The dock outside the palace was crowded with ships. The Ducasses had several vessels of their own, of course. But one ship was labeled as being from the Isle of Lochmatten.
Is a High Councilor of Lochmatten also visiting Gryon this week? If he’s any fun, maybe I can sneak off with him while the prince is courting Hannah.
King Gerard and Queen Camille greeted the Connollys as theyfinallygot off the ship. The king’s golden hair and matching oversized mustache gleamed in the sunshine. But Queen Camille had light brown hair instead of the royal blonde hue.
That’s strange. Why did they change her appearance in the portraits?
More importantly, why isn’t Prince Alexander here to greet us?
“Welcome!” King Gerard boomed as they approached.
“Ducasse!” King Tristan yelled back.
The kings embraced good-naturedly, like they were old friends. They weren’t, but they put on a good show.
“Have you met my wife?” King Gerard asked.
“It’s been centuries.” King Tristan bowed to the queen.
“These must be your daughters,” Queen Camille said sweetly.
“Yes, yes,” their father confirmed. “This is Hannah, my second-born, and Evelyn, my youngest. We left Rowan at home to manage the castle.”
Each princess bent into a curtsy with their introduction.
“We are delighted to have you both here,” the queen told them.
“Thank you for the invitation!” Hannah beamed.
At least the queen is nice enough to smile at both of us. The king barely glanced at me before focusing on Hannah. Although she is basically interviewing to become his daughter-in-law and future Queen of Gryon. Still, rude.
“We should all go inside.” King Gerard’s smile had already faded.
“Absolutely,” Queen Camille agreed. “You are all so pale. I don’t want you to burn in the sunshine. It may be an adjustment to be this far south compared to your northern kingdom.”
Her motherly concern was kind but foreign to Evelyn.
Is this what Mother would have been like if she’d survived my birth? Would she have fussed over me wearing enough warm clothing in Carrowmore’s harsh winters?
A stone pathway revealed the lavish property. The palace was wide, four stories tall, and the off-white color of a polished seashell. A back patio led to the beach, and the main entrance faced inland to the north. One side of the grounds was a sprawling lawn, and the other side had an elaborate garden. Evelyn wrinkled her nose at the scent of roses, which was especially pungent with the humidity.
Inside, they filed into the palace’s grand entryway, with white marble floors, cream-colored walls, and accents of blue to continue the seaside theme. Everything inside felt intentional, not a single oil painting frame off-center. But it was impersonal. If not for the official family portrait hanging prominently on one wall, no one would know who lived there.
“The second floor has meeting rooms, offices, and libraries,” Queen Camille explained. “Guest suites are on the third floor, and the private family residences are on the fourth. We spend most of our time on the ground level or outside. We hope you can feel at home here.”
Maids in blue dresses ushered the Connollys to the third floor. The sisters were taken to the east wing and the king to the west. Evelyn’s room was decorated in shades of red. A long wall of windows overlooked the southern ocean. To the right was a large armoire and the door to a private bathroom. To the left was an enormous, dark wood, four-poster bed with matchingnightstands. The middle of the room had a seating area with a couch and comfortable chairs.
I think I’ll like it here… except for those roses.
Evelyn crossed the room and stopped at the bouquet on a small table in front of the windows. Holding a hand over the vase, her Fire magic heated her palm like a miniature sun, withering the flowers into dust.
She opened one of the windows for fresh air. “That’s better.”
Hannah burst into Evelyn’s room without knocking. “I love it here!”
Evelyn couldn’t help but smile. “I could probably get used to this.”
Hannah flung herself onto the bed and stretched over the duvet like she was making a snow angel.
