Page 93 of The Queen's Crown
Could the Avoni delegation be trusted or not? She resumed pacing. Were they friends or foes? Yesterday when she’d spoken to her lady friends in the courtyard, they’d wondered if the masquerade was a distraction so the king could have the Avoni ship searched. If Rainer was doing something so extreme, he had to have reason to suspect the Avoni delegation of treachery.
If they were harboring something terrible, the best place to hide it would be in the palace. The king couldn’t have their rooms searched without causing a major incident. But she could accidentally stumble into the Avoni delegation’s rooms and look around them herself. Everyone would be at the masquerade, and no one would suspect her of doing something like that. If she was caught, she could claim ignorance and say she simply wanted to speak to the red-haired man.
By the time the night was over, she’d have her answer regarding Avoni. As to whether Rainer or Sabine would be the one to discover it, she didn’t know. But either way, this cat and mouse game was going to end.
Claire entered Sabine’s bedchamber carrying something wrapped in a blanket along with a box.
As soon as Sabine saw the items, excitement filled her. “Is that my outfit for this evening?” Despite the huge task ahead of her tonight, dressing up and attending the ball would be fun.
“It is.” Claire placed everything on the bed. “The seamstress didn’t even let me sneak a peek. I’m curious to see what you chose.”
“Let’s hope it turned out half as good as I imagined.” She removed her clothes and then slipped the outfit on. Turning slowly before the full-length mirror, she couldn’t help but marvel at how it had turned out. “I love it.”
“It is rather striking. No one will have anything like it in the palace, I’m sure.”
Sabine didn’t know if that was a jab aimed at her or not, but she didn’t care. Granted, the outfit wasn’t in the traditional Lynk style. However, since it was a masquerade, she thought it highly appropriate. The dress was form-fitting on top while loose and flowing on the bottom. The skirt and sleeves were made from a sheer fabric—the sleeves see-through while the skirt had layer upon layer of pale pink and a soft blue material. The bodice was etched with gold, and to top it off, the shoulders had butterfly wings attached to them. It went perfectly with her mask which covered the portion of her face near her eyes; each side a butterfly wing encrusted with jewels. She twirled, watching the layers of the skirt float with the movement.
“Am I to arrive with the king?” she asked. She hadn’t seen him all day and had no idea what he’d been up to. Probably planning his clandestine trip to the Avoni ship this evening.
“Yes. He’s waiting for you in his room. You are to join him once you’re ready.”
Taking one last look in the mirror, she smiled, ready to get on with the evening.
After kissing Harta’s snout, she went over to the door connecting her room to the king’s and knocked.
It opened a moment later, and Gunther ushered her inside. “You can wait here for the king. I’ll let him know you’re ready.” He bowed then left.
Watching his retreating form, Sabine realized she needed to try harder to get the steward to trust her a bit more. It seemed he still kept her at arm’s length and his unfaltering loyalty was clearly to the king.
Meandering over to the sitting room, she decided to remain standing so she wouldn’t mess up her dress.
The king joined her a moment later. “I did not expect so delicate a partner this evening,” he said by way of greeting.
“And I did not expect you to be so majestic tonight.” The golden mask the king wore looked as if it had been molded to his face. Perhaps it was. On each side, large antlers stuck out. “Are you a deer?”
“Elk,” he said with a grin. “I find it difficult to move my head.”
She would imagine so. “Is the entire mask made of gold?” It had to weigh a lot.
“It is. I’m not sure how long I’ll keep it on.” He wore brown pants and a long-sleeved brown tunic that was buttoned closed. The mask covered his face from his nose up, hiding his eyes.
If she hadn’t heard Rainer’s voice, she wouldn’t know it was the king standing before her. Maybe that was the point. If two men wore the exact same outfit, or switched outfits, no one would know.
“Is everything all right?” he asked.
She nodded. What she found disconcerting was not seeing his eyes. With the mask on, the part of Rainer that she found appealing had been stripped away. It was easier to keep her wits about her and not be sucked into the essence of him.
“Let’s be on our way,” the king said, holding out his hand for her to take.
Sabine slid her hand into his, and they exited the king’s chambers. Their guards surrounded them and then they headed through the palace.
“I assume we’re going to the ballroom?” she asked, wanting to make polite conversation. Since their marriage, they’d barely spent any time together.
“No. Tonight, we are in the throne room. I thought it would be better since it’s more open and would help set the mood.”
That surprised her. “And what mood is that?” She wondered why she hadn’t been consulted when planning the masquerade. Her mother usually planned events like this back home. It was surprising Rainer had bothered to make these sorts of decisions. Unless, as she suspected, there was more going on tonight than he wanted her to know.
He leaned in and whispered, “Seductive.” Then he straightened and said in a regular voice, “Too bad your outfit isn’t more appropriate for the evening.”
