Page 27 of Return of the Nutcracker Prince

“What kind of king sends a spy with a baby?”

“I’m not a spy!”The mouse shook her head, violently denying the accusation.Human language sounded incredibly squeaky coming from her, but Clara could understand her.

“Then what are you doing here?”

“Looking for food.”She looked down her long nose at the baby in her arms and drew her tattered dress back up over her chest.It was hardly more than a rag, dirty and patched.The baby mouse turned its head to look up at the interloper, his wide eyes taking everything in from where he was wrapped against his mother.

An ache formed in Clara’s chest, but she wasn’t sure what to do.How could she be sure the mouse wasn’t a spy?

“So you’re a thief then.”

The female mouse hung her head.“I have no choice,” she squeaked out.“The King called all the males to fight.My mate left for the war.There’s been no food for us.”

“Why would you come all this way if not to spy for your king?”

The mouse glared at her, then turned her head and spit.“He doesn’t care about us.I’d never help him.”

Wheels started turning in her head.“Is everyone back home hungry?”

Miss Mouse shrugged, cautiously eyeing her as she rose to her bare feet.“Most.”She shuffled, her hands wringing her tail.“I’m sorry.I’ll go now.”Her eyes flitted from Clara to the door.

“Promise me you won’t come back.”Most people of this land would probably shoot her on sight and ask questions later.There was no sense in orphaning an innocent child, mouse or no.

Miss Mouse nodded.“Promise.”

She dug into her pocket and held out the piece of bread she had left from lunch.“I’m sorry, it’s not much, but take this.”

Her companion squeaked as if she couldn’t contain it, then took the food and clutched it to her chest.Tears fell from her big black eyes, and she bowed deeply.

“T-thank you.”

“You’re welcome.Now let’s get you out of here.”

At her nod, Clara led Miss Mouse back to the door and checked for anyone who might see her.No one was outside, but she could hear Mage Gingerbread calling her name.

“Be safe!”she whispered to the mouse and ran towards her trainer’s voice.Time to go back to her lessons.

Even after she returned to the training grounds, she couldn’t get the image of the poor, terrified mouse out of her head.

She rounded the corner and nearly ran into Mother Gingerbread.“I’m so sorry, Head Mage.I was trying to find the kitchen so I could return my dishes.”

A pink-tinted pixie in the brown servant’s uniform bowed next to the mage.“Let me take them for you, Miss.”He slipped the dishes out of her hands and trotted back to the palace.

Mother Gingerbread nodded and resumed the lesson.

“Sometimes, you will need to infuse an object with your magic, instead of just hurling it as a missile.I will demonstrate with this spear.”

Clara tried to focus, but the injustice haunted her.The Mouse King’s people were starving while he waged war?He didn’t even care about his own subjects!All he wanted to do was spread darkness and misery, and to what end?Thiswas why Klaus had brought her in.Theymustdefeat the Mouse King once and for all.Something told her that very few would mourn him.

That afternoon, she trained with the other Casters before a servant brought word that there was to be a banquet that night.She returned to her rooms, where Trixie had run her a bath, then helped her choose an elaborate gown and did her hair up like the Sugar Plum Fairy kept hers.It showcased her ears and drew the eye to her neck.Trixie assured her the style was acceptable here, despite the scandal it would have caused back home.Thankfully, the gown was no less modest.This one was a rich sapphire blue silk trimmed in ivory lace.A bow of matching ribbon adorned the neckline with a snowflake broach.

“You look stunning, Miss Clara!”Trixie tittered, clearly pleased with herself.

“Thank you, Trixie.”

“Our prince is going to have his hands full.”

“What do you mean?”

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