“Sure.” I awkwardly extend my arms out to my sides while Durvla holds the fabric up to my torso and wraps it around to the sides.
“Perfect.” Her face lights up. Though she’s still been mostly evading eye contact, it’s nice to see something other than terror on her face.
I study her work, but I still can’t picture it beyond the random stitches somewhat reminiscent of lace.
Durvla sets thebodicedown and faces me, her posture rigid. The supplies she bought from Barr na Cahar yesterday line one side of her bed.
“Did you sleep with all of this on your bed?” I ask.
“I… didn’t get much sleep,” she responds.
It seems last night was a restless one for us all.
There’s a loud rap on the door and I turn to listen as Callum announces the kitchen servants. “Let them in,” I call out.
Durvla’s brows scrunch together.
“Private breakfast is great when you don’t feel like socializing.”
The scent of food hits me as the servants enter, but my stomach is so knotted, I doubt I’ll be able to eat. “Set it down on the desk,” I tell the women.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Alright,” I say to Durvla. “Let’s see what’s for breakfast.”
CHAPTER 19
Carys
A knockon the door sounds as I place my diadem atop my head and face Ellynne and Lowri, my lilac dress swishing around me.
“Perfect,” they say in unison.
“Princess, may I have a word with you?” Tiernan calls out.
Ellynne and Lowri curtsy and hurry to the door with me in tow. As they slip out, I allow Tiernan in and flash a quick smile at Callum. “Alright, but it has to be brief. I want to visit my mother before the council meeting.”
He nods, his face earnest. “Are you prepared to discuss the suitors with the Council? Have you studied the list?”
My face drops as I step back and allow him to close the door, sealing Callum outside. “Tiernan?—”
“Trust me, Princess, the last thing I want to do is nag you; you get enough of that. I know it’s difficult,but?—”
“Butwhat?” I fold my arms across my dress, causing the corset to tighten annoyingly. “How would looking at a bloody list help anything?”
“It would make youknowledgeable. It will show the Council that you are at least aware of your options, and that you are thinking about it.” Tiernan’s steady gaze meets me at eye level. “Lord Iywan is very influential. If you don’t appear ready to take the throne, the Council will revolt.”
My lips curve down, but I remain silent.
“They could make you seem incapable in the eyes of the people. And if the populace, especially the highborns, believe that their princess is not worthy of the throne… there could be an insurrection… Even organized regicide.”
For a moment I forget how to breathe, and I quickly push away the memory of the assassin’s hands on my neck. It was years ago. My mother wasn’t even ill in those days; what if, indeed, more assassins are sent after me if I fail to rise appropriately to my station?
“Fine,” I say with a heavy sigh. “I’ll look at the bloody list.” I wave him off, and he bows before leaving the room. As the door clicks shut, I march toward my desk, plucking the parchment from a small stack of books. It seems to weigh a ton. Slowly, I remove the ribbon and unroll the parchment, taking a deep breath.
Prince Morand of the Kingdom of Caldeon
Odd. Caldeon is a staunch enemy of one of our main allies, Ardall. I scrunch my brows and continue reading.
