She looked to the Lord Commander for reassurance, then said, “We’re horrifically late.”
Elías went on. “And during the quorum, no less. Badly done.”
“But,” I started.
“Not buts,” he argued. “You don’t even havethe apples you were so adamant about getting. What isthat?Is that a frog?”
I hid it behind my back. “So I’m a little late. I apologize.”
“Save your remorse for the King. I know I told you he is not easyto impress. This is not good.”
“...We didtryto find the apples.” I jabbed Willoughby insistently. “Tell him.”
“We tried,” he said.
I raised my chin with weak redemption.“See?”
“We settled for a frog,” he added. “Because it looked like you.”
“What?”Eli asked.
“He’s got a little sword,” I said, showing him.
Elías glanced at it. Then stepped back and opened the door of the carriage. “Your Father was very clear in his instructions; let us cauterize the wound before it spreads to him.”
“Yes, yes. I’m hurrying,” I said, climbing the step and sitting on the bench. “Iamsorry. I wasn’t trying to be disruptive.”
His face softened.“Iknow that, but others won’t. We are in new territory, Princess. This is not the impression we want.” Hejoined us inside and shut the door, tapping the roof of the cart above the window. “I shall do my best to help you recover.”
I played with the frog, showing it to him a second time. “I named him Gregor after you.”
He exhaled. “Lovely. Thank you.”
“Do you want him?” I asked, setting him in his palm.
“You don’t have to gift me your frog as an apology,” he said.
“It’s not an apology, Ser,” I said. “I only got him because he looked like you.”
Finally, he leaned into the seat and relaxed. “In what way?” he asked, inspecting it.
“Well,” I said. “He’s got the sword… and he’s frowning.”
“I see.”
“It’s very cute,” I tried.
Chapter 3
It was hard to ignore that every random inch of Rothingham was more vibrant than any square foot of Oreia, especially when compared to the gray halls of my home. I had been raised within the confines of ice and iron in King’s Land. I was shaped by the castle’s dark, gloomy academia. Even my skin was pale, and porcelain, a ghastly sight written straight from some gothic tale, but Chalke and its residents thrived upon color and color within everything.
Wide archways and deliberate right angles boasted of life. Flowers bloomed on every stem, and so early in the year. The people walked with a confident purpose. They were equally delightful and energetic, proving an overall sense of joy.Ieven felt happy just existing among them in the street, and it was no surprise that the grand structure my betrothed called his palace was as impressive as the city’s design.
It wasn’t built into a mountain like mine was. It wasn’t a fortress. It was a lively and long chateau that sprawled out over a large green pasture; it was filthy with trees. The carriage passed over the river, the same river that had snaked its way through our route a mile back, and the Palace gate– the gate wasopen. For a moment, I was jealous that Father had spent so many yearsvisiting Chalke without a single word of its radiance and without extending an invitation toward me.
There was another row of evergreens, and I thought about the lord I’d met. I wondered where his manor was back home. I wondered if it was close to the Capitol or if he’d been a Southern man. I wasn’t as familiar with the South.
“Svana?” Elías asked.
