Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales #2)(32)

Edward is in his office in another wing of the palace, no doubt editing some important memorandum or going over a letter to post to a foreign royal. The Athelian monarchy no longer holds any real political power, but it doesn’t mean that he can prance around idly, doing nothing but posing as a life-sized cardboard cutout. It’s me that doesn’t get involved in state affairs. The value of a royal consort is in looking beautiful and bearing children. As Athelia’s culture became more sophisticated, the princess-slash-queen is expected to be perfectly groomed in etiquette, but she still isn’t supposed to be make her opinion heard. Can’t say I’m surprised by that.

Still, I need to be circumspect. Ever since Krev appeared in Enrilth, Edward has been a bit neurotic when it comes to my whereabouts. This morning Amelie took me to the tailor for a refitting—apparently, the seven-year difference had brought extra flesh to my hips and bust, and since my clothes are tailor-made, it was necessary to have them adjusted. When we returned, Edward was pacing in our suite like a tiger in a cage. Relief spread over his face, even though I was only gone for a few hours. If he knew I was still trying to leave . . .

“You could stay here forever.” Edward’s voice echoes in my mind. It still makes my heart beat faster when I remember him saying those words. Simple words, but more eloquent than any fancy speech. He’s deeply in love with me, no question about that.

But I can’t reciprocate.

After thinking about various ways to escape, I decide to start with the wedding chapel. It is, after all, the place where I found myself in Athelia, right after I disappeared in Jason’s house. Maybe I came through some secret portal in that room which resembles a hospital ward.

But how am I going to get to the chapel? I have no clue where it is, and it may not be a good idea to ask Edward. He might grow suspicious, and I don’t even want to think about how he may react if he knows that I am scheming to get away from him.

Pacing in my room, I wring my hands and think hard. Should I ask Edward in an offhanded manner where the chapel is? He might guess I’m trying to head home. I consider summoning a servant and trying my luck when another idea springs into my head.

I give the bell pull a good tug. Only a few seconds pass before a maid enters my room, dressed neatly in the standard uniform of a white apron, a dark dress, and a white cap with streamers. It’s Mabel, a young woman who takes over for Amelie whenever the latter is unavailable or has her day off, but while her skill for dressing my hair can rival Amelie’s, her character can’t be more different. Amelie is serious-minded and bossy, while Mabel is flighty and loves to gossip. “Is there anything you need, Your Highness?”

“Please refill the teapot,” I say, just for the sake of playing my role as princess. “By the way, I would like a copy of the paper that came out when Edward and I got married.”

“You want to read the paper, Your Highness?” Mabel looks surprised.

“When we left for the honeymoon, I didn’t get a chance to read the paper. I would like to see how our picture turned out when the reporters took it at the chapel.”

Comprehension dawns on Mabel’s face. “Oh, they couldn’t have delivered the paper to Enrilth. It’s too far.” She curtsies and leaves while I settle down to more letter-writing, hoping that soon, I’ll be able to get the information I need.

I have finished half a dozen letters when Mabel returns, bearing a steaming pot of tea and the paper tightly furled under her arm.

“Here you are, Your Highness. Hope you don’t mind it’s a worn copy, but after so many days, it’s hard to get a copy that isn’t read.”

“Oh, no, I don’t mind at all. Thank you very much.” I feel like giving her a tip, but it’s not practiced here in Athelia. Besides, it would appear suspicious if I gave her something, like I’m paying her for her silence.

I scan the headlines of the paper quickly. As expected, the top story is a report of our wedding. Prince Edward finally ties the knot is printed above a large black-and-white picture that shows me clutching Edward’s arm, right on top of the stairs. The wheels of our carriage are shown on the bottom left-hand side of the photo. I must say, the quality of the picture is better than I expected for a country that doesn’t have electricity. Another photo shows a close-up of me, which is actually quite flattering. My skin is smooth and blemish-free, thanks to the lotion I’ve been using to get rid of my freckles. Were it a picture of my seventeen-year-old self, I honestly think the people wouldn’t be happy having a gawky, nerdish girl on the cover.

I scan the page until I find the text that I’m needing. After the private ceremony was performed in the palace’s Red Room, the Prince and Princess journeyed from the palace to St. James Cathedral in a golden carriage pulled by four white horses.

St. James Cathedral. So, that’s where the wedding was held. I wonder how far it is from the palace. If Edward and I needed a carriage to get there, it can’t be inside the palace. There’s also an article that mentions I fainted right after the ceremony is performed, but luckily, it’s only a couple of paragraphs. Maybe the royal family has some influence on the press.

I fold up the paper and tuck it inside a drawer. All I have to do is get to the wedding chapel and find out if there is some route I can use to get back to Portland.



* * *



On my way to the courtyard, I run into the chamberlain. According to Edward, the chamberlain is in charge of the royal household—something like the monarchy’s equivalent to a butler. He was the same person who poured wine and carved the pot roast during dinner. And he also happens to be the brother of Madame Dubois, the etiquette mistress who once instructed me in court manners and princess behavior when I moved into the palace nine months ago.