Ever After (Unfinished Fairy Tales #3)(26)
The song reaches the end. When he bows and I curtsy, that should be the cue for us to separate, but instead of walking off, he glances over his head, and nods. I bet he's signaling to Edward.
“Lady Katherine, it has been most pleasant dancing with you.” Henry’s hand stays on my arm. “However, I would hate to be deprived of your company so soon. Would you mind accompanying me for a stroll outside? I would so dearly love to see your face under that mask.”
If I didn’t know there must be a motive for this invitation, I would have rolled my eyes and asked who is he and what did he do to the Henry I knew.
“Certainly, my lord.” I flutter my eyelashes in an attempt to look flattered, though it can’t be effective when conveyed through the mask. “Your wish is my command.”
We attract little attention as we head outside. Were Edward accompanying me, the ladies would definitely notice, as he is the crown prince, but Henry is regarded as any other aristocrat in the masque. Besides, several couples are slipping away from the dance floor as well.
Outside, the palace gardens are magnificent in a kaleidoscope way—it seems that the emperor has tried to cram every tree and bush and shrubbery he could find into every nook and cranny of the garden. I wonder what Edward’s opinion is of this garden, as Henry leads me past a clump of red roses as large as saucers. The aesthetic style of the garden is similar to the decor of the palace, and probably reflective of Moryn culture as well—bold, flashy, dazzling.
Giggles can be heard now and then, and I cringe at the sight of unabashed, passionate couples in various places of the garden. Henry and I even had to circle past a couple who are making out in the middle of the path. It wouldn’t be so bad if I were here with Edward, but with Henry, whom I always see as a good, reliable friend, it’s so awkward.
After what seems like an eternity, we reach a courtyard where numerous carriages are crowded.
“Oy!” A Moryn man stumbles past, held up by a woman whose makeup is smudged. “Can’t wait to take this one home, eh? Why not join us for a party—the more the merrier!”
“Thank you for the offer, but no.” Henry’s expression is tight and indifferent.
“You’re from Athelia!” The man slaps Henry’s back. “No wonder you’re so uptight. Let me do you a favor, you don’t know what’s a real carnal delight until you…”
“Excuse me, but I really must decline.” Henry finds a carriage with a driver and hustles me in. “Have a good night.”
He pulls the curtains up, hiding us from outsiders, and shouts for the driver to get going. As the carriage moves away from the courtyard, the man’s yells die away. I sink in my seat, feeling so tired that I could fall asleep in the carriage. I have escaped Jér?me’s clutches. And what’s more important, Edward knows I’ve come back.
15
Kat
Henry’s apartment is near the Moryn Royal Institute. He chose it especially so he could go to the Royal Institute every day on foot. Like how his townhouse is near the university in Athelia. Convenience over comfort.
“Why did you rent a flat instead of a house?” I ask. Henry is more down-to-earth compared to his peers, but still, I’d expect him to be used to living in a house with servants.
“Half of the houses near the Institute are owned by a Moryn count, while the other half are owned by the Institute’s faculty,” he says as he guides me up the stairs. “I know few people in Moryn, so there’s no need to entertain guests in a party. I have no need for servants; meals are provided at the Institute and I have a cleaning woman over twice a week. Besides, it is only going to be a year. Less, if the project goes well.”
“No invitations from Moryn aristocrats?” I ask. “If they know you are Edward’s cousin and a duke from Athelia, I’m sure they’d love to make your acquaintance.”
“It’d be hard to complete my research if I lived like a normal Moryn aristocrat.” Henry shrugs. “I would also not want Elle to have any cause for concern. You have seen how…carefree the Moryns are with their affections.”
Oh yeah. Not that I have anything against the Moryn culture, but nevertheless I’m glad it was Athelia I was transported to. If I had ended up as Augustin or Jér?me’s bride…
Urgh. I feel sick just thinking about Jér?me. Augustin isn’t that bad, and I think Simone is glad to marry him, but I remember the stories of the Moryn people who are unhappy with his autocratic rule. Edward is way, way better than any man I’ve met, whether it may be in Athelia or Moryn. I don’t know how I’d had the luck to attract him.
The flat is spacious and cozy, and decorated in a style similar to Edward’s house in Enrilth. However, since there is only one bed, Henry insists that he sleeps on the sofa in the sitting room.
“It’s your place,” I protest. “I can’t take the bed. That sofa looks big enough, and if you loan me some blankets I shall be quite comfortable.”
“Edward will never forgive me if I let you sleep there,” Henry returns, and I sense there’s no point arguing with him.
Despite a long stressful day, I lie awake for a while, anxiety gnawing on my mind. What will Jér?me say when he returns and finds that I’m gone? Suppose he discovers that Henry and I have disappeared from the masque? Unlike Edward, Henry is going to stay here for one year. Will Jér?me make life hell for Henry?