“Indeed,” Aerity said.
They leaned on the stone opening for several minutes before one of the town’s women caught sight of them from a booth of scarves. Aerity heard the joyous sound of murmurs from below, whispers of “Look! It’s Princess Aerity and Lady Wyneth!” Both girls stopped as hundreds of eyes turned up to them. They were accustomed to this, but today it felt different. Today, many of the eyes in the crowd were gazing up at their possible future prize. Swallowing hard and forcing a smile, Aerity raised her hand and waved. Townspeople waved back with excitement, but the strange men only stared, some grinning, some nudging each other.
When a respectable amount of time had passed, Aerity gently pulled her cousin from the ledge, out of sight. She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes, feeling Wyneth’s hands on her shoulders.
“Are you all right, Aerity?”
The princess was shaking, but she nodded. “I’ll be fine.”
“You’re a blessing to this kingdom, you know.” Wyneth pulled her into a hug, their heads resting perfectly on each other’s shoulders. “I would have likely fought the king’s decision. I admire your dedication.” Wyneth had always been strong and lively—it felt good to see a glimpse of that returning and to be able to lean on her cousin once again.
“Oh, look.” Wyneth peered down over Aerity’s shoulder. “Is that Mrs. Rathbrook?”
Aerity turned to see the woman at one of the market tables that sold herbal leaves and powders. Officer Vest stood nearby, scanning the people. Aerity was just about to remark how it was nice to see Mrs. Rathbrook out, when she noticed the space around the woman. The market was crowded, but nobody was near her. In fact, people were casting her furtive, even aghast, glances, ushering their children away.
Each time Mrs. Rathbrook moved a step, the crowd shifted.
“By the seas.” Aerity scowled as she strained to watch from the distance. “Look at that.”
Mrs. Rathbrook slid her payment on the table and the unsmiling clerk tossed copper coins in front of her, yanking her hand back. The Lashed woman seemed not to notice, saying something with a kind smile and retreating with her bag. Mrs. Rathbrook walked stoically through the people, who stared as they cleared a path for her, crushing together to keep out of arm’s reach.
“Awful,” Wyneth whispered.
Aerity’s jaw was set in anger. Even the guards and military personnel gave Mrs. Rathbrook a wide berth as she made her way through the booths. No wonder the woman kept to her own chambers most of the time.
“Pardon me, Princess and Lady.”
Aerity pulled back at the sound of one of the king’s errand boys standing in the arched doorway.
“Princess Aerity, his highness would like a word.”
“Of course. Thank you.”
He rushed off and Aerity took Wyneth’s hand again, not wanting to be alone. She made her poor cousin accompany her to her father’s study, where he spoke in hushed tones to one of his military advisers.
“Ah, Aerity,” he said when he caught sight of her. He rose from his grand chair and came around, nodding at Wyneth. “It’s good to see you about again, Lady Wyn.”
Wyneth gave a small curtsy. “It’s good to be about, Your Majesty.”
His adviser shut the door, and the four of them remained standing. Her father still showed signs of exhaustion, but his eyes gleamed with the same hope of the townspeople in the market.
“I hate to ask more of you, Aerity. . . .”
She braced herself. “What do you need, Father?”
He cleared his throat. “As you’ve surely gathered, hunters have begun arriving. We fear once the hunt begins there will be many who want to flee after they see . . .” His voice trailed off as his sights shifted to his niece, who dropped her eyes. “We would like to keep up their morale as best as possible. We’ll be gathering the hunters in the west commons area so they may practice their skills and have a place to rest in peace after the hunt each day.” He paused, hesitating. Aerity thought he could probably face down other kings with more confidence than he had facing down his own daughter.
He continued. “It might be difficult or uncomfortable, but I was hoping you’d be willing to visit the west commons area daily. You would of course have guards, and you’re never to be alone with any of the men. Our hope is that seeing you will . . . lift the spirits of the hunters.”
And remind them of their prize.