Page 53 of The Dandelion Princess

“You could start by giving your Pixy followers a clue,” Ella replies. She crosses the room and flicks a switch, turning on the spot lights illuminating a display case built into one of the shelves. Jang Mi squeaks but I grin.

There are two van Heyden family tiaras. One is a heavy, diamond-encrusted garland of scrolls and lover’s knots. We keepit in a bank vault in Handsel, and it is passed down to eachneerheidfor their wives. It’s full of history and tradition, but it’s also induced countless migraines for two hundred years. It’s currently being cleaned for Alix’s wedding.

And then there’s this one.

“The Dandelion Tiara,” I say, glancing at Ella, seeing her plan before she even speaks it aloud. “Posting about it would get people thinking about Seong and Sondmark together.”

Jang Mi leans over the heavy glass, inspecting the dandelion motif. “The diamonds are tiny,” she says.

Ella leans with her. “No diamonds. No gems at all.”

Jang Mi looks at me. “But it sparkles.”

“My father had it made when he married my mother,” I say. It was almost the only romantic gesture he ever made. “The material is cut steel. Gold-plated and incredibly light.”

“There are dandelions for Seong,” Jang Mi smiles. “It would look very good on the princess’s head.”

Images of the Dandelion Tiara perched on bright curls flood my mind. At Ragnar banquets, state dinners, at my dinners, in the tub, around the house…

Ella’s cheeks burn red, and she waves her hands at the thick security glass the way you would wave off a charging stag. “I don’t dream about tiaras. The less I have to do with them the better.”

Jang Mi shifts to Seongan. “How are you going to talk her into owning this one, Marcus-shi?” she murmurs. I grip the back of my neck, fighting the urge to push her out the door and lock it.

“That’s not on the table,” I reply.

Ella waits for a translation but Jang Mi reverts to English. “You suggest a photo?”

Ella nods. “Your fans will do a reverse image search, which will lead them toVrouwheidvan Heyden and Lindenholm. If you’d like to wear it, I can help you put it on.”

Some visceral reaction threatens to break through my neutral expression. No. No one else wears it.

Jang Mi glances up at me, cutting Ella out with Seongan. “Look at her face, Marcus-shi. So much control, but she is upset by the idea. You could—”

“It’s too complicated.” It is. The risk is high and I stand to lose too much. This friendship kept my head above water this year. It kept me sane.

Clearing my throat, I shift from Seongan to English. “Jang Mi says she couldn’t possibly wear it.”

Jang Mi sighs, tucking her hand into Ella’s. “The dating scandal would…” Her free hand performs an explosion. “So annoying. I do not know where it came from.”

“You did volunteer work with my team,” I say. “If I had known the fuss it would cause—”

She ignores me to train her attention on Ella. “Marcus and I are friendly, yes? But no.” She shakes her head at me like I’m gross. No need to be so emphatic.

Jang Mi produces a sunny smile. “We take a picture and I will tell my agency to deny the rumors.”

I toss Ella the keys to the case when my phone buzzes. “It’s Noah. The crown prince,” I add for Jang Mi’s benefit. “I have to take the call.”

Jang Mi laughs. Seongan again. “Set me up on a date with that spicy rice cake if you really want to make me happy about interrupting our tour.”

“That’s a dating scandal you want to avoid,” I say, crossing to the other end of the room. “Hey, Noah. What is it?”

“The Handsel Dragons are playing the Djolny Resistance this Wednesday. I need you there.”

I watch Ella remove the tiara from the case, holding it carefully in her hands. I hardly breathe as Jang Mi directs her about lighting and angles. “Is it box seats and blue blazers?” I ask.

“Definitely not. I need it to look like a casual outing.”

Look like.There’s always a royal angle. When Noah plays the game, I’m his right-hand man.