“Oh, thank you!” Princess Sylvie awkwardly folded her hands together and smiled.
This isn’t so bad, Ariane thought as she waded in nearly up to her shins. The bottom of the pond was pebbled, so only sand and bits of rock squelched between her toes. Furthermore, though the water was cold enough to make Ariane break out in goosebumps, it was quite clear. Another example of Chanceux Chateau’s superior gardens. I wonder why that is—is Princess Elle a great lover of flowers?
She swiped up the ball—which floated on top of the water—and shook it off. She meticulously wiped it down with the top part of her apron as she waded back to shore, and pulled off a soggy weed that clung to the golden surface.
Princess Sylvie waited as Ariane cleaned the ball, though she glanced around the grotto with a somewhat awed expression.
Ariane smiled fondly at the princess’ joy, but almost snorted when she heard Prince Lucien’s arrogant tones.
“Of course, I’m not afraid of a few rogue mages. But I did not want to worry my brother, so here I am, a frog.”
“I see,” Queen Linnea said, utterly lacking enthusiasm.
Perhaps the Lady Enchantress was right. A frog does suit him.
“Personally, I think this whole scheme is a bit silly,” Prince Lucien continued. “Yes, there has been an increase in rogue magic and monsters, but it’s hardly a continent-wide threat. Moreover, each country should be responsible for themselves.”
Ariane bit her tongue to keep her face blank. Though she admittedly did not know how bad things were outside of Loire, she knew his words were stupid and selfish. He cannot mean that. He cannot be so thoughtless when his brother—whom he depends on—was cursed!
Lucien continued, “Instead, we should celebrate the more important things in life—like love!”
…No, he can’t be searching for a girl to break his spell. Not now.
“Which brings me to an important point! Besides Princess Astra, which of the ladies present do you know are single and unattached?”
Something in Ariane broke, and before she could think, she threw Princess Sylvie’s golden ball at Prince Lucien with all her might, squashing his frog body into the ground. “I am so sorry, Your Highness!” She said with a false gasp. “It slipped from my hands—how clumsy of me!”
Lucien croaked into the ground, and his back leg twitched.
Princess Sylvie swiped her ball, then returned to her brother and laid a hand on the lump that was most likely his head. “Lucien, are you all right?”
Lucien finally peeled himself off the ground. “Yes, I’m fine. That was just a silly ball—it couldn’t possibly hurt me.”
Queen Linnea raised an eyebrow. “It completely flattened you.”
“Maybe the barber-surgeon should inspect you,” Princess Sylvie said.
I have to get out of here! Hit by a bolt of inspiration, Ariane executed a quick curtsy. “I shall fetch Henry.” Before anyone could protest, she turned on her heels and hurried away from the scene of her crime. That was stupid of me. I can’t believe I allowed myself to lose my temper over his ridiculous words. I could lose my position for this!
Unease bubbled in Ariane’s stomach as she slipped out of the gardens and into the castle. My only solace is that Lucien’s self-centered vanity means he is incapable of telling one palace maid from the next. As such, I might be safe.
How wrong she was.
Lucien lay in the dirt in Severin’s garden, still stunned. The ball hadn’t really hurt—nor had the three-story fall from his window. It seemed the Lady Enchantress’ belief in her “indestructible small animal” spell was not misplaced. But that wasn’t what stunned him.
It was the nerve of the feisty maid who had smacked him with Sylvie’s ball. I may pretend to be an idiot, but even I am not so simple-minded as to truly believe she hit me by accident.
He glanced at the representatives—Queen Linnea had left with Sylvie shortly after the maid had fled—and then hopped to the side of the path, resting beneath the branches of a shrubbery.
He had recognized the maid—it was the same spider-terrorizer who had taken out the male rogue mage, Ariane. If she doesn’t hesitate to attack a mage, I can’t say it’s surprising she would take a whack at me.
A thoughtful croak escaped from his throat. She is one of those palace maids Elle alluded to…. But even I’m not confident enough in my skills of wooing to believe I can con a harpy like her into loving me. Some ladies pretend to dislike me because they are secretly offended I do not pay them particular attention. But this maid, Ariane…I get the distinct impression she would be perfectly happy to see me disappear. Lucien blinked, then shuddered in horror when a transparent eyelid flicked across his eyes. Yes. It would be far too much work to woo her. But that doesn’t mean I can’t make her miserable in retribution for her little ball trick. I will not be the only one to suffer!
Lucien crawled out of the bush and made a beeline for a footman standing nearby.
It was time to pay his brother and sister-in-law a visit.
Chapter 3
The Escort-Bait
Ariane absentmindedly polished her smooth, empty wooden tray with her white apron as she marched back to the kitchens. I can't believe I just delivered a plate of fish to a talking cat.
Magic cats weren't even half of it. The Selkie Princess Dylan had brought a kelpie—a water horse. Ariane was hoping she would be given a chance to glance at the mythical creature at some point during the Summit. When I heard the representatives talking about the kelpie yesterday I thought it was a joke, but to think someone tamed one!
“Ariane?”
Ariane whirled around and smiled at Marcelle. “Yes? Is something wrong?”
Marcelle shook her head. “Not at all. It is merely that Prince Severin and Princess Elle request your presence in the prince's private study.”
Ariane's blood turned into ice in her veins. “What?” She asked with numb lips.
“Come.” Marcelle grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her along. “We must hurry. Tonight's dinner marks the start of the Summit, and Bernadine and Heloise want all the help they can get.”
Ariane let Marcelle drag her through the twisting corridors of the chateau. This is it. My impulsive pettiness is going to get me sacked—or worse. I'm certain I can be put to trial for hitting a member of the royal family, even if he is an indestructible frog.
She barely noticed when Marcelle stopped in front of a wooden door and knocked.
“Come in,” a deep voice rumbled.
Marcelle opened the door and stood to the side. “Ariane, Your Highness. As you requested.”