Page 33 of Blood of the Fairest

I don't get it. "Are these guys new guards or something?"

He guffaws. "Don't be silly. Can't you recognize them from your reserve list of candidates? They are gathered here so you can peruse your new potential Favored."

What?

Oh, hell no. Seriously, what is wrong with this guy?

"Hey, Schultz," I begin, glowering at him through my veil. "Remind me what I said would happen to you yesterday if you didn't get rid of the queen's Favored."

He has the audacity to look shocked and hurt.

"My queen, of course, I did just as you said! What kind of chamberlain would I be otherwise? Now then, we both know how ill you become with boredom when you have no distractions. A new, trustworthy retinue will keep you company in our dear late king's absence, as you've said so many times. And just see, some loyal court members have come to witness which of these men will be appointed as your new Favored. It's a great honor for the families of anyone chosen, after all."

He gestures at the nobles standing nearby, who can hear both of us clearly.

For a moment, I fantasize about ripping the fur mantle off Schultz's shoulders and whacking him upside the head with it before skipping away in glee. Does this fucker seriously think he can manipulate me into keeping an entourage of unwilling lovers just because he's dragged me into public scrutiny over it?

It takes Herculean effort, but I resist. Showing off my hot temper right now would make me look irrational. Plus, I always try to prove that annoying "redheaded temper" stereotype wrong anytime I can, even though I personally do have a nasty one.

But if I know manipulative psychopaths—and I sadly do—Schultz wants me to lose my cool.

He clearly likes how much control he has and wants nothing to change, including the queen. If he distracts her with a retinue of fake lovers and ensures she's feared and disliked by everyone in Isenmere, it keeps her from butting into the actual running of the kingdom.

I don't know if my soul has been swapped with the real queen, and she's in my body in my world. I don't know how I'll get back, or when.

But I know one thing: I'm the very last person men like this should try to control.

I have the scars on my real body to prove that.

Time to change some shit—starting with how the queen is perceived.

Lifting my chin, I face the chamberlain and raise my voice so everyone in the courtyard can hear.

"You're fired."

9

Verena

Schultz rears back. "What do you mean?"

"Do you not use that term here? I mean you're being let go. Terminated, relieved of your duties, sacked. You are no longer the chamberlain of Isenmere Castle. I hereby unappoint you."

I put on a theatrical show of what I imagine a knight's dubbing looks like, but in reverse.

Gasps and murmurs fill the courtyard. More servants have emerged from the stone labyrinth to see what's going on. The nobles and the lined-up men here all look as flummoxed as Frisbee Mouth, exchanging wide-eyed glances.

Schultz's face turns pink fast with both embarrassment and fury. "Your Majesty, that is absurd. I have been nearly single-handedly running Isenmere Castle and all of its nuanced affairs for ten years. You cannot simply unappoint me."

"Says who? Them?" I look over at the nearby nobles. They can't see my face thanks to the veil. "Do any of you want to try telling your queen that she can't fire the person she appointed? Or is Big Mouth over here the only one delusional enough to try usurping a royal's authority?"

One noblewoman lets loose a surprised snort at my calling him Big Mouth, but she quickly falls quiet. The others all shake their heads aggressively to agree with me, saying nothing.

"See? Nobody cares," I turn back to Schultz. "Nice hat. You're fired."

Of course, that movie quote goes right over everyone's head, but now the chamberlain is really red. He tries to give me a placating smile, but his anger is still obvious, creating a really bizarre look.

"Queen Reinhilde," he begins again, like he's talking to a child. A certain look has entered his eyes that sets off subtle alarm bells in my head. "I know what is causing this. You are most unhappy, which is understandable after you cast out all of your former Favored for no reason. However, you cannot throw a fit and recklessly toss out your chamberlain just because you are so emotional!"