CHAPTER 100 It Pleases Me That You’re Not Dead, Monfort

Keith

Keith rubbed Jacqueline's hilt as he watched Henrietta leave with someone else. He had to admit that as much as a sword got in the way, it was comforting to carry around.

Especially a sword that specialized in killing him.

He wandered the castle aimlessly, and eventually found his way outside to a courtyard with benches and a fountain.

He wasn't alone.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Keith nodded at a young woman reading a slip of paper on a bench at the fountain. She looked up, shocked, and then grinned at him playfully.

"Monfort. What brings you to the garden? I thought you'd bury yourself in the library while you waited." Rowen waved the paper in their hands and said, "But perfect timing. I'm sure you've been distracted with the princess all morning, and probably didn't get the news?"

Keith quirked an eyebrow but didn't disagree. He had no idea what the fox was talking about. "What is it?"

Rowen handed over the page, and in neat scrawl, it read:

A surprise Cast today, with interesting news!

I have been fortunate enough to change the future a few times. As such, many of my predictions are out of date before I have the chance to give them.

I hope this is one of them, and it is no longer valid … but just in case, I'll let you all know anyway!

At the stroke of midnight, please don't stand beside the green oak tapestry. And if you like your green oak tapestry, maybe move it?

In other news! I have it on the best authority that Chancellor Fernley in Peldeep is smuggling a group of blue pandas and should be stopped. Those bundles of fluff can be found under Gorge Turpin Bridge.

Finally, if your assassin never made it home last night, you can start your searching at the guild in Peldeep or Servalt. Maybe next time don't attack an Enchanted Forest that can kill you all by itself?

This is Madame Potts, signing out.

I read the paper at a glance and handed it back to Their Highness.

"The pandas?"

Rowen scoffed. "They were rounded up within the hour, of course. We take Madame Potts very seriously ever since she saved my life last year at the Festival of Lights."

"I can imagine." Keith felt a bit guilty, having never much listened to Potts until Henrietta had showed up. It didn't seem important unless it was directly about the Dark Enchanted Forest. Plus, he didn't really trust foretellers. "What is the point in showing me this?"

"There's a green oak tapestry in the Grand Hall. Where we're going to have the Spring Ball tonight." Rowen rolled up the page and ate it, their mouth opening into a giant toothy maw and closing again as if nothing happened.

"Is it still there?" Keith chuckled. He could only imagine how busy the palace already was without having to relocate a wall tapestry.

Their Highness's smile turned vicious. "You think this is funny, but you didn't almost bath in molten ash vane magicked to look like regular bath water. I would have died a very painful and permanent death if Bastian hadn't burst into the Forbidden Palace after hearing the Cast. Smart boy."

The Forbidden Palace was home to the Peldeep ruler and their consort. It was separated from the main Emerald Palace, and it was punishable by permadeath to intrude on the grounds. Keith's estimation of Bastian went up considerably.

Keith countered, "I assure you I take it most seriously. If you recall, Henrietta was actually supposed to slaughter my entire army and then kill me in my own inner sanctum."

Rowen was silent for a moment. The fact that without Madame Potts neither of them would be here today left a deep impression on the pair.

"It pleases me that you're not dead, Monfort."

"The feeling is mutual, Your Majesty."

Keith decided that was enough pleasantries and asked, "Can I expect you for Chloe and Julia's wedding?"

Anyone who had arrived by today had received their invite to the wedding with their lunch. Keith and Henrietta had gotten theirs in person. Chloe had popped by at breakfast to personally hand them over.

"The Peldeep royal family will attend in some capacity or another. That's who the letter is addressed to, anyway," Rowen answered. "Inconsiderate. It's like they don't want me to come. Now, when have I ever caused mischief at a wedding?"

Keith opened his mouth to say he was there when Their Highness had pretended to be the bride or groom at no less than three such affairs, but he thought better of it.

Rowen sighed. "All these young faces; I'm getting too old for this. Maybe it's time to abdicate."

"I can't imagine. What would you do with all that free time?" Keith ran his hand over Jacqueline. No response, so he fiddled with the ties.

"Sleep?" Rowen shrugged. Suddenly, their guise melted away, and an older-looking man with long red hair and a moustache stood up from the bench. He wore pants and a vest with pink accents. "Travel? Play with my grandchildren?"

Keith offered, "You could come to my wedding when it happens. I'll officially invite you, Their Royal Highness Rowen of Peldeep. Ruler to Ruler. No ‘Royal Family of Peldeep' nonsense."

"Then I'll attend." Rowen reached out and put a hand on Keith's shoulder. "Congratulations."

"Don't congratulate me just yet. I still have to ask the princess."

Their Royal Highness looked taken aback, then they threw their head back and roared with laughter.

"I turned her down already, so we'll see if she forgives me." Keith smiled, content in the knowledge that Henrietta would say yes. Probably.

Rowen was still chuckling as they patted Keith's shoulder a second time. "I knew there was a reason I liked you, Monfort."

"I thought it was because I can see through your disguises?"

"Not just that." They shook their head and let go, crossing their arms in front of their chest. "Though now that you mention it, I still don't know how you do that!"

Keith sniffed. "I'm just an excellent judge of character."

Their Royal Highness eyed the Dark Lord. "It's not a skill? Or a perk? You'd tell me if there was a perk that could bypass my illusions?"

"There are perks that can bypass your illusions. And skills and spells. But I didn't use them. I just happen—" Keith stopped as the ruler of Peldeep whipped his head in the direction of the tea party and frowned. "Oh, that's not good."

Keith felt a thrumming at his side.