“I’m not alord,”he said.
“What?”
“I’m not a lord. You won’t see me at your ball.”
“Not a…?” I paused at the fact. After a moment, I added, “But…” But nothing followed.
“It’sjustCyrus Evergreen,” he said. “Not Lord. Not sir. Rarely mister.”
And then I was aware of it—the incredible divide between us.
Cyrus Evergreen was less concerned about whomyfather was and more bothered by whohiswasn't. I felt ashamed for my error and unable to find a means to respond appropriately.
“Enjoy your evening, Your Highness,” he said.
I thought about following him once more. I thought about making him endure another apology– a proper one, one for the brashness of my demeanor, for belittling him by assuming he was of a higher birthright than he was, but– But I was still reeling in my vanity and in how little attention he’d paid to it.
Mr. Evergreen had carried my dress across a corridor; he had commented on my beauty. And I?
I chased him outside and then yelled at him.
I wassucha brat.
“Well, that was rather peculiar,” Josie noted.
I closed the door behind me.
“What was?” I asked. I prayed she said anything but Cyrus’s name.
“Lord Evergreen,” she said.
She was waiting for me at the desk, and when I sat down, I took a breath that my bones craved. I looked up just in time to watchMr.Evergreen stalk across the yard and disappear into the stables.
“Miss Svana?” she asked.
“Sorry,” I muttered. I tried to change direction. “I’m so excited for tonight. Is it still too soon to get ready?”
Josie narrowed her lips into a tight but approving line, and she shook her head. “Why don’t we start with your hair, andthenwe can see about the dress?”
“Could we?” I asked.
She nodded. “I just don’t want you sitting around in a tight bodice for longer than you have to. Even if it is so very pretty. Corsets are harsh, and I’ve known mistresses who do not know when to loosen them.”
“I’m…” I tried to dispel the memory of Lord Ever– ofMr.Evergreen’s agitation. “I’m very curious to see his reaction,” I said out loud. “Sam’s,” I added. “Sam’s reaction.”
“Of course,” Josie said.
“He didbuythis, after all,” I said. “A silly gesture, ha, I think. But a flattering one, the same. Would you agree?”
“Aye,” she agreed. “The Prince seemsverykind and very eager to impress you, miss.”
“I think so, too,”I said.
She combed out the rest of my hair and began to knot it into the thicker side braid we had practiced before with Ser Elías.
“Are you sure this is alright?” I worried.
“We can change it back?” she said.
