“Yes, alright, alright. But have you seen them together at the inn lately?”
“Not since you sent the invitation, although I hate going down there when it’s snowing. It’s so cold on my paws going over the bridge.”
“I wonder…”
“Wonder later,” said Willow.
Alison rolled her eyes at her relentless little taskmaster of a feline. “Oh, this one is unexpected.” She paused for a bit of suspense—Willow was going to like this news in particular. “Groundskeeper Tomasar said yes.”
Willow’s pupils widened, her tail twitching in anticipation. “And Barney too?”
Alison smiled. “And Barney too.”
Willow purred and rubbed her head against Alison’s wrist. “Thank you for asking,” she said.
Alison was happy to facilitate the reunion of Willow with Tomasar’s sweet dog Barney, the first dog friend Willow had ever made.
“This one must be from Nolwynn,” said Alison, picking up an envelope that was still a little damp, the ink of the address streaked and splotched in the corners. “The korrigans are coming. Nolwynn and another woman. It doesn’t say if she’s a Quarterling as well. Yes from Yordin and Marna as well, and they’re bringing their three youngest.”
“Seat me as far from them as possible.” The cat shuddered, undoubtedly remembering the pink bow the dwarven industrialist’s children had wrapped around her neck.
“Yes from Aras, Mezec, and Lydiach. Mezec has a plus one—very interesting. Yes from Brytak and Strelka, yes from Mrs. Knox, yes from Mr. Rainey. Ah, our first regrets: Dean Whittaker.”
“He’d probably marry you himself if it meant never seeing the rest of us again,” said Willow. “Imagine what Idris and Ceri must have done to him since we left the College.”
Alison shook her head. They had made the poor man suffer enough during their time there in the autumn.
“Regrets from the office as well, but Ms. Varma enclosed a ten-gold bank note. A collection from well-wishers, she says.”
That was kind, but Alison knew there weren’t many in the office where she’d worked in Arcas Dyrne who would have even noticed her absence. She suspected the gift was from Ms. Varma herself.
“That’s all of them,” said Willow. “Nothing from Rinka and Idris?”
That was odd. Alison wasn’t certain Idris would be able to take time off around Lupercalia—it was a few weeks into the spring term, after all. But surely Rinka wouldn’t miss Alison’s wedding.
“What’s in this one?” asked Willow. She pawed at a large brown envelope that had been at the bottom of the pile.
Alison opened it. Inside was a copy ofThe Loegrian Woman, a glossy women’s lifestyle magazine Alison had never once read, let alone subscribed to.
“Do you think this could be for Charlotte—” she began, then stopped once she saw the cover.
The Royal Coup—How Prince Idris Finally Fell in Love (and with a Commoner!)
And there, sitting in a grand chair with Prince Idris standing beside her, was Rinka in full color illustration.
“Is that—” started Willow.
Alison nodded wordlessly and flipped through the pages, searching for the article.
The Royal Coup
by Lady Emily Marlowe
She’s elegant. She’s poised. She’s the envy of every girl in Loegria, Wilderise, and beyond.
You might have met her over the summer at the court events in Fossholm, a charming little hamlet in the Hill Country of Wilderise, the site of King Derkomai’s latest endeavor to bring modern comforts to all of his people. You may have seen her dancing with courtiers or having tea with fine ladies. You might have even seen her steal a kiss from Prince Idris himself.
But she is not the Lady Rinka of Paistos as she once claimed.
