8. Verena #2
"If he's irritating you, have him executed and be done with it," Eris suggests.
On second thought, maybe I need to find a more human friend and not just a mysterious, mildly sadistic model stuck in a mirror.
Throwing the sheet I'm holding back on the bed, I move to stand by the double doors, fold my arms, and raise my voice.
"Cut! Let's try that again. This time, start with good morning or any other basic, respectful human greeting. And, action."
It's quiet for a very long minute before Schultz grits, "Good morning, Your Majesty. Now, you really must don your veil. They are all waiting for you."
"They who?"
"Come and see. Your breakfast shall be brought up only after this has been sorted."
I can't believe this asshole is trying to control when the queen eats—but since my stomach is panging with desperation, I decide to get this over with.
Quickly, I tame my hair, change into a new chemise and dark grey dress, and throw on another sheer veil. If I don't find a way out of this world soon, I might boycott the whole "veiled queen" bullshit.
I find the silver crown sitting on the queen's vanity. I guess the Huntsman left it there after returning me from the shitshow yesterday.
Setting it atop the veil, I open the door and come face-to-face with Frisbee Mouth himself.
"Schultz."
"Your Majesty. Where precisely did you go yesterday, after meeting with the Huntsman?"
The fact that this castle's security is so lacking that no one noticed me being abducted from the chapel puts me on edge. As much as the Huntsman's life debt thing is ludicrous, I bet even he could do a better job guarding me than whoever Schultz has standing around.
Not that I want that terrifying man to guard me, or be anywhere near me. I kind of hope he changes his mind and leaves the castle so I don't have to see him again.
I arch a brow at Schultz. "Wouldn't you like to know? Now, who the fuck am I meeting?"
He grumbles something under his breath before leading me down the hall. We descend a staircase and take a left turn, then another.
It's probably not a bad idea for me to try memorizing the layout of this castle—except that would almost feel like admitting I'll be here for a while, and I plan on getting back to my world as soon as possible.
After descending two more long flights of stone stairs, Schultz stops in a large, sunlit courtyard.
It's full of a dozen or so lined-up, well-groomed men, all standing straight but keeping their eyes on the ground.
I'm jealous that they're dressed warmly enough to fend off the spring chill out here that Schultz didn't bother warning me about.
This courtyard is bordered on all sides by covered walkways, their stone pillars leaving the corridors open to the crisp air.
It's the most public part of the castle I've seen so far.
Several castle guards are posted along the corridors.
One guard chats with two knights in full armor, their polished plates catching the sunlight, but he cuts off when he sees me.
A couple of kitchen servants are crossing through the back of the courtyard, but they stop and stare when they notice the veiled queen has arrived.
Near the stairs I just descended stands a small group of groomed, finely-dressed people—nobles, I guess. Their attention shifts between the lined-up men and me.
"Here we are, Your Majesty," Schultz announces.
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."