Her stepmother stood in the doorway, her hand still on the doorknob, her head held high and her gray eyes icy cold.
“Yes, my lady?”
The older woman sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping as she exhaled. “Your sister is terribly upset.” She stepped into the room and walked around the table, dragging her hand along the tops of the chairs. “Did you have to mention the color of her hair? You know that is a sore spot for her.”
Ashlin blinked as tears burned in the corner of her eyes. Moments earlier, she had been so full of anger and frustration that she’d had the courage to stand up for what she wanted. But in an instant, it had dissipated. Instead, she was left with the feeling of shame and regret. “I’m so sorry.”
“I know you are. And honestly, you are probably right. I had doubts myself about her choice of fabric at the dressmakers, but I couldn’t bring myself to question her when she was so excited about it.”
Ashlin wanted to sink into the floor. She wished she had the same amount of self-control.
Her stepmother stopped pacing. “Let’s just sew the dress up and help her feel good in it, shall we?”
Ashlin nodded.
“I knew you would understand. Perhaps, to make it up to your sister, you could beat out her feather mattress and the rugs in her room.”
“Yes, madam.” Sensing that she was dismissed, Ashlin turned back towards the counter.
Her stepmother walked past her to leave the small kitchen. “While you are at it, you might as well do all of mine as well. And don’t forget the rugs in the salon and dining room.” She closed the door behind her.
Thoroughly chastised, Ashlin wiped her hands on her apron and retrieved the charcoal sketch she had done of her original dress design. Even if the crisp color was not the most flattering for her sister, at least it could still be the best dress at the ball.
Chapter 13
“Stop pacing, Onric. I can’t focus.” Queen Cara spoke to her son without lifting her eyes from her desk.
Onric sat on the covered bench behind her desk, sprawling out into a more comfortable position. “Ian’s not back yet.”
“And he won’t be until next week.”
“It’s not fair.”
“Sometimes, I wonder that you are my second born and not my youngest.” His mother sighed in resignation, but Onric could hear the jest in her words.
“Are you calling me a child?” Onric made sure to sound particularly wounded. “Aden is sitting on the floor right behind you, trying to teach a pup how to stand like a human, and you are calling me the child. I’m hurt, Mother. Devastated.”
Queen Cara turned around at that and smiled at her sons and the dog in the room. Even though they were quite grown, Onric and his siblings often came to the family salon while their mother was working. It gave them a sense of normalcy, to be in a space away from the demands of the royal family. Queen Cara mostly tolerated it, as she was happiest when surrounded by her family, but she had also developed the ability to tune them out when she had work to do. At the moment, however, Onric was trying very hard to not be tuned out.
“But he is such a good pup, isn’t he?” Queen Cara was watching the dog’s antics and reached down to scratch its head. “Why don’t you go and check on the reports of citizens entering the castle, Onric?”
“I have. Twice today already. No one has come through the palace gates that is unrecognized, and the city gates have had no suspicious activity.”
“Good. You are doing your job well, then.”
A knock sounded at the door.
“Come in,” Queen Cara responded.
Onric did not sit up. There were only a few people who ever disturbed them in the salon, and they were the ones who were already considered family.
Steward Daniel opened the door. “Your Majesty, if I may speak to you for a moment regarding the ball? We have made the most incredible discovery.” He stepped into the room, followed by Ashlin.
Onric quickly sat up, swinging his feet to the floor as a smile spread over his face.
“Of course, Daniel. The ball is my first priority.” The queen had set down her quill and turned towards the door. She was giving her full attention to the steward, but she also studied Ashlin for a long moment.
Onric glanced between them. Ashlin’s eyes made a quick sweep of the room, and her face relaxed as soon as she saw him.
