Heartbreaks Haha

I stand in the middle of the ballroom and turn in a slow circle. "We'll need potted flowers. I want the entire ballroom lined with them. They'll form pathways just like a flower garden."

Epaphras, Kassian's appointment keeper, is less than thrilled to be in my employ for the day. (Apparently I got on his bad side when I ignored him and barged into Kassian's meeting.) But Kallias insisted he could keep his meetings straight for one day so I could have the best of his schedulers taking notes for me. My ball is to have the utmost priority.

At first, I thought it strange he would insist when an attempt was just made on his life. But then I realize he doesn't want that attention on himself. He doesn't want his people to think he's in danger, that there's any threat at all to him. He wants things to appear normal.

"Why bother with pots?" Epaphras asks sarcastically.

"Why don't we just dump dirt right onto the ballroom floor?"

"I think it's brilliant!" Hanisa says. "Jewels of the Queen's Garden is a wonderful theme! The ballroom will look splendid once you're done with it."

"All the ladies can dress to look like different blossoms," Risana adds. "Oh, we better commission our seamstresses quickly before they're all booked!"

"You're at an advantage," I assure them, "since I have yet to send out invitations. Epaphras! I will need stationery and penmanship samples, of course. The invitations must go out by this weekend."

"Naturally," Epaphras bites out.

"Best inform Kassian I am in far greater need of your services than he is. I shall need you for at least the next week, I should think."

The scribe goes pale, and I share a secret smile with Risana.

"Kaelan," RIsana says to the shadow behind her. "Do contact my seamstress and set up an appointment. Make sure she knows it's urgent."

"Of course, my lady."

Epaphras stomps off, muttering something about his skills being wasted, as he exits the ballroom.

As soon as he's gone, Hanisa fairly leaps upon me. "At last we're alone! Now tell me quickly, is it true?"

"If I'm to answer, I need to first know the question, Hanisa," I reply, though she no doubt wishes to discuss the attempt on the king's life.

"My lady's maid heard it from her sister, who works as a laundress, who heard it from a gardener, who heard it from—"

"Dearest," RIsana interrupts, "I don't think we need to know the precise line the news traveled."

"Right." Hestia turns to me. "Are you staying in the queen's rooms?"

I blink. Oh. Then I offer her a sincere smile. "Yes." Hanisa groans with jealousy. "You are the most fortunate girl in all of the six kingdoms. What are they like?"

"Last night, I bathed in a tub large enough for three to fit comfortably. The walls are lined with oils and fragrances. I put fresh rose petals and lavender oils in the water. If I didn't fear drowning, I would have slept in it."

"You must make me a list. I need a copy of the labels from all the bottles."

"Perhaps I could just—"

"Every. Label," she says, cutting me off. "I simply must know what brands the queen used!"

"I thought we already discussed that you smell nice all on your own," Rhoda says. "That you don't need to copy everything that—"

"This has nothing to do with that! You're telling me you're not the least bit curious whether the queen bathed in lavender oil from Rondo's or Blasios's?"

Risana thinks for a moment. "I'll grant you that."

"Ha!"

Our work done for the day, we see ourselves out of the ballroom. As soon as we hit the main receiving area, I spot a figure entering the palace.

Harris.

He's finally back.

Our eyes meet, and a look resembling a wounded animal crosses his face before he turns away from me.

"He looks so heartbroken," Hanisa leans over to say.

"It's not me he's heartbroken over. It's my sister. He's somehow so misguided as to think we're the same person."

"He does seem quite … daft at times," Risana intones.

"However, did that man inherit an earldom?"

"All of his father's intelligent offspring must not have made it to adulthood," I reply with distaste. "I'll meet up with you two later," I add, before steeling myself to talk with Harris.

"Lord Eliades!" I call, striding up to him. I'm doing this for Tristan. He held up his end of the bargain, and now it's time for me to do mine. "I wonder if we might talk in private? Perhaps in your rooms?"

"There's nothing more to say, Lady Kensington. You've made your feelings quite clear."

"But perhaps if I could just explain," I try.

"That won't be necessary," he says, and heads after his footman, who carries a trunk of his things up to his room. Among all his things will be his seal. I need it if our act is to work. Harris won't let me into his room directly, so I'll have to find another way.