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Chapter 27
Ilooked out the small window of my carriage as it pulled into the courtyard of my cousin’s castle. It was an old rock castle with little beauty to it. But after weeks in the rain and run-down brothels, I didn’t dare to complain. I was also too occupied with worries about Henrike. If Conrad had truly given us away, there was no doubt she was a target as well.
“The Rhine Princess!” my soldiers announced in a demanding voice. Shortly after the carriage came to a stop, so did my escort’s countless horses. Frida had helped me change into a clean dress and shoes and pin my short hair back, but I still looked pretty terrible. My hair was oily and muddy, my eyes tired and dull.
The door to my carriage was torn open by bowing maids. I stepped out with Frida’s help to find the courtyard filled with servants and my cousin. I had no recollection of his looks, but his silken clothes and golden rings gave him away. He had a few wrinkles around his eyes that made me guess he was in his thirties. He was holding the hand of a woman about my age, dressed in pink silk. They both looked incredibly Northern. Dark hair, blue eyes. They were neither pretty nor ugly. My cousin had an overbite, just big enough to notice. His wife’s eyes were as large as a deer’s. Their fashion was outdated, yet their clothes were of the finest silk. My old self would have judged them based on their looks. How foolish I used to be.
They rose and looked at me with a warm smile, completely ignoring the awful state I was in. Their servants behind them bowed low to the ground.
“Cousin,” I said and froze. In all this time, I only now realized that I had never even known this man’s name nor how, exactly, we were related. Was it through my mother’s brother or sister? I knew she had a sister who had died. Or was it two sisters who’d both passed away?Wasn’t his name Ulrik? Utrink?
I blushed in shame.
“Ulf,” he said quickly. “And this is my wife, Annika.”
Annika gently grabbed my arms. “You must be so tired. I had a bath prepared. Let me show you to your room. It is the finest in the castle.”
“The second finest, next to the king’s,” Ulf corrected her nervously. “We heard your father will be visiting as well?”
I nodded and faked a smile. I was sick with worry, but these people were being kind, so I tried to show them common courtesy.“Yes. He will, in a short while. They are searching the woods for Lady Henrike, Alrick von Wilbrandt’s sister.”
Ulf and Annika exchanged confused looks.
“Wasn’t it Alrick, Lord of Kulgrat, who made an attempt on your life?” Annika asked. “We have tried to stitch all the gossip together, but none of it made sense.”
“No, he was the one who saved me.” I paused. What else could I tell them? That King Algar was after me? That I had traveled under the disguise of a commoner because my father saw it as the only way to save his useless daughter and kingdom as well? It all sounded rather insane. Could I trust these people?
“Annika,” Ulf scolded his wife. “Let my dear cousin rest. I’m certain we will find the time to talk later.”
“Of course, please forgive me,” Annika apologized, bowing.
“Please don’t,” I said, grabbing her hand. It seemed strange having my family bow in front of me, even one so distant.
Annika blushed and smiled.
“Although I wouldn’t mind some rest,” I said.
“Of course. Please follow me,” Annika said, still holding my hand. “Your room is in the west wing.”
