But what fun would that be?
“Your Majesties! I came as soon as I could!”
Bastien burst through the door. His breath came in uneven gasps.
Alaric’s eyes grew wide, and he shot a panicked look at his brother. Stefan smiled innocently and walked to the tailor.
“Thank you for coming so quickly, Bastien. I have a dilemma, and you may be the only person in the castle who can solve it.”
Bastien looked to the crown prince for answers, but of course Alaric didn’t have any.
Stefan fought to keep his face serious. An ill-timed smirk could ruin everything.
“It’s Carina,” he said. “She’s having a hard time adjusting to life in Aeonia. She misses her family, and I’m worried she won’t be happy here.”
Now it was Lina’s turn to look incredulous. Stefan didn’t blame her. Carina had adjusted to life in Aeonia very well, considering the circumstances. He glanced at Lina and shook his head, signaling her to keep her mouth shut. She raised an eyebrow but didn’t say a word.
“That is most unfortunate,” Bastien said. “But what does it have to do with me?”
Stefan placed his hand on the tailor’s shoulder. Time to put his plan into action.
“You all may not know this about Carina, but she adores fashion. Since she wasn’t in the military in Santelle, she didn’t wear a uniform. She had some of the most unique gowns I’ve ever seen. She embellished many of them herself since the military tailors weren’t willing to experiment with design.”
“I didn’t know that,” Lina said. “We all wore the same gowns at the Princess Test, so we didn’t talk much about clothes.”
Stefan looked straight into Bastien’s eyes.
“Not only did Carina lose her country and her family, she lost her wardrobe. All her custom gowns are lost to her forever.”
Alaric coughed behind his hand, but Bastien looked suitably impressed by the tragedy. Stefan resisted the urge to glare at his brother and kept his eyes locked with Bastien.
“I know some new gowns would cheer Carina considerably. I talked to Heinrich about it, but he prefers to design men’s clothing. You, on the other hand, are a master of fashion innovation. Would you be willing to help her? Even one or two custom gowns would lift her spirits.”
Bastien’s lip twitched upwards.
“Custom, you say?”
“Definitely custom,” Stefan said. “In addition to style, the gowns must be functional. Carina likes adventure, and her clothes must reflect that. She’ll need hidden pockets. She must be able to fight and climb walls.”
“A challenge indeed.”
Bastien’s eyes gleamed with interest. Then the light went out.
“But I can’t leave His Majesty without a tailor. I would love to help you, Prince Stefan, but my duty to Prince Alaric comes first.”
They all turned to Alaric, and Stefan watched his brother closely. If Alaric messed this up, he deserved whatever monstrosity Bastien designed for him next.
Alaric was too overwhelmed to speak for a moment. Finally, he cleared his throat.
“As much as it pains me to say this, Bastien, I believe Princess Carina’s comfort should come before my personal style. It will be acceptable for me to wear my military uniforms until you’ve replaced her wardrobe.”
“Her entire wardrobe,” Lina added. “She is our guest, and I want to treat her well. Take all the time you need to make sure she’s well-clothed and completely happy. I’m sure Heinrich can handle the occasional repair for Alaric until then.”
Bastien took Alaric’s hands. His eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“Your Majesty is too generous. To give up your own fashion to make a guest feel welcome. I am honored to serve here. I will make Princess Carina the most innovative gowns Aeonia has ever seen.”
Alaric looked distinctly uncomfortable. Lina looked dangerously close to laughing.
As if on cue, Carina entered the room. Stefan fought back a smile. He had told her the part she needed to play, and she looked just right.
Or should he say she looked terrible?
She had changed into one of her old gowns from the Princess Test, but Stefan suspected she had switched it with one that had belonged to another princess. And maybe crumpled it up and sat on it. The dress was wrinkled and very ill fitting.
She had pulled her hair into an uninspired bun. Her eyes were downcast. She looked miserable.
She looked perfect.
“Oh,” she said in a subdued voice, “I didn’t realize you all would be here. Is everything alright?”
Stefan could have kissed her just for that voice. She was a brilliant actor.
He decided not to fight the urge and gently kissed her forehead. What was the point of having lips if you didn’t use them?
“I have a surprise for you, my lady,” he said.
Carina stared into his eyes, and Stefan almost lost his composure. The rest of her features remained sad, but unbridled mischief danced in those eyes.
“What is it?” she whispered.
Stefan grinned. He had told her what role to play, but he hadn’t filled her in on the details.
“Bastien is going to be your personal tailor for a while. He’ll help you design as many new gowns as you want.”
Carina’s smile lit her features with genuine joy. She hugged Stefan and turned to Bastien.
“Will you really? I think your work is brilliant. Lina’s wedding gown was stunning.”
Bastien beamed, not used to such sincere praise from his clients.
“I’m sure we can create something even more interesting if we work together.”
Carina nodded.
“Did Stefan mention the extra features? I like my gowns to be… functional.”
Bastien nodded.
“I look forward to the added challenge.”
Carina grabbed Stefan’s hand and squeezed it.
“Thank you! This is marvelous. Once the first gown is complete, we’ll be ready for a mission.”
Alaric blinked.
“Mission?”
“As your spies, of course,” Carina said.
Alaric’s jaw dropped. Carina smiled at him.
“I have plenty of experience, and Stefan learns quickly. You can’t just expect us to sit around the castle all day.”
“Think of the trouble we’ll cause if we get bored,” Stefan said.
Alaric shuddered. Lina patted his shoulder.
“Do we really need spies?” she asked.
“Of course you do,” Carina said. “You think all these problems are going away? Gaveron is up to something. Mermaids are up to something. Dark creatures have attacked land and sea. You need information, and we can get it for you.”
A polite knock on the door kept Alaric from answering. Heinrich peeked into the room.
“Your Majesties’ trunks are packed, and the coach is ready. I suggest leaving soon so you aren’t traveling after dark.”
Alaric took Lina’s hand, and she kissed his cheek.
“Are you ready?” she asked.
“Definitely ready. You two won’t cause trouble while we’re gone?”
He cast a pointed look at Carina and Stefan.
“Of course not,” Carina said.
Stefan squeezed her hand and smiled at his brother.
“I make no promises.”
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Thanks
I’d like to give a big shout out to readers Fifi, Sarah, and Liz. They answered my call for help in the newsletter and named several of the ships in this book. Thanks so much!
Fifi: Delphinette and Seawolfe
Liz: Sea Frog
Sarah: Royal Blaze
The Frog Prince Page 31
