CHAPTER 16
Sakura
“Have you made up your mind yet?”
Sakura’s finger froze on the cool glass. She kept her eyes focused out the window, pretending not to be disturbed that her maid knew something.
“I have a day dress ready for you, but also one better suited to the outdoors,” Kasumi continued. “It’s messy outside with the melting snow, but you didn’t say if you intend to visit the stables before lunch.”
Sakura closed her eyes briefly. Of course that’s what Kasumi meant. She couldn’t know anything of Sakura’s internal struggles regarding Mother’s scheme.
“The stables.” She almost added a thank you, but she bit the words off in time. What was wrong with her? She hadn’t thanked a servant in three years.
“What do you think of your guest?” Kasumi asked with a mischievous smile as Sakura joined her in the dressing room. “If the queen weren’t being so solicitous, I’d be tempted to snatch him up myself. You are so fortunate to get to spend so much time with him.”
Sakura opened her mouth to reply, then closed it again. The near-friendship she’d had with Kasumi before her exile had not included gossip. Sakura certainly wasn’t going to engage in it now.
Why did Kasumi still try to draw her out? Kasumi should know better than anyone how perilous it was for servants to be friends with her.
“It’s too bad he’s so determined to find that young lady friend of his, isn’t it?” Kasumi prattled on with another smile. “I know I’m not the only maid who wishes he had a little more freedom to choose his course. You should have seen them blush when he stopped by the kitchens the other day.”
Sakura looked away, hoping to hide the guilt that wanted to escape. She hadn’t seen Daichi’s smile on his sister’s face in a long time. Or perhaps the guilt was because of Keenan, his brilliant blue eyes, and her mother’s plan to use him and then cast him aside like rubbish.
“A little less talking, if you please,” she finally snapped. Kasumi’s pained expression didn’t help the guilt, but it was better than an endless stream of praise for the weapon-smith that Sakura was trying to forget.
Her thoughts were still in torment when she stepped outside into the brisk air.
Normally, she would have gone to the stables as planned, letting the quiet nickers of the horses and Aya’s velvety nose calm her spirits.
But the thought of the stables and their enclosed quarters didn’t sound comforting this time.
Her eyes drifted to the gardens, their fresh spots of color beckoning to her. Perhaps a little time by herself in the open was what she needed.
She drifted aimlessly through the beds, pausing occasionally to bend and inhale the faint perfume of the early flowers. Despite the snow under her feet, the air was comparatively warm as spring tried to reassert itself.
A gentle breeze teased the shorter hair at her temples.
It begged her to let it blow her worries away, but they continued to swirl about her mind, pounding against the firm hold that she kept on her mask.
Mother’s plan would never work. The Assembly of Strength, Ryuni’s ruling council, consisted of too many power-hungry noblemen.
If they couldn’t set one of their sons on the throne at her side, they would rather influence her people-pleasing brother. No quest would change their minds.
No, to force the amendment to the law before Father could crown Hari the official heir, she would need some kind of leverage. Something that the Assembly wanted – or wanted to hide – badly enough to cede Sakura the right to rule, regardless of whom she married.
Sakura paused with one hand still on the silky petals of a tulip. Did Mother know of something? Could finding it be the goal of Keenan’s quest?
When she straightened, she saw the weapon-smith pacing just inside the nearby evergreen hedges. He was alone like usual, and there were no servants to observe any flaws in her image. This was a perfect opportunity to begin convincing him to accept her mother’s proposal.
She gulped. If Mother had indeed found something that would bend the Assembly to her will, the charade would be worth it. No matter what Keenan thought by the end.
Calling up an image of her most flirtatious friend, Sakura wiped her palms on the green velvet of her skirt and made her feet move in his direction. It was only a little acting. She could do this. For Hari.
For Ryuni.
Keenan looked up at her approach. He smiled, but it was a little strained. “Hello, Your Highness.”
She sauntered up to him, hesitated, and then ran her fingers lightly down his arm. “I missed our time together yesterday afternoon,” she began without preamble. “How have you been keeping yourself entertained this morning?”
His eyes widened as he shied away from her. “Just walking around. Since I can’t forge anything right now.”
Taking a step to remove the distance that he’d put between them, she wrapped a hand around his bicep, similar to when he escorted her on a queen-mandated outing. The muscle jumped, but he stayed put this time. “I would like to see you at work someday,” she murmured. “I am sure it is awe-inspiring.”
She pictured it for a moment before shoving the mental image away. It was a stark reminder of how horribly Mother’s plan contrasted with everything she’d ever taught her. How could Mother expect her to do this?
The weapon-smith grimaced. “You turned down my offer to see the forge the other day.”
“It is a lady’s prerogative to change her mind.” Sakura tugged him down the path. “Shall we walk?”
He looked over his shoulder. “Actually, I was planning to—”
“Don’t tell me you are here to meet another young lady? In the hidden depths of the hedge maze?” She cut him off with a raised eyebrow.
“No, of course not,” he snorted.
“Then what?” Turning toward him, she set her other hand on his arm as well, peering up at him with what she hoped was an adoring expression. “What could you wish more than to spend time with me?”
“Princess…” Keenan gently tugged her hand off his arm. “I’m flattered, but this seems a little sudden. Just yesterday—”
Her eyes followed the item that he had switched to his left hand first. “You brought a book outside?”
“You said I could remove them from the library.”
“That is—” Sakura broke off, reminding herself that she was supposed to be ingratiating herself to him. Instead of issuing a reprimand, she rotated his hand so she could see the title. “A book of word puzzles?”
“It’s for one of the guards.” He delicately tried to extricate himself from her grip. “Mori loves puzzles, so I thought he might enjoy it.” He paused, then peeked over at her. “If that’s all right.”
Distributing books to guards? She shook her head. “Mother would not approve of making a habit of it, but you may lend one to your—”
Friend.
She froze. The only road to the winter castle came from Kurowan, which was on the western coast. Keenan couldn’t have stumbled across it while following the road northwest from Daraigh.
Even if his companion had insisted they venture onto a mountain path, he couldn’t have accidentally found the winter castle from the south.
And now he was bringing gifts to her guards.
Her hands dropped away. “Why did you come here, Keenan?”
Was she about to discover proof that he was a danger, after all?
“To decide whether giving a library book to a guard was a good idea.” He leaned away, holding his hands palm-out as if he heard the threat in her voice. “I can still take it back.”
“Is it a bribe?” Sakura fixed him with a cold stare. “You already convinced one of my guards to pick the lock on the forge for you. What are you trying to accomplish this time?”
Keenan’s chin jerked back. “I didn’t ask him to do that.”
“And now?” she pressed. He fell back a step. “What do you hope he’ll do once you give him that book? Pick the lock on my room so you can abscond with my jewelry?”
“You’re mad.” His face appeared calm, but his hands shook slightly and his nostrils flared. “I have no interest in your belongings.”
Sakura followed him as he continued to back away. “Then what is your purpose here? Befriending my guards, enchanting my mother with your ornate sword and unknown origins—”
“All I want is to find Miss Liesl so I can bring her safely back to Daraigh.” The words were slow and even, measured but suppressed. “The sooner I escape this castle, the better.”
“If you want to leave, why don’t you? You know where the gate is.”
“I. Tried.” His blue eyes bored into her. “The guard who likes puzzles was at the postern gate yesterday. He planned to let me through, but his captain showed up with an order from the queen.”
She paused. Mother had actually prevented his departure? So…however he managed to arrive, perhaps he was as harmless as he seemed?
“Then why didn’t you agree when my mother offered you a quest?” she challenged, hiding her discomfort. “She would have let you leave for that.”
Keenan smirked, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Nor did his tone quite match his flirtatious words. “Are you saying you wanted me to accept a quest for your hand?”
Sniffing in disgust, she turned away from him. “Never. But it would have gotten you out of here.”
“Until I completed it,” he grumbled.
“Or died trying,” she replied tartly.
His eyes narrowed. “That’s not very nice of you.”
“I watched you spar. Do you expect a different outcome?”
Scowling, he replied, “No. But it would get me away from you, and I might find Miss Liesl along the way. If the queen offers again, I might just take her up on it.”
“Perhaps you should.” Sakura lifted her chin. “If my hand is what you came for, Mother’s quest is the only way you’ll obtain it.”
She watched the knuckles of his left hand turn white from gripping the pommel of his sword. Mother was correct, it was a beautiful weapon. But while it might convince the servants that he held a higher social rank than he did, she knew the truth.
About his heritage, at least. And her chances of inspiring him to even embark on the quest, let alone to reach the end of it, after her outburst.
“I don’t—”
Cutting himself off, Keenan spun sharply on his heel and stomped off the way he had come, his boots squishing through the snow into the slushy layer underneath.
Mother would not be pleased.
Lifting the edge of her skirt, Sakura daintily continued along the row, composing her expression back into its perfect mask. She needed to ensure she appeared calm when she reached the stables, even if Keenan’s smoldering blue eyes wouldn’t leave her alone.
At least she had her answer. She would simply have to increase her efforts to avoid the prophecy. Because she couldn’t fulfill her mother’s plan to outmaneuver it.
~
When she’d lingered long enough in the stables to risk gossip among the servants, Sakura finally dragged herself back to the castle. Aya couldn’t solve her problems, and Mother’s solution was untenable.
She would have to arrange herself a marriage since no one else would.
Settling down with a book on Ryunic heraldry, she flipped through the pages, her fingers skimming across the surface while her eyes scanned the words. Too old, too young, too much pride, not enough…
Thankful no one else frequented the library, she broke her perfect poise for a moment to press her hands against her temples.
She just needed one unattached nobleman who wouldn’t preen if she came “begging” for his advances.
But how could they see it as anything else?
She was already twenty years old, and not one of them had offered of his own accord.
Why? A crown princess should be the most desirable match a nobleman could make. Were they so afraid of the prophecy?
Or was this further proof that it was real?
Sighing, she pushed back upright and searched the list until her eyes began to ache.
If only she could pretend Keenan really was an Amitian prince and arrange a fake betrothal.
It could be dissolved once she’d been crowned the heir.
But even if he would agree to it – which she strongly doubted – she had to actually marry to ascend to the throne someday.
Mother was by herself when Sakura minced into the dining room for lunch. Sakura took her seat, lowering herself precisely as the footman slid the chair in under her. As soon as he retreated, the queen waved a hand at the servants to begin serving the food.
Sakura’s forehead wanted to wrinkle, but she kept it smooth, waiting until the servants withdrew before speaking. “Are we not waiting for Keenan?”
“We would be waiting a long time.” Queen Arisa lifted her fork with her normal graceful movements. “He will be on his way by now.”
“He left?” Sakura stared blankly at her mother.
“Your walk this morning must have proven the value of my offer,” Mother calmly replied before placing the bite in her mouth. “I must congratulate you on persuading him to undertake the quest for your hand.”
“I don’t think I had much to do with it.” At least, not the way Mother had intended. Sakura hid her wince as the weapon-smith’s final words to her replayed in her mind. He’d accepted it to get away from her, not because he was hoping to marry her.
Mother dismissed the servants with a wave of her hand. Once they were gone, she fixed Sakura with a disgruntled look. “No, I expect not. But that will make it more poignant when you rush after him in a few days, so we can work with it.”
“Why would I do that?” Now that he’d made his escape, she should leave him be. “And how would I even find him?”
“The map I gave him is vague at best. If he is to reach his destination, you will need to guide him with the pea.” Mother took a delicate sip from her glass. “And I believe that answers your second question as well.”
“The pea?” Sakura echoed, freezing.
Mother’s lips curved in a tiny smirk. “Naturally, Sakura dear. What better way to ensure your beloved succeeds than by lending you a way-finder?”
Not a way-finder. The way-finder. The most valuable enchanted object currently possessed by the Koyoshu family.
Pulling herself from her shock, Sakura returned her attention to her food, blindly filling her fork. She’d thought Mother’s plan had been derailed by her actions that morning. But apparently, it was just beginning.