Chapter 49

My face blazed a bright red, my eyes wide and terrified. I was ready to crawl under a rock; I was so embarrassed. Curtis, bless him, stepped in front of me, shielding me from the scorching look I was being given from Cynthia. “May we help you?” Curtis asked casually.

“What were you doing?” Hubert’s monotone voice asked accusatorily.

“Kissing my girl,” Curtis replied with a shrug. “What did it look like?”

Several titters came up from the crowd, still blocked from my view by Curtis. I heard Comfort’s confident laugh, Mother’s gentle chuckle.

“That is highly inappropriate behavior for a prince,” Hubert declared solemnly.

“Would you prefer I kiss a boy?” asked Curtis, and the crowd laughed harder.

“I would hardly call that inappropriate,” said King Edmont.

“And besides Hube, if you ever tried kissing a girl,” Curtis said in a stage whisper, “You may find out that you like it!”

Several gasps came from the courtiers. Comfort laughed again.

“My fiancé just knows the dignified public image a crown prince needs to uphold!” Cynthia’s crisp voice cut in. I could see enough of Hubert from behind Curtis to see his head bobbing up and down in agreement.

“Yes, Yes! Thank you!” Hubert cleared his throat dryly. “I have come to formally introduce you to my fiancée, and your future queen, Lady Cynthia Eleanora,” Hubert intoned. Cynthia swept into a beautiful curtsy. I recognized her utilizing several curtsying tips that Mother and Comfort regularly taught their students. She must have been paying attention when she was dusting. By now I had composed myself, still mostly hidden by Curtis, and waited to be introduced.

“Pleased to meet you,” Curtis said politely, stooping to kiss Cynthia’s hand. “I have heard so much about you.”

“From whom?” asked the queen sharply. “We have only met this young woman tonight.”

“Why, she is the stepsister of my fiancée, Lady Truly, one of our former Council linguists. You remember her, don’t you?” I stepped out into the dim light cast from the castle windows, and curtsied to the king and queen, blushing scarlet that Curtis had referred to me as his fiancée.

“My dear!” cried King Edmont. He obviously remembered me. He came forward, brushing past Cynthia, and clasped both of my hands in his own. “How could I forget? It is marvelous to see you again! Curtis talked about you so often. And after your father passed, I wanted to express my condolences, but alas, you were still recovering yourself from that fateful day.” He clucked his tongue sympathetically, “but it brings me immense joy to see you alive and well.”

His eyes twinkled in Curtis’ direction. “Although, maybe not quite as much joy as my son feels.”

I blushed even deeper. “Thank you, Your Majesty,” I said, dropping another quick curtsy. Up close, I could see where Curtis got his curls from. Usually, the king’s wild hair was hidden, but tonight I could see it peeking through under the heavy gold crown perched atop his head.

Now the queen was holding both of my hands in her own, saying that she had always liked me, that Curtis had been simply devastated after I left, and how she was so glad I had returned. She then said that her sons must have a particular interest in my family, and saying how pleased she was the Curtis has reclaimed his love at last. My blush was now positively fiery, and even Curtis stammered and spluttered.

I could feel Cynthia’s angry stare even as I determinedly refused to look in her direction. What was her problem? She should just leave with Hubert and get to know him better. Strike that, if she got to know him better, she may break the engagement! Hubert had formally kissed Cynthia’s hand in farewell and headed back up to the castle.

Finally, Mother gently reminded me that we needed to get home. Eager for an excuse to depart, I politely bade goodbye to the king and queen, and Curtis pulled me in for a hug, saying “I will see you again tomorrow. Don’t ever disappear on me again, okay?”

“Okay,” I agreed.

Mother and Comfort started back toward our carriage, but I hung back, waiting for Cynthia. “Cynthia? Do you want to share our coach?” I asked.

“No,” she said flatly. She was watching Hubert as he marched back to the castle. The enormous castle clock began to dong, signaling midnight.

“We don’t mind if you come with us,” I told her. “You could tell us about—”

But Cynthia cut me off, suddenly shrieking now that Hubert and his parents was out of earshot. “Just leave me alone! Why is that so hard for you to understand? Just leave me alone, Ugly!” She started as if to slap me, but stumbled, her ankle twisting from her slightly too big right shoe.

“These wretched glass shoes!” she screamed, and bent down to remove one, and flung it in my direction. Curtis stepped protectively between me and my stepsister as the shoe bounced off his chest and tinkled to the ground.

“I think you had better leave,” Curtis told her firmly.

Cynthia turned and flounced back toward the sweeping front drive, her gait wobbly as she would step on one high-heeled foot than the other shoeless foot. Curtis watched her go, his mouth agape.

“So that is your stepsister,” he said. “Charming girl.”

I stooped to pick up her fallen glass slipper. I handed it to Curtis. “Here. You can give this to your brother. He can rush it back to his blushing bride.”

“Poor fellow. I wouldn’t wish her on anyone.”

“She really isn’t so bad most of the time. That little tantrum was probably just because of nerves.” I was baffled by Cynthia’s rage—she had just gotten engaged to the Crown Prince of Islandria! She was set to become the next queen and would never have to wash or clean or scrub again. Wasn’t this supposed to be a happy time for her?

“Well, I will see you soon,” Curtis said, squeezing my hand in farewell.

I started back toward where Comfort and Mother were waiting beside our carriage. I couldn’t wait to tell them everything.