Rosalinda didn’t seem to notice Angelique was following her, even though the soldiers—who stayed at the throne room door—and ladies-in-waiting bowed to her. The princess was too busy clenching her fists in a way that suggested she wanted to throttle theking.
Angelique followed in her wake, observing the clearly enraged princess for a few moments before she asked, “Where will you gonext?”
“To the Magic Knights of Sole. Let us hopetheycan be reasoned with.” Rosalinda took several savage strides then blinked and finally looked at Angelique. “Lady Enchantress Angelique!” sheyelped.
Angelique smiled. “Indeed. It is nice to finally speak to you, PrincessRosalinda.”
Rosalinda slowed down to a normal walking speed. “Thank you for everything you have done—for me and for myfamily.”
“It has been my honor.”Sort of. Actually, no, it hasn’t. But it has become an honor to know the person whose life I saved is the one who seems to be intent on saving her own country.Angelique twitched her skirts as they continued down the hallway. “If the Magic Knights do not listen to you, what will youdo?”
“Then I will go myself,” the princess grimlysaid.
Two of her four ladies-in-waitinggasped.
“Your Highness,” a third lady-in-waiting said, her voice strained as they started down astaircase.
Rosalinda glanced back at her over her shoulder. “I am not so stupid as to think I can face Carabosso, but I can help evacuate citizens. In fact, whether or not the Magic Knights listen, it is my intention tohelp.”
“Evacuate?” one ladyasked.
“They do it for bad weather and floods,” Rosalinda explained. “Farmers and those who live in smaller communities will evacuate with their families and livestock and retreat to fortified areas. We evacuated twice when I lived on Sir Roberto’s lands. It’s a chaotic, hectic time, and any help would beappreciated.”
I can see now that the princess received a far…wider sort of education than King Giuseppe may havewanted.
When they entered an empty hallway that made their voices echo, another one of the ladies-in-waiting spoke up. “Your Highness, it’s still toodangerous.”
“I’ll come with you,” said the final lady-in-waiting.
“Delanna,” one of her cohortsgrowled.
“The princess is right. We cannot leave those people todie.”
The two more soft-spoken ladies—the gaspers—joined arms and exchanged frightened glances, but the third one raised her chin. “Very well,” she said in a shaky, frightened voice. “If you believe we can help, we will come,too.”
The princess glanced up and down the hallway. “Actually, I would prefer you stay in Ciane, though it will be a great social risk foryou.”
The lady-in-waiting gripped her skirts with white hands. “You wish for us to cover yourflight.”
“I do,” Rosalinda said. “If King Giuseppe realizes what I am prepared to do, he will have the whole army camped outside mydoor.”
The lady-in-waiting tapped her lower lip. “I think we could arrange something. We will be waiting for you at the stables.” She smiled and directed the two quieter ladies-in-waiting up a differenthallway.
This left Angelique with Rosalinda and the last lady-in-waiting the others had referred to as Delanna. When Angelique curiously studied her, she faintly recognized the young lady as the attendant staying with Rosalinda when she had first come to see Rosalinda after the curse was setoff.
“Firra, Donaigh, and my companions will come with us. I will leave you here so I may go warn them, but is there anything you require my assistance with before I do so?” Angeliqueasked.
Rosalinda shook her head “No, I don’t believe so—” She stumbled and almost walked into a display case of an ancient shield and sword. She corrected herself at the last second, thenfroze.
“Princess?” Angelique cautiouslyasked.
“Your Highness? Did something happen?” Delannaasked.
Rosalinda took a shaky breath. “I may have spoken too soon. Lady Enchantress…you know of the legendaryweapons?”
Angelique exchanged a look with Delanna before the princess turned to face her. “The weapons of the original Magic Knights of Sole that hang in Aeternum Hall? Yes.” Angelique tucked a stray hair behind her ear and offered the princess a politesmile.
Rosalinda licked her lips. “There is a particular weapon from there that I need, the two-handed sword. Do you think you could remove it from Aeternum Hall and smuggle it from Ciane without anyoneknowing?”
