SHADOW

The Party

In the coming weeks, she did not meet Count Ambrosio even once. She learned that he was a close friend of the Crown Prince—now the actual King—who had just ascended the throne after the death of the old monarch. The dungeons of the castle were full of the King's enemies and traitors, as Count Ambrosio was the King's confidant, enforcer, Master of Spies, Minister of Affairs, General of the Armies, and something more. Sha could not remember all his titles, nor understand how one man could fulfill them all at once.

There were official parties constantly, which she was allowed to attend—but only at the start, when the events were still civil and all the guests were fully clothed. After an hour or two, once she had been presented to all the important nobles as Count Ambrosio's daughter, she was escorted back to her rooms, and the real party began.

Once, she had dared to peek through a garden window camouflaged by the bushes, just in time to see a noblewoman called the Duchess of Nome riding a young noble on the balcony below her room. She could still see the woman's angelic face twisting with... something, if she closed her eyes.

"Are you all right, my lady?" asked Sonya while brushing her hair.

"Yeah, I'm all right. I just saw the Duchess of Nome on the balcony below and..." Sha trailed off.

The maid blushed and smiled. "Yes, the Duchess is known for her escapades, but the rest of the partygoers are no better. All these political parties to gain loyalty for the new King are a bit tiresome—but fun to watch," she replied.

Sha blushed even more.

"Do you have a lover, my lady?" asked the maid playfully, and then began to sing a romantic song about a fisherman and a milkmaid.

"Is Count Ambrosio participating in these parties? Does he have a lover?" asked Sha. She wasn't even sure if she wanted an answer from Sonya—she dreaded it. So many beautiful women entered the castle every weekend that she had lost count. All of them were beautiful, rich, and noble.

Was she jealous of them?

Could she even entertain the idea of kissing him again? Would he even consider it—now that she was his so-called daughter? People seemed to take that title seriously.

But why her? Why did he choose her?

The maid sighed, apparently thinking, twisting her thoughts aloud. "Well, my lady, he doesn't seem to have a constant lady waiting for him, but he certainly fancies Princess Iolanda—the King's sister. And she fancies him back, for sure. It's one of the reasons Count Ambrosio is supporting the new King, besides the fact that they were childhood friends. At least, that's what people say."

Sha's heart shrank. She had never met Princess Iolanda, but she imagined a princess wouldn't lower herself to attend parties full of ministers and debauchery.

A soft knock sounded at the door, and Count Ambrosio's assistant, Simon, peeked into the room.

"My lady, Her Highness Princess Iolanda and Count Ambrosio are awaiting you in the garden. Her Highness wants to meet you. You'd better be presentable."