41

"Of course," you say nonchalantly. "I'll avoid your cousin."

Letha examines you closely—she knows your usual disdain for the truth—but you're practiced at this sort of thing, and she can't see anything amiss in your face. Her shoulders relax.

Princess Despina lets out a breath. "Thank you for understanding," she says. "I imagine you'll want to return home after your ordeal last night, but please be back here tomorrow morning to meet the carriage."

You're not sure if you'll be able to find a way to conceal from the princess that you're not using her royal carriage, but an alliance with Prince Evander is worth the risk.

Next

You find yourself shortly in the drab hallway again. Just as it occurs to you that you're not certain you remember your way back through the palace, a door opens and one of Princess Despina's guards steps forward to guide you out of her private wing. He's quiet as you descend the stone staircase. There's a window nearby when you exit the stairwell, and he immediately turns to look out. Checking for more ill omens in the sky, you realize.

"Jun," he says as you turn to make your way to the great hall. "You're…going to stop this, aren't you? Like before? You'll save us again."