I turned to Philippe. “You haven’t met Rex?”
Amelia shook her head. “I’m the only one.”
“You know the Casters.” Philippe rolls his eyes. “Obsessed with secrecy.”
Amelia lifted her chin. “Rex has good reasons for that, you know. The last three Caster Kings were all murdered. And someone tried to assassinate Rex, too.”
Philippe chuckled. “And the solution is for everyone to wear face masks?”
Amelia sniffed. “They’re helms, Philippe. And it’s one of many security measures that they’ve employed for generations.”
“It’s security against intimacy, if you ask me.” Philippe folded his arms over his chest. “How can you get to know each other with all this sneaking about? And don’t get me started on all this Royal frippery that the Vicomte is strong-arming you into. Tell me, when you met Rex, were you acting like Amelia, or were you playing the Royal like the Vicomte had ordered you to?”
Philippe had a point. If Amelia wanted a real relationship, then she needed to act like her true self.
“I had to follow Royal protocol,” said Amelia.
Philippe’s mouth thinned. “The Vicomte’s version of protocol has you tottering about like a pretty toy. I won’t have it.”
My hands balled into fists. I hated how the Vicomte treated Amelia.
“But I have to,” said Amelia. “The Vicomte talked to me right before I saw Rex. He said that if I did anything embarrassing, I was as good as dead.”
“The Vicomte won’t always be around,” said Philippe. “All I’m saying is that it’s better to act as a real human being than a Royal sleepwalker. Every real man prefers an honest show of womanly affection.”
Amelia paused, her small brows drawing together. After a few seconds, she turned to me. “What do you say, Elea? You stayed with the Casters for a time.”
I rubbed my neck as I thought things through. “Philippe may be right.”
“Of course, I am.”
“The Casters were a very affectionate group,” I went on. “I couldn’t believe how often they embraced one another. I’m sure they’d rather openness and honesty to playing a part.”
Amelia twisted her skirts around her fingers so tightly I thought she might do herself harm. “You’re both correct. I can see that now.”
Philippe grinned and leaned against the wall, kicking his right ankle over his left. “I always am, especially when it comes to matters of the opposite sex.”
“I just lost Veronique. I’m about to lose Elea.” Amelia’s bow-shaped mouth thinned to a determined line. “I won’t lose Rex, too.”
I didn’t like how all Amelia’s thoughts kept centering on Rex. “You’ll always have my friendship, Amelia. Even if I move away.” I sighed. “Which isn’t happening any time soon. I need to get that vortex watch away from the Vicomte. Tonight.”
Amelia stared out the window. I wasn’t sure she heard me at all.
Philippe gave his sister’s hand a friendly squeeze. “Did you hear Elea? She wants to prevent the Vicomte from becoming a Necromancer tyrant. Personally, I think that’s a far better use of your time than…”
Amelia’s big blue eyes flashed with an icy gleam. “Than what? Than caring for my friends and my heart? What good is having a realm in safety when there is no one I love in it?”
“Let’s keep focused on the facts, dear sister.” Philippe gave me a dry look. Evidently, this kind of show of emotion wasn’t unusual for Amelia. “First, I am here and that counts for something. Second, what kind of future would you and Rex have if the Vicomte comes into power?”
“Same as we have now.” Amelia lifted her chin. “None.”
At this point, the conversation was rubbing on my nerves. I needed to plan for tonight’s ball, not cajole Amelia any longer. I took care to lower my voice to my most gentle tone. “Focusing on Rex won’t make up for losing Veronique. You need to grieve her on your own.”
Amelia kept staring at the far wall and not saying a word. I leaned in closer to her. “Don’t you agree?” I asked. She still said nothing in reply. I cleared my throat. “Did you hear me?”
Amelia gave me her best baby-doll face, the one she normally reserved for servants and the Vicomte. “I heard every word.”
But paid no attention.
Philippe’s eyes narrowed. “Elea spoke the truth. I hope you listened. This is a time to grieve, not chase after a new relationship. And we’ve plenty of work to do in the meantime.”
“Absolutely.” Amelia smoothed down her bodice. “Whatever you say.”
That settled it. She is paying no attention at all.
“Anything I say?” I shot Philippe a sly look. “Because I plan to strip naked again.”
“That’s fine.” Amelia clapped her hands. “Let’s talk about more important things.” Her voice took on a pleading tone. “You are going to the ball tonight, aren’t you? They’re announcing my engagement and everything.”
“Amelia. This is what I warned you about. You’re obsessing about Rex and the ball. You haven’t listened to Philippe and me.”
“Don’t be silly. Now, are you witnessing my engagement or aren’t you?”