“Did it work?” I croaked out, my voice scratchy and dry.
The older scholar's face was a mess of exhaustion and worry. I wanted to reach out and smooth the prominent wrinkles of his forehead, but I could barely move my body.
“Yes. I believe it worked.” His face contorted from worry to pain. “I am so immensely sorry, Raynella. If I had known…”
“Known what? You said anything could happen. Was it the most intense agony of my life? No doubt. But it was over fairly quick and I survived. I’ll take the win.” I started to sit up, but Corym placed a hand against my shoulder.
“Do not try to move yet. You should rest.”
“I’m fine, Corym, seriously. I can handle a few seconds of pain.”
He shook his head and kept his hand on my shoulder, gently pressing me onto the couch. “Princess, you have been screaming for over an hour.”
I stayed in Corym’s office for a little while longer, scarcely comprehending how what felt like seconds had actually been much longer. Mostly I was just grateful that it hadn’t been the other way around.
When I was able to get to my feet without help, Corym let me leave, but not before reiterating at least three times that the language would gradually settle into my brain, and he could not predict how soon or how fast it would happen.
I gave him a hug before heading out, and strangely it felt less awkward than the one I had given my father. Corym might not be my actual dad, but he had the empathy and kindness I still craved from Verren.
Back in my room, I collapsed on my bed, content to pass out for the rest of the afternoon. To my dismay, less than five minutes after my back hit the comforter, the sisters were in my room eager to prepare me for dinner.
I never asked what the sisters' magic was, but their real talent had to be transforming me every night from a gutter rat into something frighteningly close to a princess. They had gone all out tonight with an elaborate updo held together by six-inch-long diamond encrusted pins that stuck out of my hair in an exquisite explosion of sparkles. Combined with a lemon-colored gown that faded down through shades of orange into a deep crimson, I looked like a walking sunburst in the best way possible.
Dey’s timing was once again impeccable, arriving just as they secured my bodice, and he escorted me to dinner, happily chatting about the upcoming ball. The entire time he remained oblivious to my slow steps and quiet murmurs of agreement.
True to his word, Dey had made sure Jo was seated across from us, and I was pleased to see the jubilant expression on her face.
“I have never sat so close to King Verren before,”she cooed happily inside my head.“Normally only his senior advisors are allowed here. I am usually lucky if I don’t have to sit with empty seats all around me.”
It was still a gut punch every time I remembered how the people here treated Jo simply because her method of communication made them uncomfortable.
“I will tell my father you should be allowed to sit here from now on. This archaic seating arrangement is just a stupid power move that serves no real purpose that I can see.”
My father arrived then, and I was surprised to see his step falter when he observed Jo seated across from me. Apparently Dey hadn’t given him a heads up. Interesting, considering he always seemed like a total scaredy cat when it came to anything involving his king. My father quickly recovered and took his seat at the head of the table.
Our meals followed shortly after, and I tried to ignore the disappointment I felt when I realized Sin wasn’t coming to dinner. I hoped I hadn’t caused any permanent damage to our friendship. Not that we actually were friends. I honestly had noclue what we were, but something had definitely changed when I walked out of that arena.
“How did your meeting with the seamstress go, Raynella?” my father asked, and I shifted to face him, letting Dey strike up a conversation with the courtier on his other side.
“It went okay, actually,” I said once I swallowed the bite in my mouth. I was still working on my princess manners, but I wasn’t a total lost cause.
“Wonderful,” he said, the smile on his face reminding me of how he had been when I first arrived—genuinely happy.
“Tomorrow,” Dey said, and I turned to look at him.
“What’s that?” I asked, his back still facing away.
He shifted to look at me. “I am sorry, Princess. I was speaking to Ferdin here. He doesn’t know English so I must converse in Rivellan.” He gave me an apologetic look, then returned to his conversation.
I frowned. He’d definitely said 'tomorrow', and it hadn’t been in Rivellan. I rubbed at my temples, trying to massage away the headache that had taken root.
“Are you all right, Raynella?” my father asked.
“Yeah, just a headache. I’m fine. Probably need to drink more water.” I grabbed the glass in front of me and chugged half in a single go.
Further down the table, the word 'absolutely' caught my attention, and it was followed up with a boisterous laugh. I glanced over, but the only person laughing was a portly fellow who definitely shouldn’t be speaking English.
What the hell was going on?
