“Don’t worry about that. Lord Frederick is investigating the rioters,” Maddox said.
I began to ask if Lord Frederick had decided what to do with me, but stopped. Maddox didn’t seem to know about the incident with Mother’s escape.
“I’m hungry,” I said instead. “Get me something to eat.”
He frowned. “That’s not how this works. I’m the older one.Iget to bossyouaround.”
“But I’m bedridden.” I coughed twice to emphasize my point.
Maddox rolled his eyes.
News that I was awake spread immediately after his departure. Lady Marianna came first, bearing a tray laden with food. After fussing over me for some time, she let me tend to my meal, though I had barely gotten through the soup before Ulysses rushed in. There was no sign of the crown prince behind him.
“Thank goodness, milady,” the steward said, wringing his hands. “Those in the witch market were asking after you. They’ll be glad to hear you’re awake. I’ll have someone relay the news.”
“Never mind me. How are they?”
“Not to worry. King Maximus has already agreed to give them extra funds for reconstruction. Half the guards are down there helping with immediate relief. His Highness has also gone to help.”
I nodded. I hadn’t even considered what the aftermath of the fire would be like. At that moment, I only cared about proving myself. What would have happened if I didn’t succeed? I squeezed my eyes shut. “I’m sorry I ran off.”
Ulysses shook his head. “I’m not sure if what you did was extremely stupid or extremely clever. Look.” He took out a newspaper clipping, a recent column fromSister Scarlett’s Scandals.
The Herbwitch Princess: Seductress, Martyr, Hero.
January twentieth, at Vandil’s city hall, Lady Narcissa locked Crown Prince Bennett into a passionate embrace before a crowd of astonished spectators. After this shocking display, the two were spotted touring the city’s witch market, thoroughly enjoying each other’s company. Our to-be princess has managed to win the crown prince’s affection in a mere moment armed with nothing but her womanly allure—but that is not all she has done to surprise us.
A devastating fire tore through Vandil’s witch market that same night. Rather than enlisting the aid of the Royal Guard, Lady Narcissa flew down to put out the fire herself, accompanied by no one but a team of horses and one particularly handsome guard. Whether he, too, was captivated by her is up for question. But after single-handedly dousing the fire, Lady Narcissa was captured by a rebel rioter who threatened her very life. An anonymous passerby claimed she did not struggle.
“She was standing very still,” our source said, “as if she was going to accept whatever came her way. Even death.”
Lady Narcissa was close to becoming the first Olderean martyr, and though her sacrifice would have been a great honor, Crown Prince Bennett would not have allowed the heroic woman who had enraptured his heart to be taken from him.
“The way he held her after the whole ordeal was nothing I‘d ever seen,” our source added, shaking his helmeted head in wonderment. “It was like she was the most precious thing in the world to him.”
I threw the clipping down in disgust. “Ulysses, I do not understand why you insist on showing me the worst column in the paper. And someone ought to tell the guards not to lie in press interviews, or engage in them at all.”
The steward gave me a look. “Gossip columns have a tendency to exaggerate,” he said briskly, taking the clipping back.
I stirred the remnants of my soup, watching the herbs spiral in the clear amber broth. “It doesn’t matter anymore, does it? King Maximus will retract the engagement in a week at most.”
“Whatever for?” Ulysses said.
“My mother attempted an escape and wrote to me. Lord Frederick thinks I’m scheming with her. And so does Benn—” I paused. “His Highness.”
Ulysses lowered his spectacles. “Are you sure?”
“I...no,” I said. “But why wouldn’t they?”
“Ask them,” he said calmly. “Perhaps you will find you’re wrong.”
He left before I could argue. The soft blankets weighed heavily upon my legs. Why wouldn’t they think the worst of me? The citizens of Vandil did. Lady Huntington and Isabelle did. Lord Frederick and Bennett were only being merciful, letting me heal from my injuries before taking me to the dungeons. That was why I was still here.
Misty woke when I finished my meal, meowing in delight when she saw me awake. She jumped into my lap, rattling the tray. I hugged her to my chest, her presence chasing away all negative thoughts.
You’re an idiot. I told you not to go, she said amidst purring.
I kissed her head. “I’m sorry I left you,” I whispered.
