“No, Princess, this isn’t connected to the military. This is something that I’ve been working on my own.”
The men around them snickered, and Maya clenched her jaw. She knew what was coming next—
“Oh, you know Lady von Rakhmonov, always tinkering with something,” Count Putyatin said snidely. “The Baron’s heir has spent hundreds of gold pieces on his sister’shobby,” he sniffed. His disapproving glare told Maya exactly what he thought of women in the workshop.
“Yes, well, the lady’stinkeringwith the army’s armaments are what have secured our victories on the eastern front,” Lord Menshikov said repressively, and the Count blinked in surprise, before his face moved back into a sneer.
“Oh, as ifshehad anything to do with it, everyone knows she has no magic—”
“Really?” The Crown Princess cut in. “It wasmyunderstanding that Lady von Rakhmonov’s contributions to the war efforts have been invaluable.”
The men fell silent as Princess Annika turned to face them. When she received no reply, she raised an eyebrow.
“Are you calling your Crown Princess a liar, Count?”
Count Putyatin blanched. “No, no, of course not, Your Highness, I would never—”
“Or do you doubt my judgement of the lady’s inventions?”
“Your Highness, of course I meant no disrespect—”
“Yes,” the Crown Princess cut him off. “Please, leave us,” she said, turning away from him dismissively. The Count and the Baron slunk away, falling to the rear of their little group, near the soldiers accompanying the Crown Princess on her hunt. Inside, Maya crowed at the browbeaten look on the Count’s face. Served the old bugger right.
Lord Menshikov gave them both a quick bow and retreated as well.
“Now that we are alone,” Crown Princess Annika looked at Maya, “tell me more about your invention.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I have designed a magical object that can help two people communicate over long distances. A communication device, if you will. It has military uses, of course, it will help army command pass on information from the frontlines and back, almost instantaneously.” She paused. “But the main advantage of the device will be the ability for your subjects to have information at their fingertips, without having to wait for messenger hawks, or sailors or traders to bring us news—it would help the Kingdom grow tenfold.”
“Indeed?” The Crown Princess raised an eyebrow. “And how much would it cost the Crown to fund these devices?” She smiled at Maya’s thunderstruck look. “That is why you are here, are you not?”
Maya blinked. She hadn’t thought she’d ever get this far, and now, she was caught out. Embarrassed, she shook her head. “Forgive me, Your Highness, I do not have the—theexactfigures for that. It all depends on how easily we can mine the crystals, which is the most difficult part of the whole enterprise, as I’m sure you’re aware. And because I want to mass-produce this device, I am still perfecting my invention—”
“I see. Why did you approach me then, if you didn’t have everything in place?” Crown Annika frowned, and Maya’s heart quailed. She fought to keep her expression even.
“I need independent funding, Your Highness.” Maya shrugged. “It is as the Count has said. My father is reluctant to spend any more on my inventions.” At least, not withoutconditionsthat Maya found intolerable.
“So, you require aroyalpatron?” Crown Princess Annika’s eyes were sharp, and Maya nodded, hoping she hadn’t muddled her best chance. “And all the protection it implies, I’m sure.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“And what of your marriage?”
Maya frowned. “Forgive me, Your Highness. What marriage?”
Now, it was the Crown Princess’s turn to frown. “The marriage your father plans to arrange for you with Duke Aminov’s second son.” She raised an eyebrow. “Surely you were aware of it? He requested my royal father’s permission for the match.”
Maya’s mind whirled, her breath coming short. Married? To Viktor Aminov, a man who had looked down on her all during their time at the Academy together?
Oh, she knew why her father had chosen him for her arranged marriage. Viktor was the heir to a duchy, and well known for his domineering personality. No doubt her father thought Viktor would be able totameher.
With difficulty, Maya swallowed down the rush of hot, angry tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. She couldn’t look like an emotional, weeping female in front of the Crown Princess.
“I can see by your silence that the idea of matrimony is not a welcome one,” Crown Princess Annika said dryly. She sighed lightly. “As it turns out, I share your sentiment.” She shrugged. “And I am willing to use my power to help you.”
Maya turned to Princess Annika, eyes wide. “Your Highness?”
“My royal fathercanbe convinced to withdraw his agreement to this match—ifyou agree to help me in return.”
