CHAPTER 103 Without Nefarious Intent

Henrietta

"Your Grace, I have it on the best authority that Princess Henrietta Doryn of Nilheim is not under a curse, a spell, or the effects of a potion," Grand Duchess Calisto told Duke Wyldon tartly. "Now, refreshments have arrived, so I will ask you to take your seat."

Wyldon looked like he was going to argue, but facing Duchess Calisto's polite and firm smile, he deflated.

It was an interesting sight to see on the strict man.

I smiled at our hostess. "Thank you, Your Grace."

"And you, Princess, I will thank you to control your outbursts. It is unbecoming of a lady. Chloe has assured me that your courtship with the Dark Lord is above board and without nefarious intent." The duchess addressed the rest of the table, "Now that everyone has had a chance to introduce themselves, we can discuss the plans for tonight!"

I felt bad for the four of my fellows who hadn't had a chance to introduce themselves because of me. One glared my way, and I tried to apologize with my eyes. The woman huffed and stuck up her nose. She was a striking redhead with cherry-colored lips and a pale complexion. The other three just looked nervous.

The duchess instructed, "Now, each of you should have an escort tonight. If anything changes that, tell me immediately. Otherwise, you will gather in the main hall to enter the ballroom after the dinner bell, so make sure you have an early meal. If you are too nervous to eat anything, do not worry, as there will be simple fair later in the evening. You will all enter as you are announced and gather in the center of the floor to start the first dance."

"Your Grace." The red-haired woman who'd glared at me held out a closed fan to get her attention. "Could you honor us with advice on how to navigate your specific Spring Ball successfully? It seems some of us are lacking in proper etiquette training."

Duke Wyldon flinched beside me. He fiddled with his glasses, and I was reminded of Keith.

The grand duchess raised a single eyebrow. "Lady Cassandra Cress, I do not like your tone. Some here are not blessed to have parents, let alone etiquette lessons on how North Sumbria hosts a debut. At least one among us was only recently freed from a five-year sleep spell. This does not mean they are lacking, they are simply learning."

Lady Cassandra flicked open her fan to cover her embarrassed frown.

"Still, as you asked so kindly," the duchess continued, "I will share some useful tips."

There was an excited murmur around the table.

The duchess cleared her throat. "It is important to have an escort, but it never hurts to have a backup if yours is suddenly cursed or indisposed. Frog princes aren't usually a good catch as it is; they were usually cursed for a reason."

She picked up the glass on her table and tapped the side. A light ting sounded. "As a helpful tool, we use glade crystal for our glassware. If you remember the sound of your glass when you put it down, you will know if anyone has poisoned your glass when you return to it."

Duchess Calisto's lesson continued, covering the basics from how to hold a fan so that an admirer from Peldeep knew you were interested, to how long a fainting spell should last; it was ideal to count three hundred seconds, no more or less, before showing signs of waking up. She even did a review of the dances and their steps, using the opportunity to tell everyone that Minstrel Bronwynn herself would be singing accompaniment for the evening.

It was a very informative afternoon.

"Princess, please tilt your head back further. I'd like to add a bit more crushed seashell around your eyes." Lilith took a poofy brush and dabbed the outside of my eyes with glittering powder. I had no idea where everything for this evening had come from. I'd never purchased rouge in my life. Or seashell powder. Or eyeliner. Or sparkles.

Lilith even dusted sparkling powder over Keith's black construct button that I had hung on a silver chain about my neck.

I'd had a final dress fitting with Rinrin, so I shouldn't have been surprised when I looked at myself in the mirror. My soft brown features traditionally faded into the background, but it was hard to fade anywhere when every part of me sparkled.

My dress had short, tufted sleeves, a corset-style bodice, and skirts that came down to my calves. They were longer in the back. Even my black boots had silver threading. They were perfect to move around it, with just enough of a heel to support me while I was dancing and still functional for the expected fight.

It was impolite to wear weapons, but I couldn't resist bringing the silver boot needle that I'd purchased from Frolin. And I convinced Lilith to use the hair tie dangling lock picks to secure my hair under the intricate braided bun. They looked like any of the other decorative silver pins in my hair.

I was tempted for the umpteenth time to keep Jacqueline under my full skirt … But no. It was Grand Duchess Calisto's palace. She was infamous for her events and their safety. This was the most anticipated debut of the season, and coming in armed would have been the height of bad manners.

I left Jacqueline on my bed.

Keith was waiting for me, dressed in a matching purple-blue silk coat with silver thread embroidery. He wore pants, a vest and decorative jacket, and a long-sleeved shirt.

I felt underdressed next to him, with my delicate fabric and bare arms. I suddenly understood why Sumbrian women liked fichu.

"You look wonderful," I told Keith, who was busy staring at me.

"As do you." He offered his hand, and I took it.

I teased him when he checked to make sure that the storage ring was still on my pinkie finger. Then I checked that he was still wearing my +2 Constitution ring. We were as ready as we'd ever be.

Walking down the stairs, Keith said, "Ria?"

I squeezed his arm lightly so as not to break it. "Yes, Keith?"

We could hear the crowd below. In just one more bend, we'd be there. Keith slowed and leaned down to kiss me on the forehead. He took a deep breath through his nose before pulling back to say, "I love you. Please don't die tonight."

I laughed. "I should say the same to you. And please don't murder my parents at the Spring Ball? I am embarrassed to call them my relatives already, but causing a scene on top of that would be mortifying."

"… I'll try."