10
G reenwood Abbey had never felt more alive than it did in the next three weeks. Servants and palace staff bustled through the stone halls with luggage and letters, a stark contrast to the usual stillness and gloom. A sketch artist came to take my likeness for the city papers. I spotted a rendering of Crown Prince Bennett’s regal profile in his portfolio.
The next morning, the portraits were featured at the front of the morning papers on an article detailing my royal engagement with the crown prince. I couldn’t bring myself to read past the sensational headlines, so I busied myself with packing my gowns instead—which turned out to be unnecessary.
The king had hired many witches into the palace since the end of the Non-Magic Age, one of them a charmwitch who went by the name of Giselle Phula. The fashion publications lauded her as the luckiest royal seamstress yet, as she was to work on “the finest figures of Olderea”. I was told she would be making most of my clothing during the tour. A small trunk arrived from her the week before, filled with new gowns of the most fashionable styles. Tizzy fawned over them for the entire evening, but I was too preoccupied to do the same.
The royal steward, Ulysses, had informed me of the first stop of the tour: the city of Coriva which lay beyond a few hills outside of Delibera. It was there we were to reside for the next month in Lord Frederick’s Huntington Abbey. Our route crossed one of the busiest parts of the city—the Witch Market. There was a witch market in every region of Olderea now, Ulysses had said, but the biggest by far was on Deliberan soil.
I hardly knew how the witches would react. Rumors of last summer’s ordeal had spread far and wide. Whether they were in my favor or not was a mystery. And the public’s opinion, I was sure, would sway the crown prince’s.
THE DAY OF THE TOUR arrived. That morning, our procession filled the palace courtyard, most dressed in Royal Guard purple. Three carriages awaited—one large and ornate, the other comparatively modest, and the last for cargo. There were horses in front for Lord Frederick, the crown prince, and our personal guards.
Father and Lady Vanessa came to see me and Maddox off.
“Best of luck to you, Cissa,” Father said, taking my gloved hands as Maddox and Lady Vanessa said their goodbyes.
“Thank you, Father.”
“I always knew you were meant for greater things, though I wish you didn’t have to leave. It felt like just yesterday you were returned to me,” he said with a sad smile, eyes crinkling.
My chest ached. This time I couldn’t attribute it to nerves.
I threw my arms around his neck like I used to as a little girl.
“I’ll miss you,” I whispered. It was unlike me to say such things out loud, but there was plenty of time to recover from any embarrassment I felt afterward.
Father tightened his hug, sharing none of my awkward hesitation. “I’ll miss you too, Cissa.” He pulled back, eyes glassy, and bent down to pick up the feline beside him. “Don’t forget Misty.”
I took her. Misty looked disgruntled, too used to sleeping in to appreciate being awake at this moment.
“Maddox, my boy,” Father said in a louder voice, “you look dashing in uniform.”
My half-brother merely grunted, more subdued than usual. Perhaps he accepted his fate. But the more likely reason was that he didn’t want to act impertinently in front of his new colleagues.
Lady Vanessa went to stand next to Father. “Take care, Narcissa,” she said earnestly.
“You as well,” I said.
She looked as if she wanted to say something more, but thought better of it.
Ulysses the steward glided up at that moment. “Milady,” he said as he adjusted his wire-framed spectacles, “His Highness has arrived. It is time to leave.”
Maddox and I nodded, and with one last goodbye to Father and Lady Vanessa, we headed across the tiled courtyard toward the group. Crown Prince Bennett was instantly recognizable, dressed in a double-breasted lavender coat with crisp lapels. His crown glinted in the watery sunlight as he stood next to an impressive white mount, conversing with a woman with a dark braid.
My skirt jerked back abruptly. I stumbled as Maddox let out a string of curses. Misty hissed in displeasure as I turned to him.
“You’re supposed to protect me from danger, not endanger me yourself,” I said coolly, surveying the damage he had done to my hem. The sage green was now stamped with a muddy footprint. Misty jumped to the ground.
“Don’t start with me you...you spoiled society brat !” he said fiercely.
I pursed my lips. “How strange. You’re always the one to start with me .”
Maddox flushed. “Listen! I’m stuck here because of you and the last thing I need is your—”
He choked when the crown prince approached.
“Your Highness.” I dipped into a low curtsy, but Crown Prince Bennett held out a hand.
“No need for formalities, Lady Narcissa,” he said.
“In that case, you should call me Cissa,” I said, giving him my best smile—the one that accentuated the dimple on my left cheek. I knew he wasn’t easily charmed, but it didn’t hurt to try.
The crown prince merely blinked twice.
I bit back a sigh. It was frustrating, not knowing what he thought of me. Mother always made her approval and displeasure known. Father practically wore his heart on his sleeve. The crown prince, on the other hand, was a book I couldn’t read.
Misty took the liberty of rubbing herself against his leg and purring loudly. I raised my eyebrows at her.
What? she said. I thought we were trying to win his favor .
Crown Prince Bennett moved aside. “You brought your cat,” he stated. I couldn’t tell if he was displeased.
“Her name is Misty,” I said. “She’s usually...not that friendly.”
Misty meowed indignantly.
The crown prince wet his lips. “The carriage is ready. It’s time to go.” He looked a little past me. “You may rise.”
I turned to see Maddox straighten from a deep bow.
“Thank you, Highness!” he said loudly.
Crown Prince Bennett nodded and headed back to his spot at the front. Maddox’s face was already aflame, no doubt anticipating a snarky comment from me.
“In that case you should call me Cissa ,” he said in a high-pitched voice before I could get a word out. “If you won’t let me keep my freedom, at least let me keep my breakfast.”
I scoffed. “You are a child.”
“Better than a two-faced fraud,” he shot back. “His Highness will see through your fa?ade in no time.”
Maddox turned on his heel and marched to the other guards.
“Well. Smiling didn’t work,” I muttered to Misty as I approached the large carriage in the front. The coachman helped me inside. The interior was smaller than anticipated, having room for only four passengers. Nevertheless, the plump velvet seats looked more than welcoming. I relaxed into them as the coachman closed the door.
And he doesn’t seem to have a liking for felines , Misty meowed. Ridiculous.
Shortly after, a soft knock came at the window. I moved the curtain aside to meet Lord Frederick’s smiling face.
“Good morning, milady,” he said. “Are you comfortably settled? ”
“Quite. Thank you, Lord Frederick,” I said.
“It will be a long ride to the outskirts of Delibera. Two hours or so, with the size of our company, and two more to reach my residence. You won’t need to make an appearance until we reach the witch market. We have a mare prepared for you when it’s time.”
I nodded and thanked him again. “Will His Highness join me in the carriage?” I asked, peering past his shoulder.
“Er, His Highness informed me that he will be on horseback for the majority of the tour,” Lord Frederick said. He looked askance before giving me a tight-lipped smile.
So! He refused to even share a carriage with me. No one in their right mind would want to be on horseback for four hours, much less for an entire four-month tour in the midst of winter.
Looks like our high and mighty crown prince would rather suffer a sore backside than endure our company , Misty said, licking her paw.
I kept my face neutral. “I see.”
Lord Frederick cleared his throat. “Well, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to come to me. I’d be happy to assist if you need to pass any messages to His Highness.”
“Thank you, Lord Frederick,” I said, “but that won’t be necessary.” If I wanted to win the crown prince’s favor, I’d have to do it myself.
He nodded and glanced over his shoulder. “Looks about time to go. Enjoy the ride, milady.”
I let the curtains drop.
Misty jumped to the opposite seat and stretched herself out on the cushion. Looks like you have your work cut out for you.
“I know. This is going to be— ”
The carriage door burst open, letting in a flood of cold air. A young woman with a leather satchel stood outside, eyes flicking around the interior of the carriage until they settled on me. I recognized her as the dark-haired woman speaking to the crown prince earlier.
“Are you Lady Narcissa?” Her eyes glinted gold, as did the freckle on her left cheekbone.
Did all the witches in the palace have no manners?
“I am. And you are?” I said, pulling the collar of my spencer tighter around my neck.
“Giselle. Charmwitch, dressmaker extraordinaire, peacekeeper, and your carriage companion for the next hour.”
She threw her braid over her shoulder and swung inside, shooing Misty back onto my side of the seats. Misty hissed, baring her fangs, but the charmwitch didn’t seem to mind.
“I see you’re wearing one of my ensembles,” she said, looking me up and down. “Gorgeous, isn’t it?”
I shifted. I had never witnessed someone admire their own work so shamelessly.
She raised her brows at the brown footprint on my hem and tutted. “And it’s ruined already. Good thing I sew quickly.” Giselle flipped open her satchel and dug into it so deeply that her shoulder disappeared inside. “A bottomless bag enchantment,” she said when she caught me staring. “Quite simple. I can show you sometime. ”
“That is...fine,” I said.
“Aha! Here we are.” Giselle fished out a hefty wad of fern green fabric I couldn’t make sense of. “Where’s my thimble?”
She rummaged through her satchel again, this time sticking her head in as well.
Heavens, what an annoying woman , Misty said in displeasure.
I couldn’t help but agree. I expected to spend the ride contemplating my next steps and perhaps take a nap. Now I was stuck with the seamstress of all people, who clearly wasn’t the quiet type.
Giselle reemerged with her sewing supplies just as the carriage jerked into motion. The palace courtyard disappeared behind us, as well as all hope of getting rid of her.
“So,” she mumbled as she slipped an end of thread into her mouth, “how was your morning?”
I frowned. The woman had barged inside, barely introduced herself, and now was inquiring about my morning like we were old friends.
I folded my gloved hands on my knee. “Excuse me, but I hardly know who you are.”
Giselle threaded her needle, which was rather impressive as the carriage rattled over cobblestone. “Ah. You’re the prim and proper sort,” she said. “Well, milady, I am the newly appointed royal seamstress, here to dress you and the crown prince during the tour.”
I glanced at the left side of her bodice, where an acorn pin glimmered against the teal fabric. “What else do you do?” I said.
Giselle looked down at the pin and smiled. “Observant, aren’t you?”
“You’re on the witch committee,” I said. I tried to recall if I saw her in the ballroom the other night .
She shrugged a shoulder. “Yes. In addition to my many talents, I also have a knack for keeping everyone calm when things...escalate.”
I raised a brow. So that was what she meant when she called herself a peacekeeper. “Using magic on angry masses who already hate magic? That can’t be wise.”
Giselle thinned her lips, ducking her head over her work. “It’s only for emergencies, milady,” she said. She flashed a smile, though it seemed false. “Thankfully I do have a naturally calming presence.”
I exchanged a look with Misty. Would things escalate , as Giselle called it?
Of course , Misty meowed. People are rioting over fabric. Think of what they’ll do when they find out their future queen is a witch.
Giselle looked at me suddenly. Her pale gold irises were unnerving. “Say, you and the crown prince aren’t exactly the lovebirds you need to be, are you?”
“Pardon?” I said, affronted.
She shrugged and began stitching. “He made it public enough that he didn’t want to be in this carriage.”
I bristled.
“No need to get your knickers in a twist...not that you’re wearing any, I presume.” Giselle shifted closer so that our knees bumped. “Listen, I want to help.”
“What are you saying?”
She darted her eyes around the carriage before pulling something out of her bodice. Two decorative charms made of knotted twine and colorful ceramic beads dangled from her hand.
“Love charms,” Giselle whispered from the side of her mouth. “Keep one on you and the other on the crown prince. Anywhere will do, as long as it’s on his person. ”
I am positive that is treason , Misty drawled.
“No,” I said.
Giselle raised her eyebrows. “You’re not even going to consider it? Think of how much more effective this tour will be if you two are actually in love. Besides, how long will it take for that to happen organically? After what you did last summer—”
“No,” I repeated.
“Are you sure?”
I turned to the window. “I’m here to atone my wrongdoings, not commit more.” My lip curled as I looked back at Giselle. “It seems that Crown Prince Bennett made a mistake bringing you onto the witch committee.”
My sneers intimidated the haughtiest of courtiers, but Giselle didn’t shrink back. Instead, she shrugged, unconcerned, and shoved the charms back into her bodice. “Alright. I’ll hold on to these if you change your mind,” she said, returning to her sewing.
“I won’t,” I said stiffly.
I sincerely hoped the rest of the witch committee weren’t as lawless as her.
Giselle sighed loudly. “The crown prince is about as difficult to woo as a brick wall. Just you wait. After the wedding, you’ll be spending the rest of your life alone.”
I saw it fit to not respond. As insane as she was, Giselle made something very clear: making the crown prince fall in love with me was impossible. I had tried under Mother’s orders but to no avail. And from our interaction this morning, it didn’t seem like I would have any more luck on my own.
What mattered now was winning his trust.
I recalled what the crown prince said to me in the king’s study .
My duty is to my kingdom, Lady Narcissa. Whether yours is remains to be seen.
Of course. I would have to show him that Olderea matters to me as much as it does to him.
And what does that entail? Misty asked from my side.
It means , I thought to her, that I will be the best crown princess this kingdom has ever seen.