Chapter 11
Eleven
My ladies insist on filling the tub for me.
They add rose petals, herbs, and scented oil before adding soap that results in a thick layer of bubbles that float atop the water.
Marian practically demands to wash my hair, but I concede since she turns away as I step into the water.
Some days are harder than others to hide my scar.
At least she agrees easily to let me scrub everything else myself.
As I await the dress I’m to wear, I sit in a soft white dressing gown.
It’s thicker than usual and so cozy that I wish I could stay wrapped in it all day.
We’re gathered in the dining chamber, sitting casually around the table.
Trays of fruit and cheese and other snacks are artfully arranged for us, but I’m too nervous to eat.
The memories of yesterday haunt me, reminding me how quickly I could lose everything.
I need information, and so far, all I’ve discovered is that the emperor is alive. Probably.
“Do you think the enforcer will be allowed to dance tonight?” Antonia asks as she bites into a strawberry.
“He never dances. I don’t know if he would, even if they let him,” Charlotte says.
“He’s not technically part of the court,” Katherine pops a grape in her mouth. “He’s just risen through the ranks. I don’t think your father would be happy with that arrangement.”
“How do you know?” Antonia asks. “The enforcer might not be from a noble house, but he’s the emperor’s right hand. Everyone knows that.”
“Wait. I thought you said you have to be noble to get a god’s gift. He has magic, right?” I ask.
“Well, he clearly has noble blood from wherever he’s from,” Antonia says with a glance toward the door. “But it’s this big mystery.”
“I heard he volunteered to go to the temple even though he knew he might die. He was so determined to serve the emperor.” Katherine passes me a plate of fruit. “You should at least try to eat.”
I accept the plate and make myself eat a berry. The tartness makes me pucker, but I eat another to pacify Katherine who is watching me intently. “What do you all know about the enforcer?”
It would be helpful to learn as much as I could. At least that’s what I tell myself. Don’t get me wrong, I still want him dead, but there’s something intriguing about him. He’s not what I expected.
“Not much, really,” Antonia says. “He was rescued from a shipwreck and brought here. The emperor raised him alongside the prince. They’re practically brothers.” She looks over at Katherine. “Which is why any woman would be lucky to finally tie him down.”
“I think we all know who you’re hoping he decides to court,” Katherine teases.
Antonia’s cheeks turn pink. “I don’t get to choose who I marry, but I wouldn’t turn him down.”
“Maybe he’ll be there dancing tonight.” Genevieve spins, then holds out her hand to an imaginary suitor. “Perhaps I’ll ask him to dance.”
“That is not at all proper,” Marian scolds. “In fact, none of this conversation is proper.”
“Don’t be too hard on them,” I say. “It’s good distraction. It’s not like he’s promised to someone.” I set my plate down on the table, giving up on eating anything.
“Find another topic. Something more befitting a lady,” Marian warns. “I’m going to check on your dress.”
We’re silent until Marian is gone but conversation returns the second the door closes.
“Does he ever even look at women? I swear he’s the most disciplined man I’ve ever seen,” Katherine says.
“I don’t think I’ve ever even seen him with a woman,” Charlotte says. “I don’t think he knows how to do anything other than work. Maybe when he was younger? He was with the prince all the time.”
“Wait, you said he was raised with the prince, right? Why would the emperor do that?” The emperor wasn’t known for his kindness.
“I think whatever they saw when they found him must have been terrible,” Katherine pushes her plate aside. “He doesn’t talk about it, though.”
“He doesn’t seem to get along with the prince.” I remove the cloth that was wrapped around my hair, then run my fingers though my already dry tresses. When I leave here, I need to take one of these with me. “When I see them together, they don’t really act like friends. Let alone brothers.”
“I hear they used to be close. Something happened.” Antonia rises from her chair and takes the cloth from me.
“Thank you,” I say as she leaves the room with it.
“Probably a woman,” Charlotte says. “Probably chose the prince over him and that’s why he doesn’t date anymore.”
“Then where’s this woman the prince stole from his friend?” Katherine asks. “I never see the prince with anyone. I’m not sure he’s seeing any women, either.”
“That’s because he makes them leave before morning.” Antonia freezes in the doorway and slaps her hand over her mouth. Then she slowly lowers it. “I am so sorry, Your Highness. I’m sure those were rumors.”
“It’s fine. I am not delusional enough to think a prince has never had any lovers before he weds.”
“I’m sure he’ll be faithful to you,” she says quickly.
The only thing keeping me from saying something I shouldn’t is the fact that I don’t intend to marry him at all.
Marian sweeps into the dining room, carrying a dress. “It’s here!”
The ladies all rise from their chairs and gasp.
I join them, taking in the dress. Black beads cover the white satin bodice in floral patterns.
A full white skirt shimmers in the light.
The back laces up with a thick ribbon that will crisscross down my back and continue past my hips, tying into a bow right at my tailbone.
My ladies help me into a corset before lowering the gown over my head.
Finally, they tie the laces up the back.
The fabric is soft against my skin, and it fits me like a glove.
It’s tight around the bodice before flaring out at the waist. The white cap sleeves are embroidered with more floral patterns, similar to the ones in the beading.
I wonder if it’s an homage to the late empress’s love of plants.
The sun dips behind the horizon and lamps glow softly around my rooms while my ladies put the finishing touches on my hair and makeup.
The mood is festive, but I’m at odds with that energy. Tonight is going to be a true test of whether or not I can pass as Princess Sabina.
The ladies here accepted me without question, writing off anything odd as inexperience in their court.
The prince and the enforcer just see me as a pawn.
I have no idea who will be present at this dinner, but if there’s anyone from Iskvaland or from Sabina’s past, I could be in trouble.
While I know I look similar enough to the princess to fool anyone who’s only seen her in paintings, I don’t know that I could trick someone who truly knew her.
But then again, the man in the cells said he’d bedded the princess, and he thought I was her.
And to protect my lie, he died.
Marian walks toward me, and I fix a smile on my face, sending the swirling thoughts away.
“You seem nervous,” she says.
“I am,” I confess.
“It’ll be over before you know it. Just smile and bat your lashes, and after tonight, you’ll be free to leave your rooms and finally explore your new home.” She pats my hand.
That is enough to help me snap out of my worries. I need that freedom.
I’m surprised when a pair of legionnaires I don’t know arrive to escort me to the dinner. I wonder if Brevan is off destroying another village.
We walk to a part of the castle I haven’t been in yet.
So far, I’ve remained in the north wing, but we cross into the south side of the castle.
Immediately, I notice a difference in the décor and overall feel here.
More art covers the walls, and sculptures are set into recessed spaces or on pedestals.
The stone floors are polished and gleaming.
While the rooms I’ve been in contain luxury, the hallways are lined with only floral tapestries and the floors don’t shine.
I slow down as we pass a massive mural showing a battle between two armies, one wearing the emperor’s crest. When I notice the dragons, I stop. We all know dragons used to exist, but I heard they’d died out before our empire began.
Night legionnaires drive swords into the bellies of the massive beasts. Archers fire arrows. The emperor’s cavalry charge toward the opposing army, facing off against an enemy riding and commanding dragons.
There’s no way this is real. It has to be a fantasy. A work of art meant to show the empire’s prowess. But the paint is cracking and fading in places. It’s been here a long time. Then again, the emperor has been here a long time, too.
“Your Highness,” one of the legionnaires says.
I tear my gaze away from the mural and continue on. We pass suits of armor and twisting sculptures of humans contorted into painful positions as they grapple with gods or monsters. More murals of battles line the walls.
When we turn down another hall, I stop again. In front of us is a massive skull. “Is that…?”
“The only known dragon skull,” one of the men says. “The emperor found it when he was a child.”
Above the skull is a mural of an enormous red dragon. Its jaws are open as if mid-roar. Dangerous pointed teeth glint in the flickering lamplight. Wings fan out from its long scaly body. They stretch so far they don’t fit on the canvas, but I can imagine how expansive they would be.
“I see you’re admiring my father’s favorite painting,” Caiden says as he struts toward us.
He’s dressed in black and silver. His jacket and trousers are designed to fit him perfectly and for a moment, my heart flutters at the sight of him.
Thankfully, I regain sense quickly. Caiden has always been handsome, but tonight, he’s every inch the storybook prince that might sweep you off your feet.
When he reaches me, he smirks as if he knows exactly what I was thinking. “Whatever you do, don’t ask him about it. He’ll spend the next six hours telling you stories about dragons.”