A Beast's Tale

Chapter 48

Rhodolite had already been almost two months without a sovereign, and, although the coronation ceremony had taken up to a year's worth of preparation in times past, it couldn't wait that long this time. Complicating matters further was the added difficulty of coordinating with Sariel. Ivetta's introduction to high society would occur at the coronation, and so he would be giving her lessons in addition to planning the ceremony and completing his other usual tasks. The day after Belle signed the King's Proclamation, Ivetta was hard at work in lessons all morning. Sariel met with me over lunch, while she was on a short break being measured by the seamstresses for a new wardrobe. He and I had less than an hour to confer before he resumed her tutelage for the afternoon.

I had my own work to resume after lunch, but one matter of particular importance demanded my attention before I returned to my office. Thus, I went to see the seamstresses with the sketch I'd made of Ivetta's gown for the coronation. As I'd expected, they were surprised to see me. I was not expecting them to volunteer advice regarding the design, though.

"I like those sleeves, but she'll need long sleeves to hide the scars," one of them said thoughtfully.

"No, long sleeves wouldn't do with this design," another interjected. "Long gloves ending past the elbow, about here, should cover everything."

"The neckline should be fine on the front, but it'll need to be higher on the back to hide that gash."

"And she'll need silk stockings, too, for when she's dancing. She wouldn't want anybody to see the scars on her legs when she's twirled about."

It was enough to make me want to dig Baron Flandre up from his grave, chop him into little pieces, and burn him.

"Do what seems best," I said coolly, handing off the sketch. "Did you measure her for gloves?"

The first one looked up from the sketch and giggled. "Of course we did, Prince Chevalier. How else were we going to get her ring size for you?"

And, just like that, Flandre's body was peacefully abandoned to the grave as my mood was lifted back into the clouds. News traveled quickly in the palace. I hadn't asked for her ring size at all, but there was a distinct satisfaction in knowing that at least some were already accepting of her as my partner and anticipating me taking the next step with her. Not all would be as welcoming, of course, but it stood to reason that the servants she worked with and befriended would wish her well.

The head maid was probably quite distressed, however, at the prospect of her least favorite maid suddenly in a position of power over her. Fortunately for her, Ivetta was not the spiteful kind.

"Hey, Chev, you got a package this morning," Clavis announced when I returned to my office. "It's there on your desk."

I could see that, but he was trying to get me to say more. The small box, wrapped in plain brown paper, was unlabelled and unassuming. I picked it up and tucked it into an inner pocket of my cloak as I took my seat.

"Aren't you gonna open it?" Luke asked, grinning broadly.

"No. There is work to be done," I said coolly.

"Hm, what a shame. I was hoping you'd tell us how everything went yesterday, after you whisked Ivetta from the gardens and disappeared," Nokto mused, his crimson eyes glittering.

I sighed and sat back in my chair, glancing at each one of them. They were all leaning in, practically holding their breath.

I shrugged and smirked. "As well as could be expected. Now find something productive to do or leave."

Better than expected, actually, but they didn't need to know any details. And I certainly wasn't going to show them the ring. They could wait to see it on her finger after the coronation ball.