Page 43 of The Queen's Crown
“But you’re my lady’s maid.” Back home, her mother’s lady’s maid always attended royal functions in case the queen needed anything.
“That’s not how it works in Lynk.”
Sabine shook her head, realizing she had a lot to learn. Thankfully, she’d been to enough royal functions to have a general idea of what to expect tonight. Those with money or vying for power would immediately introduce themselves, trying to get on her good side. Those threatened by her would approach her later in the evening. She would need to make sure to keep her face devoid from all feeling and emotion. She couldn’t let anyone know if they got to her. And during all of this, she needed to ask questions about Alina and discover if anyone knew anything about her death. In other words, she needed to snoop without appearing to snoop.
Out in the hallway, two soldiers stood guard on either side of her door while the rest followed close behind her. She didn’t see Markis among them. He was probably still with the Bakley soldiers. However, she felt ill at ease not having him with her.
Claire led the way down to the first level of the palace and then to a balcony on the west side. “This is where I’m to leave you,” Claire said. “I’ll meet you back at your room afterward to help you prepare for bed.” She bowed then left.
Sabine stood alone on the large balcony, her guards hovering near one of the entrances. Growing up with five siblings meant she never had to attend a royal function by herself. She always had one of her brothers or her sister by her side. Especially since she was the youngest. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she’d be in a foreign kingdom, let alone the queen of one, having to do something like this on her own.
Gunther exited through one of the archways and smiled at her. “Princess Sabine.”
“I didn’t realize you’d be here tonight.” Since Claire wasn’t going to be in attendance, she assumed Gunther wouldn’t be either.
“I’m not. King Rainer just wanted me to inform you that your belongings from the carriage are being brought up to your room. I am personally overseeing it, so you have nothing to worry about.”
“Thank you.”
“And the Bakley soldiers are all being fed and will rest here for the night. They will return home tomorrow.”
It surprised her that Rainer was feeding them and allowing them to spend the night. He’d seemed so against anything like that earlier today. “I appreciate your help,” she replied, forcing a sweet smile on her face. The more friends she had here, the better.
As Gunther exited, Anton and Lottie walked out on the balcony and approached Sabine.
“I can’t believe Rainer threw this party together so quickly,” Anton mumbled. “I was supposed to head down to the docks tonight for the seasons celebration.”
Sabine hadn’t realized it was already changing from summer to fall. Back home, the leaves would start shifting colors. Here, she hadn’t noticed anything of the sort.
“I’m sure you can still make it,” Lottie said. “This isn’t going to take all night. But you do need to stop complaining about it. We should to be happy for Rainer. This is his engagement party, and Sabine will be our sister-in-law soon.” She smiled sweetly at Sabine.
“Well, well, well,” Axel said as he casually strolled out onto the balcony. “What have we here?” He stopped before Sabine, his eyes roaming up and down as he slowly took her in. “You almost look like you belong in Lynk.” He smirked.
Lottie rolled her eyes. “Yes, it’s amazing what a bit of cloth will do.”
Instead of responding to Axel, Sabine focused beyond him, trying to see inside the palace. Soft music floated out onto the balcony along with the voices of people talking and laughing mixed in with music. However, she couldn’t see the room or what she’d be walking into in a few minutes.
Lottie and Anton were talking with one another, ignoring Sabine.
Axel faced away from his siblings and then leaned toward her. “Be on guard tonight,” he whispered.
“From you or from the people inside?” She honestly couldn’t tell if he was flirting or warning her.
He chuckled. “Both.”
The music stopped.
“It’s time for us to go in,” Lottie said. “Except for you, Sabine. You are to wait until my brother announces you. Just make sure you don’t stand in front of the entrance. Wait over there, off to the side, so no one sees you until it’s time.”
It irked Sabine that these siblings were always rather informal with her, not bothering to use her proper title. Alina would have insisted they were doing it because they were trying to welcome her into the family. But Sabine didn’t think that was the case. She got the feeling they didn’t want to acknowledge her title or the fact that she would soon outrank them.
The twins and Lottie entered the room, leaving Sabine alone on the balcony. She meandered over to the side, close enough to hear Rainer’s voice as he spoke, but not too close where those inside could see her. The sun was setting in the distance, casting the sky in a brilliant orange.
A moment later, a soldier came through one of the entrances and waved her forward.
Holding her head high, she glided toward him and stepped through the archway. Rainer stood a few feet away, his hand outstretched to her. She hesitated a moment, almost unable to move at the sight before her.
The king looked stunning dressed in midnight blue pants that went straight down, quite different from the tailored ones people in Bakley wore. His tunic matched the color of his pants, and tonight, was buttoned closed concealing his muscled torso beneath. The crown atop his head complemented her crown, although it was larger to indicate his station. And his chiseled face held a pleasant smile, his eyes almost sparkling. He was the most handsome man she’d ever seen.
