I smirked as I remembered Father’s wedding.
“I suppose I’ll have to save a dance for all the servants.”
“Don’t joke about things like that, Hija.”
“We’ll figure something out, Tía. It will be alright.”
Somehow, I truly felt that. Even if my only guests were Senona’s servants, I had survived far worse than a lackluster quince.
Father knocked on the door and entered.
“Are you packed?” he said. “There’s more room on the last cart.”
“You can send all but this trunk ahead to the Garden District.”
He gestured to the servants behind him, and they gathered the trunks and carried them away. Now my room was empty except for one trunk and my bed.
Father swallowed.
“This is strange, isn’t it, Hija?”
I nodded, and Tía Teresa patted my arm. We were all fighting back tears.
“I found this while packing,” Father said. “I’d like you to have it.”
He handed me a small book wrapped with a faded red ribbon. I untied the ribbon and flipped through the pages.
It was a sketchbook filled with designs for gowns. I turned to the front of the book to check the owner’s name, but I already knew.
“This was hers,” Father said. “She carried it everywhere. She would be so proud of you, Alma.”
I nodded, unable to speak around the lump in my throat. Mother’s sketchbook. It was even better than one of her gowns. Father knelt beside me and wrapped my hands in his.
“We’re all proud of you, Hija. Whatever you decide. Wherever you go.”
Tía Teresa wrapped both of us in a hug, and we stood there until Senona came to gather everyone for dinner.
The meal was cheerful even though we didn’t have enough silverware for everyone. Most of it had been packed. With a sigh, Rodrigo left the room and returned with spoons borrowed from the servant’s quarters. Ethan had returned to the castle to sort out more details of his new assignment, but Rosa still glowed with happiness.
I couldn’t help feeling a little jealous. Everything had worked out for her. She could study magic openly. Ethan was staying in Castana. She had what she wanted.
What did I want?
I hurried to my room after dinner, pulled both Rosas Rojas out from under my pillow, and stared at them.
After some deliberation. I sneaked down the hallway. The chair I had hidden the Rosas Rojas under was gone. I tucked Carlo’s rose under a rug.
Then I put Lorenzo’s rose under my pillow and went to sleep.
He was waiting for me in the dream. He bowed, and I curtsied. We looked just like we had the night we met, but so much had changed since then.
“I wasn’t sure you’d come,” he said.
“I moved Carlo’s Rosas Rojas. We are alone.”
I looked around the ballroom just to make sure, but I didn’t feel anyone lurking in the corners.
“Alma, I’m so sorry. I just-”
“I’m sorry too.”
“I talked to your stepmother today. I offered to find a way to restore her title.”
He twisted his ring around his finger. I grinned at him.
“She refused you, didn’t she?”
“Completely. She said she’s had enough of nobility and is eager to get home and get to work.”
“That sounds about right.”
I reached for him, then remembered that we couldn’t touch in the dream. Lorenzo noticed the gesture.
“I wish we could dance,” he said.
“Maybe we can.”
I held out my hand. He grinned and reached for it, stopping just before he touched my skin. My other hand hovered above his shoulder, and we danced.
Lorenzo snapped his fingers, and music filled the ballroom. We moved to the melody, matching each other’s steps. He lifted his hand as if to spin me, and I twirled away from him. Mother’s gown shimmered as I moved.
The music ended, and we stood face to face, breathless, studying each other. I searched his face for any kind of flaw, but he was perfect. I couldn’t help wishing that he wasn’t.
Lorenzo looked deep into my eyes.
“Alma, what would your father say if I called on him after your quince? If I asked for permission to court you?”
“I expect he would say yes.”
“Would you still want him to?”
I met Lorenzo’s earnest gaze with a sad smile.
“I don’t know. I want to support you, Lorenzo, but I can’t dedicate my life to upholding traditions I don’t believe in.”
“And if I changed your mind?”
That broke the tension, and I laughed.
“I suppose you could try.”
“I haven’t had a chance to be a charming prince since I’ve been acting king. Once my father returns, I’ll change your mind about me.”
“It isn’t you I doubt.”
I turned away and walked to the balcony. Lorenzo followed me.
“Rosa is happy that Ethan’s staying,” I said.
“I wanted to prevent any more mishaps with salt magic, but my advisers are furious that I chose someone so young. They reported it to my father, who- Well, let’s just say he isn’t happy either. But I trust Ethan. I don’t know the other Salarians as well as I know him.”
“They’ll come around.”
“That’s not the worst of it. The admiral offered to take someone back to Salaria. There’s room on his ship since Ethan is staying. It won’t be an official position since Princess Ingrid hasn’t approved it, but that hasn’t stopped everyone from arguing about who should go.”
“Who do you want to send?”
“I need someone I can trust. Someone I know isn’t mixed up in the conspiracy. We still don’t know how far it reached.”
I stared at the moonlit rosebushes, an idea forming in the back of my mind. My heartbeat quickened, and suddenly I knew what I wanted.
“Send me.”
“You?”
“My father is a guild leader, but I’m a noble. I understand both sides, and you know you can trust me.”
Lorenzo shook his head.
“They’ll never accept it. You’re-”
“Almost the same age as Ethan, so it’s an even trade. And Princess Ingrid will like me far more than some stuffy nobleman.”
Lorenzo thought for a moment.
“That actually is a fair point. This is more about making a good impression than anything. You wouldn’t be negotiating or officially representing Castana.”
“But I could do a lot unofficially.”
He smirked.
“You certainly could, but I’ll have a hard time charming you if you’re in Salaria. What if you change your mind about me?”
“I know where to find you, and I won’t stay forever. Please, Lorenzo, let me help you. I can spy so you know what’s actually happening in Salaria.”
“You can end up cursed and nearly dead again.”
“No one will have a reason to attack me there. I’ll be safe.”
“We don’t know that. There’s still so much we don’t know about Salaria.”
The ballroom started to fade away. I tried to fight waking up so we could finish the conversation.
“Think about it,” I said. “Lorenzo-“
The room went black. I reached for Lorenzo, but he vanished without giving me an answer
Chapter 46
I awoke to the sound of fabric rustling. Tía Teresa bustled around my room, pulling a gown from the trunk and unwrinkling it with a wave of her hands.
“Get up, Hija. The Salarian ship leaves soon, and you’re invited to the departure.”
I jumped out of bed.
“We need to bring my trunk!”
“Alma? Are you well?”
She draped the dress over her arm and felt my forehead.
“Lorenzo needs an ambassador to Salaria. I asked him to send me.”
I was so excited about the idea that I expec
ted Tía Teresa to respond with equal enthusiasm. Instead, she shook her head.
“The prince won’t send you to Salaria, Hija.”
“Why not?”
“He’ll choose someone with experience.”
“Ethan doesn’t have any experience. Besides, it isn’t an official position.”
I put Mother’s notebook and Lorenzo’s Rosas Rojas into the trunk and closed the lid. Tía Teresa sighed.
“Alma, you can’t just run away from your problems.”
“It isn’t running away. I’d be helping!”
“What about your quince?”
I blinked. I had forgotten about my birthday. If I left now, I would miss the party I had been planning since I could walk.
“You’ve never been to Salaria,” Tía Teresa said. “Do you really want to leave your home? Your family?”
“I don’t have a home anymore, Tía. Not really. And of course I don’t want to leave you. But I need a fresh start, and I don’t want that start to be in the Garden District.”
“Even if Lorenzo wanted to send you, his father would never allow it. I’ve heard rumors that the king sneaked into town last night to meet with the Salarians before they go.”
“But that’s against tradition!”
Tía Teresa shrugged, and I scowled. How dare Lorenzo lecture me about upholding traditions when his own father broke them?
“Please, Tía. Bring my trunk. Just in case.”
“I suppose it will have to be loaded anyway.”
She snapped me into the gown, and I hugged her before rushing down to breakfast.
Father, Rosa, and Senona were already at the table when I arrived. We ate quickly and walked to the carriage together. I paused at the door, resting my hand against the wall before I left the house.
Tears blurred my vision as I looked back at my home. The rose gardens were shriveled and black, as if they had been destroyed by a fire, but the sunrise cast a pink glow over the house as if nothing had happened.
“Alma, why is your trunk tied to the top of the carriage?”
Father stared at it with confusion. I shrugged.
“I might need it.”
He started to protest, but Senona took his arm.
“We should be going, Arturo. There isn’t time to untie it now.”
Tía Teresa came to the front door to wave goodbye. I held out my hand.
“Will you come with us, Tía?”
“I’m not sure that’s proper.”
“Come with us, Teresa,” Senona said. “You’re one of the family. It’s time we treated you like one.”
Tía Teresa raised an eyebrow, but she joined us in the carriage. It was a crowded ride, and we didn’t talk much. I was too nervous. I tapped my heels together, ignoring everyone’s curious looks. Only Tía Teresa knew why I was so excited. Father glanced at her, but the seamstress merely shrugged.
My pulse quickened when we reached the harbor. I had visited it a few times with Father and always found the bustle exciting, but it was even more crowded than usual. Curious onlookers pushed to get a glimpse of the Salarians. Guards pushed them back to make way for our carriage.
Ethan met our carriage and helped us climb out. He wore his green cloak over a Salarian naval uniform.
“Isn’t it a bit warm for that?” I asked.
He ran a hand through his golden hair.
“After all the trouble it caused, I’m afraid to let it out of my sight.”
Rosa giggled and took his arm. Tía Teresa and I shared a look. Of all the things that had happened in the past few days, Rosa giggling might be the most surprising.
“Alma!”
Lorenzo pushed through the crowd and clasped my hands.
“Are they ready to leave?” I asked.
“Soon. Admiral Benjamin is speaking with my father, and I still have to give a speech.”
“So your father really is here?”
He sighed.
“He wanted to speak to the admiral before he left, and technically the treaty negotiations are finished. How did you know he was here? It is supposed to be a secret.”
“Tía Teresa told me.”
“Really? Maybe I should recruit her for Castana’s military.”
“She’s better than your guards.”
He glanced around the crowded harbor, and his gaze settled on a pile of crates. He pulled me that way, and we ducked between them.
“It’s the closest thing we’ll get to privacy,” he said.
I nodded. Lorenzo kept a tight grip on my hands.
“Alma, I realized last night I might not have been clear enough about my intentions. I was trying to wait to officially ask until you came of age.”
My eyes widened as he gazed down at me.
“I’m going to be clear now. Stay with me, Donna Alma. Marry me and rule by my side. Royal life isn’t always this crazy. It isn’t all about rules and traditions.”
“Isn’t it?”
I couldn’t breathe, and for once it had nothing to do with the fairy necklace or my corset.
Lorenzo held my hands to his chest, pulling me closer to him. I gazed into his perfect face, and my heart fluttered.
“Donna Alma, you are genuine and clever and perfect. You saw my scars and still wanted to know me. Please, give me a chance.”
“And when I work magic? When I take off the necklace?”
“I’ll hire guild leaders to follow your every order. You won’t have to.”
“That isn’t enough. What if-”
“Prince Lorenzo!”
We both jumped as someone called his name.
“Prince Lorenzo, where are you? It’s time for your speech!”
Lorenzo ignored them and whispered in my ear.
“Stay. Please.”
“I can’t. Not now.”
“Not now? Or not ever?”
I leaned against him, inhaling the fresh scent of pine.
“I don’t know, but I can’t give up magic without trying it first. I can’t agree to uphold traditions when they don’t make sense anymore.”
He hugged me, holding me tight against his chest.
“You really want to leave?”
“I need to try something different.”
He kissed the top of my head and squeezed my hands tight before letting go.
I wasn’t sure what he was saying, but it felt like goodbye.
Lorenzo had disappeared into the crowd by the time I escaped the crates. My skirt snagged on a nail, and the fabric ripped.
I scanned the harbor for Tía Teresa. If I had magic, I could repair it myself.
But I didn’t.
I didn’t see Tía Teresa or my family anywhere nearby, but a familiar blue dress with silver trim caught my attention. I followed the girl, pushing my way through the crowd, but there were too many people for me to reach her.
“Mirella!”
The harbor noise covered my cry, but somehow she heard it. She turned and winked at me.
Then she ducked behind a wagon and disappeared.
I elbowed people aside, trying to follow her. Someone stepped on my torn skirt, and I toppled forward. Strong arms caught me and gently set me back on my feet.
“Are you alright, Donna Alma?”
“Eduardo? What are you doing here?”
I stepped back, and he moved to the side. Someone jostled me to the left, and Eduardo moved with me. I narrowed my eyes. Was he trying to hide something from me?
“So, this is Donna Alma? Move, Guard. I want to see what all the fuss is about.”
Eduardo gave me an apologetic look and stepped aside. I found myself face to face with King Benicio.
Chapter 47
“You’ve made quite the impression on everyone, Donna Alma. Congratulations on your new title.”
I nodded, too surprised to speak. King Benicio’s expression was friendly, but his tone held something else. A veiled threat I didn’t understand.
The crowd around us cheered, and King Benicio
raised his eyes to the makeshift dais beside the Salarian’s ship. Lorenzo, Ethan, and Admiral Benjamin climbed onto it and waved to the people. Ethan winked at someone. I followed his gaze and found Rosa in the crowd. I moved towards her, but King Benicio stepped on my torn skirt to stop me.
“Stay with me, Donna. Let’s see what my son does with his last few minutes as acting king.”
Eduardo stepped aside so I could stand closer to the king. Someone else pushed his way through the crowd and joined us.
Don Francisco.
I glared at him, and he bowed so low that his curled beard nearly swept the ground.
“Donna Alma, what a pleasure. Is your family well?”
“Perfectly well.”
I spit out the words with as much venom as I could, but Don Francisco only smiled and turned to the king.
“You spoke to Lorenzo?”
“Yes, everything is arranged for your appointment. He’ll announce it in a moment.”
I stared.
“You? You want to be the ambassador to Salaria?”
King Benicio studied me with narrowed eyes.
“How do you know about that, girl?”
Don Francisco fluffed his beard and smiled at me.
“You know how these things are, Your Majesty. Word gets out no matter how hard you try to keep a secret.”
The king sighed.
“I suppose. Yes, Don Francisco will travel to Salaria as a goodwill ambassador. Someone with his experience will make a favorable impression in court.”
I could only imagine what sort of impression Don Francisco would make. Or how many horses he would buy without his son to rein him in and clean up his mess.
This had to be King Benicio’s idea. Lorenzo would never choose Don Francisco as an ambassador.
The king was meddling, and it wouldn’t end well.
I tried to catch Lorenzo’s eye, but he didn’t see me. He looked straight ahead as he announced Ethan would stay as an unofficial ambassador. The crowd cheered when Ethan announced his intention to work with the Medical Guild to make salt charms for healing available throughout Castana.
No one protested. No one looked angry. I put a hand to my waist, half expecting someone to attack my corset, but no one did.
If Carlo was right, and there were others willing to fight against the salt charms and Salaria, they weren’t going to make a move here.
Lady Alma Page 30
