I smoothed my skirt, straightening as I approached the golden entrance of the auditorium where witches were filing in. Giselle had slipped off earlier and Lady Ruan had taken Maddox backstage upon my request. The poor woman looked anxious, as if Maddox was going to single-handedly ruin the show.
Well, he was. But hopefully, she would find it in her heart to forgive us once the truth revealed itself.
“Is that Lady Narcissa?” an elderly witch whispered. He had a snowy white beard adorned with a variety of beads.
“I think so, grandpa,” said his young companion. The boy couldn’t have been more than ten, drowning in a maroon scarf. He stared, wide-eyed. “She looks just like the pictures.”
I gave the pair a nod when they approached. “Good evening,” I said, my voice barely audible over the footsteps on the marble floor.
“Lady Narcissa?” the elderly man asked. His eyes lit up when I nodded. “What a pleasure. I’m Ferdinand. This is my grandson, Giovanni. Go on Gio. Say hello.”
The boy murmured a shy hello.
Ferdinand wedged himself and his grandson to the side, letting the witches behind him pass. “I heard you were here in Alevine but I didn’t expect to meet in person,” he said jovially. “You’ve made quite the impression this past year, haven’t you?”
I smiled, wringing my hands behind my back. “A good one, I hope.”
“Absolutely!” Giovanni exclaimed. The word echoed in the hall. He ducked his nose into his scarf. “You’re a hero.”
I laughed in surprise. “A hero?”
“The boy’s serious,” Ferdinand said, raising a bushy white brow. “Not only did you douse the fire in Vandil, but you also helped a great deal of magical business owners figure out what they were doing wrong. Old William told us everything.”
The fire and William’s produce shop seemed so long ago, yet I remembered my crippling guilt like it was yesterday. Dousing the fire had been an impulsive decision, but William’s shop? I hated that I used the schemes Mother taught me, but now it seemed silly. Mother gained nothing from it and William, everything.
“I only did what I could,” I said, cheeks warm at the grandson’s awe-stricken stare.
Ferdinand grinned a toothless grin. “It takes courage to go against someone like your mother. You’ll make a great queen one day.”
I bid them goodbye as they followed the rest in, my face hot. The witches behind them seemed to have noticed my presence. Soon, a smaller line formed with those who wanted to greet me. None of them asked why I was blushing like a schoolgirl, which I was grateful for. The usher seemed scandalized as I exchanged cordial hellos and handshakes with the witches streaming in.
“Good evening, Lady Narcissa.”
“Lovely to meet you, Lady Narcissa.”
“What a stunning skirt you’re wearing! Is it witch-made by any chance?”
“Never in a million years did I think a witch would be in the place you’re in. How wonderfully inspiring.”
A few witches grew teary-eyed and expressed their gratitude for everything I had done during the tour. I found myself in a few awkward embraces, and by the time the line had dwindled, my ears were hot and my heart throbbing from the sheer amount of praise I had received.
Everyone was so friendly. Friendlier than any group of strangers had ever been to me. My resolve hardened. Celeste wouldn’t touch a single one of them if I could help it.
“Lady Narcissa! Enchanted to meet you in person.”
I started at the nasally voice that cut through the noise. A woman in a burnt orange coat and a sleek updo stood before me, pen and notebook in hand. The bright rouge on her lips made her easily identifiable.
“Sister Scarlett,” I said, inclining my head.
She tittered. “Oh! I thought I would have to introduce myself. Well, since we’re both acquainted,” she said, tilting her chin conspiringly, “would you mind doing a short interview?”
I held back a sigh. It didn’t seem like I had a choice, from the way the woman was standing. She was so close I’d have to use magic to escape. “Of course,” I said, keeping my face neutral.
“Wonderful!” Sister Scarlett scrutinized my ensemble and scribbled something down. I could only imagine what she was writing.
Lady Narcissa Greenwood was spotted at the Grand Alevine Opera dressed plainly in a blouse and skirt, greeting witch civilians as if she were one of them. What could possibly be the purpose of this plebeian display?
“So. I’ve heard from my sources that you are acquainted with a certain Dominic?” she said, raising a perfectly groomed brow.
