“No offense taken.” I offered her a saccharine smile. “My height certainly comes with its advantages. I don’t have any need to climb, unlike so many of those around me.”
She blinked as though trying to decipher whether she’d just been insulted, while I continued to smile sweetly, making a point of gazing down at her.
Beside her, Tarben made a noise that sounded like something between a cough and suppressed laughter. Yet his face remained politely interested as Oriane, seemingly tired of our interaction, turned her full attention towards him.
I wasn’t fazed by Oriane’s attitude. After a lifetime at Vellamere Palace, I was an expert at navigating the Orianes of the world. In fact, I could name at least threefriendsjust like her, and I never had any trouble putting them in their place. Her little jabs would not distract me from my task.
As she launched into a conversation about some mundane court gossip, I peered around the room. The other guests had resumed their chatter, although some continued to shoot interested glances my way. Before long, the king entered the room, followed by a figure with golden curls and a beaming face. Amalie happily waved at me just as silence descended, and everyone, myself included, bowed.
“Please take your seats,” the king said, all smiles. He was clearly at ease amongst this group of people.
A servant led me to the long wooden table, adorned with candles, fine silverware and vases of flowers I recognized from the gardens. My designated seat was near the head of the table between Amalie and a guest who had not yet materialized. Tarben was seated opposite Amalie, and next to him sat Prince Hugo, who shot me a suspicious glare.
Excellent.I took a sip of my wine, contemplating how big of a problem he was going to be, when a voice pulled me out of my thoughts. “You must be the princess’s savior.”
I glanced up to see a woman standing before me. She looked to be in her late thirties or early forties with sable hair, tawny skin and high cheekbones. She would most certainly turn heads whenever she entered a room.
“I’m not so sure I would call myself that,” I said, placing a hand on my chest with a small laugh. I truly had perfected my humble act.
“Oh, don’t be so modest, Alara,” Amalie chimed in. “Yes, she is.”
“I am Lady Livia Hywell,” said the woman, taking the empty seat next to me with a radiant smile. Her twinkling eyes fixated on me as if I was the most fascinating person in the room.
Offering her a smile in return, I said, “I am Alara Veradis.”
Livia lowered her voice: “They’re saying you valiantly rescued young Princess Amalie from the perils of the shipwreck. Is it true?” Her rich brown eyes scanned my face curiously.
“There was nothing valiant about it—anyone would have done the same thing,” I responded with a slight lift of my shoulder.
“Ah, you know how courtiers like to gossip.” She sat backin her seat. “What better way to fill their days? Still, I believe you are too modest. I can think of few people I know who would act with your bravery.”
Her smile was kind. Maybe even sincere. But what struck me was how she spoke about courtiers. “Are you not a member of the nobility?”
“I am indeed, although it is by marriage. My husband, Lord Hywell, is a close friend and confidant of the King. He carries the noble bloodline. I come from more humble beginnings. And they are sure to never let me forget it,” she said, her tone airy as she gestured around the room. What was I supposed to say to that?
Thank goodness, we were interrupted by the first course. It was a soup consisting of mushrooms, sea cucumber and dried scallops. It was the closest thing to a meal from Vantillios I had been served and my stomach grumbled as I began to eat.
I had only swallowed a few mouthfuls when, as if reading my mind, Livia asked, “Is this land much different from your own?”
“It’s very different. Being here has been somewhat of an adjustment, but I’m grateful for His Majesty’s hospitality.”
She shot me a sympathetic look. “I imagine this must be rather difficult for you, being in a foreign land with foreign ways. I know it was for me. I used to get terribly homesick.”
“Where did you come from?” I asked.
“A small fishing village further up the coast. I met Ivar when he was passing through after his first wife died. He charmed me, then swept me away from my old life and into the glamor of court. We were married almost immediately.”
“I couldn’t imagine leaving my home for a man,” I mused. My eyes widened as I realized my blunder. Dismissing other people’s life choices wasn’t the best way to dazzle these mortals. Quickly, I added, “I only meant he must have been very charming.”
She huffed a laugh. “Indeed. I was young and completely smitten. Where did you come from?”
“Excellent question, Lady Livia. I think we would all like to hear the answer to this,” said Hugo from across the table.
The younger prince was turning out to be insufferable. Thank Tuli I didn’t have to seducehim.
“I hail from the kingdom of Ranstein. I traveled to Solvardunn onThe Queen Astridin the hopes that I might seek out a better life here,” I responded confidently with my rehearsed answer. Ranstein bordered Solvardunn to the north, so it was plausible that I would travel to its neighboring kingdom alone. At least I hoped it was.
“ButThe Queen Astridwas traveling from northern Solvardunn, not Ranstein,” he remarked as a servant refilled his goblet of wine.
