19
A few days later, I still had not touched the shirt. Perhaps it was the sewing needle that reminded me of a different time. The linen sat on my bedside table collecting dust—and that was where I was content to leave it.
“Lady Narcissa. Lady Narcissa!”
I was on my way to the library. Ulysses trotted up behind me, lugging his usual pile of papers.
“Are you off to lunch, Ulysses?”
“Not yet.” He paused to catch his breath. “And you, milady?”
“I’m trying to find Misty.”
“Apologies for the interruption, but I have urgent news about tomorrow’s schedule.” Ulysses adjusted his spectacles. “His Highness is delivering a speech at city hall tomorrow morning. You’re expected to make an appearance.”
I blinked rapidly. “Tomorrow? Why didn’t you tell me sooner? ”
“Alas, it wasn’t scheduled,” he said with a sigh. “The lord mayor—Lord Irving, his name is—contacted me this morning. He says the people want to see the crown prince.”
“Does the lord mayor make it a habit to obey their whims?” I asked. “He can’t possibly expect us to deliver a speech on such short notice.”
“Crowds in Vandil are known to be rowdy. The first inklings of the riots originated here. He’s attempting to calm them in the meantime.”
I bit my cheek, wondering how the people of Vandil would react to my presence. “Should I be prepared for anything else?”
Ulysses waved his hand. “Nothing to worry about, milady. There will be guards aplenty. And His Highness will do most of the talking. I’ve prepared a script for him beforehand for the press, but it can easily be modified into a speech.” He cleared his throat. “Tomorrow will be a good opportunity to make your relationship appear more...convincing.”
“I see. Is that all?”
Ulysses lowered his spectacles. “I’m hoping, Lady Narcissa, that you understand how important this opportunity is. It’s still early in the tour. Better now than later to paint the picture we want.”
“I told you I’ve done all I can,” I said stiffly. “Whether His Highness deigns to put in the same effort remains to be seen.”
I turned and strode away before he could reply. If only the steward knew how impossible winning over the crown prince was, he wouldn’t be so pushy.
LADY MARIANNA’S LIbrARY was smaller than the city’s, but much cozier with plenty of daylight and soft seats. Misty only had to visit once to fall in love with the cushiony pillows and tall, narrow shelves.
“Misty!” I called out.
Over here.
I turned, raising my brows. A pair of green eyes gleamed between two shelves pushed against each other.
“There you are.” I peered into the sliver of space. “Good heavens, Misty. What did I tell you about wedging into miniscule crevices?”
Can’t a cat enjoy her tight spaces in peace? The annoyance in her voice was evident, though I couldn’t imagine what could have irked her. Misty’s morning was practically feline bliss, rising late in a feather bed and dining on the finest fish Lady Marianna’s kitchen had to offer.
I reached for her, but my arm barely fit through the gap. I withdrew with a sigh, rubbing my wrist. “Alright. What’s bothering you?”
It’s that Pippin. He’s following me everywhere, she said. Why did you have to bring him with us?
“That’s hardly up to me. He’s not my cat,” I said. I couldn’t help but smile. Wooing Misty was about as difficult as wooing the crown prince.
She made a disgruntled noise, turning on her back.
“It’s lunchtime. Lady Marianna wants to know if you want salmon or tuna,” I said after a beat.
Salmon. Always salmon , she said, seemingly in a better mood. She shifted. Then wriggled. But as much as she tried, she didn’t move any closer. The shelves rattled.
I crossed my arms. “You’re stuck, aren’t you?”
Misty meowed in indignation. Stuck? I am not! She flailed, her limbs contorting beyond recognition .
“Misty...” I sighed. Her feline flexibility allowed her to cram herself into impossibly tight spaces, but somehow she never could get herself out. I spent hours of my childhood moving couches and bed frames to release her.
Alright , she said. I’m stuck. Some help, darling?
I sized up the massive pair of shelves. They were narrow in width but towering in height, filled to the brim with thick volumes. I doubted my meager strength would suffice, but I rolled up my sleeves nonetheless.
“Promise me you won’t do this again,” I said, gripping the leftmost shelf.
Fine , Misty said. We both knew she was lying.
I pushed hard, arms straining. The shelf did not budge. I blew a breath and tried again.
Come on, darling. Don’t tell me you can’t move it, Misty said warily.
“Just one moment.” I wedged my shoulder into the gap and shoved hard. Besides the pain now blooming at my shoulder, nothing changed. I was half-tempted to try a running start until I caught sight of a figure standing at the opposite row of shelves.
Crown Prince Bennett cleared his throat.
“Your Highness.” I dipped into a quick curtsy, ignoring my throbbing shoulder. Blazing fires. How long had he been standing there? And why did I keep running into him? Lady Marianna’s manor must be smaller than I had thought.
“Lady Narcissa.” His voice betrayed nothing. But the questioning look in his eyes was hard to miss when he approached.
I stepped aside so he could see Misty. “My cat is stuck.”
“Is she hurt?” The crown prince knelt on the tiled floor.
“Not at all. ”
“Maybe some bait will help?” He drew out a half-eaten biscuit from his pocket.
Misty meowed. Could this get any more humiliating?
“ Some space would suffice,” I managed.
Crown Prince Bennett withdrew his hand, raining crumbs on the floor and over his breeches. He stood again. Did he think I was asking him to move the shelves? My face warmed. I wasn’t nearly bold enough to ask the future king of Olderea to do manual labor on my behalf.
“I’ll go ask Lady Marianna for help.” I whirled to the exit, but when I looked over my shoulder, he had already removed his coat.
“It’s no problem,” Crown Prince Bennett said shortly, rolling up his sleeves. He had done the same that morning at the stables. I stopped myself before I could begin to admire his toned forearms, the breadth of his chest, or how handsome he looked when his hair fell over his forehead, so unlike his usual polish. The pieces curling at the nape of his neck were especially endearing, I decided.
You like him, Misty accused.
I tore my eyes away as he got to work.
I am grateful for his help and you should be too, I thought to her irritably. My face burned. It was moments like these I wished Misty couldn’t read my thoughts.
Moving shelves is certainly an admirable trait in a mate, Misty said. I wonder if he moves couches as well.
I looked heavenward, refusing to indulge her. The shelf squeaked. Crown Prince Bennett had managed to shift it an inch over, but it was enough. Misty meandered out, licking her paw.
Where’s the salmon? she said.
“Misty says thanks,” I said, shooting her a glare .
The crown prince looked down. “Of course. Consider this a return of your favor.” He pulled on his coat and gave me a quick bow. “Good afternoon, Lady Narcissa.”
He straightened his lapels and left.
Misty brushed against my leg. So, about his muscular b—
“The salmon is in the kitchen,” I said with a scowl.