The silver bracelets rattled around her wrist as she hid her arms behind her back, waiting for King Thomas to reveal what was so secretive that she wasn't allowed to share it with anyone. Instead, he brought his hand to his bad ear and rubbed it, which prolonged the already frustratingly long silence that made her toes itch.

She looked away, as any in the presence of the King should do–warrior and lady alike. In between the smaller heaps of paper on his desk lay books sprawled. One of them open, with a leather ruler marking a specific line on the page, but the book was too far away to offer a clue.

"Alex." When he finally addressed her, his loud voice reverberated throughout the room. "Do you know what's so special about today?"

"Err..." She narrowed her eyes. Surely he hadn't called her in to talk about the Feast of the Dead, but he was the King so she wasn't going to call him a Muttonhead and question his sanity. "We take time out of our busy lives to remember those that have passed on to the Heavenly Halls."

He glanced sideways to the pendulum clock that swung back and forth without ever stopping. "Hmmm... what else."

"Of course, we also get reminded of our own mortality. It's why we bless the Holy Fourteen to grant us another year among our loved ones." She bit her lip, her hand palms turning clammy as memories of Laneby flashed through her mind. "Or new friends."

"New family?" the King suggested.

"Yes, that too. I'm very thankful that you and Her Majesty have–"

"Don't, please. We're not here to discuss that. Actually, I don't even wanna talk about the ceremonies and the reason why this day came into existence." Pushing his hands on the armrests, he rose from the chair. "Come and join me by the window. I want you to tell me what you see."

She hurried to his left side, away from his bad ear. Outside, three galleys with masts as tall as trees queued one by one by the dock further upstream, where dozens of men were hastily unloading wooden crates from a smaller sailer boat. On land, men and women alike rode in the shade of the castle in carriages of all sizes, all seemingly heading towards the market square.

"The preparations for the fair?"

"Clever girl." King Thomas nodded. "Since early this morning, hundreds of travelling merchants have been assembling their displays. For most, Sundale is the last stop before they head home for winter."

"Is there anything you need from them–a specific gift for you or Seb?"

"Consider what you're gonna do a gift for the both of us." When he smiled, his eyes crinkled at the corners, revealing a few age lines she didn't know he had. The upward curl on his lips was short-lived. "I want you to ask around if any of them have been to Silvermark recently. And if the Goddess of Kindness is on our side, perhaps some remember spotting a certain redheaded Laneby boy on their travels north."

"What?" Her stomach pooled with an uncomfortable, stinging warmth. "But, Your Majesty, I always thought you believed Fox was dead!"

"He could well be, but I don't know that. Ariel's letter was purposely vague–each word carefully chosen to imply a double meaning." He clenched his fist on the windowsill, his nose wrinkled and teeth bared. He moaned in pain as he slammed the sill. "I hate not knowing what's going on. Any information you can get on that child would mean the world to me."

Alex swallowed the bile creeping up her throat. The King's condition didn't frighten her, but finding Fox was not what she had imagined he would ask–not that she had any clue what else he would have wanted to discuss with her–but this task was a double-edged sword.

She had had the discussion with Nick moons ago. No matter what condition Fox was in, it would all be bad news: dead, imprisoned, raised a Silvermark soldier. "Your Majesty, since it's a present for Seb too, will you inform him of what I'll find?"

"That'll depend on the outcome." He gazed out the window, his arms clutched behind his back. "You understand why this cannot be discussed with anyone outside this room."

"Yes, but If I'm not allowed to discuss it, how can I ask around? Lady Alana will be at the fair with me."

"Lose her, one way or another," he said as though he wasn't talking about his own daughter. "And when you question the merchants, be as vague as you can. You're the one controlling the conversation, and it can't link back to me. Nobody can find out I'm conducting this investigation."

"Understood, Your Majesty. I will try my hardest."

"And I know you shall." Glancing sideways, he threw a quick but uneasy smile at her. "My wife's expecting you to get ready for the ceremony. You better not disappoint her. This day is already stressful enough for her."

Alex lifted the hem of her work dress and bowed. "I'll take my leave. Thank you, Your Majesty, for this opportunity."

"My pleasure. I have faith in you."

While her brain was still processing her talk with the King, she stalked down the hallway and moved past Lady Viviane, who was yelling at Seb in desperation. "Get in the bathtub, My Lord, or I'll fetch your aunt, and she won't be pleased!"

"Then get her. I don't care!"

Alex chewed on her upper lip. Based on the outcome of her investigation, the King would decide whether informing Seb was needed. But unless he were to plan a rescue mission to bring Fox back to The Greenlands, the truth would hurt Seb.

And a magician living in The Greenlands was impossible.

Something was off. Though her mission was far more exciting than anything she had done in the past two and half moons–the secret hunt in Regal Sun Wood included–it was still peculiar that he had chosen her for this. Surely he must have spies, actual spies.

If he did, Nick would know. She quickened her pace and ran down the stairs. He couldn't know about the assignment but asking about spy stories and his army courses was vague enough to not raise suspicion.

"Nick!" She knocked on his door.

Defying the God of Patience, she opened it anyway. There was no Nick on the other side. Only a bed scattered with so many books and scrolls that she wondered if he slept on the woolly carpet so his private library could sleep safely under the covers.

She closed the door again. Though she should have known that he would already be with his army friends at this time of the day, she couldn't ignore the nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach. Lately, whenever she needed him, he was always somewhere else or didn't have any time to talk to her.

The week they had spent on the road to Sundale had been dreadful, but at least they had been together.

The dark grey dress that hung on her closet cheered her up a little. She had tried it on a week ago to assure it was the correct size, and since then the seamstress had done a marvellous job on the details. Silver lace patterns had been added from top to bottom, resembling leaves falling down from trees.

She ran her fingers along the undulating edges. Sober-looking yet still spectacular–if she had to wear a dress, this one was as perfect as it could be.

On the small table by her bed laid a silver mask with jade stones on its edges. Next to that laid a necklace, a small round jade ring on a silver string, which matched the accompanying bracelet and earrings.

After years of owning hand-me-downs from Emily, Lucy, and Amy, she was now wearing the most expensive fabrics in the world. Though she had never cared much about pretty dresses or fancy jewellery, a few deep breaths were needed to take all of the beauty in.

Carefully she slid the dress from its hanger and took it to the window. "What do you say, Mother? I remember you complaining that grey isn't my colour, but this is made of actual silver. I don't think you've ever seen me in something like this, and it isn't even my ball dress yet. Wait until you see that. You'll finally have a daughter to be proud of."

An unexpected tear rolled down her cheek as she picked up her mask and pressed it on her face. "Father, you'll probably think that I'll be the only true Princess today, but I actually want you to tell Ben and Charlie that they should pay attention to their sister today. I'm gonna be a real spy. Of course, I dunno what to do, but you and Lord Brandon always said the best ideas come when you can improvise, so I guess that's what I'll do."

She put the dress and mask on her bed and headed for the washing table, where one of the servants had placed a bowl. There was no noticeable dirt on her face or arms, but nobody could see she had been crying, so she ran the cloth over her face and stared at herself in the mirror. "Focus. You got this. The King himself believes you can do this, and you will."

After she had taken off her waistcoat and working robes, she slithered into the dress without any help. She grabbed the jade earrings and put them on. The actual royal children were Muttonheads; just because she lived in a castle didn't mean she suddenly needed servants to put on her clothes.

In the mirror, a jester with frizzy hair poking in every direction frowned at her; not exactly the kind of Lady she wanted Seb to see. She reached for her brush on the washing table and raked it through her hair.

No matter how hard she pulled, her curls did not want to be tamed. When she was about to abandon the God of Diligence, the God sent his angel: Queen Crystal.

"You have no idea how delighted I am to see you like this, Alexandra." She held her hand on her chest and sighed deeply. "At least someone in this household is nearly ready. Do you like the jewellery I have selected for you? You can keep them. I received them from a Jade Islandic Lord but I never wear them."

"They're lovely." Alex bowed, still keeping the brush tight in her hand. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"No, thank you for being a sweet young lady. Lady Viviane's still struggling to convince Sebastian to take a bath, and Alana had more eyes for her fresh stack of books than her brand new dress. And Tom..." She let out another, deeper sigh. "I'm fairly certain he's using his paperwork as an excuse to avoid dealing with the children."

"I don't mean to be rude but, Your Majesty, but he did urge Lady Alana to get ready."

A light chuckle escaped her lips. "Well... well... fifteen years of marriage and my husband can still surprise me." She took the brush from her hands. "Come here, Alexandra, let me give you a hand with that. I apologise in advance for hurting you, but a lady who wants to be pretty..."

"... has to suffer. I know. Lady Victoria repeats it at least four times each lesson." Alex winced as the Queen brushed her hair the same way the stable boys brushed the horses. But that was not important. The King and Queen had only been married for fifteen years. Given their age, she would have expected a marriage of twenty years or more. "Excuse my boldness, Your Majesty, but why did you only get married at twenty-seven?"

"Because I'm the youngest daughter of a not-so-wealthy King." She drew a pin from the sleeve of her dress and held it in her hand. "Commoners get married in their teens. Us, royalty, whenever the time is right."

"When the right political deal presents itself."

"Yes, why the curiosity?" She squeezed Alex's shoulder as the mirror revealed her startled face. "Has your moonblood flown?"

"No, no. I was wondering what marriage was like." Alex shuddered inwardly. The Goddess of Lust would have to refrain from visiting her for years to come. She may be trying to act all lady-like, but she still couldn't picture herself taking care of a man and a house full of children.

"It's hard work. Tom and I are very different, but I love him."

"Have you always loved him?" she paused, holding her breath. "If you don't mind me asking, Your Majesty."

"Not at all. At first, I cared for him. Love did not come until much later." The Queen stuck the pin in Alex's tamed curls, then continued brushing the other side of her hair. "My mother told me that marriage means having to make sacrifices. Foolish me believed it to be the wife's duty, but Tom gave up his dreams for me too. He did so without having to ask. The moment he became my beacon in a dark and stormy night was the moment I truly fell in love with him. I haven't stopped loving him since."

Alex gave a silent nod. She suspected the Queen referred to her miscarriages and stillbirths, and the King giving up his wish to have an heir. "I hope I ever love my husband the way you love His Majesty."

"I'm sure you will. I'll find you a fine man who doesn't mind a spirited wife." The Queen put the brush aside and grabbed two locks of hair. "There's this Serjeant I think would be just perfect for you."

Before she could scream, the God of Patience made her bite her tongue. Queen Crystal was already doing way too much for her; she did not want to insult her. "Interesting choice, Your Majesty, but I'm not bleeding yet."

"Let me be the first to know if you do."

Her stomach tightened at the thought. "I shall."

Many excruciating twists and agonising turns later, the Queen presented the single plait that ended at the centre of her back. Beautiful if she had been Lana, but she still looked like a jester; a jester in an exquisite dress and a perfectly braided ponytail.

"Lovely. Just lovely." When the Queen put her hand on her chest and sighed, it was a happy sigh. "I apologise for leaving so soon again, but I have to check if poor Viviane still has her nerves. Meet us on the ground floor by the main stairs in half an hour."

Alex lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry. I can't read the clock. Lady Alana has tried to teach me, but it's really hard."

"Come when the bird sings twice, and you'll be right on time." The Queen held two fingers in the air, as though she didn't know what 'twice' meant. "I'll inform Lady Victoria. She should spend some extra time with you on this. A Lady who can't read the clock–this day and age..."

Spies didn't need to. They did far more important things than having private lessons from stuck-up etiquette teachers. As the door behind her fell shut, Alex stared at herself in the mirror.

The chat with the Queen had been a casual one, yet she had learnt a great deal about her marriage to the King without prying or getting on the woman's nerves. Unexpectedly, it had been a good exercise to prepare herself for what she would have to do on the square.

The God of Greed warned her it would not be that simple. She still had to lose Lana before any questioning could begin.

When the little white bird came peeping out of its hole and cuckooed twice, she was still deeply sunken in thought, wondering how in the Gods' names she would sneak away from the Princess without creating a fuss. There would be guards present, and the General too.

She grabbed her mask and shoved her feet into the uncomfortably high heels she had ignored since Sebastian had been announced to the Sundalers over two moons ago. Pretty they were, now decorated with the same fallen leaf motive on the straps, yet she faltered down the stairs instead, her feet readjusting again to the unusual height and shape.

At the foot of the stairs stood three masked people. The two men in a black army uniform were of course General George and King Thomas. The girl with long brown hair and the silver diamond dress could only be Lana.

The King, with a gold mask with black swirls, turned to his daughter and grinned. "Hello, unknown, Young Lady. Do you come here often?"

"Ugh, every year the same joke, Papa." She hit the King's arm, then pulled off her mask with sapphires in red and blue. "Don't you dare tell Mama when she comes down the stairs. It stopped being funny the year I turned six."

"I disagree. Besides, I'm aware my comical talent is wasted on you so I wanted to say it to Alex, but she isn't wearing her mask yet."

Alex took the King's words as a cue to slide the mask over her head. She looked left and right. No Seb. No Queen Crystal. Where were they?

The King placed his boot on the step she was standing on and leant closer. "So, unknown Young Lady, do you come here often?"

When Alex snorted, Lana pushed him aside, away from her. "Ugh, Papa, you are so lame that future history books will dub you King Thomas the Lame."

"Hmm." He turned around, taking his place next to the General. "That sounds like treason, doesn't it, George?"

"I would say so too, Thomas." The half black, half green mask of the General hid any smile on his face, but it could not conceal the jesting tone in his voice. "Off with her head."

The King unsheathed the ceremonial sword hanging at the left side of his belt and pointed it at Lana. Alex briefly contemplated standing between them, but she had sworn allegiance to him and it was all a joke anyway. "Any final words before you meet our Gods, little Lady?"

"Lame." Lana fake-yawned dramatically. "That sword can't even cut through a sandwich. And you know that–we tried that years ago."

"Fine. I'll be lame." He reattached his sword to his belt. "At least I'm not late, like your cousin."

"And how is that my fault?"

"I'm sure you have something to do with it. A scheme planned out by you and Alex."

"We're busted again, Lana." Alex giggled. The way the King bantered with her and Lana assured her that the potion Healer Mark had brewed was doing its work. He seemed on a high now, but she did not know how long it would take before the jewel on his ear would be too painful to continue hiding his scar.

And it was still a long day.

Two sets of footsteps resounded in the near-distance. She glanced over her shoulder. Seb was coming down the stairs slower than a snail, with Queen Crystal trailing right behind him. Their grim faces were a sharp contrast to the cheery mood King Thomas was in.

Halfway down the last dozen steps, Seb sat down, scraping his sword against the marble floor, and put his elbows on his knees.

"Sebastian, not again! Stop this nonsense at once," the Queen said, her voice raised.

"No. I've decided that if I can't go to the fair, I'm not going at all."

"I give up." She walked past him and held up her hands. "Please, if anyone wants to try to talk sense into him, be my guest. It took less time to build the Heavenly Halls than to get him washed and dressed."

The General was the first to speak. "Pick your battles, My Lord. Everyone in this room–including yourself–knows that in a few minutes, you'll stand up and follow us to the temple. Your presence is required at the ceremony. Staying here is simply not an option."

"Why?" Seb shrugged. "It's not like the sun will suddenly stop rising if I don't go."

Alex tiptoed to the step right beneath him and sat down. "I would love to see you at the ceremony. It'll be the only time today that you, Nick, and I will be in the same room. It's not like in Laneby, but it's as close as we can get."

"Don't compare this to the bonfire. It's not!" he snapped. "The ceremony is stupid, just like the fair and the ball. I hate it all. And I hate all of you too!"

"You're just hating yourself, Muttonhead."

"Don't tell me what to do or how to be!" He buried his eyes behind his fists, his head lowered. "I don't wanna go to the ceremony. I don't need to be there."

King Thomas handed his mask to the Queen and leapt up the stairs, a few steps at a time. "It's true George can take over your duties as he did for the past eight years, but you're about to terribly disappoint some of the prettiest girls in Sundale. Some have been queuing since early this morning to assure they're on the first row to catch a glimpse of you. They won't settle for that boring old General. They want to see their strong and handsome Crown Prince."

"I don't care." Seb flinched as his uncle crouched down and touched his arm.

"You should. Our power means nothing without the support of our citizens. They picked us to rule for them."

"They can rule themselves. I don't wanna do it."

"It's no use reasoning with him, Tom." The Queen sounded weary, fed up even. "It's what I and Lady Viviane have been doing since he got back from sword practice."

"Then he stays at home. We'd make bigger fools if we were to drag him to the temple like a piglet." The King rose up and planted his hands on his hips, which made him look bigger than he already was. "Go to your room, young man. I had a surprise for you–a small compensation because I can't allow you to go to the fair–but since you hate everything and everyone today, you can go sulk on your windowsill."

Seb glanced up and murmured, "What kind of surprise?"

"That I can only tell to Crown Princes who do come to the temple to honour the Gods. Such a shame you decided to miss that opportunity." King Thomas held his hand out to Alex.

She reached for it and bowed as he helped her up. Not because she needed the help, but because she was a Lady right now.

Seb's teary eyes met hers for a split second before he looked away. Her heart filled with pity. All she had to do was stand by and watch, but he had an active role in the ceremony and the entire temple would be following his every move. 

This time there would be no over-enthusiastic Nick starting a cheering-chant from the army. The General had emphasised over dinner that Nick would have to peel potatoes in the army kitchen for the rest of winter if he decided to pull that trick again.

At the same time, Seb had no choice. He was Crown Prince. This was what was expected of him, just like her spying duties required her to find Fox. "Come on, Muttonhead," she whispered. "Do it for me then."

"It won't change anything," he grumbled.

"See you in the morning, Seb. I hope you sleep well and dream of the fun surprise you missed out on." The King hooked his arm into the Queen's. "Let's go before my people dub me King Thomas the Late."

Lana tapped Alex on the shoulder. "Lame. King Thomas the Lame," she mouthed and giggled.

Alex did not join in the laughter. Seb stood up and put on his mask, which was the exact opposite of the King's: a black face with golden swirls around the eyes.

The pain in the pit of her stomach grew at the sight of him skipping down the stairs, suddenly not a trace left of the angry boy. With the grey uniform, he was almost a copy of his uncle, only smaller and younger.

Sparing her no glance, he squeezed between her and Lana, and headed straight for King Thomas.

Her mask hid the dread tugging at the corners of her mouth. Gone were the days when she could ruffle his hair and boss him around. He no longer cared for her. The only person Seb truly obeyed was his uncle.

Their friendship was sinking rapidly, and it frightened her that there was nothing she could do to stop it. 

Except, maybe, finding Fox.