Page 18 of Pretense

Miss Merrick flipped the omelet one last time before she placed it on a clean plate. She held it out to Farrendel. “Your breakfast, Your Highness.”

Farrendel took the plate, his stomach twisting so much that he was not sure how much he would manage to eat. He did not particularly enjoy omelets, even if he had learned to like most Escarlish breakfast foods. But omelets involved mixing meat, cheese, veggies, and eggs, and there was just something about foods mixing that made him anxious.

He did not like to admit that, though. People found it strange.

After sitting at the table, Farrendel forced himself to eat as much of his breakfast as he could stomach.

As he finished, Captain Eugene Merrick, the head of Farrendel’s guards and Miss Merrick’s older brother, strode into the kitchen. Today he wore his Escarlish uniform, complete with a pistol at his hip. His brown hair was neat, his blue eyes sharp.

Captain Merrick gave a respectful nod in Farrendel’s direction. “I was informed that you intend to go into Aldon without your disguise.”

Farrendel swallowed one last bite of egg, nearly gagging on it, before he pushed his plate aside. “Yes.”

How would the Escarlish people react to seeing him and Iyrinder strolling through the streets with their long hair and pointed ears visible for all to see? Would they throw stones? Would someone try to shoot at them as they had the first time Farrendel and Essie rode through the streets of Aldon?

He touched the straps of his swords. They bunched his shirt and vest a bit, the Escarlish cut of the clothing not designed to be worn underneath swords like this. Farrendel would simply have to be ready for whatever might happen.

“I was also told that we need to be back by noon.” Captain Merrick gestured in the direction of Winstead Palace. “There is a newspaper reporter coming this afternoon.”

Captain Merrick did not ask what it was about. Farrendel probably should tell him what was going on, before he heard it from someone else. Though, Captain Merrick might already know most of it. He had spent a great deal of time in Tarenhiel over the past few months and had even begun to learn passable elvish. It was likely he had picked up on a few of Farrendel’s secrets.

Farrendel sighed and pushed away from the table. He had hoped Edmund would not be able to schedule that interview right away. Though, it might be better to get it over with as soon as possible.

Almost too soon, Farrendel, Captain Merrick, Iyrinder, and an assortment of human and elven guards strode the main street of Aldon headed in the direction of Lance’s workshop. Most people they passed simply stopped and stared. A few even waved in greeting. It was a better reaction than what Farrendel had expected, and he managed a tentative smile back in a few cases.

There was still some grumbling, but nothing of the angry shouting there had been on that first trip to Escarland. In the nearly nine months since then, the war with Kostaria had brought Escarland and Tarenhiel together. Maybe someday, it would no longer be an odd thing to see elves strolling the streets of Aldon.

That was the kind of thing Essie would dream about, and Farrendel was beginning to catch glimpses of that vision as well.

Would this growing peace between elves and humans survive the shock of his illegitimacy? How angry would the Escarlish people become when they learned their favorite princess had been matched with such a flawed elven prince?

As they passed the intersection with one of the main shopping districts of Aldon, Farrendel halted, glancing up the street to the bustle of men in trousers and coats and women in long dresses and hats covering their hair.

“Your Highness?” Captain Merrick had stopped as well, and he turned to glance back at Farrendel. “Is there a problem?”

Farrendel shook his head, then gestured toward the street of shops. He could not believe he was about to suggest this, especially while his swords, long hair, and pointed ears were on full display despite his otherwise Escarlish dress. “I would like to find a present for my wife. Something for our anniversary.”

Their anniversary was not for another three weeks, but Farrendel had a feeling that their schedule would be too busy, and he would be too anxious, to think of this later. Besides, if he wanted something custom, then three weeks was already cutting it close.

Captain Merrick nodded. “Do you wish to proceed to the Aldon Market, then?”

That was the place where Farrendel felt most comfortable here in Aldon, besides Lance’s workshop. The market, while noisy and closed in, was self-contained and familiar.

Farrendel forced himself to shake his head again. “No. I wish to visit the larger shops on the main streets.”

His stomach twisted, but he could handle this. The streets were not that busy yet. And this was just the sort of thing Averett had been talking about. Surely it would look good for the public to see him visiting the shops in the center of Aldon to purchase a gift for Essie.

It was strange, to be politically minded enough to use his anniversary gift for Essie to bolster public opinion. But stranger still, Essie—princess that she was—would find such a gift even more sweet.

Besides, Lance would not notice if Farrendel arrived first thing in the morning or did not show up for a few hours. Farrendel had plenty of time to wander Aldon before heading to Lance’s workshop.

Captain Merrick led the way in the new direction. Iyrinder and the other guards fell into place around Farrendel, their eyes searching the crowds, the buildings, the rooftops for potential threats.

As they walked, Captain Merrick nodded toward the shops around them. “Is there something in particular you are looking for?”

“Something small.” He and Essie had gone a little extravagant for their birthdays recently. They had agreed to keep their anniversary small. “Do you have any suggestions?”

Captain Merrick’s eyebrows shot up, and he shared a look with Iyrinder.

---