Page 18 of Enchanted Kingdom
When he was done laughing, he added, “My dear Jorah, if we were to poison you all, wouldn’t that make the chore of finding our next queen quite difficult?”
Seeing he had a point, I answered, “Possibly.”
He shook his head again. “The gown is truly lovely, by the way.” Then he moved even closer to whisper, “These evening meals will not be enjoyable, but the desserts are worth it. And also poison free. I figured a truffle connoisseur such as yourself should know.”
Despite wanting not to, I felt my lips tugging at the corners as he spun to leave. I gave the necessary bow and went to find Gwen.
She had come in after I had, so I found her over closer to the staircase.
“Your gown is stunning!” she said genuinely. “I love it.”
“Thank you,” I smiled back. We were quickly becoming friends, but I still didn’t feel close enough to her to divulge where the dress came from. After all, she was wearing pink also.
Off to the side, I heard someone not so quietly whisper, “They must be giving the Nerede woman a chance to dress like the rest of us, taking pity on her and letting her truly live it up.”
I barely turned my head to find Aiyana standing there in a pink gown, glowering.
“Don’t listen to her,” Gwen said, taking me by the arm and leading us further away. “She’s just jealous. Your dress is by far the loveliest of all our pinks.”
“I wish it were purple,” I muttered.
“So Aiyana would hate you even more?” Gwen asked puzzled.
I shook my head. “No. I just think this color coding is a bit odd.”
Gwen looked around the room and thought about it for a moment. “It is slightly repulsive. Second only to the fact that there are sixty women in the room, and we are all dating only two men.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, really laugh for the first time since arriving. I didn’t come here to stay, and thus I definitely didn’t come here to make friends, but I’d take Gwen as collateral damage.
“I hear we are all supposed to spend time together tomorrow, just the women,” Gwen whispered. “My attendant told me so earlier today.”
I sighed, already not looking forward to it. “Thank you for the heads up.” I was even more grateful for it as I looked around. Most of the dresses were more basic. A few were one-shouldered or seemed more elegant than the others. Mine was the only one that sparkled. It was as if mine was a half a step up from the rest. So much for blending in.
“Jorah.”
I spun to find the gorgeous woman, Renna, heading toward us in her blue gown. She leaned in and gave me a quick hug. So quick I didn’t have to think about if I wanted to hug her back or shove her off.
“Hi, Renna.”
She gave me a smile. “I’m glad you get to stay. May I sit by you tonight?”
I didn’t know what to say. Were we even allowed to pick where to sit? “Are blue gowns and pink gowns allowed to sit together?” I asked innocently, trying to hide all traces of disgust in my voice.
Renna’s smile dazzled me. “We are.”
Well then. Though Renna was an Enchanted, I would take sitting by her over sitting by Aiyana any day. “Then absolutely.”
My voice didn’t sound all that excited, but Renna must not have noticed because she smiled even bigger.
Gwen and I exchanged a glance as if thinking the same thing. Aiyana’s comments and rudeness were to be expected given our status in the lower levels of the kingdom. Renna’s kindness was more confusing. What was her agenda here? Other than the obvious... becoming queen.
* * *
I was relievedto find the table Renna, Gwen, and I sat at was a table without the king and either of the princes. It was at least easier to deal with Renna than making sure I ate properly around any of the royal family.
Renna laughed beside me and leaned over. “Have you met Molly?”
I shook my head and leaned in over the place setting. “I have not. I’m Jorah.”
