My thoughts spun wildly for a moment as I considered the man’s words.Would Mother have lied to me?Her story of finding me had always been so vivid, but was there something she’d neglected to mention? There was no doubt in my mind that she would do anything to protect me, but did that include lying to me? My memories wandered back to how fearful she had been when she learned that the princess’s remains were missing. She was terrified of Ashbourne coming to seek me out. How long had she truly been harboring that fear?
“There’s one way to clear this up, then,” I stated starkly, this time addressing both the crowd and Sir Baggio. “Take me back home. I’ll ask Mother myself. You can come and hear the truth, then we’ll all be able to stop speculating.” I searched the crowd for any looks of disapproval, but they were all turned to their leader, awaiting his final jurisdiction.
A low chuckle rose in his throat. “That isn’t necessary, dear princess.” He placed a firm hand on my shoulder, and I tensed under his sleazy touch. It was meant to look like an act of reassurance to his onlookers, but the tight squeeze informed me that it also served as a warning. “Why would we risk both your and your mother’s safety by bringing you back out into the sun where Ashbourne soldiers can find you? I can understand your denial—this is certainly a startling discovery for all of us—but now is not the time to question what we know is truth. Instead, it is time for us to act. Our kingdom has been oppressed for decades, but as of today, we hold the power to take our land back!”
I groaned as the crowd applauded once more; it irked me how they fell for every word that their leader spoke. Somehow, Sir Baggio had managed to wrap this entire rebellion around his finger with the promise of a new monarchy. It seemed as though I would need to take a more direct approach if I wanted to go home.
“What if I don’t want to be your princess?” I crossed my arms disdainfully at the broad man. “You can’t force me to rule. Plus, I don’t know a single thing about governing a kingdom. How would Sybettal be any better off if it were left in the hands of a common peasant?”
Sir Baggio released my shoulder, keeping his arrogant eyes trained on me as he motioned for his son to step forward. The younger Baggio silently took his place beside me, casting his gaze out to his fellow rebels with a distant look. I caught him passing a quick side glance to me, but the look was so rapid I couldn’t get a read on what he was thinking. Like his father, he had a very plain face with undistinguished features, making it difficult to guess his thoughts or emotions.
Sir Baggio moved around us, positioning himself a step behind where his son and I stood. This left both me and the younger man at the front of the crowd. An uncomfortable feeling crashed over me as I noticed the expectant looks in all the young women’s eyes, not to mention a few looks of jealousy shot at me from some of the girls.
“Never fear, Princess Estelle,” Sir Baggio proclaimed from behind us. His thunderous voice caused me to jump for a second as the cave walls echoed obnoxiously. “This is not a burden you will have to bear alone. We have been in long preparation for this moment so that if we succeeded in finding you, there would be no urgent need for you to do anything other than present your lineage. For today, we all bear witness to the betrothal of Princess Estelle to my dear son, Todd Baggio!”
chapter six
“Sir Killian.” My soldier waved to me, summoning me while appropriately withholding my true title. “We have found a boy who claims to have information about our target.”
I strode over to him without delay, tufting clouds of dust in the air as I walked.Has Sybettal’s soil always been this dry?My ragged cloak collected grit along the hem as I walked. It had been difficult to secure such distasteful attire for our mission, and even more difficult to actually wear it. My men and I all adorned the most putrid worn-out trousers with thin cotton shirts and tattered cloaks. I looked deplorable, but we blended in seamlessly with the locals.
“Well done, Drake,” I praised. “Bring me to him at once.”
Drake flicked me a quick nod, then took off through the crowded market square. I followed closely behind, trying my best to avoid touching any of the locals. It was nearing the end of the dry season in Synatto, and it seemed that the lack of water had been preventing most of the citizens from bathing regularly. Despite the pungent scents of body odor and grime floating through the air, the Synatto market was truly a sight to behold.
Sellers of every good imaginable clustered around the bustling square. Patchwork quilts, hand-dyed silks, and even polished wood carvings lay out on display. The only stands that lacked appeal were the ones selling food. I held my breath as I passed a fruit cart filled with half-rotted produce. Flies encircled the decaying fruits, yet dozens of people still lined up for a turn to make a purchase. It was so odd that such a creative culture could be so incompetent when it came to providing for their kingdom. In truth, I was doing them a favor by hunting down their princess. Their false hope would only cause them more pain when they starved.
As we made our way through the thickest part of the crowd, Drake led me down a crumbling alleyway made of cracking stone. I averted my eyes from a cluster of beggars who reached out the tug the hem of my cloak. A frail woman latched onto the fabric in an attempt to gain my attention, but I snatched the cloak out of her grasp before she could attempt to waste my time. When I rounded a new corner, I instantly noticed Aaron, one of my other men, standing alongside a young boy. The boy couldn’t have been more than nine years old. He had the typical Sybettian brown eyes and dark skin, but his eyes were a softer shade than most. He dressed just like I would have imagined a proper street urchin to—stained tan trousers peppered with fraying holes and a scruffy green coat that looked far too warm for the kingdom’s climate.
I looked down at the cheery-faced boy, determining the best way to approach the conversation. “Good afternoon. What’s your name, son?” I asked in my friendliest tone.
The boy grinned, revealing two dimples on both cheeks. “G’day, sir! The name’s Guppy, or at least, that’s what everyone calls me.” His smiled deepened as his round eyes gripped me with youthful trust. Aaron must have already paid the boy for his time, because he was rubbing a shiny silver coin between his fingers. No wonder he was so chipper.
“I’m glad to meet you...Guppy.” I said with a grimace. The boy smelled like a swamp, or maybe a musty cave. Realizing my impolite expression, I quickly flashed the boy a smile. “So, Guppy, my friends here tell me you’ve heard some rumors about the missing princess?” I bent down to his level, placing my hands upon my knees for support.
The boy nodded giddily. “That’s right! Sir Baggio already found her and everything. I can’t wait! We’re gonna have a new queen soon, and then things are gonna start getting better around here!” His boyish enthusiasm poured out of him, and I raised my eyebrow at Aaron, asking him a silent question.
Sir Baggio?
Aaron merely shrugged from behind the boy, clearly knowing no more than I did. I turned my attention back to Guppy. “That’s amazing, I’m sure you can’t wait to meet her.”
“Oh, I already have!” the boy stated proudly. “Sir Baggio introduced her to everyone yesterday, and I’m the one who gets to bring her meals! Well...me and my little sister. She was a little nervous to be engaged to Sir Todd, but Sir Baggio said she’s just ‘coming to terms with her role,’ whatever that means. She’s really pretty, too! I bet she’ll make a great queen, good queens; are always pretty!” The boy’s eyes flashed excitedly between me and my men, anticipating us to share in his enthusiasm.
Instead of smiling back, I remained lost in thought for a moment.She’s already engaged?That certainly was fast. That is, of course, if they had the right girl in the first place. I suppose it wasn’t too shocking that they would expedite a wedding in order to secure the monarchy. A lost princess is one thing, but she holds no official power unless she’s made queen through marriage. If this Sir Baggio had truly found the real princess, then this may be more of a predicament than I had anticipated. Doing away with an unknown princess was one thing, but if she married, I would have to kill her husband, too. Things could get messy rather rapidly, unless…
My thoughts wandered back to something the boy had mentioned, and I found myself speaking my internal question aloud. “Did you say the princess was nervous?” I asked flatly, momentarily neglecting to use my friendly tone. “I mean, do you knowwhyshe was nervous? Does she not like her betrothed very much?” I plastered on my most sincere smile.
“I dunno.” The boy shrugged. “Sir Todd is kinda boring, but he’s super tough. I guess the princess doesn’t know him too good yet. They only met yesterday, but Mama once told me that only people who are in love get married, so I’m sure they love each other.”
I kept my smile level, but my eyes widened at this new information.So an arranged marriage then...It wasn’t surprising, though it could be helpful. My mind swirled meticulously with a new plan as I stared at the cherub-cheeked boy.
“That all sounds very exciting, Guppy,” I said cheerfully. “I would be honored to meet our new princess. Do you think you could introduce me to her?”
The boy shook his head fiercely the moment the question reached his ears. “Oh no, sir, I can’t do that. Sir Baggio is the only one allowed to bring in new people. You’re super nice and all, but I don’t wanna get in trouble.” He looked up to the sky to check the time of day. “In fact, I gotta get home before my sis starts serving supper without me. It was nice meetin’ ya! And thanks for the silver coin, mister!” With his chattered farewell, the boy dashed down the alley and turned from view.
I waved politely with a cordial smile until he was out of sight, then I dropped my hand and turned to Aaron. “Follow him,” I commanded. “Stay out of his sight, but find the rebel’s hideout at any cost.”
“Right away, sir.” Aaron bowed obediently, then raced off for his horse.