16. Chapter 16
Michaela
I t was no wonder that I slept in well past eleven. We were out late and I didn’t make it back to my room until nearly 3 a.m. I had a faint memory of Dahlia trying to wake me around eight, but I had a terrible feeling that I threw a pillow at her. It was an old habit of mine. I used to keep an arsenal of soft objects on the side of my bed so that when Mom tried to wake me up on a Saturday morning for chores, I was ready.
But I really didn’t mean to lob it at my lady’s maid. At least, not once I was thinking rationally. When she came in around noon to bring me lunch, I deserved the dirty glare she sent me.
“You must be ready for the ball by six sharp.” She set the tray of food down on the side table with an irreverent thud, rattling all the dishes at the same time. “They’ll announce you and Lady Sadira on live feeds and then Prince Leonidas will enter after you.” Her lips pressed together. “I’ll have you know, I’m rather put out over this whole ordeal.”
I cocked an eyebrow, not following her line of thinking. “What ordeal?”
“This.” She waved a finger in front of me as if I was the offending object. “You.”
Geez. It was only a pillow. I accidentally threw one of my boots at Mom in my sleepy haze and she got over it faster than this.
Sighing, Dahlia crossed her arms over her chest. “This wasn’t supposed to happen this way. The odds were not in your favor.” Her discontent deepened. “Neither one of you and now you have me in a tizzy trying to decide who to cheer for.”
“Oh.” It clicked into place. Gripping the blankets, I peeled them back and put my feet to the floor. “You’re upset that it came down to me and Sadie?”
“Lady Sadira,” she corrected. “And yes! After all, I am your lady’s maid. I have to root for you. But Sadira, she’s my kinsmen.” Her shoulders slumped. “You see the problem, don’t you?” She shook her head and started for the armoire. “Do you know what you’re wearing tonight? I will air it for you. We both know you won’t be chosen, you simply can’t be, but if you look unfinished on the show, it will reflect badly on me.”
“Um… the blue gown, with the pale chiffon overlay.”
I stood next to my bed, unsure of what to say next. She’d dropped a few truth bombs that had left me off kilter and I wasn’t sure where to start. Though, truth be told, the vindictive part of me wanted to let her know that not only could I be chosen, but I would be chosen and was technically engaged to the prince already. But I couldn’t say that, not yet. I settled on the next best line of questioning.
“Did you say Sadie—” I caught myself, “Lady Sadira is your kinsmen? Does that mean family? I didn’t know you were related.”
“Oh, not related, not really.” She pushed through the dresses that still hung on the rack. “I mean, probably in ancient years, but not a close relation.” The fabric rustled as she pulled the periwinkle ball gown from the armoire. “But we’re both from Eshein Province, and that makes us kinsmen. Well, kinswomen. I never much understood why they didn’t make room for inclusive language in that sense. Why not make it possible for—”
“You’re from Eshein?” My interruption earned me another glare. “Sorry, I just didn’t know.”
“Well,” she frowned, “it’s not something I broadcast on the regular. Surely, you’ve seen how some look down on the province.”
Understatement. The king’s interview had focused on Sadie’s perceived lack almost exclusively. If there was an ‘other side of the tracks’ neighborhood in Nolcovia, it was the Eshein Province.
“I was only curious. I haven’t met too many here at the palace who are from your province.” I turned and made myself busy with finding my gloves and other accessories so she wouldn’t feel attacked. Maybe if I didn’t look as interested, she might keep talking.
“There aren’t that many.” Behind me, the fabric of my gown rustled as she worked with the layers, fluffing and airing them out. “Lady Sadira, of course, a couple of the house maids, Renalte and Collara, and then, of course, Kabir, the prince’s personal bodyguard.”
I stiffened. “Kabir is from Eshein?” I turned to watch her work, unsure of why my mind had hitched on that thought.
“Born there, at least as I understand it.” She continued to work with the dress, oblivious to my deepening curiosity. “Most guards come from Princeborough or Urdania Provinces, since they’re close to the capital, but Kabir apparently was a standout from the start.”
Why did that get my heart racing? With all the unrest in the kingdom, Eshein had shown hardly any threats through the competition. Corswald was the first to attempt to assassinate. Aclusian Province, the richest in the kingdom, appeared to want civil war or to overthrow the monarchy, but the only problem I actually had with Eshein was that my competition had been born there. Was this all about jealousy?
But Sadie had mentioned that her people felt separated from the rest of the country. They had their own traditions and festivals, their own way of doing things. While an overt attack would be expected, having someone in place close to the royal family, someone they trusted more than anyone, the strike would come without warning. A thought rolled into my mind like a distant storm, full of rumbling and apprehension.
“Tell me, Dahlia,” I pretended to sort through my available jewelry, “what do you know about the queen?”
“What do you mean?” She frowned at the dress as if something had displeased her, but still didn’t seem to sense my suspicions. “Her birthday? Her favorite color? Are you trying to gather favor? Because frankly, I fear that ship has sunk.”
I pressed my lips together and considered my words. “I think you’re probably right. Maybe I’m looking for any last-minute points I can grab.” I set my charm bracelet to the side with my gloves and waited for her to become busy again. “I suppose I am still trying to understand Nolcovia. The idea of provinces interests me.” I paused again, sneaking glances at her to be sure she wasn’t too suspicious. “At home, you can tell where someone is from, which state anyway, by their accent usually, but I haven’t noticed many differences here. At least, not obvious ones.”
“No, I suppose that’s true. Though I have always thought the people of Gauchian Province speak with more guttural intonations.” She smirked at me. “Like a toad.”
Returning her smile, I pressed on with caution. “For instance, I didn’t know about your origins, so it makes me wonder about others.”
Dahlia’s head tilted to the side as she thought about it. “Like who?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” I held two necklaces up to the light. “Maybe the queen? Is she originally from the capital? Is that how these things are usually arranged?”
“Oh no,” Dahlia shook her head, “it’s about families and power typically. Prince Leonidas has really turned the whole thing on its head.” She stepped back and admired the dress like she was the one who’d designed and sewn it in the first place. “In the case of Queen Mariah, it was arranged in the name of a peace treaty between the crown and her province. Her father was incredibly powerful and gaining favor with the people. Legend has it that many were seeking to overthrow the Fitzborough line and institute a new king.” She brushed at the skirt once and stood back, pleased with her work. “But when the marriage was announced, her father stepped back and was never heard from again.”
Not wanting to interrupt, I waited, but Dahlia seemed to think that was a decent ending. I didn’t agree.
“What do you mean he wasn’t heard from again? You said he was powerful. I imagine that means he was rich as well.”
“Yes, quite. He was governor over his province and had become rather wealthy. But the marriage assured that he saw wealth of unprecedented measure, a gift from the reigning king for being willing to negotiate.” She left the dress and started searching for the right shoes in the armoire. “But in his province, if you ask those who were alive back then, they give you another story.” Dahlia had fallen into the role of Novolcian historian quite well. “They say the king had her father killed after the wedding, to keep the uprising from happening.” She held up a ballet flat and pointed it at me. “And from there it was all downhill for the province. The next governor didn’t care for the people. They were exploited, the culture fell to something unrecognizable, and poverty became the standard of living.” She retrieved the other shoe. “In fact, it wasn’t until about ten years ago that things began to improve. Not much, mind you, but by increments each year. Really, the last two years, ironically the years that have left the king incapacitated, it’s gained speed.”
Questions gathered in my mind, like rainwater in a storm. I sank on the edge of the bed, more curious than ever. “I’m sorry, Dahlia, maybe you said already, but what province did Queen Mariah’s father govern?”
“Oh,” she tapped a shoe against her forehead, “how silly of me. I almost forgot the most important part.”
It took all my self-control to keep my face at rest. I felt as though I knew the answer, but I wanted her to confirm it.
“Queen Mariah was born in the Eshein Province, but it’s not something she talks about. I don’t think anyone was surprised when someone from Eshein was chosen in the raffle. It was like a silent nod to Queen Mariah’s beginnings.” Dahlia retrieved a pair of heels from the armoire, likely to give me options. At the moment, I would have worn hiking boots or llama slippers if it made her keep talking. “But no one ever would have expected Lady Sadira to make it this far, especially not the queen.” She pursed her lips. “It’s one thing for the queen to toss crackers to the poorest province, but it’s quite another for her son to invite the peasant to dinner.”
The wording made my heart ache. Sadie had only ever been kind. Sure, she got competitive, but at her heart, she simply wanted love and she thought she’d found it with Fitz. Knowing what was headed her way, so soon after losing her soulmate, it was almost enough to make me surrender my spot to her.
“And tonight, the next queen will come from Eshein and it will all be full circle. I imagine Queen Mariah will take Lady Sadira under her wing and teach her everything she knows about ruling.” She clutched the shoes to her chest like she’d accepted a bouquet of roses. “She can train her to be exactly like herself.”
Was that the plan? Was Sadie meant to be a puppet? Queen Mariah would have to step down when Fitz took the throne, but if she had control of the new queen…
“I’ll have you know,” Dahlia set the high heels on my bed, final choice made without me, “I am incredibly jealous tonight. This ball… it is the utmost of the season. The best food, the most elegant dancing, the lavish decorations. When the clock strikes twelve, Prince Leonidas will announce his future bride to all the lords and ladies of the land.” She clasped her hands together, positively drunk on her excitement. “Oh, there won’t be a single count or duke not in attendance. You’ll dance with them and share riveting conversation. Even many of the ladies you know will be returning. It is the height of sophistication. I can hardly be still at the thought.”
All the pieces felt like a puzzle had been dumped into my hands, but with no reference photo, no idea what I was making, only a deadline that loomed because if there was ever a time to strike, wasn’t it best as all the monarchy and most of the nobles would be gathered in one place for a ball? Forget controlling the next queen, what if the entire line was wiped out, except the queen? No one could deny her then. The country would be desperate, and the queen would be the sole survivor.
“Michaela?” Concern slipped into Dahlia’s tone. “Are you ill? You’ve gone quite pale.”
“Fine.” I forced a smile into place. “Nervous for tonight, I suppose. All those cameras. And you’ve given me a lot to think about. All this history.”
“Yes, it is a lot for a foreigner.” She twisted her face as though she’d smelled spoiled milk. “Just another reason you are not fit to rule, I suppose.”
I didn’t have time for her nasty comments. If I was right, something horrible was headed our way and it could come from any direction. Was I the only one who’d seen it? Who could I tell?
“Do you know where the prince is today? I know we aren’t scheduled to see him until the ball, but I haven’t heard where he would be in the meantime.”
Her suspicion finally kicked in. Eyes narrowed, she watched me. “Dealing with the affairs of the kingdom, I presume. Our king has nearly passed.”
Guilt stabbed my heart. Of course he would be with his father. It was selfish of me to forget that. Our plans didn’t change his father’s illness. No matter of soup or magic birds had managed to heal him. Despite sneaking around, Bishop and I had never discovered any nefarious plot. Just that black bird and… those boxes.
We never looked in the boxes. There were three crates that came off that truck. One with the bird and two more in addition. I had planned to pry them open, but Bishop had… distracted me, then Fitz saw and freaked out, and I had completely forgotten about the boxes until now.
But they could be anywhere. They could hold anything, and we had no way of knowing.
I needed to get back down to the shipping yard. Surely, Kabir knew the way and could escort me. I bit my lip as I considered it. Unless he was some kind of sleeper agent waiting to attack. If I led him to the evidence, he would just destroy it and then destroy me. Knowing his skills, there would be no trace and he would just claim I went back to America. No, I couldn’t involve him, and somehow, I had to lose him as well. Not an easy feat considering how closely he followed me without my knowledge.
As if summoned, three knocks sounded at the door. Before Dahlia could pull it open, it opened and Bishop slipped inside. “Well, I hear congratulations are in order for the lucky…” His voice trailed off as he saw Dahlia. “The lucky winner of this envelope.” He shook the small envelope in his hand, but clearly, he’d been caught. “Blast the way you’re always here, woman.”
“This is a lady’s chambers, Sir. You can’t simply barge in without consent.” Dahlia breezed past his veiled insult and seized the envelope out of his hand. “What if she had been changing?”
“Two birds, one stone, love.” Bishop winked for good measure and snatched the envelope back. “And that is not for you.”
Dahlia set both hands on her hips and took on the stance of an angry librarian. “All correspondence comes through the lady’s maid, Sir.”
“And you touched it, and now I’ll deliver it.” He slid gracefully around her and put it in my hand. “Seriously, great news about the envelope. I hope you have all the happiness in the world with that envelope. ”
He was laying it on a little too thick. Dahlia’s glance darted back and forth between us, a child who didn’t understand the adults’ joke, but was sure it was at her expense. Because of her reaction, I tucked the envelope into my pocket. “I think that will be all for now, Dahlia.”
“But I’m supposed to help you get ready.” She glared at Bishop. “And I can’t very well leave you alone with a man in your room.”
“So scandalous,” Bishop whispered under his breath. “Someone fetch me my best pearls. I must clutch them at once.”
I tightened my smile. “Bishop is here to fetch me for a project.” Lies were all I had left. “I wanted to get together a gift for the king and queen. They have been so wonderful to allow me to stay. Since I’m leaving, I wanted to express my gratitude.”
“Really?” She wasn’t buying it. “And how, pray tell, do you plan on doing that?”
“Wildflowers,” Bishop answered for me. “From Winderlam. The snow lilies and the ice pansies are out. I told Lady Michaela that I would teach her how to weave a winter crown for their majesties.”
Like frost in sunshine, Dahlia’s cold exterior melted. “Like the nursery rhyme?” Her eyes became dreamy as she started to recite something in a singsong voice. “Sleepy spirits, chant her name. Sweetly comes the queen again. Drysden’s love and country’s fame. Crown Queen Nolcola, home again.”
I recognized the names. Fitz told me their story after The Snood competition. His ancestors who had forged their love against all odds. I strangely felt a connection to them, considering the battle I feared I was facing.
“We used to sing that when we were kids,” Dahlia reminisced. “And we would weave the crowns while we did. What a wonderful gift to give them.” She threw her arms around me in a tight embrace. “Sometimes I wish it could be you, but alas, you’re destined for doom instead.” She pulled back and gave a quick smile before she made her exit.
“She’s a bit off her rocker, isn’t she?” Bishop asked as soon as the door clicked shut.
I didn’t have time to dive into concern for Dahlia’s mental health “Look, I’ve been putting some stuff together. I’ll catch you up on the way, but can you get me out to the shipping docks without my shadow?”
“Kabir?” He almost asked why but ignored it. “It can be arranged, but why the shipping docks?”
I snagged my coat from the hook and started for the door. “Because there are two crates we never searched, and I think they hold our answers.”