The Secret of the Seven Princesses

Secrets Chapter 14

Eurielle couldn't help but giggle as she watched Petra and Thaleia in action, their eyes lit with devilish glee as they coached poor Callia in the art of deception. Their voices were hurried, trying to fit in as many tips and pointers as they could in the limited time they had; their window of opportunity was diminishing with every passing moment. The danger was heightened because Callia would not only have to face and sedate Luka, but that she would have to do so in the presence of her father without any of the usual distractions of mealtime.

"Don't be waiting for them," said Petra, nodding with all the wisdom of a sage. "You should be the one to enter, so that they don't suspect you of having done something in their absence. If it comes down to it, and you don't have time to do it, make a small distraction—"

"Pretend you've seen a mouse!" Eurielle cut in helpfully.

"Or maybe something more subtle," Thaleia amended. "Then slip it in and leave quietly without drawing any further attention to yourself."

"Whatever you do, make and maintain eye contact at all times," Petra said. "It makes you look honest."

"And don't change how you treat him," added Thaleia.

"But, shouldn't she try to flatter him or something? Wouldn't he be more likely to take it then?" Raia asked interestedly.

"NO!" Petra and Thaleia each said forcefully. They looked at one another, each encouraging the other to explain. Finally, Petra spoke up.

"That would be the most suspicious thing of all. People don't change their opinions in twenty minutes. If she hated him at dinner, she'd hate him now."

"Just play it up," Thaleia addressed Callia once more. "Be the challenge we know you are."

"I think that's why he likes you," Eurielle said saucily. "He's not sure whether or not you're smarter than him."

Callia—who had remained silent during the onslaught of advice—finally spoke up, holding up her hand to stop Petra from adding another point.

"Okay, okay, that's enough. I've already got enough to worry about, I don't need any more. I'll figure it out from here." She took a deep breath, like a martyr going to meet her maker, and slipped from the room without a backward glance.

"They grow up so fast, don't they?" Thaleia quipped half-heartedly, trying to diffuse the anxiety in the room. Eurielle's answering chuckle was just as nervous, and she quickly fell silent.

In going through the motions of preparing for bed, the princesses moved much more slowly than usual, their ears tuned for the sound of Callia's return. All their hope rested on her shoulders and the success of her mission.

Well, not all their hope, Eurielle had to admit.

They did have a plan B—that is, not going to the sanctum—but the very possibility cut them to the core. To be deprived of this sense of joy, which she looked forward to every night, would be insupportable.

Fifteen minutes passed in such tense silence. Eurielle fiddled with her pink bedspread, unwilling to slip under her covers until she had received word of Callia's success. She bounced upon her mattress, feeling an anxious urge to keep moving in an attempt to release some of her nervous energy.

At long last, a step was heard approaching their door. From the sound, it couldn't be their father leading Sir Luka, as there was only one set of footsteps, muffled as if by a woman's slipper instead of a man's boot. Eurielle held her breath in anticipation, half expecting to be disappointed by the sight of Judith instead of Callia.