Misty nuzzled my chin.We are back together. That is all that matters.
We chatted a bit after and I finally asked her about her friendship with Pippin, which she willfully refused to elaborate on. It wasn’t long before we were interrupted by yet another visitor.
Lord Frederick came in, his steps hesitant. “Are you feeling better, milady?” he asked.
“Better than before,” I said. I felt relatively energized from the meal, though everything still ached.
A beat passed before Lord Frederick met my gaze. “What you did was admirable. Those at the witch market say they owe you their lives.”
I turned away. He couldn’t possibly expect me to accept his compliments. “We both know I only went down for selfish reasons,” I said, steeling myself. “What better way to prove I’m not a villain than to barrel straight into a fire like a self-sacrificing hero?”
It sounded worse out loud.
The stool beside my bed creaked as Lord Frederick sat. “Whether it was selfish or selfless does not change the good you have done,” he said. “Intentions can evolve indefinitely. Results are concrete, unchangeable.”
I gave a dry laugh. “In that case why does it matter if I win the crown prince’s heart for nefarious reasons or by chance? Ulysses will be happy and I’ll have done my duty either way.”
“Because, Lady Narcissa, intention is the soul of an action. It doesn’t always determine whether the result is good or bad, but it establishes character.”
“And what if your character is already established for you, Lord Frederick?” I asked, recalling the way he acted after Mother’s letter. “If what you say is true, no one can truly understand another’s character if they don’t reveal their intentions.”
Lord Frederick gave me an appraising look. “You’re right, milady. Only one can truly understand oneself. But some have lived their whole lives following somebody else’s legacy. Whether they choose to continue or break free is entirely up to them.”
I was starting to find the conversation rather convoluted.
“Well, Lord Frederick. Am I going to remain engaged to the crown prince or has His Majesty sentenced me to the dungeons?” I said falling back onto my pillows.
He broke into a smile, a twinkle appearing in his eyes. “Seeing that I haven’t dragged you off in chains yet, it is the former.”
“Why?”
“Why?” He raised his brows. “I meant what I said, milady. I wasn’t accusing you of anything that night. And neither was His Highness.”
After a beat of silence, Lord Frederick put a weighty hand on my shoulder. “I know what kind of person the former duchess is, Lady Narcissa. You are not to blame,” he said firmly. “Not for any of it.”
I watched him leave, touched by his kindness. But the warm feelings dispersed quickly. Even if Lord Frederick was convinced of my innocence, I doubted the crown prince was. I struggled to remember how Bennett had reacted that night, but the memories were blurred. I had been too wrapped up in hurt and anger and fear. Fear that Mother would be true to her word and come for me.
The rest of the day was dedicated to more visitors. Giselle, after insisting on switching out my plain pillows for embroidered ones, chatted incessantly about a new riding gown she was sewing. Maddox came back with Flannery, who burst into tears and babbled about how incompetent he was as a guard. After Maddox dragged him away, Prince Ash attempted to read me a book of poetry he had written. I feigned exhaustion to get him to stop.
But as the sky darkened and my eyelids grew heavy, I found myself fighting sleep.
Mayhaps you’re waiting for a certain someone?Misty said slyly, making herself comfortable beside me. The flickering candlelight made her dark fur gleam.
“I’m sure the entire manor has visited me at this point,” I said.
But the strange, gaping emptiness I felt said otherwise. Was he still down in the witch market?
Misty looked at me knowingly.He did visit, you know. He was a very tender caretaker during the two days you were unconscious.
I blew out the candle with more force than necessary, throwing my blanket over my head. “I’d rather be unconscious for twenty days than hear you speak nonsense.”
***
DAYS AT VANDIL EVENTUALLYdrew to an end. The guards who had split off to help the witch market returned once workers from Delibera came to replace them. Still, there was no sign of the crown prince.
Pippin, unlike his owner, decided to accompany me during the last day.
It’s awful stuffy in here, Pippin said, strolling in through the door.
