The sun is deliciously warm on my skin, and the winter-warded garden is in full bloom as I sit cross-legged on the grass, the riddle’s clue spread out in front of the two of us. Both Rylan and the healer insisted that I take a few days off after my incident with Selene, so I have been enjoying the free time. Alina lounges on the marble bench to my right, soaking up thesunshine with a lazy smile on her face, while Caelum stretches out on the grass next to me, leaning back on his elbows, looking entirely too smug for someone who’s clearly wrong.
Alina giggles, her eyes still closed. “You’re the duke of being wrong, is what you are.”
I can’t help but laugh as I look at her. “Exactly. He doesn’t get it. The answer is clearly the Midnight Duel, not the Festival of Shadows. ‘Where light meets darkness’? The Midnight Duel is where the two rivals—light and darkness, symbolised by the moon and sun—fought until dawn, when the first light broke through. Not some stupid festival.”
Caelum narrows his eyes at me, but there’s a playful grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. “And why should I trust a poor peasant girl’s interpretation of ancient riddles? I am nobility, after all.”
I roll my eyes. “Because this poor but clever peasant girl is right. Being a duke doesn’t make you less wrong. Just more pompous.”
“Besides,” Alina adds, turning her head slightly toward Caelum, “the Midnight Duel is much more romantic than some old festival.”
Caelum sighs dramatically. “Two against one. I see how it is. And the Festival of Shadows isn’t stupid. You’re just jealous because you didn’t think of it.”
Before I can gloat any further, light laughter drifts through the garden. I glance up to see Queen Annalyne strolling past with her ladies-in-waiting, her smile warm as she catches the end of our conversation.
“Caelum, my dear,” the queen says, her voice light and teasing, “you really should listen to the ‘peasant’ girl. She may very well be our future Aquilith, after all. And I do think her interpretation is the correct one this time.”
Caelum scrambles to his feet to give his aunt a peck on hercheek before pulling back to give her a playful bow, grinning wide. “Yes, Your Majesty. Clearly, I’ve been outmatched.”
“Quite the clever thinker you are, Eirabella. I shall have to find some more riddles with which to stump you. Mustn’t let that sharp mind ever go to waste, my dear,” she says to me, and I can only smile shyly in return. I still haven’t gotten used to running into the king and queen at any time during the day.
Caelum flops back to the grass. “Fine, Aunt Annie. But remember to give them to me first so I can have a head start. I’m your favourite and most handsome nephew, remember.”
The queen gently chuckles as she continues on her way, and my eyes briefly lock with Julietta, who’s walking among the ladies-in-waiting. Her sharp glare is unmistakable, and the waves of jealousy radiating from her are practically visible to the naked eye. But before I can react, Alina speaks up again, her voice as breezy as ever.
“Careful, Julietta,” she calls out without even opening her eyes. “Green isn’t your colour.”
A snort of laughter escapes me, and Caelum grins, but Julietta only stiffens, turning sharply as she returns to the group following the queen.
“You really know how to make friends, don’t you?” Caelum says, nudging me.
I shrug, still grinning. “She started it. I’m a delight; can’t imagine why she has a problem with me.”
Caelum and Alina share a quick look that I ignore as I lie back on the grass, basking in the warmth and the gentle teasing from my new friends. I can’t help but feel a sense of peace. A tiny moment of belonging in a world that confounds and confuses to no end.
Dear Janus,
I have been here almost a month with no word from you. I admit I am becoming rather worried. Please get word to me soon.
As for me, since I may not be able to see you as soon as I was hoping, here are some tidbits to keep you amused until I do.
The King’s Guards are, believe it or not, capable of speaking more than a word at a time. I was as surprised to find that out as you are, no doubt.
Also, apparently I am somewhat… a magical anomaly. No doubt you remember the ice shield I conjured during the village fire. It was not, as I had feared, a one-off. In fact, it is only one of many things I can do now. I can’t wait to show you.
I miss you. So much. I hope you’ve learned to boil a potato at least, and that you and Kahlia are staying fed. I long for the days when we can share a cup of tea again.
Janus - Do you wonder where we’d be if you’d said what you were going to say to me on that morning before I left?
Xx,
E
When I returnto my room after dropping Janus’s letter off with the castle’s messenger, the door is open. I’m wary about going inside, but then I see two servants carrying a chest between them. I step into my room, my gaze narrowing as I see more servants handling my belongings, packing them up without somuch as a word to me.
"What is going on here?" I snap, but the servants continue as if nothing is amiss. I step forward, putting myself in front of one of them, blocking their path.
"Oh, hello, Eirabella,” Brienne says, rushing in from the chamber room.
