Page 63 of The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly

I mean, a little more than a week ago—was it really only a week from this past Friday?—I fought in Chris’s place. Now, I’m rolling toward Chicago in a car with its own minibar so I can be on TV.

What. Even. Is. My. Life?

And how does this all fit in with being the Girl Knight?

I snap a picture of myself in the car and text it to the Knights group text.

Kit: Fingers crossed I don’t barf.

Most of them are still asleep, but I feel better knowing they’re rooting for me.

Finishing my coffee, I lean my head against the window. Surely talking to people on camera is easier than riding a horse while wearing pounds of armor and carrying a lance?

Right?

BETTINA LOOKS EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL THIS MORNING THAN she did at the Castle. Her skin glows beneath the lights, and her hair looks like it’s never been out of place in her life. She wears a tailored white-and-blue dress that sort of shimmers as she moves. Next to her, I look like a scabby teenager who’s fled a picnic hosted by a gang of fashion school rejects. Or something like that.

But she smiles when she sees me, putting me more at ease than I’ve felt since the car pulled up at my house.

“Kit!” She kisses both my cheeks and beams at me. “It’s so good to see you again.”

A witty reply isn’t forthcoming, so I just smile back. “Thanks. I’m really excited to be here!”

And I am. Now that I’m actually here and people from hair and makeup surround me, a fizz of excitement rises. This is a HUGE part of phase three—getting the word out there— and I can’t wait for other people to hear about what we want to change at the Castle. Of course, this exposure means Len could see it, but it’s not like I didn’t warn him I was going to do something to change his mind. Plus, my friends are counting on me.

Ooof. That gives me a sick feeling in my stomach. They’re counting on me and I’m lying to them.

Before I can reflect on my missteps as a friend or what I’m going to say, the lights go on, the music for Good Morning, Chicago! fills the studio, and Bettina smiles for the camera.

“Sit up straight,” she hisses through her teeth as she holds her smile.

I sit up as straight as I can, shoving all negative thoughts away and remembering the times my grandma would poke me in the back with her cane and yell at me for slouching. A producer counts us down.

Three, two, one …

And, showtime!

“Good morning, Chicago!” says Bettina enthusiastically. “We’re so glad you’ve joined us. This morning, I’m having coffee with a very special teenager. Folks, I’d like you to meet Kit Sweetly, Chicago’s very own Girl Knight!”

The camera turns to me, and I give a little wave. Inside, my stomach churns, the coffee I just finished a slurry.

Please don’t barf, please don’t barf, please don’t barf.

“Hello, Bettina, hello, Chicago!” I manage to get out. My voice sounds strained. Like I’m choking on something.

“Kit, why don’t you tell us what it’s like to work at the Castle?”

I shift a bit in my chair, and then smile. “Well, I’ve been working there for almost three years. We’re kind of like a family. A great big medieval-modern family. Actually, a whole lot of my real family works there. My uncle is my boss. My brother is—or was—a Knight there. Or maybe he still is? He’s in the hospital right now. And my two best friends work there. And all the other Wenches, Squires, Pages, Knights, and Royalty are really close.”

Bettina makes a funny little noise and wrinkles her nose. “Did you say wenches?” The word sounds like something that gives you food poisoning when she says it.

I grin. “Yep. That’s my official title. Really, I’m a server. Though I’m hoping for a promotion to Knight soon.”

“Speaking of that.” Bettina smoothly transitions as a producer holds up six fingers for time. “You’re doing more than hoping, aren’t you? Folks, just last week, Kit fought in her brother’s place and gave the crowd a real show! Let’s take a look at her clip.”

She turns to the large video screen behind us, and my YouTube video comes on. It’s been edited so it’s a montage of me riding, fighting the Green Knight, and then whipping off my helmet and making my declaration.

When it’s done, Bettina claps. “Well, that certainly was invigorating. As you can see, folks at home, Kit’s video has been watched and shared more than a million times. She’s even got a website, right?”