Page 14 of Enchanted Kingdom
She took a deep breath. “Can you believe all this?”
Gwen had dimples which made her look younger, but I still pegged her age around twenty. I took another look up at the chandelier closest to where we stood. “It is all quite grand.” Rather than impress me, it disgusted me. That part of the kingdom should be so lovely while the backs of Nerede worked long hours to keep it so.
She let out a snicker and whispered, “I meant all these women acting like buffoons.”
A laugh escaped with my surprise. “Yes, there is that.” I paused but added, “But there is chocolate.”
Gwen let out a contented sigh. “How many of those truffles does it take for it to be considered overindulgence?”
I thought about it for a moment. “We should be allowed at least two per hour of time. As compensation for our travels?”
She grinned as she started to walk away. “In that case, I am due for more.”
I walked behind her, heading for Ivy, who had finally gotten in her dances with the princes. I stole a glance at the large clock at the top of the stairs. It was already well past midnight. And the party didn’t look like it was remotely winding down. How long did these balls last, anyway? I was already feeling exhausted. Trying to keep my distance from the princes while trying to figure out who was and wasn’t Enchanted was a lot to consider. Add in my lack of sleep from the night before, and I was feeling like a long sleep in the carriage ride home sounded pretty great right now.
* * *
By the timewe were gathered for the announcement of Assemblages, I was sleep walking. I was sure of it. I’d had another quick run in with Prince Keiran, who made it a point to approach Ivy and me. He had simply asked how we were but before Ivy had even finished her answer, she was interrupted by a Savaryn woman. So that had happened, but I had also successfully avoided Prince Krewan the entire rest of the night.
Ivy stood on one side, Gwen on my other, as we awaited our fates. I was excited tonight for the first time since spotting the blasted truffles. The announcement of these names would mean the night was finally almost over. Which was good because the sun was going to be coming up shortly. It was the time I normally woke to start our bakery work.
The king stood from his extravagant chair in the largest balcony, and we all curtseyed.
“Thank you all for a lovely evening,” the king began. “It is time for the announcement of the Assemblages of Consorts. The Assemblage advisor will now read the names for each prince.”
A woman stepped up from behind the king and princes. She looked older than the king, her gray hair pulled into an intricate bun of sorts. I was a little surprised she was a woman, that the king would even have a woman advisor of any sort, but in this instance, if she was organizing the ball and the arrangements of the women selected into the Assemblages, it only made sense.
“I will read out the names of the selected ladies. I shall read one name to Prince Krewan’s Assemblage, then one name to Prince Keiran’s Assemblage.” She gestured with an arm to a set of doors. “If selected to Prince Krewan’s Assemblage, please congregate around these doors to be taken to your rooms.” She gestured to a different set of double doors, the ones we all came through at the top of the stairs. “If selected to Prince Keiran’s Assemblage, please gather around the doors at the top of the stairs similarly.”
“For Prince Krewan: Ms. Renna Givicci.”
The same woman with dark hair I had met earlier. She smiled as if pleased, gave a bow, and headed in the direction of the proper doors.
Three names later, I wondered if I would actually fall over if this took much longer. Thus far, all the names called had been Savaryn women. Perhaps the advisor just should’ve called all the Savaryn women forward and saved us all some time.
“Think they’ll notice if I run and steal an entire tray of truffles to take with me on the carriage ride home?” Gwen whispered four names later.
I hadn’t come here to make friends, but the fact that Gwen was enjoying the chocolate as much as I had made her difficult not to like. I snorted a laugh.
“For Prince Keiran: Ms. Jorah Demir.”
My laughter and smile failed. Only one non-Savaryn woman had been called thus far.
Remembering what I was supposed to do, and had seen done from the other names called, I moved to bow, but not before sending Prince Keiran a quick look.
Prince Keiran’s lips turned up before he pressed them together as if to keep from laughing.
Not only was he the royal prince, but he was also a royal pain.
I was in.
Unlike I had seen the others do, I quickly gave Gwen’s shoulder a squeeze and reached over to give Ivy a hug.
“If you end up out, tell my mother, would you?”
She nodded and whispered back, “At least he’s the kind one. See you soon.”
I knew it wasn’t that she was wishing I would be out soon, it was that she was reminding me to stay safe. Reminding me that I could still get home safely.
