Page 10 of Stolen Magic (All That Glitters #2)

Oblivious to my scheming, Princess Gwendolyn invited me closer, even scooting over to make room for me to sit beside her.

I hesitated before accepting. Myst—still in her enchanted form only visible to me—leapt gracefully onto my lap and curled herself contentedly for a nap, her tail swaying in sync with her purrs.

For a moment we stared at one another, silently assessing each other.

Even my quick perusal was enough to confirm she wasn’t at all what I’d expected—I’d believed royalty to be spoiled and distant, a perception encouraged by the greedy way Eldoria had seized my magic and heartlessly murdered Mother.

In contrast to the glitter and glamor I’d imagined, Princess Gwendolyn’s elegant gown was several years out of date, the satin worn, the lace cuffed in several areas, and the hem a few inches too short.

The taxes Their Majesties extracted from their citizens—ones that had often caused me to spend many nights hungry—weren’t being used for worldly possessions.

The princess might live in a castle and bear a royal title, but the lost wealth from the diminishing magic had affected her, just as it had all the inhabitants of our kingdom.

This insight should have been enlightening, but instead it frustrated me.

Relating to Princess Gwendolyn as a fellow victim humanized her in a way I couldn’t afford.

Questions burned my tongue, each more pressing than the last, but I waited for her to speak; though she seemed amiable enough, I couldn’t risk unintentionally offending her and losing the position I’d only just obtained.

Though magic aided me, my plan still lacked structure and missed key components.

Those could only be obtained through the information I gathered, which would be trickier to extract from the princess.

The silence extended a little longer before Princess Gwendolyn finally spoke.

“I’m truly grateful for your presence.” Her demeanor had softened, as if she found solace in the promise of a private conversation.

“Though the upcoming changes are difficult, there is comfort knowing I have a trusted friend to rely upon for what lies ahead.”

Trusted friend …the endearment felt almost mocking, but I hastily suppressed the emotions the words stirred before they could fully take root. “You speak of the difficulties of your pending arrangement?” I prodded.

She sighed. “It’s improper for me not to be grateful for the Kingdom of Eldoria’s generosity in offering such a coveted alliance, yet I can’t escape my lingering reservations in marrying the crown prince.

” She daintily bit her lip as she looked out the window, her gaze wistful, a falter in the calm composure expected of a royal.

“Our arrangement is one of politics rather than love. I know how important the union is for our kingdom, which hasn’t been the same since our magic vanished.

Yet I’m anxious for my future in an unfamiliar land, far from home and married to a man I scarcely know. The duty weighs heavily upon me.”

The princess cast me an uncertain look, as though realizing the imprudence of unburdening her inmost fears to a woman she’d just met, but the magic was apparently at work on her as it had been with the head servant.

Gradually, Princess Gwendolyn’s posture became more relaxed as she confided her distress over leaving everything familiar—especially her beloved parents—along with her anxiety about marrying a man who was not only still a stranger in many respects but came from a different culture, one she’d be expected to gracefully assimilate into.

I closed my heart off as I listened, offering nods of understanding and empathy, each necessary information acquired a valuable insight into the political dynamics of the Eldorian court I would soon infiltrate.

The princess mentioned several key components throughout our conversation: the departure for Eldoria was scheduled in exactly four weeks’ time, a timeline that gave me a limited window to prepare.

I would accompany her to her new home. We would be escorted by a small entourage of guards for the first duration of the journey, but once we reached the border we would be placed in the care of the Eldoria royal family’s guards and servants, making me her sole Myronian companion.

Such an arrangement made things much easier; with no one else to rely on, she would have no one to go to for help once I enacted my scheme.

As I listened to the details she provided, I focused on studying her mannerisms. Her elegance testified of her royal bearing, yet would be easy to recreate on a surface level with sufficient practice.

What would prove trickier would be her habits, mannerisms, and most importantly her knowledge.

I had approximately one month for the task; whether or not such a short time frame would suffice was dependent on the depth of the princess’s personality and on how well she knew her intended.

The conversation drawing to a close was my cue to reassure the princess of my loyalty.

I was unaccustomed to smiling, but I forced my lips upwards.

“You will not endure such a trying journey alone. I am here to assist you in any way possible. You can trust me, Your Highness.” Naturally the promise was a lie, but it was necessary in cementing my role as her confidante.

Princess Gwendolyn seemed comforted by my words.

“Thank you, Lysa. I’m already incredibly grateful for you.

” Her heartfelt smile momentarily distracted me from my purpose.

I hadn’t experienced the comfort that came from kind human connection since Mother’s death, having eventually grown accustomed to its absence and the constant loneliness that pressed upon my heart.

Experiencing it now reminded me of a feeling I’d thought long forgotten.

Did I really have what it took to continue forward with the destruction I had planned?