LADY MARIANNA’S LIBRARYwas smaller than the city’s, but much cozier with plenty of daylight and soft seats. Misty only had to visit once to fall in love with the cushiony pillows and tall, narrow shelves.
“Misty!” I called out.
Over here.
I turned, raising my brows. A pair of green eyes gleamed between two shelves pushed against each other.
“There you are.” I peered into the sliver of space. “Good heavens, Misty. What did I tell you about wedging into miniscule crevices?”
Can’t a cat enjoy her tight spaces in peace?The annoyance in her voice was evident, though I couldn’t imagine what could have irked her. Misty’s morning was practically feline bliss, rising late in a feather bed and dining on the finest fish Lady Marianna’s kitchen had to offer.
I reached for her, but my arm barely fit through the gap. I withdrew with a sigh, rubbing my wrist. “Alright. What’s bothering you?”
It’s that Pippin. He’s following me everywhere,she said.Why did you have to bring him with us?
“That’s hardly up to me. He’s notmycat,” I said. I couldn’t help but smile. Wooing Misty was about as difficult as wooing the crown prince.
She made a disgruntled noise, turning on her back.
“It’s lunchtime. Lady Marianna wants to know if you want salmon or tuna,” I said after a beat.
Salmon. Always salmon, she said, seemingly in a better mood. She shifted. Then wriggled. But as much as she tried, she didn’t move any closer. The shelves rattled.
I crossed my arms. “You’re stuck, aren’t you?”
Misty meowed in indignation.Stuck? I am not!She flailed, her limbs contorting beyond recognition.
“Misty...” I sighed. Her feline flexibility allowed her to cram herself into impossibly tight spaces, but somehow she never could get herself out. I spent hours of my childhood moving couches and bed frames to release her.
Alright, she said.I’m stuck. Some help, darling?
I sized up the massive pair of shelves. They were narrow in width but towering in height, filled to the brim with thick volumes. I doubted my meager strength would suffice, but I rolled up my sleeves nonetheless.
“Promise me you won’t do this again,” I said, gripping the leftmost shelf.
Fine, Misty said. We both knew she was lying.
I pushed hard, arms straining. The shelf did not budge. I blew a breath and tried again.
Come on, darling. Don’t tell me you can’t move it,Misty said warily.
“Just one moment.” I wedged my shoulder into the gap and shoved hard. Besides the pain now blooming at my shoulder, nothing changed. I was half-tempted to try a running start until I caught sight of a figure standing at the opposite row of shelves.
Crown Prince Bennett cleared his throat.
“Your Highness.” I dipped into a quick curtsy, ignoring my throbbing shoulder. Blazing fires. How long had he been standing there? And why did I keep running into him? Lady Marianna’s manor must be smaller than I had thought.
“Lady Narcissa.” His voice betrayed nothing. But the questioning look in his eyes was hard to miss when he approached.
I stepped aside so he could see Misty. “My cat is stuck.”
“Is she hurt?” The crown prince knelt on the tiled floor.
“Not at all.”
“Maybe some bait will help?” He drew out a half-eaten biscuit from his pocket.
Misty meowed.Could this get any more humiliating?
