Chapter 20
T he Kingdom of Lamida was an upside-down place indeed. We’d been here less than a day, and already our roles had been flipped, with Wrenley suddenly the optimist and me the cynic.
The corridors leading up to the dining hall smelled of spun sugar, and my stomach rumbled despite my nerves. Wrenley had spent the afternoon promising me this would all work out, but I couldn't find the same positivity.
A string quartet played a subtly playful tune, elegantly rendering a popular lullaby. It paired well with dinner conversation. The music was low enough that we could easily talk over it but not so quiet that we were forced to listen to one another chew.
The long table was overflowing with pastel-colored pastries and confectionaries. On closer inspection, I did manage to find a few more savory options. Still, even then, they masqueraded as something sweeter. Salted crackers were colored to look like macarons, carrots were purple and white shimmering underneath a honeyed glaze, and beets were whipped into a pink mousse atop a buttery roll garnished with bright green dill.
Placards marked our chairs, with our names written in glittering calligraphy. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw mine beside Wrenley's.
"At least we can sit together," I said.
“I would’ve swapped spots even if we weren’t,” xe replied as xe took their seats.
As I unfolded the napkin across my lap, I became acutely aware of someone hovering behind me. A young man with blue eyes appeared to be reading over my shoulder.
His expression immediately turned apologetic when he noticed me noticing him, and his cheeks reddened. "Sorry about that. I just wanted to read the card to know who I'm sitting next to."
He picked up the card off the spot next to mine, and he held it up so I could see Rowan Frost scrawled across it. “This is me. Rowan.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Isadore, and this is my friend, Wrenley.” I motioned back to xer on the other side of me, but xe was too busy eating to do more than offer a quick wave. “We’re both from Calida.”
"Oh, yeah, I heard we had some talented muses coming in from Calida." He had a bright smile as he sat beside me, running a hand through his shaggy brown hair. "That must be you two."
"It's Wren, for sure, but I think there was some kind of mistake with me. I don't have much experience with aerials," I admitted since there was no reason to pretend otherwise. Everyone would quickly realize it once we got out on the silks.
“Well…” He seemed startled by my confession and leaned back in the chair, appraising me. “You were sent here for a reason, and I’m sure you’ll bring exactly what we need for the Dandy Days.”
“Dandy Days?” Wrenley asked, leaning in and her interest piqued.
"Yeah. That's what we'll be performing it," Rowan explained. "It's a music festival, and we do a conduction at the end. All of it is to celebrate King Asmond's birthday, but the Dandy Days and some of the events leading up to are awesome."
“Are you from Lamida?” I asked.
“No, I’m from New Nottenga, but I’ve performed at the Dandy Days the last few years.” Then, with a smile that quirked between humble and boasting, he added, “I’m one of the best aerialists in the six kingdoms of Wespen.”
“And I’m one of the best in Calida,” Wrenley said. “We’re not as into aerials there, but I’m still pretty good.”
King Asmond walked into the room without any fanfare with his grandmother on his arm. I wouldn't have known either of them were special without the hushed murmurs running around the table.
Madge immediately leaped to her feet, and the rest of us quickly followed the enchantress's lead. "Your Royal Highness." She curtseyed low before Asmond and added a deferential smile to his grandmother. "My Lady."
“No need for all that.” The elderly woman waved off Madge’s formalities. “You can call me Nana Peach the same as anyone else.”
“We are not here in royal business, so you can all be at ease,” Asmond added, speaking louder so everyone around the table would hear. “Nana Peach and I have always enjoyed the festivities of Dandy Days, and she is here merely as a fan.”
“And what are you here as?” Wrenley asked, and I elbowed xer in the ribs since it didn’t seem like a good idea to be teasing the King of the Kingdom hosting us.
He turned to look at xer then, his eyes easily scanning over the heads of all the other muses since he was tall. It occurred to me that he looked exactly how one would imagine a young king in a storybook would look: tall and broad-shouldered with a cleft chin, disarmingly honest brown eyes, and dark, wavy hair neatly styled. But that was precisely why he seemed so out of place in Lamida. The Kingdom was an extraordinary land, and he appeared to be an ordinary King.
Other than the color of his attire—admittedly a bold shade of salmon—he was dressed conservatively. His voice was clear but restrained, and he walked with quiet, unassuming steps.
I cringed behind Wrenley, but I don’t think Asmond would've noticed me. His dark eyes were fixed solely on Wrenley since the moment xe spoke up.
"I am also here as a fan, I suppose," he admitted. He broke away from Nana Peach, leaving her to talk with Madge and a few other muses as he approached us.
“A fan? Is that why you’re not wearing a crown?” Wrenley asked him. “Were you going incognito? You were hoping that none of us would recognize you?”
"I only wear that for formal events. I considered this a friendly visit, but perhaps I should've brought armor," he said with a wry smile. "I don't think we've been properly introduced."
“Leige Wrenley Pavone. And you are?”
His smile deepened. “King Asmond Weiss.”
"Well, since I am a guest in your kingdom, I ought to play nice," xe reasoned. "I think that's what Madge is trying to say with that sour look she's giving me."
"Or you could be nice because it's nice to be nice," the King suggested.
Xe only shrugged him off. “Now you’re just being redundant.”