Page 126 of Blood of the Fairest

I glance back at Wulf. I'm not sure why the White Mask piqued the Huntsman's interest, but now he's exchanging a look with Eris that I don't understand.

"Enough! This meeting has gone on quite long as it is, and we have a much more pressing matter to discuss before we leave," Lady Silber insists.

After a long minute of her getting everyone else to calm down, the noblewoman looks at me so seriously that I expect her question to be life or death.

"My queen, are the rumors true? Have we finally received another invitation to Aurefeld's biennial masquerade festival?"

Several excited gasps follow, and suddenly I'm the center of attention. I phone a friend by glancing sideways at Merrick.

"Help," I whisper.

"Ah, yes—I meant to have your latest correspondence brought to you this morning. Please, allow me." He smiles brightly at everyone in the room as though bearing the best of news. "The rumors are true. For the first time in many years, King Roderik and Queen Gisela have officially extended an invitation to Isenmerian nobility to attend their grand festival in ten days, on the condition that our beautiful queen attend."

The entire Privy Council is thrilled with this. A few of them begin excitedly discussing travel plans and ballgowns with whoever sits beside them.

Lady Silber looks at me with all the hope of a kid writing a letter to Santa.

"Please say you will attend, Your Majesty, for we cannot go if you do not!"

A masquerade festival in a fantasy world? Abso-fucking-lutely.

My imagination is already jumping between all kinds of gorgeous ballgowns I could create for Anika, and Snow White, and Ingrid, and…

Wait.

Shit, do I really have time to design dresses and go to another kingdom in ten days, when I should be learning how to read Rhinestone's journals?

Lady Silber senses my hesitation and hurries to add, "As you know, Aurefeld's king and queen give a festival every two years—but this year is quite special, my queen. This year's festival shall last for three nights, for they want their prince to select a bride there."

The other Privy Council members are piping up with their pleas and gabbing about how glamorous it will be and how I simply must go, but my brain is catching up.

A three-day festival so a prince can select a bride?

Holy shit.

That's Cinderella's fairy tale.

I could meet the Cinderella.

Surely, that alone is worth staying a little longer in this world—especially if I ask her to ask her fairy godmother to send me home. Or if this world is sticking to the old fairy tales I grew up reading, maybe the magic bird at Cinderella's mother's grave could help me.

"I'll attend the festival," I announce, before smiling extra sweetly at everyone present. "So long as everyone here properly welcomes the Bellavyrs to court within the week. Lady Bellavyr will keep me posted."

"Well played," Eris grins from the stained glass nearby.

"Of course! I shall send my regards at once," Lady Silber assures me.

"As shall I," another chimes in.

Others are already rising from their seats to warmly greet Anika as Merrick calls the meeting to an end. They rush to surround her so they can ogle her dress, compliment her beauty, and introduce themselves. Anika is perfectly composed as she speaks with each of them.

Merrick escorts me out of the council chamber, with Wulf and Eris tailing us as usual. I don't bother pulling the veil back over my head yet, since I don't really care if a few guards see my face now and then.

Besides, I might just do away with the whole veil thing if I end up staying here much longer.

"That went well. Mostly. That Sir Kranz is annoying as fuck, and he seems to have it out for you. Just say the word, and I really will kick him off the Council," I add.

The chamberlain slows just as we reach a big corridor I've never been in before. Several large portraits hang nearby, illuminated by rays of light from windows high above.