‘Don’t fuss, Your Royal Highness,’ Celeste tsked, as Sonya reached for the letters.
‘Give them back!’ Sonya demanded, as Celeste held them out of reach.
Just then, Sonya saw a puppy dash by, Irfan close behind. When the prince spotted the encounter between Sonya and Celeste, he swooped over and easily took the letters from Celeste’s hands.
Celeste scowled, turning to scold whoever had done so—before she realized who it was. She sputtered, ‘Prince Irfan!’ and bowed her head. ‘I was just going to check the princess’s correspondence before they were sent.’
Irfan gave her one of his winning smiles. ‘Not to worry, dearest Celeste,’ he said. His puppy had returned, and Irfan bent down to scoop it up, holding the little furball in his hands along with the letters. ‘I will read them to ensure our Sonya here is behaving.’
Celeste huffed, irritated, but she wouldn’t say anything to the prince.
Irfan’s smile widened. ‘Now off you go.’
Celeste gave Sonya a hard look. ‘The tailor will arrive in five minutes. I came to ensure you were ready.’
‘I am,’ Sonya replied, voice clipped. Celeste lingered, and Irfan’s puppy barked in her direction. Irfan made a shooing motion with his hands. She stomped off in defeat, heels clicking on the marble floors.
Irfan turned back to Sonya. ‘I’ll send them for you,’ he said,putting the letters into the pocket of his dark purple waistcoat.
‘You won’t read them?’ she asked, reaching forward to pet his puppy. The puppy licked her hands.
He shook his head. ‘I trust you.’ He gave her a pointed look. ‘Though you haven’t exactly given me cause to.’
Guilt rifled through her. ‘There’s no scheme,’ she said, a little ashamed. She hung her head. ‘I just wanted to let my friends know that I’m okay.’
With a sigh, she turned and returned to her bedroom, and her brother followed, closing the doors behind him. He set the puppy down, who immediately jumped onto Sonya’s legs, wanting her to hold him. She scooped the puppy up, cuddling it against her face.
‘I’m glad you made friends, at least,’ Irfan said, sitting down on one of the chairs by the window. ‘You never had friends before.’ Irfan had always been the most social, always surrounded by a group of friends.
She went and sat on the other chair, pulling her legs up. The puppy got comfortable on her chest, licking her cheeks, and she smiled, thinking of Butterscotch.
‘I met a shepherd-witch in the Outskirts. His name is Caden,’ she told him. ‘He had a dog named Butterscotch. One day, I actually got a bit lost, and Butterscotch found me. He brought me home.’
Irfan smiled as Sonya told the memory. ‘You were happy,’ he said, not a question but a statement.
She nodded. ‘At least there was that.’ And then: ‘I’m sorry you were all worried,’ she said, nibbling on her lower lip.
He shrugged. ‘It was quite amusing to see Celeste with her feathers ruffled, so I can’t say it was all bad.’ They both snickered.
‘I know Celeste is competent at what she does, but she can be so…’
Irfan laughed. ‘I know.’
There was a knock at the door. One of the maids went to answer, then came to Sonya. ‘The tailor is here,’ she said. Sonya’s pulse spiked. Any comfort that she had felt a moment before vanished; the puppy must have noticed her anxiety, for it fussed on her chest. She set it down, trying to catch her breath.
The color must have left her face, for Irfan looked concerned. ‘Do you wish for me to stay?’ he offered.
‘No,’ she replied, clearing her throat. He looked at her closely, and she gave him a forced smile. ‘Really. You should go.’
‘Alright.’ Irfan stood, and the puppy bounced after the prince as they both made their exit.
Sonya clutched the arms of her chair, feeling nauseous.
‘Shall I call the tailor in, Your Highness?’ the maid asked, waiting.
Swallowing hard, Sonya stood, and as she did, she felt her knees buckle. She took a deep breath, filled with nerves. ‘Yes,’ Sonya said. ‘Send him in.’
The maid went to the doors, opening them.
