After finishing the seating chart and handing it off to Ulysses, I headed to Giselle’s room. But upon arriving, a servantinformed me that the seamstress had left for the witch market thirty minutes ago.
Disappointed, I returned to my suite and lay in bed. I had missed nearly half the day’s activities by then. I didn’t have the energy to join the ambassadors, and I doubted showing up would make a difference. Bennett was handling everything perfectly.
Before I knew it, dusk fell.
I looked out the balcony. I had kept its doors open, hoping fresh air and sunlight would lighten my mood. It hadn’t. My dinner tray sat untouched on the little table in the center of the room.
A knock came at my bedchamber door. “Crown Prince Bennett and Lady Marianna wish to inquire after your health, milady,” my maid called from the other side.
I lifted my head from the pillows. “Tell them I’m not fit for visitors at the moment,” I said. I had already changed into my nightgown. Having a day to myself should have been restful, but I was more tired than I had been that morning.
“Very well, milady.”
I slipped out of bed and wandered to the wall that separated my room from the hallway. It was bad of me to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t help myself.
Bennett’s voice drifted from the hall.
“Is she ill?” he asked.
“Her Ladyship is not feeling well,” my maid said.
Lady Marianna tutted. “Now that can’t be. She looked perfectly hale last night. Bennett, did you upset her?”
“I don’t believe so,” Bennett said incredulously.
Lady Marianna tutted again. “Well, a young woman needs her beauty rest anyhow.”
“I hope she is well by tomorrow. The Ambassadors Ball—”
“She will be fine, Bennett. Now come! Let us join your father and the ambassadors for tea.”
They departed, their footsteps growing fainter until they disappeared entirely.
I headed back into bed and wrapped my arms around a pillow. It was too early to sleep, but an exhaustion of another sort hung over me. I squeezed the pillow tightly.
“I miss you so much, Misty,” I whispered.
4
Iawoke to a meow and something furry prodding my cheek.
“Misty?” I murmured. It was dark now, but there was just enough moonlight from my balcony to see that a little calico cat was on my bed, its white paws dipping into the mattress.
I didn’t know any calico cats. Perhaps a stray had wandered in?
