Page 22 of The Masked Princess

“She is. Unfortunately, finding suitable women willing to serve a cursed princess was quite difficult. I am exceedingly grateful for her every day.” Annalise smiled at Priscilla, who gave her the smallest grin in return.

“I see. Well, there isn’t long before the meal, but I wanted to gift you something now.” Amelia pulled a small brown and silver rectangle from the folds of her dress. “We know of your curse, as well as how you prefer to eat most of your meal in your rooms and only nibble at the table while you are at court, but I thought I would offer you this.”

Annalise took the gift. It consisted of several thin, dark brown rectangles of wood attached to a square of silver cloth. Despite the fabric’s thickness, it draped nicely over her fingers, almost like delicate chain mail. She traced the dainty swirls etched into the wood; the carvings gleamed like honey when tilted a certain way in the candlelight. “It is certainly beautiful.”

“It’s a mask. The wooden part goes over your nose and cheeks, and the cloth will obscure your mouth without limiting you as much as your other mask. I know that once you’re used to hiding, it’s hard to stop, but my husband and I wished to give you this. If you accept it, you can dine with us without having to adjust your mask constantly or watch food pass you by.” Amelia paused, and her face softened. “Of course, if you wish to dine with no mask at all, you are more than welcome to. We are not afraid of the consequences.”

A lump rose in Annalise’s throat. “If you know of my curse, you know why I wear my full mask at the dinner table.”

“Yes, I’ve heard of the woman who accused you of coughing on her food, causing her to lose the child she was carrying. I’ve also heard that beyond that isolated incident, there have been no other accusations.” Amelia placed her hand on her stomach and smiled. “If it sways your opinion, my two children are nearly grown, and neither my husband nor I wish for more. If we take ill, it is more likely to be because of the damp and cold of this outpost than anything that you do, provided you don’t spit on the serving platters. Please consider accepting the gift and dining with us as friends.”

“If the king hears…”

“He won’t. But even if he does, what can he do about it? My husband has commanded this outpost for nearly a decade and has been awarded several medals for his service and wisdom. I’m afraid that he’s become rather invaluable to High General Kierson and will remain here until he retires. If we’re sent anywhere else, it’ll be an upgrade in the living conditions. Plus, after your soldiers refuel and rest, you’ll cross the pass into Rhinnean territory to be wed to their king. By the time your father hears of the mask, you’ll be well outside his influence.”

Annalise considered the mask in her hands, and then with the barest hint of nods, she unfastened the ribbons of her ivory mask and set it to the side.

A sharp intake of breath from Amelia made Annalise pause and look at the older lady, the wooden half-mask held halfway to her face.

“Don’t mind me; it’s just that you look so much like your mother I couldn’t help myself,” Amelia said, dabbing at her eyes with the edge of her sleeve.

For a moment, words failed Annalise. She opened and shut her mouth three times before finally finding her voice. “She was a beautiful woman; thank you,” she replied before fastening her new mask in place.

That evening, for the first time in years, Annalise could dine in the company of others without constantly adjusting her mask or having to go without food. Instead of worrying about upsetting her father, weighing the opportunity cost of each morsel, or defending herself from Larken’s barbs, she spoke with the Lennils, laughed with the town mayor, and even surprised herself by flirting with a few of the ranking officers from the garrison. Soren sat across from her for all of it, and whenever their eyes met, his shone with encouragement and happiness.

For once, Annalise wondered if perhaps her new life wouldn’t be so terrible after all.

CHAPTER 16

The travelers spent a few precious days at the outpost restocking their provisions and preparing for the worst of the journey ahead. The evening before they were to leave, Soren and Colonel Lennil discussed the possibility of bandits on the road.

“If the bandit attacks have recently picked up as you say, would it be possible to assign a few additional men from the garrison to Princess Annalise’s guard? I don’t want to take any risks with such precious cargo in my care,” Soren said.

Colonel Lennil’s fingers tapped a steady rhythm on the wooden desk in his office before he slowly shook his head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t allow that. We’re already spread thin enough, and with the tensions between Rhinnea and Dovea what they currently are, we’re in a near-constant state of alert for a border skirmish. Your estate isn’t too far from here. Could you arrange for some extra men from there to assist you?”

“I’d already thought of that, but no. It would take too long to reach my keep and ask for more men. If I’d known of the bandits the moment I got here, perhaps I could have sent a pigeon… but now, no, it’s far too late. Not to mention the offense such a thing might cause the king,” Soren said.

“Yes, King Everet’s feelings on the matter must be considered. He is a prideful man, and if he sensed you didn’t think his guards were good enough to handle some bandits, his displeasure at the perceived slight could make life very difficult for you, even if your father is highly favored.” The glance that passed between Colonel Lennil and Soren was fraught with unspoken meaning. “Hopefully, the marriage between Princess Annalise and the Rhinnean’s King Nelan will help things to simmer down politically. I would love to have another twenty years of peace before my retirement. What about you? What are your plans after you’ve completed your mission and delivered the princess safely into the hands of the Rhinneans?” Colonel Lennil asked.

Soren shrugged. “Once Princess Annalise no longer requires my services, I suppose I’ll come back to Dovea. After that, I don’t know; it’s not something I’ve given much thought.”

“Because you were hoping to spend your time with someone special, but fate had other plans instead?”

The way the colonel phrased the question made Soren feel as though he was treading on very thin ice. He narrowed his eyes at his counterpart.

The colonel nodded. “Yes, I know.”

Soren had only one question for him. “How?”

“I see how you look at her and the way you hang onto her every word. Amelia maintains quite a healthy correspondence with her family in the south of Dovea and acquaintances at court and she’s heard the gossip about the newly returned son of High General Kierson, the first to brave a dance with the princess since her curse. It doesn’t take a master strategist to put two and two together.”

“I thought I was being careful.” Soren frowned and clenched his fists. “I’ll have to take even greater care in the future. I don’t want to make things difficult for her in her new life.”

“If you can.” At Soren’s alarmed expression, the colonel shrugged and poured himself another glass of brandy. “It’s a wonder that King Everet assigned you as her protector, although it’s possible he didn’t recognize the signs.”

“Perhaps he was too distracted by the news of his mistress’s pregnancy and the impending fortune of a new heir,” Soren suggested.

“Perhaps… although I doubt it. The Serpent King is known for his cunning; he’s no small-minded fool.” Colonel Lennil frowned, then went to the door of his office, checked outside both ways, shut it, and also looked out his window before closing the curtains, returning to his desk, and lowering his voice. “How much do you know of his plans? Does your father keep you in his counsel?”