Yet the prince approached her nonetheless.
“The color’s returned to your cheeks, I see,” he said, offering his arm. “Is it the water here in Fortier?”
Though taken aback for a moment, Liliana accepted the gesture with a small nod. She was in no position to refuse. Conversation would doubtless flow more smoothly if she used telepathy, but she was hesitant to reveal her power to anyone except Petra. Safety trumped convenience any day.
The corners of Riley’s lips curled as Liliana took his arm. “I really am glad to see you well. Your health comes first.”
As far as Liliana could tell, she was in the clear. The crown prince didn’t seem inclined to mention her voice in their current setting, and though her father and brother were watching, neither interrupted to bring up removing the hex.
The moment Riley entered the courtyard and his presence became known, everyone not already standing rose to their feet in respect. Even those mingling in the great hall came outside to see him. High-ranking nobles who had met the crown prince before remained calm, but Belinda’s relatives, far removed from royal circles, cooed in admiration—prompting a deep frown from Liliana’s grandmother.
First, the duke uttered words of acknowledgment for the prince. Then the guests took turns greeting him. Liliana was in no position to sneak away, so she put on her best refined smile as she watched the nobles come and go like an assembly line. Her father introduced each guest as they approached, though Liliana already knew them all. She supposed she could at least be grateful that, with so many people to get through, nobody hung around to chat.
It helps that only the men are approaching us. Custom forbids women from involving themselves, and the elderly enforce it with particular rigidity.
As it stood, things were going well enough—those who cared most about protocol were perfectly content with Liliana, who stayed a step behind the prince with an amicable expression. She had no reason to speak, which meant the guests had no reason to pry into her silence. Had the women greeted them as well, the process would have been twice as long and doubly exhausting.
Once the last guest had offered their greeting, Riley had a servant present Clyde with the congratulatory gift he had prepared. Several nobles followed with their own blessings and presents for the heir of House Clarke—gifts that had been delivered to the estate in advance. Clyde loudly expressed his gratitude to the crown prince and everyone else, and the gathering began to wind down.
“Your Highness, may I speak with you for a moment?” Abram asked. It was customary for the host and guest of honor to have a private word at some point, so no one would question their confidential conversation.
Liliana seized the opportunity to finally return to her chambers. Riley glanced at her as she turned away, but she pretended not to notice.
I wonder what they’re going to discuss.
Riley and Abram headed to one of the parlors, while Liliana’s grandparents, her mother, and Clyde continued to mingle with the guests. Liliana summoned her handmaiden, who had been waiting in a corner of the courtyard.
“Do you wish to retire to your chambers?” Marianne asked, ever quick to anticipate her lady’s needs.
Liliana nodded. She had yet to formally enter noble society, so no one would mind her leaving early. Her mother would actively welcome it.
Once back in her chambers, Liliana could finally relax. She thanked Marianne for making her tea and delved into the books she had borrowed from the library. She could read as much as she wished until dinner—her handmaiden would not interrupt her.
And yet, after reading for some time, Liliana’s mind kept returning to the private conversation between her father and the prince. She found it difficult to focus on anything else, so she set her book down on the table.
Let’s see if this works...
There were many spells Liliana wanted to try, but not all were easy to practice. Some could only be used when a particular opportunity arose. Teleporting to the place where her father and the prince were conversing was out of the question—the risk of Abram catching her was too high—so she had to take a different approach.
It worked the last time I tried it, but father might be blocking any external effects with his magic.
Liliana needed a spell that could bypass the duke’s interference without his noticing.
Magis rekke, sérch.
The familiar searching spell sprang into effect, with some modifications. There was no sign of it being blocked or neutralized, much to Liliana’s relief, and she located Riley and Abram on the map that appeared before her eyes. They were alone in the most elegant of the estate’s parlors.
Tapp.
Liliana cast her next spell, and in an instant, she could hear her father and the crown prince as if they were whispering directly into her ear.
“I see. So there are ups and downs. That worries me.”
“Thank you for your concern, Duke Clarke.”
Her lips curved upward. Everything had gone according to plan.
Though Liliana couldn’t see their faces, she could sense a peaceful mood between them. She had hardly ever spoken personally with her father, so hearing the way he addressed the prince piqued her curiosity. He had always been cold and heartless toward his family, which made his present normalcy all the more striking.
“It’s a great honor to have you here at our estate,” Duke Clarke said, “especially considering how far you traveled and the turbulent times we live in. My son is most certainly pleased you came.”
“I should thank you for the excellent company. Clyde and Lady Liliana are good to me as well—though I must admit, I am somewhat concerned about Lady Liliana’s condition.”
Riley spoke more comfortably in private than he had around the other guests. Yet as crown prince, he still afforded Duke Clarke the respect due to the premier.
“As am I, Your Highness,” Abram said gravely.
A brief silence followed before Riley spoke again, sounding hoarser this time. “Will her voice truly never return?”
“Though it pains me to say it, her doctor maintains there is little hope.”