Esofi tried to imagine Adale hastily fitting everything she owned into a few small traveling bags, stopping now and again to check the hour. It was depressingly easy to visualize, and Esofi hoped that this was simply a result of her overactive imagination and not a true vision from Talcia. But then, Talcia had never sent her a vision before, and Esofi doubted that she would begin now.
And so what if it was true? So what if Adale was packing her things as even now Esofi lay there feeling sorry for herself? Let her leave! Esofi wouldn’t even ask Their Majesties to send guards after their wayward daughter. She would simply accept the hand of whatever nobleman or woman was next in line and never think upon this day again.
“I do not care,” Esofi whispered to herself. “I’ve no reason to care.”
Esofi closed her eyes and eventually drifted off to sleep. She had a brief, absurd dream that her parents arrived from Rhodia and demanded to know who she would be marrying. When she told them that she was not entirely certain yet, they suggested she give up her title and become a miller instead, a prospect which upset Esofi so badly that she awoke with a start.
The sun was low in the sky, casting shades of gold across the courtyard. Esofi sat upright in her bed and saw that Lexandrie was sitting in the soft chair across from her, reading a book.
“I have missed the betrothal,” said Esofi. It was not a question. “Why did you not wake me?”
Lexandrie glanced up for the briefest of moments. “You needed the rest, and the Ieflarians needed to be shown they could not insult you without consequence.”
Esofi’s feet found the carpet. “Had you asked, I would not have—”
“And that is why I did not ask,” retorted Lexandrie. “You are the future queen of Ieflaria. Try to have some pride.”
“Lexandrie, the marriage contract!”
“It will keep until tomorrow!” Lexandrie snapped her book shut and stood. “Don’t you dare act as though I’ve spoiled your plans. You know Their Majesties are desperate to have you as their daughter-in-law! You could skip through the streets of Birsgen with a teapot on your head and they would still let you marry Adale! Why do you refuse to take advantage of your position?”
“Because I already have everything I require,” said Esofi. “And demanding favors for the sake of favors will endear me to nobody.”
“I’m not talking about favors! I’m talking about respect!”
“I would say I already earned their respect this morning!”
Lexandrie didn’t seem to know how to respond to that. “Well, you certainly took your time of it,” she muttered at last, but most of the fire had gone from her. “You’ll take dinner in your rooms tonight. Let them wonder a bit more. Tomorrow, you may do as you like.”
“Very well,” said Esofi, who had not been looking forward to being gawked at during the evening meal in any case. “Has there been any news?”
“Nothing of importance, I think.” Lexandrie shrugged. “But Lisette has been about. She could tell you better than I.”
“You let Lisette leave?” cried Esofi, suddenly feeling quite sick.
“As though I could have stopped her!” Lexandrie rolled her eyes. “Worry not, she has killed nobody, or if she has, they have not yet discovered the body.”
“I would like to speak with her,” said Esofi. “Immediately, if at all possible.”
Lexandrie sighed as though Esofi had given a near-impossible order but left the room without an argument. Esofi went to the wardrobe and began to search for her dressing gown. With the setting of the sun, the castle had grown significantly colder.
By the time Lisette arrived, Esofi was wrapped in her robe and sitting in the chair that Lexandrie had vacated. Lisette regarded Esofi rather coolly.
“What are they saying?” asked Esofi.
Lisette crossed her arms. “The foolish ones wonder if you will return to Rhodia. Others ask if you will marry one of the children of the king’s brother instead of the crown princess. I think they deserve to wonder.”
That sounded very much like what Lexandrie had said, and Esofi wondered if they’d discussed it at some point. “Is the crown princess still in the castle?”
“Yes,” said Lisette. “After all that trouble, she chose not to flee, though she certainly had her chance. Most unusual.”
“Mm,” said Esofi. “What do you make of her?”
Lisette shrugged. “She is a child, just as her companions are. But at least she will not get in your way.”
“She did not ever expect to rule,” noted Esofi. “If Albion had lived, she could have dedicated her entire life to hunting and drinking. I think she resents the sudden responsibility.”
“Perhaps,” said Lisette, glancing away. “But that does not excuse her behavior.”
“No,” agreed Esofi. “It does not.”
About an hour later, servants arrived with food. Esofi and her ladies had their meal in the sitting room, something that Esofi quickly realized she enjoyed. It would not be appropriate to never appear for a meal again, but right then, she needed to be away from prying eyes and it would be good to know she had the option again in the future, should she need it.
The servants took the dishes and small collapsible tables away when the meal was finished, and Esofi contemplated simply going back to bed. Her magic was restored, but she still felt oddly empty. Perhaps attending the evening service would make her feel better. But that would require her to dress again…
Esofi glanced around at her ladies. Lexandrie was reading again, though her eyes seemed a bit glazed over, and Mireille was picking at her embroidery. The mood in the room was warm and lazy, and Esofi knew she’d only get groans of protest if she announced her intention to go to a service.
Esofi settled back against the couch and closed her eyes, just to rest them. She might have fallen asleep for just a moment, but soon enough, a knock at the door pulled her awake.
“Someone get that,” mumbled Esofi. As usual, Mireille was the one to rise. She opened the door and released a small gasp.
“Oh,” said Mireille. “Crown Princess!”
Esofi came back to full awakening at the words. Lexandrie’s eyes snapped open as well, her expression twisting into one of rage. Adale spoke, but Esofi could not make out the words.
“I am sorry, but she is resting,” said Mireille firmly.
“I understand,” Adale sighed. “Will you at least give her this, then?”
“Very well.” Mireille sounded a little confused. “Well, good night—”
“Wait,” said Adale. “Will she be at breakfast tomorrow?”
“I could not guess, Crown Princess,” Mireille responded. “Good night.”
The door closed, and Mireille came back. She was holding a very small basket with a soft cloth draped over the top.
“What’s that, Mireille?” asked Lexandrie.
“I do not know yet,” said Mireille, sitting down beside Esofi. “Pastries, perhaps?”
“As though Esofi needs any more of those,” muttered Lexandrie.
“What?” Lisette hurried over, looking displeased. “Don’t eat anything until I’ve—”
Esofi reached over and pulled the fabric away, and Mireille gasped. Curled up in the basket was a flat-faced, cream-colored kitten. It gave the tiniest cry of protest as it lifted its head to sniff at its new surroundings.
“Oh, for the love of—” began Lisette in disgust. “She truly is a child!”
Esofi picked up the kitten carefully, making sure not to let its claws catch on the fabric of her robe. It seemed to be of a good temperament with a fine seal-point pattern offsetting the large fluff of pale fur. It was not so small that Esofi thought it would need to be bottle-fed and seemed to be well-bred. Esofi wondered if Adale had purchased it from a breeder and if the princess might give her the name. She was completely unfamiliar with this Ieflarian breed and hoped it did not require some manner of special treatment.
“You’re not going to keep it, are you?” asked Lexandrie hopelessly.
“Well, I’m not going to turn him out,” reasoned Esofi, rubbing her finger against the kitten’s little face.
“We’ll have fur everywhere,” moaned Lexandrie. “It will claw at the furniture and shred our dresses—and besides, accepting the gift means you’ve forgiven her.”