“Oh, no, my lady,” he said gravely. “Watch.”
The notebook snapped open to a clean page, and the pen lifted, poising itself above it, waiting.
“Coronation,” he said gravely, and the pen wrote the word at the top. His smile took me in. “A wonderful spell, don’t you think?”
“Quite handy. Teach me.”
“Oh . . .” His head tilted. “Aren’t you taking magical lessons with Lord Lorant?”
“Sometimes, but I can’t imagine him being eager to spend time on a simple spell like this.”
“I assure you.” He stiffened in the chair. “This is not a simple spell.”
I winced out a smile. “Try to teach me. Please?”
“Alright.” He shared how he crafted it, and to my surprise,when I tried, it worked. A journal like his appeared on my lap along with a pen. I’d write a few things down once he’d left.
“Tell the pen to write,” he said. “And it will do so.”
I frowned at the pen. “Take notes, would you?”
“As with any queenly request, you tell it, you don’t ask.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being polite to a pen,” I said.
His eyebrows lifted.
But the pen sprang up, the journal opened, and it appeared poised to write on the smooth, clean surface.
“Objects appreciate it when you ask kindly,” I said with a grin.
“Perhaps they do.” With a soft smile, Lord Briscalar shook his head. “We need to discuss your dresses for the events.” His face sobered. “Everyone, and I mean everyone, within the court is speculating about what colors you’ll wear, the styles of the garments, and what jewels might accompany the stunning creations.”
“About that.”
He leaned toward me. “Yes?”
“I don’t have any idea what I should wear, and I don’t know where to get even a simple gown, let alone one stunning enough to impress and set a new trend in fashion.”
He patted my arm. “That’s why you have me, my lady. I’m fully aware of all the latest fashions, and I’ll do all I can to help you shine like the jewel you truly are.”
“Thank you.”
His face pinkened. “First, the gown you’ll wear for your coronation and dinner.” He folded his hands neatly on his lap while the pen scratched across the journal page. “Everyone willexpect you to wear the colors of Evergorne: striking red with a few silver accents. It's what all the queens have worn in the past. But I believe you should make a more memorable statement by dressing in silver with only a hint of red adornment instead.”
His proposal surprised me. Silver felt more sophisticated, however. Maybe this would be the perfect way to introduce me to all of Evergorne. “I like that. It’s bold.”
He dipped his head forward. “If I wasn’t bold, I would not be in this current position.”
“I’m grateful that you are.” I tried to imagine the smooth fabric of my gown cascading down my body like liquid silver.
“As for the style,” he said. “I’m envisioning a delightfully fitted bodice and a full skirt that doesn’t restrict movement yet clings enough to give you a statuesque feel. You’ll look majestic.” His enthusiasm caught me and swept me along with him. “This gown will tell the world who you truly are.”
I laid my hand on his arm, squeezing. “Thank you for putting so much thought into this.”
He tugged on his tunic and wiggled his spine, preening. “It's my duty, my lady, and one I do proudly.”
“You could've suggested I wear red like everyone else. I like that you're thinking beyond the usual, that you've got suggestions that'll not only give me the boost of confidence I'll need, but truly make me shine.”
