Chapter 16
Sixteen
The next few days blur together. Dinner with the prince, gossip in my rooms with my ladies, Brevan following me like a shadow as I wander the halls hoping for a clue as to where the emperor sleeps.
Each night, I sneak into the passageway and take a different turn, hoping to find something useful.
So far, I’ve come across a dead end and an entry to the catacombs.
I marked the catacomb path with stones in case I need to escape quickly, but aside from that and the poisonous plants, there’s nothing else of use.
I need to find a way to explore the castle without Brevan at my heels.
It’s dreary outside. The rain and fog seem to seep into my room, casting a sense of melancholy that makes all my ladies quiet. I welcome the knock on the door if only to break the boredom.
“Who could that be?” Marian says as she hurries to the door.
I set down my untouched embroidery and turn. Perla, the seamstress Duchess Drathmore sent, walks into the room. Several ladies follow her, each of them carrying bolts of fabric and bundles of ribbon and lace.
My ladies gasp and chatter excitedly, and we all go to welcome the seamstress. At least it’s a change and a distraction. While I’ve been able to wander the castle, none of the other courtiers will speak to me and I’m always accompanied by Brevan. The lack of excitement is getting to me.
“Perla, we weren’t expecting you until next week,” Marian says.
“This is a special order,” Perla says. “Dutchess Drathmore hired me to create a masterpiece for the Darkfall ball. Perhaps a gown to honor Loha. My design will take time, We’re already behind as it is.”
The ladies gasp and squeal. I smile, and I’m a little disappointed I won’t be here to see the finished product.
I’ve always enjoyed the stories surrounding the moon goddess and Darkfall is her time.
While she’s held captive by the sun during the two-week period of Darkfall, we’re to call on her to show our appreciation for her so she’ll return when she’s liberated.
“Shall we begin, princess?” Perla gestures to a stool that one of her ladies is holding.
“Yes, thank you.”
The woman sets down the stool and step on it.
My ladies are touching the fabric samples, holding them up to each other, and layering them with lace or strings of beads. Perla measures me while one of her assistants takes notes and the others show off the samples they brought to my ladies.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Katherine is in the nook with my little writing desk.
She looks around as if checking that the other ladies are still occupied before quickly opening and peering into the drawers.
She moves the books on the shelf, then starts looking around my bed, lifting pillows, then putting them back.
She glances over and catches my eye, her face turning red. Quickly, she returns to the group without looking at me again.
“The prince will be in black and silver, and I think we should have you in silver with black,” Perla says. “What do you think, Your Highness?”
I tear my eyes away from Katherine to look at the seamstress. “Yes. That’s a good idea.”
“Wonderful.” She claps her hands, then one of her assistants brings over several bolts of silver fabric. Perla holds them up near my face and makes humming sounds as she compares them.
Once she decides, she sends her assistant away with the correct bolt of fabric.
“Do you make the gowns for my ladies as well?” I ask.
“They will provide their own gowns,” Marian says quickly.
“Can you make them?” I ask.
Charlotte and Genevieve look up hopefully.
Perla’s mouth forms a surprised O, then she blinks a few times. “I suppose I can. I’d have to hire more assistants, and it would be expensive.”
“Shouldn’t my betrothed pay for it?” I ask.
Perla smiles. “I suppose you should have your own accounts if he won’t cover the cost. The empress had her own funds.”
“Let’s do that, then,” I say.
The ladies squeal and rush toward me, shouting their thanks.
“I want them to be dressed as beautifully as me,” I say. “They should all be in silver. To honor Loha.”
“Of course,” Perla says.
I step down from the stool, and my ladies swarm around Perla and her assistants. Except Katherine, who is hanging back from the others, her expression blank.
“Katherine, can you please help me change for dinner?” I ask. “I’d like something more formal for tonight.”
She curtsies. “Of course, Your Highness.”
Marian glances at us, but one of the assistants, brandishing a measuring tape, steals her attention.
“Will you get my black silk dress with the lace, please?” I ask.
Katherine nods, then walks to the wardrobe.
I quickly slip into the bathing chamber, and as soon as Katherine joins me, dress in hand, I close the door behind us.
She hangs the dress on a hook, then faces me. “I know it looks bad, but I promise I have a good reason.”
“For going through my room? What were you searching for? Why? Who sent you?”
“I need the fire ruby,” she says.
“What?” How does she even know I have that?
She glances around again, as if she thinks there might be someone hiding in the bathing chamber. I can’t help but do the same.
“I know who you are,” she says.
My pulse kicks up, but I keep my mouth shut and stare at her, waiting for her to say more.
“Someone just told the Night Legion that the rebels are using fire rubies to communicate,” she says. “You can’t be caught with that on you. I can get it out of your room and out of the castle.”
“You work for the rebels,” I say.
She nods.
“Then what am I doing here? Why couldn’t you just get the information needed?” I ask.
“The only way I was able to get in was as a lady-in-waiting,” she says. “I was asked to assist you without letting you know I was here. Obviously, I failed.”
“Why did they need me, then?” I cross my arms over my chest.
“I’d have tried. But I can’t get as close as you.”
With a sigh, I drop my arms to my side. “Maybe. I still can’t get a meeting with the emperor or find his quarters.”
“You will,” she says. “Now, where is the stone?”
“Hidden well. But what am I to do when I need to contact them?” I ask.
“You’ll tell me. I have ways of sharing information but right now, I need to get this stone away from you.”
“It’s in a hidden pocket of the dress I arrived in.” I lift my chin toward the wardrobe where the dress is hanging.
“Thank you. I’ll make sure it’s gone, and as soon as you have what you need, tell me and I’ll let them know.”
“This whole time you’ve known the truth?” I ask.
“Sorry. We thought it better if you didn’t know, just in case you failed,” she says.
“So you could continue in my place.” Lee had even less faith in me than I thought.
“That won’t be necessary. The prince likes you. You’ll find what you need soon, I’m certain of it.” She removes the dress from the hook. “Now, let’s get you changed for your date with the prince.”