Page 21 of The Ostler's Boy

I slept horrifically, and when morning arrived, it was without relief from my sour air. I had been but a second away from agreeing to ride all summer with Mr. Evergreen, but he was an absolute scoundrel, and I refused to let myself forget my ignorance. I promised to avoid him for the rest of my life.

Yet, I couldn’t stop thinking about the way he tended to me after the rain. I wandered through a fantasy or two of his hands in my hair— the way they’d cleared the dampness of my despair and?—

“Ugh!” I cried, slamming the middle drawer of my desk shut.

“Miss?” Josie asked. Her eyes were wide, but she withheld from furthering the question.

“Where are my ribbons?” I asked.

She touched the hood of my jewelry box. “Ser Willoughby placed them here.”

“Of course he did. See? This. This is exactly why I don’t like him. People are so…frustrating! Assuming. Rude. Ridiculously handsome , and-!”

“You think Ser Willoughby is ridiculously handsome?” she asked.

“Ew, what?”

“You just said you didn’t like Ser Willoughby because people are ridiculously handsome,” she said. “Do you think Ser Willoughby is handsome?”

“No,” I said, cringing. I opened the box and pulled loose the cord I wanted, fastening it into my braid. “That was not what I said.”

“Did you not instruct him to place them there, Your Highness?” she asked.

“Place what, where?”

Josie paused. “Are you alright?”

I paced from the mirror to the other side of the room, then back. “I’m perfectly fine, thanks,” I said.

Ser Elías was at the door.

“Are you well, Svana?” he asked, tracking me as I traveled a third time. He closed the door. “What are you doing?”

“I’m looking for my shoes,” I told him. “What? Are you co-writing a book?” I asked.

They shared a look.

“Really,” I told them. “I’m sure I left them by the bed.”

“Are you speaking of the ivory ones?” Josie asked.

I nodded, and she retrieved them from the bottom of the armoire.

“You said you wanted the gray. Here, miss,” she said, swapping the pair for the other. “Did… Did something happen on your ride?” she asked.

“What ride?” Elías checked.

I sighed. “Thank you, Miss Jocelyn. Very helpful.”

She paused. “I’m sorry, did Ser Elías not know you went?”

“Know you went where?” he asked. “Did you go riding this morning?”

“No,” I said. “I went riding yesterday afternoon.”

“Alone?” he asked.

“No, not alone,” I said. I rolled my eyes. “With Mr. Evergreen. Where is the belt for this?”

Josie handed it to me. I wrapped it around my waist.

“You stated you would not be seeing Mr. Evergreen,” Elías said.

“Aye,” I told him. “That had been my intention. Then he was in my room and?—”

“The boy was in your room?” His tone changed.

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “No. I meant he was at my room. He was standing, waiting for me by the door, when I walked out.”

“And you went riding alone with him?” he asked.

“Believe me, I had my own concerns, but apparently, it’s fine that I was with him. The Prince practically declared that rat as my bodyguard.”

“And you gave him that authority?” he asked. “You have knights for that.”

“I gave him nothing; he took it. Mr. Evergreen is quite capable or something. It doesn’t matter,” I said. “It was a very bad ride.”

“What did he do?” he demanded.

I hooked a hand to my hip. “Nothing,” I said.

“Nothing?” He scoffed. “You’re protecting him?”

“What?” I frowned. “No. I’m not protecting him.”

“You’ve kept this from me,” he said. “I don’t like it.”

“I have hardly kept anything. This is the first time I’ve seen you since yesterday, and I just– Fine, I may not have intended for you to know about the ride, but not because I am protecting anyone, but because it was humiliating. It’s not as though I brought it up; Jocelyn did.” I turned toward her. “Have I thanked you enough for that yet?”

Josie busied herself within the chores.

“It’s fine, Ser,” I told him. “Mr. Evergreen was fine. The ride was fine. Everything and everyone involved is and was fine,” I said. I tugged the ribbon, releasing my crown. “I don’t like the white,” I told Jocelyn.

She took the shoes and belt as I stepped out of them and went to change my clothes behind the screen to spare Elías.

“Was it fine or was it bad?” he asked. I heard his armor move as he turned the other way.

“I—” I loosed a breath. “What do you want me to say?”

“Josie,” Elías spoke to her. “Why did you suggest the ride was the issue?”

“Eli,” I pressed.

She stammered. “Oh, dear, I?—”

“Nothing happened with the ride!” I shouted. I stomped out, snatching another gown off its hanger, loathing it but casting it over the divider the same. “The ride was fine!” I told him. “It was afterward that that deliberately rude swordsman accused me of not understanding a hard day's work! Which, perhaps, may have been a fair shot for any other princess, and yes, maybe I have servants and horse handlers and such, but that’s neither here nor there. The issue was not the ride or some callous act in particular. Mr. Evergreen was. No. He was not inappropriate with me. He only wounded my feelings, which I am entitled to as I am, in fact, a person, not a statue. You do not have to badger me about it, Lord Commander. I’m clearly still very sensitive, yes? But, should I determine the man deserves a beating, believe me, you’ll be the first to know! Now. Where is my bracelet?”

Josie handed it to me.

“Thank you,” I said. I dragged it over my wrist and primped myself in my reflection. “Do I look alright?”

Elías bored his eyes into my maid. She adjusted slightly.

“Then it’s Evergreen who’s the problem?” he asked.

“No,” I said heatedly. “What would give you that impression?”

“You just said it was,” he said.

“I–”

Josie interrupted. “To be fair, you were seen exchanging words with Mr. Ever?—”

I divided his name. “One might say it would be strange not to converse with a man I spent the better part of an afternoon with,” I said. “Besides, ‘exchanging words’ seems to be our strength as a pair.”

My knight scowled. “I don’t like that I’m not in attendance with you. Say the word, and I’ll-”

“I do not need another chaperone,” I said.

He nodded once. “But pray. Has he riled you?”

“Elías,” I said. “Can I not just be irked? Irritated? Irrevocably upset? Must there be a reason? Or person who behind the irking?”

“And you maintain he is not the reason you’re upset?” he asked.

He waited for a response I couldn’t muster, and Josie retrieved her garment brush from somewhere close to run it over my intended skirt.

“Fine,” I relented. “I might be upset this morning, and it might have something to do with Mr. Evergreen.”

“What did he do?” he asked calmly. “Should I fetch Ser Willoughby?”

My eyes widened. “Surely you’re not asking if you should invite a second party to hurt a man I said did nothing to warrant punishment? Half of Chalke already thinks I’m an untamable beast! They’ll call you my hound.”

“Did he call you that? Untamable beast?” he asked.

“No.” I strolled back across the room and sat at the vanity, picking at my nails. “What is your obsession with the Blade anyway?” I asked. “He isn’t special; he just thinks he is.”

Josie stifled a laugh, drawing our eyes. She kept hers trained on the dress she tended and clearly struggled to keep from smiling.

Elías bristled. “Do you have something to add, Miss Jocelyn?”

“No, Ser,” she declared.

I sighed and reached for my shoes. “Mr. Evergreen has been nothing but cordial to me, Ser. A proper gentleman. ...That is, past the endless sparring. Though, I suppose he is entitled to his opinion.”

“He spars with you?” he begged, angry.

“Not spar sparring, you old fool.” I sighed, dropping my heels again to find another set. I moved anxiously toward the bed to produce my back to Josie. She started to untie the lacing on my gown.

“I believe Miss Svana is referring to their bickering, Lord Commander,” she explained.

“Bickering,” I muttered back. “As though we are some decrepit married couple.” I laughed. “Imagine! To be married to the likes of him. Mrs. Cyrus Evergreen!” I rolled my eyes. “I pity the woman. A dreadful dame, I’d say. She’d have to be half as annoying.”

Elías’s hand rested at the hilt of his sword. “I don’t like this environment for you,” he said.

“Not much of a choice, dear friend. Between the eleven balls, and?—”

“Twelve if you count the masquerade, miss,” Josie added.

“Masquerade?” I asked. “Why in God’s name would we have a masquerade?”

“It’s an annual tradition in the Chalke Season,” she said.

“So many traditions I am unaware of,” I said. “Weren’t you charged with my preparation?” I asked Elías.

“You’ll learn them,” he said. “Culture is meant to be shared, after all.”

“Eleven balls, two lunches, a tea, a derby, and a masquerade,” I listed. “That is far too much socializing, but I suppose if I can keep up with their quickstep, I can survive a few parties until August.”

Josie squinted. “Huh?”

“Chalke’s empire dance,” I explained. “It was too much for me. Sam nearly knocked me over. He was so fast, and I had zero reward for it.”

Ser Elías cleared his throat.

“As I said, you needn’t worry yourself with the swordsman, Eli. I’m sure you have plenty else to fill your day.”

“Indeed,” he said, retrieving an envelope from his pouch and handing it to me. “I came to deliver your letter.”

I touched the broken wine-colored wax seal engraved with an E. “A letter?” I asked. “This is for me? But this is Father’s mark? And it’s opened?”

“Aye,” he replied. “He is unhappy with your decision to stay but has taken the steps necessary to appease your aunt. He wants you to write her and arrange a new time for the ceremony upon your return.”

I peered at the start of the transcript. It was addressed to Elías by name. “This letter is yours,” I said.

He nodded. “Yes, but the message is for you the same.”

“I see.” I set it on the table. “No matter. I’m sure he wants you to handle it.”

“Writing your aunt?” he asked.

“Well, it’s not addressed to me, now is it?” I said. “Take care of it, please.”

“As you command,” he replied.

I exhaled, glancing at the envelope a second time, and then no more. I forced a smile, stepped out of the dress, and loosened my slip. “Don’t worry about the sparring anyway, Ser. The afternoon was not left upon particularly happy terms, and I do not expect to see Mr. Evergreen any time soon. In fact, I’m quite certain my troublesome nanny will find himself deeply in his work for the next little while. I can’t imagine he should dare to show his face to me, not after my response, and certainly not without the Prince's explicit order to, that is.”

There was a knock at the door.

We all shared a collective pause, looked at each other, and then the door. Elías opened it to find Mr. Evergreen behind it. We met eyes briefly. I squealed and leaped to hide myself behind the wardrobe, covering my slip with as much mass of my arms as I could.

Josie looked strangely at me. “Pray, Princess. Are you alright?“

“Do you think he heard me?” I asked quietly.

She looked back and then to me. “I think he most soothedly saw you,” she replied.

She swallowed a snicker and turned politely to the entry, switching places with my knight, who promptly came and leered at me.

“Deeply in his work?” he hissed.

“I am just as surprised as you!” I whined. “Why is he here?”

Elías spun me to reluctantly tighten my shift as Josie spoke brightly for us all.

“Mr. Evergreen,” she said. “How unusual to find you here at my lady’s quarters. May I help you with something?”

“As unusual for a knight to be inside it as she dresses?” he asked.

Through the weak fabric of the screen, I saw him leer past her.

Josie stepped to shield me, but I was positive he was smirking—and worse, that he had, beyond a doubt, seen me in my disarray and underskirt.

“Or to aid her in the act of fastening said clothes?” he added.

Elías finished the lacing. His knot felt deliberately tight.

“Ow.”

“Do you have a message for Her Highness?” Josie asked. “I’m afraid we’re occupied, sir.”

He said, “Yes, I have a message. Her Highness and I had an appointment this morning; she’s late.”

Josie glanced back at me, and I shook my head furtively. “No, we did not,” I said.

She returned my response. “Miss Svana is unaware of your appointment,” she said.

“Right,” Cyrus said. “If you would remind Her Highness of it, I would be in your debt.”

“She—”

“She explicitly expressed a desire to carry on our business in the morning hours and I did travel quite the distance to accommodate her request, so the sooner she can ready herself, the better for both of our sakes.”

Elías frowned at me as he helped me into the day’s garment and hurried to close the dress’s back. I stepped into the closest pair of shoes and with a swing of the length, manifested behind Josie in a somewhat collected sense .

“Mr. Evergreen,” I said unbothered. I drew my lips into a thin line, brushing the loose waves behind my ears, then promptly realized my hair was loose. I panicked. “W-We, um, we never came to an agreement on whether or not–”

“With respect,” he started, in spite of the word. “Breaking a horse is a concentrated task. It requires consistency. It requires commitment. With your sudden arrival and Sam’s shift in my availability, I have already lost three days in her training. If you dream of ever successfully riding your horse, you’ll need to take our appointments seriously. Now. I’ll give you time to decide on your shoes, and then I’ll see you outside.”

I looked at my heels; one was brown and the other blue.

“Gah!”