by Aya Ling
“Don’t you think it’s an accident, Princess. That younger sister of Constance Maynard has been hankering after His Highness since her sister married Duke Philip.”
“I don’t think she could cause anything to come between Edward and me.” Judging from the age of Constance’s children, she must have married more than a decade ago. If Lillie knew Edward that early, he would have chosen her way before we met.
“I’m not saying that His Highness will change his affections, he’s hopeless. But what I’m saying is that you ought take a firmer stance. Make it clear that you won’t stand for any insult. You’re the princess.”
“So what do you suggest I should have done?” I ask, curious but also amused. “Pour the remaining lemonade in my glass over her dress?
A rare smile appears on her face. Amelie really looks prettier when she smiles. I wish she’d smile more often.
“Well, no,” she admits. “But while you’ve got a spirit when it comes to injustice, you’re not strong enough when dealing with those girls with the mind of a shark. You could have made her take responsibility for ruining your dress or warn her to be more careful the next time.”
I nod, remembering how Lillie gazes longingly at Edward whenever he isn’t looking in her direction. “If there is a next time.”
On my way back, I hear a little cry of pain. Under a large tree lies a girl in a crumpled heap. It’s the same girl who shrieked like the world’s end is coming when Krev let loose a mouse in the ball.
“You there,” she calls to a passing servant. “I tripped over a root and I think I sprained my ankle.”
“Certainly, miss,” the servant says anxiously. “I’ll fetch the family doctor for you.”
“No!” She exclaims in a vehement tone. “Go and find Henry—the duke of Somerset. It’s just a minor sprain, he will be able to see to it.”
“But we have a doctor on the premises . . .”
“Which part of my request escapes your understanding?” she says icily. “Now go!”
Is she trying to get Henry’s attention? Since Edward is already taken, it’s possible that Henry looks a lot more attractive at the moment. My gaze falls on a rose bush nearby, and an evil idea enters my head.
I stalk to the bush, pick up a twig lying on the grass, and hook a fat caterpillar onto the twig. I return to the girl, pretend that I’m just passing by, and tell her I’d go for a doctor.
“Oh, please don’t trouble yourself, Lady Katriona,” she says, flustered. Her attitude has changed completely from bossy to fawning. “I have already sent a servant.”
“Very well.” I drop the twig and the caterpillar lands on her dress. It wriggles for a second and starts to crawl.
“Eek!”
She lets out a shriek and leaps into the air—so high that I’m sure she broke her own record at the ball. Much to my amusement, she scrambles up and runs off with no sign of any injury. Her shrieks can still be heard even when she’s out of sight.
Muffled laughter reaches my ears. I look for the source and find Edward striding towards me, his shoulders shaking as he tries to suppress his laughter.
“What?”
“You . . . never fail to amaze me, Kat,” he says, his shoulders still shaking.
“I didn’t even have time to apologize to her when she took off running.” I grin sheepishly. “This Little Season thing really is as exaggerated as you described. By the way, how come you’re here?”
“I was concerned when you disappeared.” He gives me that intense gaze that I have become familiar with. “I told myself that you’re strong enough, that you wouldn’t care about the stupid mishap, but in the end I had to come and find you. And I find that not only are you completely unaffected, but you also scared off a scheming girl? Life is never dull when you’re in it.”
In the back of my mind, a voice whispers that this life isn’t going to last, but I push it down.
“I’m glad you came to get me,” I say, and I mean it. “It’s only half a day that we have been apart, and already I missed you. I wanted to come and sit with you, but you are with the men and I didn’t want to appear too needy . . .”
“I was thinking exactly the same thing. So what do you say that we steal away for some time alone?”
“I’d love to,” I say without thinking, and he smiles. “But won’t the others be concerned if we don’t show up?”
“The picnic is almost over and some have already retired to their rooms. Come,” he says, grasping my hand and leading me away. “There’s something I want to show you.”
Fallen leaves crunch under our feet as we make our way to the front of the house. There, surrounded by slender young fir trees, is the lake–smooth, glittering, and crystal clear.
Edward strides toward a small rowing boat and starts unwinding the rope that tethers the boat to shore. I quicken my pace, intending to help him, but the boat is already free by the time I reach him.
He turns to me and holds out his hand, his eyes glowing with heart-melting warmth. “I always like to come for a row whenever I visit Cousin Philip.”
I step carefully in the boat, careful not to let my long skirts catch around my shoes. Edward helps me before he steps in himself, then he takes the oars and we glide away on the mirror-like lake. The water laps quietly against the boat, and fresh air cools my skin, making me feel refreshed and peaceful and just . . . happy.
“I wish we could have a trip of our own,” I blurt. “Just for the two of us, without loads of people hanging around.”
Edward lets out a sigh, his expression regretful. “There is nothing else that I’d rather do, but we have been uncommonly busy lately, and I’m afraid that taking a trip for pleasure may reflect negatively on our family. Industrialization has solved many problems in this country, but it has also brought a new set of problems–as you are also well aware. There is much to deal with.”
Disappointment is evident in his tone. I reach out and squeeze his hand. “It’s all right,” I say softly. “There is still your garden. And the closet in the hallway.”
His mouth quirks up with amusement.
“Let us wait until after our engagement; perhaps the workload will lessen after my father and I review the reports from Parliament.” His eyes grow dreamy as he stares at the surrounding scenery. “I would like to show you Enrilth, the village where I grew up. It is not as glamorous as Northport, but I’m sure you would like it better.”
I nod and smile. Hopefully this dream of our own getaway will be realized one day.
There’s a tiny pop, and an ugly, pointed-eared creature appears, hanging a few feet above Edward’s head.
It’s Krev.
11
Krev has followed me to Northport? Since I entered the palace, I’ve tried calling to him a couple times, but he never responded. Not that he paid much heed even when I kept yelling for him to help me get out of Athelia. Still, I’d expect him to check up on me sometimes. It seemed that once Edward chose me at the ball, Krev considered his mission done and wouldn’t have anything more to do with me. Then what is he doing here?
“Kat?” Edward looks concerned. “Is there something wrong?”
I rub my eyes. But there’s nothing in the air now—did I just imagine the goblin appearing, or did Krev suddenly disappear again?
“I . . . I thought I saw . . .” I shake my head. “Never mind.”
* * *
The Ritz. That’s what I first think of when I enter the room Constance has arranged for me. It’s large and luxurious, just like everything in the house. The bed has a heavy crimson canopy embroidered in gold, the carpets look like Oriental imports, and everything else is done in a white-and-gold theme—cream and chintz and glass.
But it’s the view that really gets me. When Amelie pulls the curtains apart, there’s a grand view of the lake outside. I can see how the wind stirs up the glittering waters and the trees surround the lake like guardians. When I sit on the velvet-draped chair and stare outside, I can almost believe
myself some wealthy person on a weekend trip. The roses that I received earlier are now placed in a crystal vase on a small table near the window. I wish I could share my room with Edward. But of course, since we aren’t even officially engaged, there’s no way he can stay with me.
At night, I draw up the blankets to my chin. I wish I had a novel to read before falling asleep, but there isn’t any sign of a book. Constance is a great hostess, but apparently, books are not kept in bedrooms.
I am dozing off to sleep when there’s a pop and a flash of light. An ugly goblin hovers in the air, his pointy ears brushing the top of the canopy.
“Krev!” I sit up immediately. “Is that really you? Was that you at the lake? Why did you disappear?”
He grins, baring a row of pointy teeth. “You were with Eddie so I had to wait until you were alone. I couldn’t very well make you talk to me when I’m invisible to Eddie.”
“Where have you been? I’ve called out to you a couple of times, but you never appeared.”
He flips upside down, his legs sticking up toward the ceiling.
“Morag gave birth to a baby daughter, and we’ve been having a huge celebration. Besides, you’re going to marry Eddie anyway, so there’s nothing to bet on. When’s the wedding—tomorrow?”
“Of course not.” I don’t say it, but of course I can’t bear to leave Edward so soon. “We aren’t even engaged yet.”
Krev flies a bit closer. “But you two are getting married, aren’t you?”
“You’re getting concerned for the happy ending?”
“Well, Barthelius just wanted to make sure that the old Katriona is able to return.”
I feel as though he doused me with a bucket of ice-cold water. “You . . . you mean that when I leave, she will come back into this body?”
“You can’t expect Eddie to stay unmarried for his entire life, can you? Eventually, she’ll have to return. It’s only a question of when it’ll happen.”
I could punch him. “Do you mean to say that all my efforts have been for nothing? I mean, if I don’t do anything, the happy ending will occur anyway?”
Krev has the grace to look guilty. “Look, Eddie is a little picky—”
“That’s an understatement.”
“—but there are thousands and thousands of eligible girls in Athelia. Even if he doesn’t fall in love with Elle, he will find a girl someday. It could take years, but he’s the heir to the throne—do you honestly expect he’d never marry?”
Anger surges in my chest. I clench my hands to prevent myself from hitting him. “If that’s the case, why did you keep egging me on? Why did you have to tell me I had to finish the story?”
The goblin shrugs. “Too much fun watching you struggle.”
My fist connects with his nose. Krev lands on the bed with a yelp. I would have followed up with another punch, but a huge wave of fear, worry, and dread crashes over me. I sink back to the bed, unable to repress the tears forming in my eyes.
Krev regains his equilibrium; he bounces up, snarling, but freezes when a tear runs down my cheek.
“Girlie, what’s there to cry about? You’ve been through some rough patches, but you got to the happy ending. Wasn’t that what you wanted all along—to go back to the human world?”
I swipe my sleeve over my eyes.
“Krev . . . this Story World . . . is it only a dream I’m living in? Edward, and everyone else . . . they’re fictional characters, right? They aren’t real, are they? They just feel real because I’m in the book.”
Krev looks waspish. “What do you want me to say?”
“The truth.” Even if it’s going to break my heart.
He props a hand under his chin. “Don’t go bawling again. Your eyes will show it in the morning.” Then he blows air out of his cheeks and shakes his head. “My, you have fallen really hard for Eddie.”
I don’t say anything. I just stare at him. Before the ball, I was way too occupied with achieving the happy ending to ask more questions, but now I need to know more.
“The magic Barthelius weaved into the book is a highly complex spell,” Krev begins. “He was super powerful a hundred years ago—in fact, he’s what you humans call a child genius. He didn’t just create the book you held—he created a whole alternative realm. It’s supposed to be closed off to humans unless they tamper with the book. You entered Athelia through a portal that was produced in the cover you ripped off.”
My breath catches in my throat. This is insane. “But . . . if Athelia was created a hundred years ago, was it still in existence when I ripped the book?”
“Of course. It has continued to exist even after the original happily-ever-after ending. Since you damaged the book, a time-turning spell was triggered, taking you right to the beginning.”
“Wait . . . did you mention an original happy ending? Does that mean Edward did marry Elle after all? How could it happen?”
Krev rolls his eyes. “Dunno. We’ll never find out since you have altered Athelia’s history. Now, the records are going to say that Edward married the second daughter of Earl Bradshaw.”
His words weigh heavily on me like a sack of potatoes pressing me down. If only I hadn’t tried to help Elle get together with Edward. If I’d just relaxed and waited for Edward to eventually fall in love and marry, I wouldn’t have meddled with Athelia’s history. But it’s too late. Katriona is going to come back—as the princess.
“What is Katriona like?”
“Haven’t a clue.” Krev sounds annoyed. “Didn’t you listen to me? The book occurred a hundred years ago. Barthelius doesn’t even remember who the fairy godmother is. Look, if you’re that concerned about Eddie, why don’t you find another bride for him? Then he won’t have to deal with the real Katriona.”
I feel like punching him again. “How could you make such a callous suggestion, after everything that we’ve been through? He isn’t a puppet for me to manipulate. He’s a human being.”
Krev doesn’t seem affected. Not surprising, since he was cruel enough to advise that Edward ditch me and find another, as though he could switch his feelings on and off. I honestly believe that the goblins don’t know what the word ‘feeling’ means.
“Don’t be so sensitive, girlie. Eddie knew what he was getting into when he decided to marry you. Besides, who said you have to take my suggestion? You’ve always told me my ideas are crap anyway.”
I throw my pillow at him. “Get out.”
When he disappears, I let the tears flow for a moment, until I realize that my crying will reflect in my eyes the next morning. I force myself to swallow the lump in my throat and go to sleep. But even though I’ve successfully repressed the tears, I can’t repress the pain that’s growing in my heart.
* * *
In the morning, Amelie enters my room to help me dress. I stare blankly at the mirror, a hollow feeling in my chest. When I think of Edward being stuck with the old Katriona, no matter what she is really like, I feel as if my heart is breaking.
“You look awfully serious,” Amelie commented, running a brush through my hair. “Are you worried about His Highness?”
How does she know? Only Edward knows the truth. And Poppy, though she remains skeptical.
“Don’t worry,” Amelie says briskly. “Lillie Maynard may be scheming to get His Highness, but he will watch out for himself. And even if she does succeed in getting him into a compromising position, he would never agree to marry her. Especially when he announced his choice at the ball.”
Lillie. It’s obvious that she is head-over-heels in love with Edward. I hate to say this, but I admit I’m jealous. Not just because she’s hot enough to be an A-list actress, but also because of the gardening knowledge she shares with Edward. I can’t get a word into their conversation whenever she comes to talk to him. Although Edward did teach me how to recognize and tend to certain flowers, I can never match his passion for nature.
Suddenly, Krev’s suggestion about Edward finding another girl—however undesira
ble it sounds—enters my head. I don’t know anything about the old Katriona, but might it not be a better option if someone like Lillie takes my place when I’m gone? Lillie might not be mature enough in her way of treating me, but compared to the other girls, she is the best candidate for Edward. She’d be a better princess for Athelia. I shiver for a second. I feel as though I’m making a will.
“But everyone knows that Edward and I are to be engaged.”
“Doesn’t mean that she won’t try something devious.” Amelie shrugs. “But like I said, you don’t have anything to worry about. His Highness will guard himself well.”
I picture Lillie with Edward. They’d make a gorgeous couple, even though my heart screams against getting them together. And if the old Katriona is anything like Bianca . . .
No. I don’t want that to happen. I don’t want someone like Bianca to get him. Bianca only wants him because he never noticed her.
“Your Highness?” There’s a note of alarm in Amelie’s voice now. I decide it’s best to change the subject.
“By the way, what do you think about Bertram? I mean, he has a crush on you . . .”
“What’s a crush?”
“Oh, sorry. I meant that he seems to really like you, and I just wanted to know if you could give him a chance.”
Amelie catches a wayward curl and pins it to the back of my head. I wonder if she prefers not to answer my question, until she finally speaks.
“To tell the truth, I don’t really plan on marrying.”
Now this is shocking. Very few Athelian women—whether they are noble or common-born—would declare a life of celibacy.
“Why not?”
“My sister suffered from a horrible marriage for ten years. Her scum of a husband didn’t work, gambled away her earnings, and hit her in broad daylight, just because she didn’t cook the fish to his liking!” Amelie takes a deep breath. “It took another three years for us to help her obtain a divorce. Father had to put a mortgage on the house.”
“You can get divorced in Athelia?”
