A Dove's Tale

Chapter 94

"So, he told me he would pick me up in a carriage, right? But then he shows up at the palace front gate with a wagon. A wagon! Pulled by a couple of stinky draft horses who look like they haven't seen a brush in their entire lives. And he's sitting there, holding the reins, wearing a suit and top hat like he thinks he's the king or something!"

I nodded absentmindedly as Theresa prattled on about her date, still mulling over our conversation in the bathroom. It didn't sit well with me. But Clavis and Nokto had said something similar the day before, and if everybody was saying the same thing, it was probably true. People were expecting me to be a beautiful, well-mannered princess at the coronation ceremony, and nothing more.

"Hello, Ivetta," Theresa called, waving a hand in front of my face. I looked over at her and gave her a small smile.

"Sorry. You were saying he was wearing a suit and top hat."

She frowned at me. "Normally, that would get a laugh from you, or at least a giggle. Are you still stuck on what we talked about earlier?"

I sighed heavily. "Yes."

She sighed, too, although hers had a note of exasperation in it. "Stop worrying. So what if everybody's just looking for a show? It's your debut, not your farewell. There will be plenty of other opportunities to prove that you're more than just a pretty face."

Sometimes, she knew exactly what to say.

"You're right," I said, exhaling deeply. "Sariel is already talking about all the tea parties and socials I'll be attending after the coronation ceremony."

That didn't make her smile.

"Is he ever going to give you a break?" she asked sourly.

"After the ceremony," I replied. "I don't know how many days I'll have off, but that means I'll have more time to socialize with the guests."

"So, not a break. Especially since Gilbert will be here."

My stomach twisted. I knew royalty from Rhodolite's allied countries were coming to the ceremony, along with monarchs from more distant countries, so, of course, Gilbert would be here. That was something I had been trying very hard not to think about.

"Prince Gilbert," I corrected her, keeping my voice calm and even to hide my inner turmoil. "Just because you get a break from using titles with Chevalier and his brothers doesn't mean you can stop using them with everybody else."

"You don't have to worry about that," she said dismissively. "I played the part of a perfect maid for three years before you got here and showed me I could get away with so much more. When the guests arrive, I won't give anybody anything to complain about. Unless Gilbert tries messing with you again."

"I don't think that will be a problem this time."

"It better not be," she said darkly.

I'm sure she had more to say on the subject, but the door to the round table room was just up ahead, and she fell silent, which was a relief. Gilbert wasn't a subject I wanted to dwell on.

"Well, I guess you'll have to find something to do until you can tidy up my room this afternoon," I said lightly. Her green eyes brightened with mischief immediately.

"You think Chevalier will sleep that late?"

"I don't know how late he'll sleep," I replied, a blush creeping into my cheeks. "But I don't know how late he was up last night, and I don't want anybody bothering him."

"Like I'm going anywhere near him without you as a buffer," she laughed. "Enjoy breakfast and tell Sariel you need a day off."

I returned her parting wave and opened the door to the round table room. It was a room I'd only seen once before, and that was when I had lunch with Leon's faction. When someone from the royal family called a round table meeting, only members of the royal family could attend, with few exceptions. But there was no round table meeting today. The three large windows framed in heavy drapes lit up a relaxed scene very similar to the lunch I had in here a few days ago: Jin, Leon, Yves, and Licht sitting around the table, eating, talking, and laughing as they polished off the many platters of food that crowded a pair of candelabras and a vase of roses into a tiny space at the center of the table.