“I’m not certain my opinion supersedes tradition, Your Highness,” Cyrus said. “I do believe that is the Princess’s role.”
“Huh,” I said.
“Hmm?” Sam asked.
I didn’t know. “It’s just… My lord, I do not mean to correct you, but it’s March still. The Oreian Season does not begin until Autumn. Are things different in your region?”
Sam interjected. “Autumn! Grand.” He was happy about it. “Then you have no cause to leave me,” he said. “I’ll make the arrangements for your stay.”
“I, um.”
“Please,” Sam began. “Please? No? Alright. I understand if you can’t…”
“It’s just that I, I have no idea where to find a dress for such an event,” I said. “I don’t wish to embarrass you.”
Sam cocked his head. “The ball is on Friday.”
“I don’t think a week is enough time,” Cyrus said.
“A shame,” the King chimed. “But fair. Ladies do like to have an advance for such events, son. Dresses take time to order and to sew and all.”
Sam listened to his father, but then he snuck a wink at me behind his long lashes as they spoke– well, half-argued over the logistics of such. Like a giddy adolescent, I fawned, finding myself nodding politely and racking on my feet.
“I don’t know, Sameer,” the King said. “It could take a week, it could take days. It could–”
“It certainly won’t take a week. I’ve used her before. I had a whole outfit redesigned in an afternoon. I’m certain she’ll make time.”
“Your Highness, His Majesty is correct to be concerned,” I told him.
Sam frowned. “Dad, I can make it happen.”
His father sighed.
“I can,” he insisted. “I will call in a favor. In fact, Cyrus–”
“What?”I said. “No, Your Highness, I–”
“No, it’s alright. It’s a friend of a friend. She’ll squeeze you in.”
“Your Highness, I couldn’t possibly?—”
“I insist,” he said. “Tell her how I insist, Cyrus. Tell her how easy it will be to—” There was air where his friend had stood before. “Cyrus? …Hello?”
Lord Evergreen was gone. We both searched the vacancy, confused.
“My apologies, my love. I’m not sure where my comrade has run off to,” Sam explained. “That was quite rude. No matter, we’ll catch him soon enough, and I shall scold him appropriately for the slight against you.”
“There’s no need for that,” I said. I glanced at Josie, who blushed for us both.
“Right. Gown. Not to worry.” He snapped his fingers, summoning someone else from the hall, somehowanotherfootman to lean into him. “Obtain the address for my tailor and give it to the Princess’s maid. She’ll, of course, tell hermyname and inform the shop that I will personally cover any expense the Princess might incur. Explain that the order must be expedited for Friday evening’s ball.”
“Sir, please,”I begged.
“Now. Would you like a tour then?” Sam asked.
“A tour?”the footman asked.“You have the afternoon with-”
“Push my plans back, would you? Surely I can be flexible to properly greet my wife?”
