“Two months only?” Crown Prince Bennett murmured, dropping his gaze from me. “Curious.”
The shop had been upsetting adjacent store owners, Ulysses told me earlier, and many had written complaints to the king. It was a mystery what the shop owner had been doing to cause such a reaction.
We clambered out the carriage. The storefront had glass walls and a yellow ochre door. Even from outside, the place was bursting with greenery.
“Are you familiar with plants, Lady Narcissa?” the crown prince asked.
I grew mildly irritated, though more at him than at his question. I wished he would just berate me for my behavior at breakfast and have it over with. “Not every herbwitch has a partiality to plants, Your Highness,” I said. The words came out stiffer than I intended.
“Apologies. I...” He cleared his throat, his gaze fixating on something down the street.
Before I could identify what it was, a floating pot of soil obstructed my view, wobbling precariously in the air. I blinked rapidly at the odd sight.
A few other civilians gaped. Others barely batted an eye.
A witch humming a lilting tune sat a few feet away. The pot drifted into his hands, which were engulfed in yellow, dirt-encrusted gloves. The sunspots on his forehead sparkled gold as he looked up.
“Ah, did I startle you, miss?” His nose scrunched as he smiled. He looked about Father’s age, but with a slimmer build and silvery hair.
“Are you William?” I asked, approaching him.
“That I am. And you are?”
“Cissa,” I said, using my pet name.
William turned. “And you, good sir?”
The crown prince looked past him, seemingly distracted. “Bennett.”
“Like the crown prince?”
He gave a start, as if just realizing he had given himself away.
The witch chuckled. “That is a poor disguise, Highness. Maybe slouch a little next time. Even without your crown, you look like you’re wearing one.” He gave me another look. “And you must be Lady Narcissa.”
Crown Prince Bennett sighed. “We may as well discuss this openly, then. Shall we take this inside?”
William’s shop was crowded with plants of all shapes and sizes. Some of them were sprouting fruit, others flowers. Some sat in elegant little pots on shelves of gold filigree, others on the floor, their leaves spilling onto the walnut paneling. A hexagonal dome in the ceiling let in a shaft of natural light. Crates of fruits and vegetables lined the opposite wall. The place was equal parts a plant store and a produce store. Charming, albeit unusual.
We sat behind the counter with William, where two sets of benches were placed. Ulysses looked hesitant.
“Your Highness, is it wise to reveal our identities so openly?” the steward whispered. “News could spread and perhaps the rioters—”
“Not to worry, sir,” William said. Ulysses had been whispering rather loudly. “There are no rioters here. But if they come, I’ve got a nasty little jinx at the door.” He chuckled good-naturedly.
Ulysses’ face turned green.
“Hopefully it won’t come to that,” Crown Prince Bennett said. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “William, over the past month we’ve received complaints from local store owners about your shop.”
William’s brows shot up. “Whatever for? I’m merely serving my customers.”
“Are you selling them magic plants, perchance?”
The witch widened his eyes. “Not at all. Some witches don’t wish to sell magical wares, you see. Myself included. My plants and produce are perfectly non-magical.”
Crown Prince Bennett sat back. “Why would they be displeased unless you have something they don’t?”
“By all means, enlighten me, Your Highness. I’ve spent most of my life among witches. I cannot fathom what I’m doing to anger the others.”
