A Questionable Quest

Chapter 29... in which a prince enables my apple cider addiction

Several minutes later, I found myself in the farthest corner of the ballroom, watching absentmindedly as the musicians prepared their instruments.

(It really was fascinating. One woman frantically tried to re-tie a snapped string to her cello, and the man beside her had just wrested his horn from its case. The mouth-piece snapped off right after.)

I was so engrossed in my observation, that I failed to notice I was no longer alone. "You look bored," he astutely commented, near enough that I could feel his breath.

I smiled, and turned partially to face Van. He stood close -- much closer than was appropriate for an unengaged princess and prince at a royal event -- holding two drinks. He passed one to me.

"I don't know to what you are referring, brave Knight," I said, in my best imitation of my sister June. "I live for ballroom events." Grinning, I took a sip of the drink. Cider. I sighed happily.

Van watched me, a knowing glint in his eyes. "I asked the cook to add it to the menu."

"Have I ever mentioned that you're the best saviour a girl could ask for?" I couldn't help myself.

Van's jovial expression faded. "I knew you wouldn't like that bit."

"You were right. I didn't. For your information," I bumped his shoulder with mine, "I almost lit my bedsheets on fire."

"But you didn't."

"No, I didn't. Because this is the court, and they can think whatever they want."

Only then, once it was clear I wasn't in danger of spitting flames at his face, did Van visibly relax. We stood there, for a moment, watching the musicians (who had somewhat calmed down). The woman had successfully reattached her cello string, and the man pulled a second mouthpiece from his pocket.

I drank in Van's presence. It had already been strange the night before, sleeping in separate rooms for the first time in weeks. Then, I hadn't seen him all day today.

Apparently, I'd missed Van far more than I cared to admit. It wasn't until now, with him by my side, that I was able to fully relax. The strange palace and loud party goers and judging stares and etiquette rules had all melted away.

As cliche as it might sound, in that moment, it was just me and Van.

And the frantic musicians, of course.

"I slept on the ground last night," I commented, as if starting a perfectly normal conversation.

Van slid me a sideways look, then sipped his cider. "I did too."

"And Dero attacked a maid."

"Did he really?"

"Mhm."

"They grow up so fast." We shared a grin. Then, half-suddenly, half-cautiously, Van turned to face me. "I talked to my parents."

It was clear he'd been steeling himself to say those five words. I felt my insides drop a little. "And?"

"And they-"

"Attention, Ladies, Gentlemen, and Highnesses," boomed a loud voice. Fast as a dropped stone, the entire ballroom quieted. Even the musicians appeared to pause their panicking.

Van broke off mid-sentence. He looked towards the entrance to the hall. I didn't. "What did they say?" I whispered, just loud enough for Van's ears only.

"Later," he whispered back.

"But-" but my voice was soon drowned out.

"It is our esteemed honor to announce the arrival of Her Majesty, Queen Diane Trivatell of Harvenmor." That caught my attention. "And His Majesty, King Adriel of Harvenmor."