Chapter Twenty-Four

My morning is spent tending to Leisel—who, surprisingly, was kept occupied just fine by Greta in my absence. I’m starting to realize that Greta’s accustomed to playing nanny to any children in the palace, and Leisel seems to like her. While I’m hesitant to trust anyone other than myself with my sister, I understand that I can’t supervise Leisel around the clock and get work done, so I need to somehow ensure Greta’s loyalty lies with me. If I can trust that she’s my ally above Camden’s—quite the difficult undertaking considering the difference in our very species—I can breathe easy leaving Leisel with her.

In Aesara, Mariketa and Parker were my go-to for when I needed to leave Leisel somewhere for a few hours while running errands. In Kinrith, I have no one, and that’ll quickly become problematic.

So, I decide to take the familial approach—try to bring Greta into the fold, so to speak. I ask if she wouldn’t mind joining me for tea in my room while Leisel does her morning lessons, and she hesitantly agrees, muttering about breaking etiquette.

In one of the corners of my bedroom, a servant brings in a rolling teacart upon my request—I pay attention as Greta undertakes an elaborate ritual of picking out a selection of tea leaves from the offered dish, enclosing them in an oval porous metal device, and pouring hot water over it into a beautifully painted, rose-patterned teacup. I follow her motions in making myself a cup, much less gracefully than her, but functionally nonetheless.

“I assume there’s a reason you extended an invitation to join you, Your Majesty,” Greta murmurs, taking a sip from her steaming cup. “How may I be of service?”

Her posture is stiff, shoulders tense, neck corded, hands tightly folded over her lap, and her eyes are narrowed in speculation. She may have taken a liking to Leisel, but Greta is quite obviously not yet sure of me. If I seek to recruit her to my team, I need to solidify my intentions in her eyes. She may view me as an ignorant human for all I know; I need her to view me as an aspiring hardworking queen—which I fully intend to be.

I offer her a shy smile. “If you’ll forgive my boldness, Greta, in the last days I’ve found myself utterly lost in the ways of the palace—I feel as though my head’s spinning from the drastic changes in both scenery and custom. One thing I have managed to observe is that you seem to be very seasoned and versed in palace life and are something of an expert in guiding young royals. While I am by no means a child in need of round-the-clock care, I know very little of royal etiquette as I never received appropriate education, and you strike me as the best person to ask for a few pointers on how to conduct myself properly.”

I see Greta soften slightly at my words, relaxing in her seat and taking another sip of her tea. “Well, I can imagine such abrupt changes would be difficult for anyone—young or old—to get accustomed to. That you can recognize your difficulties and ask for aid is a credit to you. I will not lie to you, Your Majesty, there is much you need to learn, but in the short time I’ve had to observe you…you do have an innate grace with which you walk, speak, and generally act that I think will serve you well. If it would please you, I’d like to offer thrice-weekly lessons where we may go over some finer points of royal etiquette. It would also serve the young Princess well for you to learn, as she looks to you for many of her own mannerisms.”

I cast a glance towards Leisel’s room, glimpsing her hunched over the study table that’s been brought in for her with a notebook and textbook open side by side in front of her. She scribbles away furiously at the notebook, her face a mask of concentration.

Looking back to Greta, I decide a touch of vulnerability might endear her to me further.

“I’ve raised her since she was born,” I say nostalgically. “Until now, we’ve only ever had each other. Life has taught me to be jaded and untrusting; these days, I often find myself fearing how that reflects on Leisel. I’ve done everything in my power to give her a proper childhood filled with happiness and laughter—now, living in a foreign palace within a confusing culture, I don’t know how to keep her from growing up before it’s time. Already, she’s wise beyond her years.”

“Indeed,” Greta agrees, nodding. “With a keen appreciation for learning. I’ve raised half a dozen royal children in my time, and never have I encountered a mind quite so inquisitive.”

I smile warmly. “She’s remarkable, isn’t she? Her thirst for knowledge alone is singular.”

Greta gives me a curious look. “It is. Rumors have circulated that both new additions to the royal family are singular. I don’t wish to overstep, Your Majesty, but if you’d allow me…”

“Please, speak freely, Greta. It is my hope we will become friends.”

She smiles ever so slightly, nodding again. “It’s been said that your mother died while giving birth to the young Princess, your father having died not long before that.”

“Both true,” I confirm sagely.

Greta bringing this up reminds me quite clearly that we’re innately on opposite sides of a blood feud, and I have to take a moment to compose myself and remind myself that I need to let go of my grudge against all shifters if I have a hope of surviving here. I don’t see anything wrong with hating some of them, especially when they’re assholes, but Greta isn’t being cruel or controlling or anything but helpful. From what I’ve seen so far, she’s great with Leisel, which gives me hope.

“You were left to care for a farm and an infant at the age of fourteen?” Greta asks, disbelieving.

I merely nod in affirmation, not caring to delve into the unpleasant memories.

“All on your own?” she presses, looking increasingly surprised. “I thought the rumors were exaggerated in your favor.”

I shake my head with a sardonic smile. “No, the rumors haven’t been exaggerated. I had a few friends in Aesara, but on the farm, it was just Leisel and me. I always made do.”

There’s a weighted pause in which Greta seems to be searching for the right words. To pass the time, she carefully refolds the napkin on her lap and adjusts the teaspoon beside her cup. “How?” she finally asks. “How did you manage it when you were still, by all intents and purposes, a child yourself?”

I lift one shoulder, finally taking a sip of my richly steeped tea. “Honestly? I didn’t have another choice. There was no option but to figure out a way to keep the farm running and take care of Leisel. I couldn’t fail her or leave her on her own, so I did what I had to for her. If it wasn’t for her, I can say quite confidently I wouldn’t be sitting here today.”

Greta gives me a prolonged once over, her sharp eyes seeming to crawl over every inch of me as though she’s trying to see into my very soul. When she finally meets my eyes, she holds my gaze for several long moments before speaking. “Well, I am very glad that you are sitting here today, Your Majesty. And if you’d forgive my forwardness, you’ve done a terrific job with Leisel. I’m honored to serve you both.”

I feel the shift in her demeanor, feel the beginnings of fondness for me begin to take seed within Greta. I even sense the slightest shift in her loyalty; not as though she’s turning her back on Camden, but more so that she now feels loyal to me as well. Although it’s not my end goal, it’s a start.

Score one for the witches.