When she finally spoke, Narcissa’s wails had quieted into whimpers. “You’re distressed, Narcissa,” Queen Cordelia said. “Wilhelmina, take her to rest, will you?”
A flash of irritation passed through the duchess’s face, but disappeared as quickly as it came. “Your Majesty, I really—”
“Will you?” the queen repeated.
Duchess Wilhelmina curtsied deeply, hiding her expression. “Indeed.”
She and Narcissa swept out of the room without another word, though their hostility was tangible when they slammed the door.
The queen folded her hands before her.
I curtsied again. “Your Majesty—”
“Rise, child. I have enough formalities to last me a lifetime.”
I rose, surprised to hear that her voice was not brimming with anger. She motioned for me to sit in the chair across her. I sank into the velvet cushion.
“We have rules on how young ladies should act during the Season,” the queen said. “Your behavior during the hunting party will be frowned upon.”
I swallowed. “Your Majesty, I really didn’t mean—”
“Next time you will do well to handle your affairs in a more private and ladylike way. Is that understood?”
My mouth gaped open. “P-pardon?”
Queen Cordelia sighed. She offered me a small smile, her almond eyes glimmering. “Growing up in a palace has taught me many things, both about myself and other people,” she said. “But there is one thing I always keep in mind. Quarrels, no matter how badly you want to win them, are not worth their consequences. I will speak with Wilhelmina myself after this, so rest easy.”
I nodded slowly, though not quite comprehending what she meant. “What about my punishment?” I asked.
“Ah, that,” the queen said, leaning back in her chair. “You will dust the library this week, if you have no objections.”
I shook my head, hardly knowing whether to be more surprised at the lax punishment or that the queen asked if I objected to said punishment.
“Good. And remember to pay extra attention to the east end, will you?” she said with a mysterious smile. “I’ll have someone show you the way.”
I nodded, speechless.
“Very well, you are dismissed,” Queen Cordelia said.
I left the study with a servant who was to show me to the library. I followed her down the hall in a daze, hardly believing my luck. I had escaped a conference with the queen unscathed. To say I was relieved was an understatement—I was elated. Narcissa couldn’t convince the queen to behead me after all.
When we reached the library, which wasn’t too far from the queen’s study, the servant thrust a duster in my hand and left, leaving me to wander the shelves alone with a ridiculous smile on my face. Luckily, there was no one there to see me, besides an old balding gentleman I assumed to be the librarian perched behind a tall desk. The nameplate in front of him identified him as Mr. Charles Northberry. He was fast asleep and snoring up a storm.
The library was a sprawling space with a domed ceiling, the walls lined with countless volumes of every size. Tall, narrow windows let in streams of daylight, illuminating the tops of the bookshelves. I squinted. There was hardly a speck of dust in the air, much less on the furniture.
I walked through the immaculate shelves to the east end, wondering why Queen Cordelia told me to pay extra attention there. Maybe the east end was neglected. Less than a half minute’s walk led me to an opening. A comfortable corner with plush armchairs was situated next to a window seat surrounded by more books. It was not significantly dustier than the rest of the library, but there was company.
Prince Ash reclined on an armchair, his feet thrown over an ottoman. His hair, instead of neatly combed, was in a state of disarray. I stepped back, not expecting to see anyone—much less him—at the library.
The movement must’ve caught his attention. “Who’s there?”
“Housekeeping,” I said, hoping he wouldn’t put down the book that obscured me from his vision.
Brown eyes emerged from behind the cover. “Ah. There you are.”
“Your Highness,” I said with a quick curtsy. “Er...were you expecting me?”
Prince Ash pulled himself up into a proper sitting position. “Yes, indeed.”
