Page 19 of Façade

“Our enduring the tedium of the ball for the sake of appearances will be pointless if it’s marred by you looking so miserable.”

Too late I realized I’d likely been displaying more emotion than was prudent, my worry over the conversation I’d overheard and my boredom from the ball too pronounced to fully shield. I hastily tucked my emotions behind my usual mask of propriety.

“I’m not the one neglecting my husbandly duties by failing to find a reason to make his wife smile.” I studied his own expression, pulled taut. “You don’t seem to be enjoying yourself either.”

“I always enjoy your company, Evelyn, even if I’m not apt to show it.” But the strain around his eyes betrayed his lie. I bit my lips to suppress my emerging sigh.

Silence settled back around us for several more measures of the waltz, during which Ryland seemed to be studying me closely. For the sake of appearances I tried to act like I wasn’t being tortured, but he seemed to see through me.

“You’ve done a good job pretending otherwise, but I can still tell you’re not having fun. It’s rather unusual for a princess not to enjoy dancing.”

“I believe we already discussed that dancing isn’t one of my hobbies.”

“I was listening, yet still find myself surprised.”

“Did you ever doubt, considering I’ve spent most of this dance trodding on your feet?” It wasn’t that I was truly so terrible at dancing with all the practice that had been required; I just found it strangely satisfying not to bother treading carefully with him, my petty revenge for the conversation I’d overheard about his plans to use me. For good measure, I gave the prince’s toes a particularly satisfying crunch that annoyingly didn’t even cause the man to flinch. He himself was a beautiful dancer, as was proper for a prince.

“I didn’t even notice.” A gracious lie, one that only annoyed me further.

Another silence settled between us, weaving itself with several more measures of the endless waltz that was going on for much too long. Ryland was the first to break it after several more tense beats, undoubtedly his efforts to earn my trust as the crown prince had requested.

“I find myself curious: is your dancing like your unfinished drawings where you stop halfway if you grow bored? You look sorely tempted to do that very thing.” Though his countenance remained stoic, amusement glinted in his eyes.

I narrowed my own. “Don’t tempt me.”

To my surprise he chuckled, a sound that seemed to reach inside to poke the heart that remained determinedly hardened against him. His good humor quickly ceased, replaced by purpose…even as he lowered his gaze, as if unable to meet my eyes.

“Even if you give in to that impulse, your reputation should remain safe—the court seems quite taken with you, and for good reason. It’s not often we have someone from a magical kingdom in our midst. I’ve already received many requests for a magical display.”

And there it was. Try as he might, he couldn’t disguise his eagerness for the powers he coveted. Once again the prince lacked subtlety, driven solely by his desperation in this game we played…but I had a few tricks of my own.

Mischief tugged my smile, the first bright spot in this monotony. “What a lovely idea. Perhaps I could be persuaded to showcase some of my powers.”

Hope brightened his eyes as he finally lifted his gaze. “Truly?”

“Perhaps…but only should you give me reason to humor you. Patience is an essential trait for any husband. Until I feel you value me for more than my magic, you’re going to have to wait.”

His eyes narrowed with a look like he wanted to say more, but thankfully he possessed enough sense to drop the topic…for now, but I had no doubt we’d revisit it again soon.

The waltz finally drew to a close, giving me my much-needed excuse to break free. I curtsied before leaving him in the middle of the dance floor, too peeved to bother myself with his escort. I’d wait until he lost sight of me before I finally took the chance to sneak away from this tedium in order to finally do something useful: investigate Ryland’s private study in hopes of finally learning what exactly the odious man was up to so I could find a way to stop him, once and for all.

CHAPTER8

Iedged along the wall of the glittering ballroom, inching towards the exit so I could slip away at the first opportunity. I followed Ryland’s and Prince Lucian’s movements, but thankfully both remained immersed in conversing with several prestigious nobles and paid me no mind.

I knew my absence would remain undetected for only so long—Ryland would discover my disappearance when he eventually desired my presence for his dutiful interactions with the court. I’d already prepared an excuse for his inevitable inquiries of retiring early due to a headache; the question that remained was whether I’d have enough time to investigate before he discovered I wasn’t where I claimed.

As I neared the exit, a sudden prickling caused me to still, a sense that someone was watching me. It was a different stare than the many curious glances I’d received from the crowded ballroom—this one was heated, analyzing. I frantically looked around, searching for the source. Neither of the princes had glanced in my direction, nor did the attending guards seem to be paying me particular attention.

Then who was watching me?

Years of navigating the Estorian court helped me quickly locate the source. My breath caught when I noticed a man adorned in noble attire standing along the edge of the ballroom. His wasn’t a face I recognized from those I’d met within the royal court; he blended into the shadows as if trying to avoid notice, his gaze undoubtedly fixed on me.

I expected him to hastily look away upon being caught, but he only continued to stare, almost as if hewantedme to notice him. Fear escalated my pounding heart, tempting me to melt back into the safety of the crowds to endure the remainder of the ball…before a thought gave me pause.

What’s the worst that can happen?The worst had already happened—my identity had been stripped away and the man I’d married was a threat to the kingdom I still loved. If I got caught trying to thwart him, then my mission to protect Estoria would have failed…but I’d also fail if I didn’t even try.

I took a quick perusal to discern whether any pointed attention was directed at me; to my relief, the suspicious man had been swallowed up by the surrounding guests, and no one else seemed to be paying me any mind. With a steadying breath I slipped into the corridor, abandoned save for the attending guards, who immediately made motion to follow me.

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