“Come,” he said, gesturing for Nin to follow.
“Where are we going?”
“Through a secret way. You must stay quiet.”
To his surprise, she obeyed without complaining. Good, at least she had enough sense to follow orders when the stakes were high enough.
Cedric led her around the perimeter of the wall until they came across a curtain of ivy and vines. Pushing them aside, the moonlight shone off the narrow iron door built into the stone. He unlocked the bolt with a silver key and removed one of the lit torches from its sconce.
The passage did not cut through the wall; rather, a set of stairs plunged beneath the earth. Cobwebs draped over their heads, and the sound of stale water dripped from somewhere in the darkness, echoing a rhythmic sound. Moisture clung to the air, carrying the smell of damp earth and mildew. Nin followed close behind, but he continued the descent in silence.
Soon, the path flattened, and he guided her through another concealed door carved into the rock. Closing it behind them, they stood within the shadows of the servant’s tunnels under the palace. The passageways were a labyrinth of torchlight, low ceilings, and old stone, but he navigated them with expertise. Left, then right, and left again, he had every tunnel memorized from his years of service. Eventually, he unlocked the final door.
“After you,” he whispered.
Chapter five
Nin did not belong in this room.
She knew it the moment her cheap, leather boots made contact with the polished floor, laid in a woven pattern. The scent of roses permeated the air, immediately entrancing her to the spot. She had never smelled anything so lovely before.
Gold trimmed the cream, paneled walls adorned with a delicate floral motif. Scenic paintings of gardens and rolling hills hung on golden hooks, interspersed by gilt mirrors framed with delicate, swirling designs. Nin slowly turned, her head craning to take in the sheer splendor—the sparkle of every corner. How did they make such things shine? Was it magic?
A luxurious cream rug covered the floor, and Nin hovered by the edge, certain that whatever grime lingered on her boots would ruin it if she dared to step on it.
In the corner sat a white marble dressing table with brushes, fresh flowers in porcelain vases, and jewelry boxes. On the far end, against the wall, lay an enormous bed with silken ivorysheets and dozens of fluffy pillows. Nin had never owned a pillow plusher than two fingers.
A floral damask canopy draped elegantly from the ceiling, tied by golden tassels. Glimmering crystals hung from a round bronze-gilt chandelier above her head. Nin imagined that one of those crystals alone could feed her and her brother for months.
“Did you hear me?”
“Huh?” Nin asked, whipping around.
Cedric had his arms crossed, with a dark brow raised above his spectacles. “I said, we’re going to start with your appearance. We can’t have you dirtying the sheets.”
Nin blinked slowly, unable to process the insult until he approached a panel on the wall and knocked three times. In moments, a woman in her late forties pushed the panel open and bustled in. Her attire consisted of a blue dress, a white lace-trimmed apron, and black bows on the sleeves that reached her elbows. A lacy white cap sat on top of the pile of silver-streaked brunette hair.
There was a sternness in the lines around the woman’s mouth, but Nin sensed more beneath her prim demeanor.
“This is Lucille,” Cedric said. “She is the head chambermaid—and one of the very few privy to this plan. She will help me teach you everything you need to know to become Princess Marianne.”
Nin fluffed her coat out into a curtsy—or at least what she thought was a curtsy. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lucille.”
Lucille eyed her with an unimpressed frown, and Cedric rubbed his eyes beneath his spectacles. “First rule,” he said,stepping in her direction and gesturing for her to stand. “You must never curtsy to anyone below your station.”
“But she’s not below my station,” Nin protested. “I’m below hers. I’m a pauper.”
“Not anymore,” he said sternly. “You are now Princess Marianne Eloise de Montclair, and you are going to act like her from this moment forward.”
Nin swallowed. She already knew pretending to be the princess would be difficult, but the pressure crushed over her shoulders.
Lucille, however, curtsied to her and said, “It is a pleasure, mademoiselle.”
Cedric turned to Lucille. “I shall leave her in your hands for the rest of the evening.” Without another word, he stepped behind the concealed door and shut it behind him.
So much for saying goodbye.Nin huffed a silent snort through her nose.
Lucille waved for her to follow and opened a door on the opposite end of the room that led to a dark washroom. She lit a few of the candles and guided Nin toward the large white tub, its golden feet carved with delicate, scrolling leaves.
