Page 29 of I Ran Away to Evil
“Yes?”
“I received mail today from Grand Duchess Calisto.”
Keith raised an eyebrow. “I’m surprised she knew you were here.”
“Didn’t you hear Madame Potts’s Casting from your Cast Crystal?” Henrietta asked.
“No.” The only Cast Crystal setup was in the castle courtyard, where he would announce things to his minions … if he could ever find his godmother’s Royal Crystal. “Though I am supposed to get updates when premonitions are related to Nilheim.”
“She told everyone I was sent here to kill you.” She blushed prettily. “Apparently, I was going to slaughter everyone in the castle.”
“That’s nice.” Keith didn’t let any emotion show on his face, remembering how close he had been to death’s door when she’d interrupted him. He added “Having words with Tulith about whatrelated to Nilheimmeant” to his tasks. “No future plans to kill my minions or myself?” He said it with an air of jest, but they both knew Henrietta had been warring with herself up until now.
The princess took a deep breath and looked up at him. “No, I don’t think so.”
Keith nodded his approval.
“Anyways,” Henrietta continued. “I’ve received my invite to Grand Duchess Calisto’s Spring Ball.”
“I have one as well,” Keith said.
Henrietta looked at him expectantly. Was he supposed to ask her to the ball? That seemed a little fast, even if he was amicable to the idea. He didn’t want to just assume—
“Can I go?”
“What?” Keith composed himself. That was right; how could he have been thinking she would want to be taken to the most exclusive ball in the known kingdoms by theDark Lord.“Of course, why do you ask?”
She stared at him, hard. “Am I or am Inotyour prisoner? I’m confused.”
Keith hesitated a second. “After everything that’s happened, I was thinking along the lines ofroyal guestmyself.”
“A guest who’s sent to the dungeons once a week?”
“You’re in the capital of Nilheim,everybodygets sent to the dungeonseventually. Rufus is really good at his job, though, so it quickly moves to just a routine checkup.”
“I see,” Henrietta said. “So Icango to the ball?”
“If that is what you wish,” Keith replied, then decided to throw caution to the wind and ask, “Would you like to go—to ride together?”
“I’d love to!” Henrietta exclaimed, and then coughed. “If it’s not too much trouble?”
“No trouble at all.” Keith decided this was a perfect spot to change the subject. He was getting good at changing subjects. “Then shall we finish our paperwork before dinner?”
“Oh, please!” Henrietta stood up and stretched. “I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t finish at least those last two lines.”
Keith offered his arm again, and the two walked back to the office.
That evening, a missive went out to all the castle staff. Gerda the Bridge Troll smiled when she received a personal letter from the king of the Dark Enchanted Forest, and a royal declaration was put up in Kith Bog and the other five cities under his domain.
Henceforth, Crown Princess Henrietta of Drendil shall be welcome as a guest in all the Dark Enchanted Forest of Nilheim. She shall be referred to as Princess, Your Highness, Sword Master, or simply Henrietta. Violation of this order will be met with punishment by the Second Order.
Signed and Sealed,
Keith Monfort, Dark Magician King of Nilheim
CHAPTER 19
Only an Idiot Would Declare War on the Dark Enchanted Forest
