Carina was inclined to believe his theory. In many ways, it made more sense than an intelligent talking frog.
She pushed aside the question of what that would mean for her relationship with him to focus on a more practical matter.
If the frog was human, who was he?
Her first guess was Alaric, but only because he was the person she knew best from the Princess Test. The Crown Prince of Aeonia was quiet and reserved. A little awkward. That didn’t match the frog’s personality.
But Aeonia had five other princes. She hadn’t seen much of them during the test. Benjamin and Marcus had been quarantined at the Royal Academy because of illness. Cael and Henry had been called away on a family emergency. Something to do with goats.
Now that Carina thought about it, that seemed suspicious. What sort of princes, even if they were only the king’s stepsons, spent time herding goats?
No matter. They hadn’t been at the Princess Test. Of course, they would know Lina by now. And Alaric might have told them about the seagulls.
Carina doubted that was a conversation Alaric wanted to relive, but it was possible he had told his family.
That left Prince Stefan.
She grimaced. He hadn’t seemed particularly interesting at the Princess Test. He had simply ferried them from room to room without saying much. And he had produced that bizarre play.
But was she being fair? She didn’t look interesting to an outsider. Everyone at the Princess Test who didn’t know her probably thought she was dull. Her only goal there had been to blend in and gather information.
Carina thought of Stefan’s face. It was pleasant enough. He had bright blue eyes and unruly hair. He had been polite to her.
Not to mention he’d argued before the entire Council of Kings, defending Alaric until his brother made it off the mountain to defend himself.
That speech had been impulsive and brash. And rather impressive now that she thought back on it.
Carina shook her head. She was getting ahead of herself. The princes weren’t the only men who had been at the Princess Test. There were the servants and commoners who doubtless had heard of Lina and seagulls through the royal gossip chains. There were the kings from every nation. Other nobles of Aeonia.
But she couldn’t shake the feeling that the frog was someone closely involved in the Princess Test. For one thing, he had seemed surprised at her personality once he got to know her. That suggested he’d had a negative impression of her at the start.
Carina sighed. As much as she hated to admit it, she was developing feelings for a frog. She had been scared when he collapsed before the picnic. Genuinely concerned.
She had good reason to believe the frog was a human man, but the whole situation was still ridiculous.
“Not to worry, Your Highness,” Korene said. “I’ve got just the style in mind. It will show off your curls and stand up to the wind.”
Carina blinked.
“Oh, yes. The wind. That will be lovely, thank you.”
Choosing a hairstyle to withstand the wind seemed a simple problem compared to falling in love with a frog. She sighed again.
Serafina gave her a sharp look. Carina widened her eyes and gave an innocent shrug.
“I do love showing off my curls, Serafina. You can ask King Gustave about it tonight if you don’t believe me.”
Serafina’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t say a word.
42
Marquis Corbeau entered the room with a pile of papers in his arms. Gustave groaned when he saw them.
“Your Majesty needs to approve these decrees before we return to Montaigne,” the marquis said. “I have already added my seal.”
“Of course. We may not be able to return for a few days. I sent Captain Whist to search for a missing ship.”
Corbeau raised one of his white, bushy eyebrows.
“You should be wooing Princess Carina, not concerning yourself with merchants.”
Gustave smirked.
“Captain Whist did a fair amount of wooing when we visited.”
“Your Majesty, this is serious! The government of Montaigne cannot operate as it should until you are married. You have already declined a Princess Test as a way to choose a bride. That limits your options. Princess Carina is an excellent choice.”
Gustave sighed.
“I’m not going to marry her, Corbeau. We don’t get along well. She threatened to punch me in the nose.”
Stefan perked up at this piece of information. Maybe Carina didn’t like Gustave after all.
The marquis looked horrified.
“What did Your Majesty possibly say to provoke her? Princess Carina has a reputation for being easygoing and level tempered.”
Both Gustave and Stefan scoffed. The marquis narrowed his eyes.
“This is not a joke, Your Majesty. Offending Princess Carina could cause an international incident with Santelle.”
“I am not trying to offend her. But I won’t marry her either.”
“That may cause other problems. The King of Santelle is quite eager to have a treaty with us.”
Stefan croaked. A treaty indeed. The king wanted to get rid of Carina. Ridiculous after she had worked so hard to help the kingdom.
The marquis sneered at Stefan.
“I see Your Majesty has acquired a pet.”
Stefan bristled at the words. Gustave laughed.
“I agreed to watch him this afternoon while Carina prepared for the gala.”
“King Giuseppe has made it very clear that he expects tonight to become an engagement party. Do not offend him lightly, Your Majesty. Santelle would be a powerful ally and a terrible enemy.”
“Please excuse me,” Gustave said. “I need to start working now if I am to review these decrees before the gala.”
Marquis Corbeau scowled, but he bowed and left without another word.
Gustave sighed when the door closed. Stefan croaked in sympathy.
“He’s been like that since your father disappeared?”
Gustave nodded.
“Do you need anything? I can find food for you before I start this.”
Stefan shook his head, and Gustave turned his attention to reading the papers. The prince spent most of the afternoon hopping around Gustave’s room. As annoying as his frog body was, it was fun to see how far he could jump. And impressive how easily Heinrich’s suit moved with him.
After a few hours of jumping from the bed to the chairs, Stefan was bored. He took a nap while one of the castle tailors helped Gustave change for the gala.
“Wake up,” Gustave said. “It’s time to go.”
Stefan blinked up at the king.
“Nice purple tunic.”
Gustave shrugged.
“I didn’t bring any clothes suitable for a formal event, so the marquis found some for me. His taste has always been questionable.”
He offered his arm. Stefan hopped up it and perched on the king’s shoulder. They followed a servant through the castle to a small parlor with an ocean view.
“Princess Carina will be with you shortly.”
A few moments after the servant left, Carina arrived. Stefan sat up taller when he saw her. His chest puffed out, and the suit stretched with him. Thank goodness for Heinrich’s careful pleating. He had perfectly accommodated a frog’s anatomy.
Carina looked beautiful. Her blond curls towered on top of her head and framed her blue eyes and mischievous face. She wore a dark purple dress with fabric that swished when she walked. Jewels sparkled around her neck.
Stefan pulled in his chest and sighed. It came out as a croak. King Gustave smiled down at him.
“Officially, I am Carina’s date. But I’d like to pass that responsibility to you as much as possible. I meant what I said. I have no time for romance.”
Stefan nodded.
“Hold me up a little higher.”
Gustave lifted him to chest level. Stefan stood, balancing carefully in his hands, and bowed to Carina.
> She grinned and curtsied back.
“I see they’ve made us a pair,” she said to Gustave. “That explains why they insisted I wear this.”
She gestured to her gown. Stefan looked back at Gustave and grimaced. They had dressed Carina and Gustave in the same color.
“At least I stand out,” Stefan said.
Carina grinned.
“I like you in a suit, sir frog. My compliments to your tailor.”
“I’ll be sure to tell him when I see him.”
Stefan tried to keep his voice light. He would see Heinrich again. He had to believe that.
“Shall we go to the gala?”
Carina held her hand out to Stefan. He took her fingers and grazed his lips against them.
If only that kiss counted and could break the curse. Stefan had always thought fancy parties and state events were boring, but he wouldn’t mind attending one with Carina by his side.
She took Gustave’s arm, and they walked together down the path to the harbor. Other couples smiled at them, but no one spoke. Doubtless, they had been ordered to give the royal couple some space.
“Lovely evening,” Stefan said.
His voice was more croaky than usual. Blast it all. Just when he most needed to be charming.
“It is lovely, isn’t it?” Carina said.
She looked at the stars that twinkled overhead. The last remains of a sunset colored the ocean pink. The Onslaught glowed with hundreds of lanterns hung from the rigging.
Yes, Stefan would have enjoyed spending this night with Carina as a human.
“I talked to my sister,” she whispered. “I told her everything. She didn’t believe me.”
Gustave cleared his throat.
“Good evening, Queen Cosima.”
Carina straightened. Stefan wished he was on her shoulder so he could whisper something reassuring. The queen studied them with a sharp gaze.
“It is kind of you to carry my daughter’s pet, King Gustave. I fear she is paying more attention to that frog than to you.”
The king bowed.
“The pleasure is mine. I spent the afternoon in this frog’s company, and I can see why Carina keeps him around.”
Queen Cosima’s eyes widened.
“Indeed? Well, how nice that you have something in common.”
Stefan groaned. If the queen kept that up, they would be engaged within the hour.
“I hope you didn’t find my arranging a picnic for you too presumptuous,” Queen Cosima said. “Marquis Corbeau assured me you would enjoy it.”
“It was very productive,” Gustave said.
The queen beamed.
“Indeed? Will you have an announcement for us at the gala?”
Stefan hit Gustave on the neck. He was making everything worse!
“Mother-” Carina hissed.
Gustave raised a hand to interrupt her.
“I hope Your Majesty will understand that I don’t want to rush into anything. I take my responsibilities as king very seriously. Haste would be irresponsible, even where your charming daughter is concerned.”
Queen Cosima forced a smile.
“Yes, of course. They’ll be waiting for you on the ship. You’d best be going.”
She shooed them along the path. Stefan hopped onto Carina’s shoulder once the queen was out of sight.
“That was close,” he said.
She nodded.
“If Gustave keeps that up, I might have to punch him in the nose after all.”
The king flinched.
“I’m sure that won’t be necessary. I was just being polite.”
He took Carina’s arm as they walked up the long gangplank that led to the Onslaught.
“You should at least look annoyed with him,” Stefan said.
Carina grinned.
“Of course. You’d better say something annoying from time to time, Your Majesty.”
“Such as?”
Stefan cleared his throat.
“Tell her she merely looks nice. Or that her dress reminds you of something your sister wore two years ago.”
Carina laughed. On the other side of the ship, King Giuseppe shared a hopeful glance with Marquis Corbeau. Duke Salvatore and Duke Riccardo looked triumphant.
“Blast,” Gustave said under his breath. “They think we’re having a good time. We’ll have to do better than this.”
“Your beard makes you look like a pirate trying to hide a double chin,” Stefan said.
“What?”
Gustave rubbed his chin, and Carina giggled. Stefan’s eyes flashed with triumph.
“This afternoon, Gustave said the only reason to wear dresses as frilly as yours was to hide fat legs.”
“I never!” Gustave said.
“Really, Your Majesty!” Carina said. “I’ve never been so insulted in my life.”
She crossed her arms and pouted at Gustave. He stammered his reply.
“I didn’t say that. I swear.”
“How does my father look now?” Carina whispered.
She didn’t change her annoyed expression, but her voice was playful. Stefan peeked around her.
“Less happy, but still too hopeful for my tastes. No more smiling for the rest of the night. That goes for both of you!”
A smile twitched at the corners of Carina’s lips. Gustave tried very hard not to grin. He failed and covered his mouth, trying to look thoughtful. Carina giggled.
“Blast it all, Carina!” Stefan said.
“Say something sad,” she whispered.
“Burnt cookies. Stained dresses. Socks with holes.”
Curses. Missing friends. Family an ocean away.
Carina got her face under control and glared at Gustave again.
“I’m going to set the frog on the table at dinner,” she said. “I’m sure we’ll be seated together. Pretend to be disgusted and annoyed.”
“Of course.”
Stefan bristled.
“You don’t have to pretend it will be so easy. I’m not disgusting.”
Gustave and Carina bit back a laugh. Stefan groaned. They looked entirely too happy together for a couple that didn’t want to get engaged. Did Carina like Gustave after all? Would she be better off with him? A noble with a kingdom that neighbored her home?
He shook off the melancholy. Now was not the time for self-doubt. He had an engagement to prevent.
A trumpet blared, and the guests made their way to an enormous table that stretched the length of the ship. True to her word, Carina set Stefan beside her plate.
“Glare at me,” Stefan whispered to Gustave.
“Right.”
Gustave glared at the frog. He wasn’t the only one.
“You brought that thing here?” Serafina said. “You brought the frog to the gala? You made a suit for him?”
The anger in her eyes made Stefan nervous. Judging from the medals on Serafina’s chest, she ranked high in the military. She probably could have killed him when he was a man. She definitely could kill him as a frog.
He slid away from her, pushing closer to Carina.
“He is my honored guest and companion,” Carina said.
Stefan croaked with pride. Not pet. Companion.
Serafina shook her head.
“I don’t understand you, Carina. You’re out of control. I’m sure our guest would feel more comfortable if you left the frog in your room.”
She nodded to Gustave. He frowned.
“It is rather unorthodox.”
“Unorthodox?” Carina said. “I thought you liked the frog, Gusty.”
Gustave swallowed.
“Gusty?”
“Don’t you like it? It’s your new nickname. I invented it just for you, and Sir Frog helped.”
Carina fluttered her eyelashes, picked up Stefan, and held him towards the king. Stefan choked back a laugh. Gustave looked genuinely horrified.
“Carina!” Serafina said. “What are you doing?”
Carina set Stefan back on t
he table.
“Just trying to make our guest feel welcome.”
“Well stop! Whatever you’re doing, stop it. This is a state dinner. Why can’t you behave?”
“There’s no harm done,” Gustave said. “I think it is fun to have Carina’s pet at the gala.”
Stefan glanced down the table. The King of Santelle and the marquis watched with concern. The dukes and Queen Cosima looked annoyed. Carina’s youngest siblings chatted amongst themselves, oblivious to the tension at the table.
Franco hovered behind the king, ready to intervene if commanded. He looked like he would like nothing better than to remove Stefan permanently.
Time to kick things up a notch. Stefan turned and flicked his tongue. It caught Gustave’s beard and pulled.
“Oh!”
Gustave looked truly surprised. Stefan smacked his lips. That was a bad idea. Now he had hair on his tongue.
“Froggy, no!” Carina said.
She pulled Stefan close and leaned over, pretending to scold him.
“Well done,” she whispered. “This gala will be a disaster.”
Stefan winked at her.
43
Carina hid her smile by taking a drink. It wouldn’t do to let anyone know she was happy.
And in spite of everything, she was having a marvelous time.
Thank goodness for the frog. Gustave was too polite to act angry and annoyed for the whole dinner. The frog made sure he didn’t have to fake it.
Whenever Gustave looked too comfortable, the frog did something to fix that. He croaked just as the king took a drink or jumped onto his shoulder when he turned his head. By the end of the meal, the King of Montaigne looked genuinely hassled.
She should probably apologize to him later. Even if he was the source of her current problems, Gustave had been helpful. And he didn’t want to marry her. That was worth a lot.
All Carina had to add to the charade was defending the frog. She widened her eyes and pretended to be charmed with her pet’s behavior.
Pet indeed. He was her partner in crime at this point. She hadn’t had this much fun since the Princess Test.
Carina wished she knew more about curses. She couldn’t really move forward with whatever relationship they had until the curse was broken. It wasn’t like she could share a romantic stroll and kiss with an amphibian.
The Frog Prince Page 21
