He choked when the crown prince approached.
“Your Highness.” I dipped into a low curtsy, but Crown Prince Bennett held out a hand.
“No need for formalities, Lady Narcissa,” he said.
“In that case, you should call me Cissa,” I said, giving him my best smile—the one that accentuated the dimple on my left cheek. I knew he wasn’t easily charmed, but it didn’t hurt to try.
The crown prince merely blinked twice.
I bit back a sigh. It was frustrating, not knowing what he thought of me. Mother always made her approval and displeasure known. Father practically wore his heart on his sleeve. The crown prince, on the other hand, was a book I couldn’t read.
Misty took the liberty of rubbing herself against his leg and purring loudly. I raised my eyebrows at her.
What?she said.I thought we were trying to win his favor.
Crown Prince Bennett moved aside. “You brought your cat,” he stated. I couldn’t tell if he was displeased.
“Her name is Misty,” I said. “She’s usually...not that friendly.”
Misty meowed indignantly.
The crown prince wet his lips. “The carriage is ready. It’s time to go.” He looked a little past me. “You may rise.”
I turned to see Maddox straighten from a deep bow.
“Thank you, Highness!” he said loudly.
Crown Prince Bennett nodded and headed back to his spot at the front. Maddox’s face was already aflame, no doubt anticipating a snarky comment from me.
“In that case you should call meCissa,” he said in a high-pitched voice before I could get a word out. “If you won’t let me keep my freedom, at least let me keep my breakfast.”
I scoffed. “You are a child.”
“Better than a two-faced fraud,” he shot back. “His Highness will see through your façade in no time.”
Maddox turned on his heel and marched to the other guards.
“Well. Smiling didn’t work,” I muttered to Misty as I approached the large carriage in the front. The coachman helped me inside. The interior was smaller than anticipated, having room for only four passengers. Nevertheless, the plump velvet seats looked more than welcoming. I relaxed into them as the coachman closed the door.
And he doesn’t seem to have a liking for felines, Misty meowed.Ridiculous.
Shortly after, a soft knock came at the window. I moved the curtain aside to meet Lord Frederick’s smiling face.
“Good morning, milady,” he said. “Are you comfortably settled?”
“Quite. Thank you, Lord Frederick,” I said.
“It will be a long ride to the outskirts of Delibera. Two hours or so, with the size of our company, and two more to reach my residence. You won’t need to make an appearance until we reach the witch market. We have a mare prepared for you when it’s time.”
I nodded and thanked him again. “Will His Highness join me in the carriage?” I asked, peering past his shoulder.
“Er, His Highness informed me that he will be on horseback for the majority of the tour,” Lord Frederick said. He looked askance before giving me a tight-lipped smile.
So! He refused to even share a carriage with me. No one in their right mind would want to be on horseback for four hours, much less for an entire four-month tour in the midst of winter.
Looks like our high and mighty crown prince would rather suffer a sore backside than endure our company, Misty said, licking her paw.
I kept my face neutral. “I see.”
