Page 161 of I Ran Away to Evil
Grand Duchess Calisto managed to suppress a half smile that played on the corner of her lips. Her voice was rich and cultured as she spoke. “Greetings, King Monfort and Princess Henrietta. I hope your travels were calm and quiet.”
Keith smiled regally. “Thank you, Your Grace. It was a pleasant trip.”
“It is wonderful to finally meet you, Your Grace.” I wound my hands around Keith’s arm. “I’m honored to receive your invitation. Your home is beautiful, and I cannot imagine anywhere else more perfect for my debut.”
The duchess dropped a bit of her formality, and her smile softened. “You are well met, my dear. If you have time today to join me for afternoon tea, I would love to have you. I’m sure we have much to talk about.”
There was nothing I wanted more than to have tea with one of the most influential and powerful women on the continent.
“I would love to, Your Grace.”
The duchess eyed Keith. “I apologize for stealing your partner, Monfort. It’s but a small affair to introduce the newly eligible young men and women to each other. And to ease them into things.”
“Think nothing of it. I will enjoy your hospitality in other ways. Might I perchance beg leave to peruse your library?” Keith asked.
The duchess smiled. “Of course you may. And if there’s time, I’d love your opinion on some of the new magical tools I’m designing.”
“Absolutely,” Keith announced eagerly. He didn’t bother hiding his interest and used his free hand to push up his glasses. “I’m fascinated with your new ‘moving rooms,’ the ones that travel up and down your palace, among other things I noticed since we crossed the border.”
“Yes, the magical ‘elevators’ were a challenge to complete, but they’ve made traveling around the palace so much easier. I look forward to your critical eye on how their mechanisms might be improved.”
It would be unfortunate that Keith couldn’t join us for tea, but I was happy that he would have something even more exciting for him to do in the meantime.
Keith visibly composed himself and brought up the other matter we needed to discuss during our visit. “And, of course, I look forward to hosting Your Grace this summer at my own castle.”
“Not if I convince them to move the wedding,” the woman threatened. “We can discuss things before you leave, but where are my manners; I’ve left you standing here for far too long. Please, follow Daj. He shall guide the two of you to your suite.”
Keith and I stared in shocked silence at the smug grand duchess as we both realized what she’d said.
CHAPTER 98
I Ask for Decorum and Restraint
Keith
Keith wondered why it seemed like every single person in the entire world was trying his patience.
Not that he was surprised, mind. He’d visited this palace before and knew what was to come. This was probably revenge for his necromancer cavorting with her unwed daughter for the past six months. The woman was a brilliant leader … whose sole joy in life outside of magical crafting was teasing the youth and matchmaking. This was why he only attended one of her events every year. Chloe could take the rest.
He realized with a pang of guilt that hisprincesshad probably been blindsided.
Said princess was standing perplexed. “Our suite?”
The duchess simply raised an eyebrow. “I’ve given you two a private suite in the east wing, far from any … unpleasantness that might occur fromothervisiting royals.”
Ria’s voice was similar to one of his automatons. “With multiple bedrooms, though?”
“Ofcourse; you’re not marriedyet,” the duchess replied, scandalized. She stared pointedly at Keith. “So I ask for decorum and restraint.” She then turned an equally pointed stare at Henrietta. “That goes for you too, Princess.”
Keith felt embarrassment inflame his cheeks as it hadn’t since he was a boy, his hand caught in Feliwyn’s hoard looking for high-level spell books he wasn’t ready for. “I think you are mistaken, Your Grace.”
She turned back to him, stately and poised, but Keith gave as good as he got. “Unlikesomeunnamed royal heirs, we are more than capable of controlling our wanton ardor.”
“Keith!” Henrietta, who was still in shock that the most graceful and innovative mind on the continent was a veritable tease, gasped.
“What?” Keith shrugged.
The duchess nodded, sharing the joke with a warm smile. “I can’t imagine what royal house would allow such impropriety. Surely you can’t mean such scandals are occurring in your own castle? Truly, Nilheim is the den of iniquity they all claim.”
