Creative Matchmaker (The Inscrutable Paris Beaufont Book 6)

by Sarah Noffke

Paris hid the victorious smile trying to show on her lips. She wanted to high-five Headmistress Starr or cheer for her retort but figured it was better to remain quiet. She’d never seen Willow like this. Something was heightening the emotions of the fairies at the college. She also suspected that the headmistress had run out of patience in regard to the Montgomery family and the prodding of the nosy FGA board.

  Chapter Five

  Paris groaned when she entered the ballroom for dancing lessons. It wasn’t because she hadn’t mastered the four types of dances she needed to demonstrate to pass her exam the next day. It wasn’t even because Becky was glaring at her from across the ballroom. It was because the tailor, Juergen, was in attendance and doing another round of measurements and fittings for the ball gowns.

  Paris didn’t know how to get out of this whole thing. For the final graduation ceremony at Happily Ever After College, she had to wear the dress made for her, ballroom dance, and present many of the skills she was supposed to master before receiving her diploma. She was positive she’d throw up straight afterward, all over the sparkly blue ball gown.

  “Miss Beaufont,” Wilfred, the magitech AI butler said in a calm voice, waving Paris over with his white-gloved hand. “Juergen is busy fitting other ladies today so you can join me for today’s lesson. You’ll have to see him the next time he’s here.”

  “Oh, darn.” Paris snapped her fingers as she swung her hand through the air as if she was seriously disappointed. “Or I could not worry about the dress and wear what I have on for the graduation.”

  Wilfred looked her over in her all-black clothes and leather jacket and gave her a disapproving look. “You would be seriously underdressed in that attire.”

  “I’d be comfortable and wouldn’t throw up,” Paris replied.

  “I’m not sure why vomiting would be at risk,” Wilfred said quite seriously, always the picture of matter-of-factness.

  “I’m allergic to dresses,” Paris remarked.

  Many of the students gathered around snickered, entertained by Paris’ continued dislike of the ball gown idea.

  “I don’t show any evidence that a person can be allergic to a style of clothing,” Wilfred offered. “Are you quite certain that you have this allergy?”

  Christine laughed beside Paris, having arrived after fixing her makeup from crying during Art of Love class. “She’s joking, Wil. Paris doesn’t like pretty things.”

  Paris batted her eyes at her friend. “I like you.”

  Pretending to blush, Christine smiled. “Oh, you’re trying to butter me up, aren’t you? It’s Wil who you need to butter up so he doesn’t make you wear the ball gown at the graduation ceremony. ”

  “I think you’re getting ahead of yourself with worry about the graduation ceremony to begin with,” Becky said smugly. “You have exams to pass tomorrow, and if you don’t, you’ll be gone. Then there’s finals and so many other requirements to pass.”

  “I know, right,” Christine gushed, turning to Paris. “You have to rely on your brains to pass exams instead of coasting by on your family’s money and reputation. And by reputation, I mean a bunch of socialites who make threats when they don’t get what they want.”

  Becky stuck her hands on her hips, a look of offense heavy on her face. “How dare you. I earn my way the same as everyone else.”

  “Really?” Christine challenged. “Then what is the main secret ingredient in a magical fruit tart meant to create good communication between two romantic potentials?”

  Becky’s mouth slammed shut, obvious confusion on her face. “That’s not going to be on the exam for Magical Cooking.”

  “So you don’t know it,” Christine spat with a sigh and folded her arms.

  “How do you know what’s going to be on the test?” Paris asked, remembering that Chef Ash didn’t want to pony up any information on the subject.

  “I know,” Becky replied, turning her attention to Christine. “If I were you, I’d worry a lot less about what I know to pass my exams and a little more about how your family’s reputation could affect your standing at the college. I hear your father lost yet another job.”

  Seemingly unaffected by the jab, Christine rolled her eyes. “He hated that job. Those with talent don’t waste their time selling out for a buck. The Montgomerys wouldn’t know anything about that since you all come with a price tag.”

  A loud gasp of protest spilled from Becky’s mouth. Before she could voice her complaint, Wilfred held up his hand, halting the discussion.

  “I think it’s time we give focus to today’s lesson. It will assist you all when it comes to the final ceremony, which I hope you all attend. There’s no reason you all can’t make it to completion since you’ve made it this far at the college.”

  “Well, some of us made it,” Christine said from the corner of her mouth, although her mutter was loud enough for all to hear. “Some of us rode this far on coattails.”

  “Today,” Wilfred continued over the giggles and chatter, “we’ll be honing skills related to modeling.”

  “Oh, I’m really going to be sick now,” Paris groaned.

  Pretending he hadn’t heard her, Wilfred went on. “You see, models know how to present themselves in a way that's not only pleasing to view but also shows off their attire while capitalizing on their best features. It is undoubtedly an art form and a skill.”

  “Yeah, so much skill,” Paris joked, mostly to herself. “Walk, walk, walk. Pivot. Look. Walk, walk, walk. Talk about rocket science.”

  “Modeling,” Wilfred cut in with a deliberate tone, “might look easy, but favorably presenting yourself is not. You must know how to master poise and grace and exude a charm that people can only capture with their eyes. Today we will take turns learning to walk with purpose and poise and present ourselves in captivating ways.”

  Paris had a slew of jokes to volley, but her heart wasn’t in it, so she decided not to let them loose. Truthfully, something she’d never admit aloud was that she could somewhat appreciate the pageantry that went along with all this. There was something alluring about models and those who could present themselves in captivating ways.

  She didn’t know what use it served in the world, but she thought it could serve as art or inspiration, like the things she learned about in Art of Love. Paris hadn’t forgotten the headmistress’ words about staying open-minded. She felt there was something she could take away from this experience, even if it meant she had to wear a dress to do it.

  Paris would deal with that last part when it got closer. First, she had to pass her exams to keep her spot at the college. Then she could breathe easier.

  Chapter Six

  Chef Ash still wasn’t giving away any information on his class or the exam at lunch. A grumpy mood replaced his usually easy-going demeanor and made him almost look like a different person.

  Paris didn’t know what had most at the college in a sour mood, but she was taking notes and going to figure it out. There were so many new things going on at Happily Ever After College that it was hard to know its cause. The exams around the corner naturally stressed some. Then there was a new tension that turned many emotional or on edge. Paris didn’t know what to make of that.

  She was about to pressure Chef Ash again for information when her phone buzzed in her pocket. Since it was in silent mode, that meant the message was from someone who could bypass the settings like Papa Creola or Mama Jamba.

  However, when Paris retrieved her phone, she was surprised to find the message wasn’t from either. To her shock and excitement, the text was from her mother, Liv. It was some of the coolest, most unexpected news.

  The message read:

  Your father and I are ready to reenter the world. Papa Creola is allowing it. We want to return to the House of Fourteen as Warriors. Will you please join us tonight as we shock the world who thinks we’ve been dead for fifteen years? We don’t want to do this without you.

  Her look of shock didn’t go unnoticed by Christine, Chef Ash, Hem
ingway, and Penny. They all went silent for a moment.

  “Okay, pony up.” Christine motioned for Paris to spill it. “What’s the message say?”

  In reply, Paris pushed her phone across the table at her friend. Christine leaned over, as did the rest, reading the text message.

  “Oh wow.” Chef Ash looked up at Paris with awe.

  “That’s wonderful,” Hemingway agreed.

  “How exciting,” Penny added.

  “I want to go,” Christine said in a conspiratorial whisper.

  “You can’t,” Chef Ash informed her. “Only Royals like Paris and the Beaufonts can get into the House of Fourteen. That will be quite the experience. I hear that the Chamber of the Tree is amazing, with a light for each magician on the planet and so many oddities governed by magic as old as time itself.”

  “You are a romantic,” Christine muttered with her chin on her hand. “How could I not want to go now after you sold it like that?”

  “I’m sure that Paris will give us a full report,” Hemingway offered. “That’s wonderful that your parents won’t be a secret anymore, and everyone will know they’ve returned.”

  “Yeah, and maybe your parents can kick Becky’s parents’ butts,” Christine joked. “Then they'll think twice before sticking their nose in everyone’s business.”

  “I think that those two back as Warriors will make a world of difference,” Penny said in a low voice. “I heard that they had the biggest impact of anyone in the last hundred years, policing magic and keeping the demon population at bay.”

  “Where did you hear such things?” Christine challenged as she turned to Penny, appearing interested.

  “People are always whispering about Liv and Stefan and how things aren’t the same since they disappeared,” Penny said shyly. “There are so many rumors about what happened to them. Wait until people find out they’re back. It will restore hope in so many ways.”

  Paris gulped, disbelieving that they were talking about her parents. It was hard to fathom that her mother and father were these people of legend. Not only that, but they wanted her by their sides as they reentered the world. She was going to the House of Fourteen that night. She would be there beside her parents as they revealed they were still alive. Then she’d see as change started, marked by hope.

  “Well, it appears that after tonight, the truth will come out.” Paris felt a lump in her throat. “I’ll no longer be an orphan. Everyone will know that my parents are back. They’ll know the full story. And everything will change.”

  Hemingway gave her a hopeful look. “Everything will change for the better. This is the beginning of your new, more expansive life.”

  Chapter Seven

  When Paris strode outside onto the Enchanted Grounds, alongside her friends, she was surprised by who she found standing on the lawn. Everyone seemed surprised.

  “Holy guacamole!” Christine exclaimed at the sight before them.

  “It’s a real dragon!” another student gushed while rushing over to where the majestic blue dragon stood beside his rider.

  Paris knew that her Aunt Sophia had access to enter Happily Ever After College and hoped that she’d visit soon but didn’t know it would be then. She was thrilled to see her there and only wished that she could spend more time with her catching up, but she had Magical Gardening.

  Since interested students were already politely mobbing the dragon and rider, Paris hung back for a moment beside Hemingway, who wore a coy expression. She gave him a pleading look. “I don’t suppose you can let me out of today’s lesson even though we have exams tomorrow and I’m sure we’re reviewing?”

  He shook his head. “First off, because your famous aunt shows up at the college with her dragon, you think I’ll let you out of class?”

  Paris flushed with shame. “Yeah, sorry. That’s kind of a Becky move.”

  Hemingway laughed. “No, her family aren’t nearly as cool and courageous. Second, we aren’t reviewing for the exam. Everything you need to know on the multiple-choice test is in the textbook, which I think you’ve inhaled.”

  “Three times,” Paris added.

  He chuckled again. “Meanwhile, my fairy students are stuttering over the big words in the first section. I think you’ll do fine on tomorrow’s exam. It will cover the first few chapters.”

  Paris sighed with relief. “That’s good news because now, with the thing tonight with my parents, I don’t think I have time to study.”

  Hemingway nodded in understanding. “Yeah, but what else are you supposed to do? Tell your long-lost parents to postpone their reentry to the world because you have to learn to do the foxtrot?”

  It did seem ridiculous, Paris had to admit. Her life was so strange. “Hopefully, I can eke by with a passable grade. It’s funny that the only class I’m worried about at this point is ballroom dancing.”

  “Yeah, I think you’ll ace your other courses, especially Magical Cooking, which I hear you excel at,” Hemingway offered. “We can practice for ballroom dancing beforehand.”

  “Great, but you’re not going to let me out of class briefly so I can catch up with my aunt who is visiting the college?” Paris asked in a hopeful voice, trying to catch sight of Sophia through the crowd of students.

  “I would,” Hemingway drew out the word with a sneaky grin, “but it might surprise you to learn that Sophia Beaufont isn’t here to see you.”

  “What?” Paris was almost offended. “She said she’d come to the college to visit me soon.”

  “I’m sure she did.” Hemingway rocked on his heels, still looking like he was holding onto a secret of sorts. “I invited her here today.”

  “You did?” Paris was surprised. “Why?”

  “Well, I contacted the Dragon Elite, and I guess Hiker Wallace, their leader sent Sophia,” Hemingway explained. “It makes sense since she has access to Happily Ever After College.”

  “Why did you contact them? What’s going on?”

  He pointed at the Bewilder Forest, which had regrown rapidly. Thanks to Paris’ hybrid blood, it looked different than before. It wasn’t as thick now, but in time, it should be as dense as before. The tree trunks were thin but tall with a silent promise that they would expand and take over the grounds soon. There were strange and enticing colors and smells and sounds emanating from the forest. Although it wasn’t off-limits anymore, the headmistress had asked that the students not enter the Bewilder Forest yet.

  Once it started to regrow, there were many new plants and things to classify. Hemingway had worried that too much traffic through the forest might stifle its growth. Soon after opening it to students, it had been closed. Paris couldn’t wait to discover all the strange and magical things that were filling the new forest—all spawned from her halfling blood.

  “I found something exciting in the Bewilder Forest that I thought might be of interest to the dragonriders,” Hemingway explained. “So I contacted them, and they sent your aunt. I’m looking forward to meeting a real dragonrider, but more importantly, a Beaufont.”

  Paris was more than intrigued. There was something in the Bewilder Forest that would be of interest to the Dragon Elite. She had no idea what that could be, but she couldn’t wait to find out.

  She pointed at Sophia and Lunis, who were still getting tons of attention from the excited students. “It appears that everyone else is interested in meeting them too.”

  Chapter Eight

  Sophia broke through the crowd at the sight of Paris and gracefully held her in an embrace—greeting her warmly.

  “It’s so nice to see you here,” Sophia said when she pulled away, looking Paris over. “What a treat. I’m thrilled to have an excuse to see you in your element.”

  Without saying it, Paris knew that her aunt noticed the obvious differences between how she dressed in all black and the rest of the students in their blue gowns. All eyes were on the pair, not hiding their curiosity as the Beaufonts greeted each other.

  “It’s great to see you here t
oo!” Paris realized that she was clasping Sophia’s hands in hers, grateful to have a family member there. It made it feel real, as though she was truly a Beaufont and it wasn’t all a rumor she’d told people at the college.

  “What about me, Pare?” Lunis asked dryly, still crowded by students. “How great is it to see me? I’m kind of a big deal, you know.”

  Paris laughed, still not used to the idea that the timeless blue dragon had the silliest sense of humor. She expected that he would be serious, spouting great wisdom and being conservative in speech. The blue dragon was everything but serious.

  “Lunis, it’s fantastic to see you,” she replied.

  “You’re a big deal, all right,” Sophia volleyed at Lunis. “Like, a few thousand tons of junk food wrapped in dragon’s hide.”

  “I think you’re insinuating that I’m fat, Sophia.” Lunis’ snout was suddenly high in the air.

  “How rude,” one of the students remarked, patting Lunis thoughtfully.

  “You’re not fat,” another student offered.

  “Oh, no, I totally am,” Lunis countered. “Sophia took a picture of me last Christmas, and it’s still printing.”

  The group laughed. The students, like Paris originally, hadn't expected the blue dragon to make jokes—especially not bad ones.

  “Well, it’s a real treat to have you two here.” Hemingway took the spot next to Paris and offered his hand to Sophia. “I’m Hemingway Noble, the one who contacted the Dragon Elite. It’s nice to meet you.”

  There were many excited whispers from around the group of students.

  “Nice to meet you, Hemingway. We were intrigued by your report. I’m excited to learn more.”

  “What’s going on?” a student asked loudly.

  “Oh! This is neat!” another student said to her friend.

  Hemingway held up his hands, quieting the excited students. “As Headmistress Starr has urged you, we’re still in preliminary stages of exploring and classifying the things in the Bewilder Forest and need your continued patience.