However she had done it, he was glad.
With a start, Gustave realized the room had gone quiet. Everyone had stopped arguing and turned to him for an answer.
Right. He was king. He was supposed to have all the answers.
“Obviously we don’t know how to break the enchantment, and it may take some time to figure that out. Perhaps the most pressing question is what we do now. I propose we cancel the gala so we can focus our attention on Father.”
“Cancel the gala?”
Marquis Corbeau’s face turned a shade of outraged purple.
“Guests have already arrived,” Collette said.
Her expression remained resolved when Gustave looked at her in disbelief.
“We can’t do anything to help him right now, Gustave. Not unless Elaine has found something useful.”
The group turned to look at Elaine, who had spread three books on a nearby table and seemed to be trying to read all of them at once. She looked up and frowned when Marquis Corbeau cleared his throat.
“I don’t have anything yet, and I can’t guarantee that you’ll have anything in your library about this type of enchantment. Or that I’ll be able to work the magic if we do find a spell.”
Gustave looked to Lady Mer.
“You found the statue. Do you have any ideas?”
She shook her head. The bits of glass in her hair glistened like drops of water as she moved. Now that he was used to it, Gustave found the effect rather pretty. Marquis Corbeau, on the other hand, watched Lady Mer with the same expression he had worn when he saw the beach covered with fish.
“Your Majesty, we have royal guests! We missed greeting the Crown Prince of Eldria while you were off fighting kraken. The servants promised him that you would meet him for dinner tonight. We cannot cancel, and you cannot entertain a visiting monarch while you smell of fish and are missing half your trousers. We need to end this discussion and prepare for the reception.”
Gustave looked down. He had forgotten that Lady Mer had cut off the leg of his trousers. That had been quick thinking, and she had saved his life while risking her own. He needed to thank her later. Maybe he could make her title official. Saving the king’s life was surely worthy of a royal title.
But he couldn’t do that or anything else that really mattered while he was entertaining guests.
“Perhaps if we told Prince Darian that we are having a family emergency-”
“Because the crown prince is renowned for his understanding and generous personality,” Marchioness Rouge said. “Your Majesty, we should not offend him lightly. Trade with Eldria is very important to our economy.”
“Gustave, as much as I hate to agree with him, Marquis Corbeau is right. We cannot ignore our guests, and we can’t do anything for Father right now. We should prepare for dinner and smooth things over with Prince Darian.”
Collette placed her hand on Gustave’s shoulder. He shook his head.
“There must be something we can do. What about Lina? She knows a lot about magic.”
Marquis Corbeau sniffed.
“Princess Evangelina is doubtless busy running her kingdom, Your Majesty. You should do the same. Starting with welcoming your guests at the reception tonight.”
Gustave looked from the statue to the dowager queen.
“Grandmother-”
She shook her head.
“Gustave, there is nothing we can do for him tonight. But we can do something for Montaigne. We can celebrate your birthday and strengthen our relationship with Eldria. Your father would be proud of that.”
Gustave looked away. He had been certain that at least his grandmother would support him. Why did everyone insist that a party was more important than freeing his father?
“They don’t want to admit how confused they are,” Lady Mer signed.
She stood behind the crowd, so her words were only for him.
“They don’t know what to do, and that makes them feel helpless. Continuing with the gala will give them a way to keep busy while honoring your father.”
Gustave considered this. Perhaps Lady Mer was right. He would do anything to help his father, but other than writing a letter to Lina, he had no idea what action to take. And the others weren’t wrong about Prince Darian. Doubtless he was furious that he hadn’t been properly greeted.
“You have him in the castle, at least. That’s more than you had this morning.”
Gustave nodded. He didn’t know why his father had appeared on the beach or why the mermaids had been there. Or why Leander had attacked them with a kraken to try to retrieve him. Or why Lady Mer had forks in her hair.
Or why fish had rained from the sky.
It had been a strange day that raised a lot of questions, and apparently he would not get any answers tonight.
Gustave looked at the statue of his father for guidance. King Francois’s expression was sad but peaceful. Hopefully that meant the transformation hadn’t been painful, and that he wasn’t in pain now.
Because it seemed he would be a statue a while longer. Gustave took a deep breath and turned back to the crowd.
“We’ll prepare for the reception,” he said. “We’ll greet Prince Darian and go on as if nothing has happened. But as soon as this gala is over and the guests have gone, I will focus my full attention on freeing Father from this curse.”
45
Fiora watched the pile of glass and shells grow as the servants removed debris from her hair. They had taken one look at Fiora’s tangled hair and one sniff of the fishy scent and declared there was no way they could have the lady ready in time for dinner. So they had summoned help and a tray of food so Fiora could eat while they worked.
She was grateful for the excuse to stay in her room. She closed her eyes, trying to push away the sinking feeling that had been building ever since Marquis Corbeau had mentioned that the Crown Prince of Eldria would join them for dinner.
Fiora had participated in a Princess Test and tried to win Prince Darian’s affection last year. It had ended in a disaster almost as bad as the most recent one in Aeonia. After considering all the ladies present, Prince Darian had declared that none of them were fit to be his bride and ended the test without declaring a winner.
It was unprecedented and humiliating. Fiora could only hope that someone so arrogant had not been paying attention and wouldn’t recognize her.
Or perhaps this was the perfect opportunity to reveal her true identity.
Fiora glanced at her pillow. She had hidden the dye removal potion underneath it. All she had to do was wash the squid ink out of her hair, and everyone would know.
“Are you alright, miss?”
She nodded and looked down at her ring. The pearly sheen had spread until it covered half the surface of the gem. Gustave loved her more now than he had that morning. Surely that was a good sign? And surely it would be far better to tell him herself than have an arrogant prince reveal her identity.
Then again, Prince Darian might not recognize her. He had considered her beneath him when she was a princess. He would likely think that even more when she met him as a mute commoner. Perhaps if she avoided him, she could remain in disguise.
But should she? Gustave half loved her. Perhaps if she told him the truth-
Someone knocked on the door, and Fiora rolled her eyes, annoyed to have her thoughts interrupted. The servants looked from the door to Fiora, unsure what to do. She waited a few moments, then shrugged her answer when the knocking didn’t stop.
A servant opened the door and quickly dropped into a curtsy when she saw Princess Collette.
Fiora blinked. A visit from the princess was the last thing she expected.
“May I come in?” Collette said.
Fiora wanted to say no. If she’d had her voice, she would have done so at once. But it took extra time to form her thoughts into sign language, and somehow she found herself agreeing.
“You can leave us,” Collette told the servants. “I’ll finish helping Lady Mer p
repare for the reception.”
They curtsied and hurried away.
“If that’s alright with you, that is,” Collette added quickly.
Fiora shrugged her consent. Collette picked up a comb and worked it through Fiora’s hair, removing the last few bits of glass. Fiora watched her work in the mirror and tried to guess what the princess wanted.
Collette swallowed a few times. She seemed to be working up the courage to say something.
Fiora waited. It wasn’t like she had anything better to do. Finally, the princess won her internal battle and took a deep breath.
“Lady Mer, I’ve come to apologize. I’ve been rude to you since you arrived. I swore to use my position to help others, but I turned a blind eye to your need. I am sorry.”
Fiora didn’t know what to say. As far as she could remember, no one had ever apologized to her before she arrived in Montaigne. But the royal family seemed to do so as a matter of habit. Whether they had been unfriendly or a little too friendly.
Fiora scowled at the memory of Gustave’s apology after the kiss. Collette flushed, thinking the expression was meant for her.
“I thought you were trying to trap my brother. The way you appeared and became inseparable from him seemed suspicious. Not to mention I had hopes of securing his affections for my friend.”
Collette lowered her eyes and turned her attention back to Fiora’s hair, twisting a few dark strands so they draped around her face.
“It seems so silly now, but you also reminded me of someone I’ve quarreled with in the past. I judged you by that person’s actions instead of your own, which was a foolish thing to do.”
Fiora’s scowl deepened. She had a pretty good idea who that person was.
“But you’re not her!” Collette said. “That’s what I’m trying to say. She’s awful, but you’re not. It was a mistake, and I’m sorry.”
Fiora sighed. Thank goodness she had dyed her hair. If the normally kind Collette treated someone who reminded her of Fiora badly, how would she have treated Fiora herself?
And how would Gustave treat her if he knew?
This shook Fiora’s confidence in the king’s affections in spite of the pearl’s glow. She was not a fool. She knew her reputation. She was so undesirable that her father had banished her to the sea to be rid of her.
Fiora looked at her pillow again. At the place she had hidden the potion that could wash away the squid ink and reveal her identity.
She couldn’t tell him. Generous as he was, Gustave would not be capable of loving her as her true self. No doubt Collette had told him all the ways that Fiora had slighted her at the Princess Tests. And as king, Gustave would be familiar with other stories about Fiora and the royal family of Kell.
A tear slid down Fiora’s cheek, and she brushed it away hastily. There was no point in regretting what couldn’t be. Gustave’s affection would crumble the moment she said her true name, so she wouldn’t say it. Simple. Easy.
“Oh, Lady Mer, I’ve upset you further! Please forgive me!”
Was Collette apologizing for apologizing? The people of Montaigne really did take their manners too far sometimes.
“Please, don’t trouble yourself. You are very considerate to apologize, but it is unnecessary.”
“It is completely necessary! I may not have understood what my brother saw in you at first, but you risked your life to save him from a kraken this afternoon. Whatever misfortunes befell you in the past, you are brave and loyal. I would be honored if you would accept my apology and be my friend.”
Collette held out her hand, and Fiora blinked at it. She had never had a woman offer friendship. Or a man either, for that matter. After a moment’s hesitation, she reached out and clasped Collette’s hand. The friendship was based on a lie as much as her relationship with Gustave was, but she would take whatever she could get.
“Would you like to get ready for the gala with me tomorrow?” Collette said. “The other princesses and honored guests will all get dressed together. I could use some backup against Lady Annabelle now that Kara has gone home.”
Fiora smirked.
“You don’t think you’ve misjudged her as you misjudged me?”
Collette sputtered for a moment before she realized Fiora was joking. Then she laughed.
“No, I certainly don’t. That portrait-”
She giggled, and Fiora joined the princess in silent laughter.
“Oh, you’ve missed dinner as well,” Fiora signed. “Please, have some food.”
She gestured to her tray, but Collette shook her head.
“I had some paperwork to finish for the new budget proposal, so I ate in my room while I worked on it. It also gave me an excuse to gather my courage before facing the Crown Prince of Eldria. I’ve met him before at a Princess Test. I’m afraid he’s rather insufferable.”
If Fiora had her voice, she would have commented on Prince Darian at once and ruined her disguise. As it was, she raised her hands to agree and realized her mistake in time.
“We’ll have to stick together at the reception, then. An arrogant prince can’t be any worse than a kraken.”
Collette tried not to smile, but she couldn’t stop the corners of her mouth from twitching upwards.
46
Gustave hurried through the hallway. If he had to put his father’s rescue aside to entertain guests, he would prefer to do it properly. Being late for dinner was not a good way to smooth things over with Prince Darian.
“Your Majesty!”
Dale ran towards Gustave and fell into step beside him. He was dressed for dinner but still carrying the forks Fiora had pulled from her hair. Gustave quickened his step, but the merchant matched his pace.
“I see we’re both running late,” Dale said. “I went back to the beach to look for more forks and regrettably ruined my clothes digging through fish.”
“Did you find any?”
The merchant shook his head.
“It seems Lady Mer found all of them. I plan to return after the next tide to check again. Perhaps more will wash up.”
“You’re sure those are forks from your ship?”
“Of course. They’re a custom design specially commissioned.”
Dale handed a fork to Gustave, who studied it with interest. It truly was a unique piece of cutlery. The end was intricately carved into the shape of a rose. Delicate vines crawled up the handle and wrapped around the tines.
“It’s not the most practical design, is it?”
“This is what my client wanted.”
Dale took the fork back from Gustave and studied it with a frown.
“I’m afraid this confirms that my ship was lost at sea. These have been underwater. Look at the tarnish.”
He pointed grimly to the spots on the silver. Gustave nodded. The forks had definitely spent some time in the sea.
So how had Lady Mer found them? Had they washed ashore? Had the mermaids brought them to her?
But why would mermaids bring her forks? And why would she tie them into her hair?
Gustave sighed. None of it made any sense.
Dale echoed his sigh.
“If there’s no hope of retrieving my ship, I suppose I should sail back to Eldria. At least I’m not returning to my client completely empty-handed.”
“Stay for the gala, at least,” Gustave said.
“Your Majesty has been far kinder than I deserve, but I’m a humble merchant. I have no business socializing with royalty.”
“I understand you want to return home, but it may take time to find a ship willing to take passengers after the kraken attacks. We can help you secure passage, and I hope you’ll stay and enjoy the gala in the meantime.”
Gustave was surprised to find that he meant it. Yes, Dale’s inquiries had been annoying, but the man was simply trying to provide for his family. His persistence was understandable.
Dale smiled.
“I would like that, Your Majesty. It would give me at least one pleasant story t
o tell my family when I return. Your kindness is unprecedented.”
Gustave shrugged, not sure what to say to that. The kindness had cost him very little.
They reached the dining room, and Gustave took a deep breath. It was time to be a king. He turned to the footman at the door.
“Have any of the guests arrived yet?”
“The crown prince is already inside. He insisted and said that he didn’t mind waiting.”
Not likely. Gustave squared his shoulders and prepared to face the arrogant prince.
“Very well. Please announce us.”
The footman opened the door.
“His Royal Majesty King Gustave of Montaigne and Merchant Dale Mercer of Eldria.”
Gustave held his head high as he entered the room and prepared for whatever insult Prince Darian threw at him.
But Darian wasn’t in the room. A young man at the table quickly stood when Gustave entered. Gustave blinked, trying to remember where he had seen him before. What was his name?
“Crown Prince Edric at your service,” the young man said, answering the question Gustave hadn’t asked. “I believe we’ve been introduced once before, but that was several years ago. It is an honor to visit you in Montaigne, King Gustave.”
He bowed low, raising a hand to hold his crown in place so it wouldn’t fall off his head. It was a little too big, as if it had been made for someone else.
It probably had. Gustave thought back, trying to remember news of the Crown Prince of Eldria dying. He had been distracted while searching for his father, but surely not so distracted that he had missed or forgotten that announcement.
“Forgive me, but your brother-”
Gustave didn’t finish the sentence. He wished he hadn’t started it. Asking what had happened was basically admitting that he didn’t know what had happened. Which was unbelievably rude. He had received condolences from every royal family in Myora when his father disappeared. If Prince Darian had died and Gustave had not sent condolences, that would be a horrible breach of etiquette.
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