For the Crown (PREVIEW ONLY) Formerly Prince Gallant

CHAPTER 4: TESTING RAFF

The morning after the welcome feast Lena made a list. She sat with her handmaidens and Kenna Margaret at the small table in her apartment over breakfast, and together they recorded the names of all twenty-seven Drengr hopefuls. She only remembered half of them, but with help, she managed to include everyone.

"Now," she said, scanning her register. "I have already scheduled time with the following." She ticked off several names with her quill, writing subscripts about each activity. "But it seems a handful of them never bothered to request time with me." She sighed, though she wasn't offended by it. "I suppose I'll need to call upon them at some point this week. As if I don't already have enough to do."

"What do you have in mind, Princess?" Cora's blue eyes sparkled with eager curiosity.

"Well..." she paused. "Father offered me suggestions. The time I spend with each hopeful can be as simple as a walk." She thought about the one scheduled for later that day with Raff and shuddered. "Or it can be as complicated as I desire. But, if I must do this, then I would like to get something out of it for myself."

"Lena!" Kenna Margaret scolded, slapping her arm. "I should have known you would have a trick or two up your sleeve. Let me guess, archery lessons?"

Lena offered her a smug grin. "That...among other things." She looked down at her list again, glancing through the names and circling several of them. "The following hopefuls are still unscheduled. I think I remember this one. Ivrir. Do you remember him?" She looked up at her handmaidens.

"Oh yes!" Avra eagerly nodded before turning deep red. "He's the one with sandy blonde hair and blue eyes, From Fort Squall. Ivrir Ironborn."

"Ah, yes. That's right. Ironborn, like myself." She added a note next to his name. "I think I will recruit him for lessons after my walk with Raff."

"How do you think it will go?" Theresa gazed at her.

"What? My asking Ivrir for archery lessons?"

"No!" said Theresa. "Your walk with Raff."

"Oh! Terribly, I'm sure. I would rather do anything else in the world. I almost regret that I promised Father to take this seriously."

"Perhaps it won't be so bad," said Cora.

Lena groaned. "If only..."

For the remainder of the morning, she worked with her handmaidens on the list she'd drafted, making little notes next to each of the names. With guidance, she documented which Drengr came from which forts, descriptions about their appearance, information about any scheduled activities, and details about the conversations they'd had the night before. By midday, the list was extensive. She folded it and tucked it away, profusely thanking her helpers. Without them, she would already be floundering.

Too nervous for her impending walk, she ate very little during the midday meal. Today it was served in her room, though she usually took her meals in the dining hall. With all the hopefuls who would surely be there, she preferred to spend what little time she could in hiding.

When it was time, she made her way to the royal gardens, followed by Avra, Cora, and Theresa. On the second level of the keep, she spotted Ramar, lurking as if he'd been waiting for her. He leaned against the corridor, one leg propped against the wall, as if he hadn't a care in the world. "Ramar? I didn't expect to see you this afternoon."

"Ah." He moved away from the wall and bowed politely, though it was unnecessary. They were such good friends as it was. "I am to escort you during each of your activities with the hopefuls."

"To ensure I behave myself?" She arched an eyebrow at him, suspicious of his intentions. He was sure to relay everything to her father, including whether she behaved herself or not. "Well? Am I right?" His eyes sparkled, but he said nothing more. "Fine then. Keep your secrets if you must, but I have somewhere to be. Shall we?"