The caller is Adam Von Dietz, deputy head of MESS. Angie had called him on Camille’s and my behalf, but he hadn’t given her a clear answer.
“I can see you and your fiancée tomorrow morning at nine, my lord,” he says.
We’re signing our marriage contract that afternoon…“Is there another time you’re available this week?”
“I’m afraid that’s my only opening.”
Camille will hate me even more than she already does if I pass on this opportunity.
“Shall we come over to the agency?” I ask.
“If you don’t mind. Security will bring you to my office.”
We hang up. Just as I’m heading back into the hall, Mother calls. She hates the talent contest. She always comes in last. This year she wiggled out of it by claiming to be sick.
“Congratulations,” she says.
“On what?”
She sneers. “Your love match. Your dream marriage.”
“That’s tomorrow, Mother.”
There’s an awkward silence. “I thought it was today.”
“You should come to keep up appearances.”
“I can’t travel,” she declares. “I’m not feeling well, remember?”
What does one say to that?So I say, “Get better. Um… do you think Father could sober up for a day and come down to Pombrio?”
“Ask him.”
That’s what I do as soon as we hang up. Father beats about the bush for ten minutes before finally admitting that he has no desire to attend my civil marriage ceremony.
Fair enough.I guess.It’s not like I’m marrying Camille for love. Our union is but a farce imposed by Grandpa.
I return to my seat.
Elise is done, and Mount Evor’s oldest royal, our sovereign’s mother, Dowager Princess Gertrude is on stage.
“What did Theo’s portrait look like?” I whisper to Angie.
She gives me a mysterious smile. “You’ll need to see it for yourself.”
Princess Gertrude is given random rhymes, which she uses to compose a poem.
The next contestant is Sasha de Croy. She’s the fiancée of Prince Arnaud, whose existence we all discovered earlier this year. Sasha, a journalist and a history buff, has wisely chosen a history quiz. Unsurprisingly, she aces it.
More contestants demonstrate their skills. Princess Felicia, our oracle, plays the cello. My aunt Marie-Louise, aka Countess d’Alenq née de Valois, plays the piano. Both are excellent musicians and have won this contest more than once. Cousin Celeste speed knits a cute doggy coat. Her knitting prowess is legend.
My aunt and my cousins—Jonas sitting the row behind me—avoided me at breakfast. They’re still mad that I’d hidden myrelationshipwith Camille from them.
Camille steps out on the stage, causing a collective gasp and a flurry of whispers.
The jury gives her the first puzzle. It features a Sphinx, and it sounds more like a riddle than a logic problem. If I had more than five minutes, I might’ve been able to crack it. Camille does it in less than a minute.
Phew.Even if she fails the other two, she just saved face.