Page 42 of I Ran Away to Evil
Ria stepped back and motioned to come in. He noticed her ears were a little red, but otherwise, she seemed calm.
Keith had never been in his mother’s rooms. He’d never met Queen Vera, and Feliwyn was his mother in everything but blood and title.
Ria led him to the parlor, and he made note of the interesting title of the book sitting on the table. He waved at it. “Out of This World?”
The princess smiled at the book. “It has every new recipe that’s become popular in the last three years, and some that I’ve never heard of! The éclairs I made for tea last time were from this book.”
The two sat down across from each other. “Was it from Feliwyn’s book hoard?” Keith asked.
Honestly, that dragon loved the weirdest things. She kept three separate treasure piles: precious shiny things, from pebbles to gold; enchanted or otherwise useful tools, like swords and spatulas; and a book room full of romance novels and recipes. Oh, and a castle full of unique personalities.
“No. Actually, I got it in the mail.”
“You did? From whom?” He didn’t remember screening a recipe book, so this must have been when she’d first arrived.
“I don’t know.” Henrietta shrugged. “I haven’t been able to confirm, but … Well, it’s silly.”
“Go on?”
“I think it might be from Madame Potts.”
Keith started. “Why do you think that?”
“Well, Brownie sent me a letter at the same time and made no mention of it.” Henrietta shrugged. “It’s silly, I know … but who else could have known that I liked to bake? The postage is international.”
“I see.” Keith wasn’t usually interested in recipe books, but this was a perfect opening for what he was actually here to talk about. “Speaking of Madame Potts, did you hear her Casting while you were away yesterday?”
“Sadly no.” Henrietta shook her head. “I was fighting the Naga Warriors when it happened.”
“Did you know you were in it again?” Keith tried to keep his tone neutral while he handed over the report.
Ria took it and read it over while Keith tried not to stare at her. She was adorable as usual, with her poofy brown hair pulled back by some type of headband. No loose bangs today. She wore a silk green vest over a lace-embroidered tunic with half sleeves. Her pants were a matching green to the vest, and she had on light peach-colored slippers.
“Does this mean that someone is going to get poisoned at Grand Duchess Calisto’s ball? Because that’s what it sounds like.” Ria passed back the note.
“That’s how I read it, too. Would you consider bringing some antidotes with you when we attend?” Keith brought out a few of his higher-level antidotes. They shined a vibrant red, and they were so potent they actually glowed in the dark.
Ria looked at the potions. She looked around the room. Then she looked at Keith.
He didn’t know why, but he had a feeling about what was coming. “Ria, I—”
“Dark Magician Keith.”
Oh no, that wasn’t good.
“Do you know what everyone is talking about in your kingdom?” She frowned at him, and his entire person began panicking.
“I can explain!”
“I think you should.” Henrietta nodded sagely. “I was worried that you didn’t know.”
“What?” Keith honestly thought she was talking about what Rufus had mentioned earlier: the fact that he’d let her stay in the Nightshade Rooms. “What don’t I know?”
“Everyone is talking about how I defeated you in our duel!”
“But we never fought.”
“That’s not the point!” Henrietta sighed. “At first, everyone thought you won because I went to the dungeon. But now, I’m still here, and …” Henrietta paused, her ears growing crimson, “they thought that I won and asked for the position of queen as a reward.”
