Page 79 of Boy of Chaotic Making

Prince Friedrich’s jaw set.

But I wasn’t in the breakfast room,Owein tried.

“But Owein wasn’t in the breakfast room,” Merritt repeated, clearing a rasp in his voice. “That was only me and Ernst.”

“But that other dog was.” Hulda sounded truly shaken. “And the hounds are very similar in size and color to Owein. It’s been him this whole time, and we didn’t see it.” She curled in on herself. “I didn’t see it.”

“I believe this tour ends here.” Prince Friedrich pulled down on his coat. “We will return to Cyprus Hall at once.”

The scene was familiar by now. Cyprus Hall filled with watchmen. A constable interviewing members of the staff and family, others taking notes. Why was it wherever Owein went, trouble followed?

It’s really more their fault,he told himself as he moved about the house freely; people tended not to suspect dogs of much unless a turkey leg had gone missing.Everything was calm and normal until Merritt and Hulda showed up. Trouble followsthem, not me.

Though it did start to feel like trouble had a bone to pick with Owein, personally, this time around.

He checked in on Cora in her room. Didn’t enter, but stuck his nose in the crack left by the door. Blightree had returned straightaway to help her—his necromancy included a healing spell, and the Leiningens had luck spells on their maternal side, so her breathing had improved. Good. Lady Helen was with her now, having already given her testimony and complaints to the constable.

Owein noted that while Briar seemed a very likely suspect, Blightree had also been absent from the tour. But he also didn’t have wind spells, and from what Owein understood, a person couldn’t merely purchase hurricane-level gusts. Though the royal necromancer was hardly a regular person. Still.

He went downstairs, where he heard Briar loudly protesting from the drawing room, “—absolutely absurd! You’re wasting your time with me. Have you spoken with Belinda?”

Belinda was Lady Helen’s maid, whom Briar had been with this morning, giving her an alibi for the carriage house. Then again, as Merritt had covertly pointed out, the suspect was most likely a member of the Leiningen family or their staff. How else could they so preciselytrack Owein’s movements? (Or Merritt’s. Owein thought maybe this could still be about him, since a lot of people had tried to kill or imprison Merritt recently.) So Belinda might provide a good alibi, but what if she was keeping secrets to protect Lady Briar from retribution?

Why did people have to make things so complicated? It was giving Owein a headache.

He did think, maybe, it was someone outside of Cyprus Hall. Someone like Beth—or, rather, someonelikeBeth butstronger—could discern where Owein was without entering the house. Clairvoyancy was tricky like that.

When everything was said and done, the constable met with Prince Friedrich, and of course Owein lingered nearby, as good as invisible in his canine form.

“We’ll reach out to Palmerston and Colin,” Prince Friedrich said, referring to Cora’s older brothers, “and see if they’ve been in town.”

The constable nodded. “We’ll also follow up with other registered elementists with wind spells in the area.”

“And the carriage house.” Prince Friedrich, who usually had a kind and paternal tone, sounded stern. He glowered.

“The queen’s men are already on it. I will certainly report to them, yes,” the constable agreed. “I appreciate your patience, my lord.”

And as easily as he’d come, the constable and his men departed.

It will be okay,Owein offered, but the prince didn’t hear him.

Merritt’s voice rang behind him. “Friedrich,” he said, and Owein turned in time to see Hulda elbow him. “PrinceFriedrich,” he amended.

“I am terribly sorry about all of this,” Prince Friedrich said, noticing Owein for the first time. “I don’t have a lead to follow or a direction to take. Briar was here the whole time. She has a witness. I believe her.”

“Of course,” Hulda offered, keeping her voice low. “She’s your daughter. Believe her you must.”

Owein heard what Hulda didn’t say:But that doesn’t mean I have to.

“I think,” Merritt said, “this time, it would be better for us to take Owein somewhere else.”

A flash of remorse crossed Prince Friedrich’s features. A deep breath raised his shoulders, and his lips quivered with ready words. Then, all at once, he deflated. “Of course. I understand. Do you have somewhere to stay?”

Hulda nodded. “I’ve made arrangements.”

Where?Owein asked, but Merritt kept his focus on Prince Friedrich.

He nodded and kneaded his hands together. “I’m terribly sorry for all of this. God let it be sorted quickly.” He sighed. “It might be best for you to leave while Helen is preoccupied. She will try to talk you out of it. Throw a fuss, at the very least.”

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