning at market. A young lady he believes is the culprit. Lady Davenport so kindly asked if you would mind assisting this cousin in bringing the thief to justice,” Queen Amelia says.
“Of course. Anything I can do to assist my queen, and the wonderful people of Felshan. If you would be so kind, Lady Davenport, to give me your cousin’s name and where I can find him. I will go straight away.”
“He is loyal, Amelia. Thank you for suggesting I seek his help.” Lady Davenport beams up at me, and an odd discomfort fills me at her smile. “His name is Sir Reynauld, and his estate resides over in Thene Valley.”
It seems I’ve taken a few pointers from the queen. My face is a mask of respect, but inside annoyance flutters freely. The mere mention of Reynauld brings a growl up my throat, halted only by sheer willpower. Many times I’ve wished I could run my sword through Sir Reynauld simply to be rid of his cocky and obstructive presence in our city.
But it seems a young lady did the next best thing. It takes great effort to keep my lips from ticking upward in a satisfied smile. If only I could’ve been there to witness the scene, to see his face when he realized what had happened.
“Roan? Roan, are you okay?” Lena’s voice interrupts my thoughts.
“Yes,” I respond, blinking away my musings. “I know Sir Reynauld. I would be more than happy to help him track down this thief.” Lena smiles up at me, but more to cover her concern than any joy for my commission to help Reynauld.
“So devoted to whatever our queen needs,” Lady Margaret says. When I look at her, my smile fades. “Like a dog,” she finishes. I take a deep breath, unwilling to be baited today of all days.
“Aunt.” Lena says firmly, wide-eyed as she stares at Lady Margaret.
Lady Davenport’s smile raises the hair on my nape. “Don’t discount dogs, Lady Margaret. I’ve never met anything as obedient and steadfast as my hounds. If only more of our subordinates would take their lead, and Captain Montgomery’s.”
My fists ball at my sides.A dog. This is what my presence and service to the Crown have become? I narrow my eyes at Lady Margaret, attempting to hide the pointed stare from the other women. The light is evident in her eyes as she watches me squirm underneath her and Lady Davenport’s words.
Good thing I’m here to keep her entertained. A solid retort plays on my lips. If they want to compare me to an animal then they will learn just how beastly I can be. But Lena stares at me, pleading through her eyes to let it go.
Another look at our fragile queen gives me the strength to swallow my words. “Well, it’s a good thing I smell better than a dog.” I let my renewed smile reach my eyes as I say it.
“On occasion, I suppose,” chimes Lady Margaret.
Lena turns fully in her chair to face her Aunt, eyes wide. “Would you like more tea,Aunt?“ She accentuates Lady Margaret’s familial title.
“Thank you, niece,” She responds, breaking her precarious gaze from me as she holds out her cup for Lena to fill.
Part of me admires Lady Margaret. A deep, deep part of me. I’ve heard rumors that she runs an underground effort to protect the city of Turin. Our beloved king and queen have never fully recovered from Prince Evander’s death, but Lena isn’t old enough to take the throne until her birthday this Autumn, now only a few months away. In the absence of an attentive leader of our country, Lady Margaret has tried to fill the role. So I’m told. I don’t know the details of her efforts, or if there’s any truth to them. But witnessing her forceful demeanor and fierce protection of Lena, I wouldn’t pull the idea from off the table.
I’m distracted by the princess as she finishes pouring Lady Margaret’s tea. I still find it hard to believe that soon we will be married. All I see when I look at her is the little sister of my best friend, tagging along as we snuck out of the palace to the pond to catch tadpoles and whatever slimy creatures we could find, ruining her dresses in the water and mud.
“Yes, well. I’ll expect a full report in a few days about Sir Reynauld,” says Queen Amelia.
“Of course, my queen.” I bow to her directly, before bowing to the other ladies to signal my exit.
Let the dog take his leave.
3
The Princess
IwatchRoanleavethe tea room. He turns in my direction just as he crosses the threshold, a hint of a smile crossing his face as our eyes meet. The room feels instantly colder after he’s gone.
My mother is talking to Lady Davenport, but I don’t register her words. I dress my face as a good princess should— smiling, nodding, laughing when everyone else does. But all I hear are the waves crashing down on the beach, and the sound of my own breathing.
This room is one of my favorites, I realize. There are so many memories here from my childhood. Roan and Evander crashing afternoon tea with my mother and whatever guests she was entertaining that day. All while I sat in my chair watching in absolute delight, doing everything I could to keep a straight face. It was impossible not to laugh when those two were together. Their energy and zest for life were palpable.
Tears begin to fill my eyes at the remembrance, but also a hint of a smile tugs at my face. This is my life now. To be burdened with both joy and sadness at the memories of my brother.
