The Paper Crown

23. An Argument Interrupted

Thursday dinner, the week after the steeplechase, is held in honour of Dominik, whose name day falls that week. Rather than the usual collection of important people, Dominik invited whomsoever he desired without consideration of rank or wealth. His nursemaid and a gardener's son are among the guests, as are his sisters and even Lady Irena, though neither Konrad nor Florian are present. For reasons I fail to understand, Celina is one of Dominik's so favoured, though neither Valery nor Barany are. Throughout the dinner, which begins at six out of consideration for Dominik's bedtime, I watch Celina make faltering talk with Dominik's nursemaid and ignore Irena on her other side.

Svirepa suka, I repeat in my head. It feels like a prayer.

After dinner, we move to the salon where tea and a special cream cake is served. Dominik eats his fill of cake then starts playing a card game with the gardener's son. His nursemaid enters into earnest conversation with Dowager Duchess Maria. Lady Irena sits near them, listening in her pigeon-like manner, head turning from one to the other. Mariusz watches the boys play cards, every now and then saying something in a teasing tone that makes them giggle. Celina moves around the room, pretending to examine the pictures on the walls and darting glances at Mariusz, before eventually settling into conversation with two of Dominik's guests — two young women who I was earlier introduced to as Dominik's cousins on his mother's side. They are pretty young women, about my own age, and their conversation with Celina is lively.

"Is your cousins' company pleasant?" I ask Henryka.

"They are ten years older than me," Henryka says. "They are kind enough, but I rarely spend time with them."

"I have forgotten their names."

"Emilia and Edyta."

"Let us go talk with them."

Zofia and Henryka trail after me as I cross the room to where the three women sit talking.

"Good evening," I say in Selician.

Celina says nothing, but rolls her eyes contemptuously in my direction. The other two say good evening in return. I take that as invitation to sit down with them, and as I do, the smiles die on their faces. I do not think they are cruel, like Celina. Rather, they look anxious.

"Do you speak French?" I ask in the language. "I am afraid my Selician is very limited."

The older cousin — Emilia, I think — hesitates. "We do, yes. How do you find Selica, your highness?"

"I am growing accustomed to it." The uncertain silence that follows my polite response gives me time to really think about it. "It is not always comfortable, of course, being among so many strangers. Sometimes I feel quite lonely." But, then, I always felt lonely at home too, even before they put me in the tower. "Mariusz and his family have been very kind to me though."

That last bit is a polite lie, but it affords me the pleasure of seeing an irritated frown cross Celina's brow.

"My aunt is very gracious, and my cousins likewise," Emilia says. "I am sure Zofia and Henryka will make you feel most welcome here."

There is a sense of finality to that statement. She turns her head slightly towards Celina and speaks in Selician. I think she is asking how well I speak the language. Celina laughs and shakes her head as she replies. Edyta joins the conversation, and they chatter away, heedless of my presence.

"Perhaps you can suggest some entertainment for me," I interrupt in French.

The three women look at me.

"I am a little bored sometimes. I walk around the palace and gardens, I play billiards, and I read, but sometimes I find I want for things to do. Going out to see the steeplechase was exciting. Perhaps you can suggest some entertainments around the city that are suitable for a woman?"