“I worry when you don’t have company,” he said. “If you couldn’t organize somebody yourself, then surely the prince could have assigned somebody to you.”
“I didn’t want to bother him,” I replied. “And it’s just a party, isn’t it?”
“I suppose so. And it’s because you’re on your own that Wilhelmina let her guard down too.”
Which made it the right call. If I’d had Moritz by my side, the whole conversation would have turned into a frown fest. I wouldn’t even need to look at the princess to know she had put walls up around herself.
“So you’re interested in the princess now?” asked Arno.
“I’ve been thinking about things,” I admitted. “Part of it is, of course, the fact that you decided to side with her, and so I believe it’s important I sit down and talk with her at least once.”
“If she’s willing to say as much as she did in a public setting like this, then I can assure you that she’s serious about meeting you over tea. And...thank you. For listening when I said that I wanted you to speak with her.”
It seemed like things between the princess and my brother were going well. He liked her, clearly, and for that reason, he wanted his family to get to know her. He was happy about my change of heart.
“Like I said, that’s part of it, but I felt it was important I speak with her anyway.”
“Will your hair color come back?” Arno asked.
“Nobody knows,” I replied. “But rest easy. The doctor told me it has no impact on my physical well-being. I’m the very picture of health!”
“It’s not just your health I’m worried about. Please, just don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”
I was scanning the crowds as we walked, but couldn’t find who I was looking for. Just as I was about to give up, I saw her. Arno must have noticed too.
“You want to talk to Fourth Empress Nadia?” he asked.
“Yes, I thought I’d introduce myself before I left. You don’t have to accompany me any farther. Thank you, Arno.”
“No, wait. Have you ever talked to her before?”
“No, actually. This will be my first time.”
The fourth empress, one of the emperor’s concubines, was on my list of people to speak with. Arno thought it strange that I would want to make her acquaintance, but he did not push me for the details. This was one of the true wonders of sibling relationships—he could see in my eyes, without us exchanging a word, that I didn’t want him to ask.
“Then follow me,” said Arno. “I’ve spoken to her a number of times, and if I take the lead, the introduction will be that much smoother. It’s for the better too—she’s a cautious one.”
And true to his word, with Arno’s introduction, things were smoother. The fourth empress wore her long black hair loosely tied behind her head and greeted me with a gentle smile.
“You’ve caught me at a good time,” she said. “I was just about to leave.”
“My apologies. Are we keeping you from anything?” asked Arno.
“Oh, nothing of the sort. My usual routine is so boring, you see, and so I decided to make an appearance. I never intended to stay particularly long, so I must say it’s a welcome surprise to have you introduce me to a lovely young lady.”
Nadia showed none of the fear I had seen on her face during the emperor’s birthday. She looked far more at ease and warmhearted in her bearing. Upon closer observation, I realized that her hair color was different from most others at the party. Her face was carved from sharp lines that accentuated her every expression, and she had double eyelids. She was on the level of lavish beauty that Duke Tuna and Gerda shared, but her more reserved bearing made for a more subtle impression. She was certainly more reserved than one would have expected of an empress and made no attempt whatsoever to lord her position over anybody. She had to be in her forties based on what I knew, but she looked far younger.
“It was your younger sister for whom this party was thrown, yes? I would love to make her acquaintance.”
“I learned of you through a friend of mine, Lady Nadia, and so I wanted very much to meet you myself,” I said.
“Oh, well, I’m nothing to brag about,” replied Nadia. “I scarcely leave the palace, and I can’t imagine an old hermit of a woman like myself drawing any interest from the younger generation. Might I inquire as to who this friend of yours is?”
I couldn’t quite believe that she would refer to herself as an “old hermit of a woman.” She was stunning in her own right. Regardless, I wondered how best to answer her—my interest in the woman was personal, and I didn’t want my brother knowing about it.
“Perhaps it is enough to say that he has the same color hair as I, Lady Nadia.”
She tilted her head for a moment, but her expression remained calm.
“Do you mind if I have a word with your sister privately?” she asked Arno. “I’d very much like to discuss something with her.”
“Certainly. I’ll be on my way.”
“Thank you, brother. Let’s talk again soon,” I said.
There weren’t many in the palace who sported hair the same color as my own, and so I had to assume that the fourth empress had discerned who I was talking about.
“Pardon me if I’m mistaken, but am I right to assume that you are on good terms with the crown prince and the mage Six?” she asked.
“That is correct. I’m relieved you understood.”
“You gave me quite the fright.”
“I apologize. It was never my intent to shock you.”
“Pay it no mind. I had heard that you were friends with the prince, and so I had wondered...”
She seemed more comfortable talking to me now, and I had to assume that the thanks for that went more to Reinald than Six.
“Why is it that you thought to make my acquaintance?” asked Nadia.
“I must admit that I did not know very much about you until recently,” I said. “But I was part of a most intriguing conversation, and it made me want very much to hear more about your home, if you would be open to talking about it.”
“Oh, you mean...”
I had lowered my voice slightly when I said “your home,” and I thought perhaps that Nadia hadn’t heard or understood me correctly. Her answer, however, proved that she had.
“You are intrigued by strange tales, then. But no, I don’t mind.”
So she’s open to the idea.
Her reply was so casual that I was taken aback. Nadia cleared her throat.
“Ordinarily, I would turn down such requests,” she said, “but you’re a woman, and you also happen to be Sir Bertrando’s daughter. But more than anything, you’re the woman this whole party was thrown for, and for that reason, the emperor won’t deny us the chance to meet. However, as I am not allowed to leave the palace, I’ll need you to come to me...”
“With your permission, I’m happy to oblige.”
“Well, well... Then I’ll prepare some snacks and have the invitation arranged. Do you like sweets?”
And just like that, I was on my way to locking in tea with the fourth empress. It was good fortune, really, that I’d managed to get to both of my key targets at the party. It meant I could now return to Bertrando and then, thankfully, home. Bertrando wasn’t bothered in the slightest at the length of time I’d been gone, as he was chatting with a lady when I found him. It seemed like quite the conversation, though he was quick to excuse himself when he saw me, much to the woman’s dismay.
“You’re all done?” he asked.
“Yes. I apologize for the wait.”
“I don’t mind waiting on a lady,” he quipped. “And as I said earlier, I don’t like the idea of a young lady circling this kind of party alone.”
Bertrando offered me an arm, and we set off—he was nothing if not an experienced escort.
“You were talking to quite the high-ranking individuals,” Bertrando remarked. “Nothing disagreeable, I hope.”
“Neither was the type, and we were done rather quickly,” I replied. “You were watching me?”
“Putting aside the fact that you’re my daughter, you’re beautiful, and that attracts attention. The men here are holding back because they fear me, but I’d wager that you wouldn’t be leaving so easily if I weren’t here.”
“For you to say something like that must mean it would have been a considerable challenge.”
I spoke my mind and let out my exasperation with it, but Bertrando didn’t seem to mind. I myself was a little surprised at how open I was being, but Bertrando seemed to have that effect on me.
“And what will you do afterward, Sir Bertrando?” I asked. “Continue your conversation with that lady just now?”
“If this weren’t such a formal gathering, then I very well might have, yes. Unfortunately, I noticed a few rather terrifying gazes directed my way. Once I’ve seen you aboard your carriage, I’ll take my leave.”
“Scared? You?”
“Your praise is noted, but even I know scary when I see it. Take, for example, certain siblings who have their eyes on nothing but becoming the heir to their family.”