“… Yes?”
She pinched her forehead. “This is hopeless. No one is going to believe that you’re Duchess Hedri. They’ll take one look at you and scream shape-shifter. If I hadn’t sworn a life-oath to you, I’d be outta here. Since I did, I’ll offer some advice. You don’t thank servants. You say, ‘Hurry it up, and if one hair falls out of my hat today, then I’ll have you whipped.’”
“I can’t say that! What if I hurt someone’s feelings?”
Araceli considered this. “Think of the person you hate the most.”
That was easy. I thought of Falael. My brows scrunched up.
“Like that,” Araceli said. “Keep that expression on your face all day, and try not to talk.”
As she instructed me, her hands flew in rapid motions. She created a looped braid from my hair, then placed a red pointed hat on top. A ruby gleamed from the center. The soft silk veil fell over my face. It looked lovely. I even smiled at my reflection for the first time since the swap. But I shouldn’t say so, right? It wouldn’t be like the duchess to give out compliments. But it was only the two of us here, and I wouldn’t want her to think she hadn’t done a good job. “You’re so talented. Thank you.”
Araceli shook her head. “We’re doomed.”
Donya entered the room carrying a tray of pastries.
“I’m full,” I said quickly. It was true—after how much I’d eaten last night, it would be a while before I got hungry again.
“I thought you might eat breakfast with Princess Antonia.” Donya waved at the doorway. A little girl clung to the frame, wide-eyed. She definitely looked like she could use more meals.
I smiled at the princess. “Please, come in.”
She didn’t move.
Donya leaned over and whispered, “I told her about the body swap, but I’m not sure she believed me.”
Araceli met the princess’s eyes. “It’s true. This isn’t the real Duchess Hedri.”
Princess Antonia darted into the room and grabbed Araceli’s skirt. She peered out from behind the cloth at me.
I knelt down. “Nice to meet you. My real name is Bora.”
Araceli patted the princess’s head. “She won’t hurt you. I’m quite certain of it at this point.” A note of unhappiness lurked in her voice. She wanted me to be the real duchess, or at least be better at pretending.
The princess’s tense shoulders relaxed. She clearly trusted Araceli. They must have known each other from long before their trip to my kingdom. Stepping forward, the princess curtsied flawlessly. “Good morning, Mother.”
“You don’t have to call me that. And definitely don’t curtsey to me. I’m not anyone important.” I waved at the pastries. “Would you like some?”
“I … can?” She leapt for the table before I could give an answer. I wouldn’t have thought pastries a rare treat for a princess, but she crammed an entire apple tart into her mouth as if she feared it would be taken away.
“Slow down, you’ll choke,” I said. Lowering my voice, I leaned toward Donya. “Does Her Highness know how to swap me back? Um, I know we can’t right now, but Araceli needs to kill the duchess later.” And I needed to not be killed by Araceli.
Princess Antonia overheard me. “Sorry, I tried with a frog and a mouse, but I couldn’t do it. Look at the bright side, you can stay with me forever and ever. I’ll let you have all my pastries if Mean Mother never comes back.” She shoved the plate in my direction.
“Thank you, Your Highness—” I faltered as Donya gave me a pointed look. “I mean, Antonia.” It would be hard to get used to calling the princess by her first name. It was even harder to get used to looking her in the eye, but I did my best. “I promise that we won’t leave you with the duchess after my body gets swapped back. We’re going to find a way to take her down, and Araceli is going to, uh, make sure she doesn’t hurt you again.” I sat down and took a strawberry tart. I couldn’t turn down food offered as a gesture of friendship, so I took a small bite. “These are delicious. Thank you for sharing.” Strawberry had been Calum’s favorite. The memories hit me suddenly and unexpectedly, making me blink back tears. I looked down before anyone noticed.
Donya sat at the table across from me. “Princess Antonia has a powerful gift, so it must have a heavy price. Her exhaustion could be part of her price but not all of it.” Or she could have been knocked out by the beating, but neither of us wanted to say that in front of the princess. “Without knowing her price, it will be difficult to figure out the conditions that she needs to replicate her magic. Most people know their price instinctively after the first time they use their magic, but the princessisvery young.”
“Not a clue,” Antonia insisted around a mouthful of pastry.
“I’ve been researching if there has ever been another case of a similar gift, but that will take time. We’ll figure this out. I give you my word,” Donya said.
I certainly hoped so. I looked down at my new tummy and fat thighs and lost my appetite. Pushing away my half-eaten pastry, I asked, “Did you contact Ysabel?” At a time like this, it would be lovely to receive advice from my politically savvy Holy Maiden sister.
“About that … the duchess took my book linked to Ysabel’s, and I can’t find it.” Donya winced at the look on my face. “I don’t trust regular mail with this news. If someone intercepted a letter, they’d have evidence enough for the Conclave of Kings to order your execution.”
The reminder of the stakes made me feel ill. “Do we need to have the coronation today? I don’t feel ready. Antonia is still recovering.”
