Esofi nodded to herself. “At home, I was always comfortable around the lower classes because I knew they would never second-guess me,” she said in a low voice. “Even if I said something very silly. But everything is so different here. I feel as though I am off-balance.”
“That was unusual, even for our outspoken people,” Adale reassured her. “Our citizens might not be so formal as Rhodia’s, but they are respectful. I believe he only singled you out because he was desperate.”
“You are probably right,” Esofi agreed. “Do you truly believe I responded well? Perhaps I should have done a better job of explaining—”
“Now you’re being silly!” cried Adale. For a moment, Esofi stared at her with an expression of pure shock, but then she saw the smile on Adale’s face and began to smile as well.
“Pardon me, Your Highnesses,” said a new voice. Adale looked around to see a servant standing just outside the doorway. He had a sealed letter clutched in one hand. “I’ve a message for Princess Esofi from Lord Theodoar of Leikr.”
Adale’s heart sank. She’d almost forgotten about this part.
Esofi looked surprised but accepted the envelope. “Lord Theodoar. He’s one of your entourage, isn’t he?”
“I…” Adale looked at the note helplessly, wondering if there was any way she could snatch it away without looking like she had been struck mad. Esofi was already breaking the seal and unfolding it.
“How very odd,” said Esofi after a long pause. “He says that there is a matter of great importance he wishes to discuss with me.” Esofi looked up at Adale. “Do you have any idea what this might be about?”
Adale felt that this was a very unfair question.
“He asks me to meet with him in the east courtyard.” Esofi frowned, her white face powder leaving a crease behind in her forehead.
“Allow me to accompany you, then,” said Adale. “Theodoar is my trusted friend, and I do not believe he would mean you harm, but I’m afraid he might be about to do something foolish.”
Esofi looked up at Adale again, a flicker of suspicion in her face. “Very well. If you will show me the way? I fear I have forgotten.”
“Of course,” said Adale. But then Esofi got to her feet and strode from the room, hands clutching so tightly at her parasol that Adale thought she might splinter the wooden handle. Adale made the mistake of glancing back at Esofi’s ladies. None of them were smiling. The littlest one looked Adale directly in the eyes, her face as cold as marble. Then, very slowly, she raised one finger up to her own pale neck and drew a line across it.
“This is not my fault,” Adale muttered through gritted teeth. “This is everyone’s fault except mine!”
But it seemed that Esofi had not required directions at all and successfully led them to the courtyard without a word. Theodoar’s familiar silhouette was waiting on the green, and he was not alone. His own servants were there, along with some of the nobles who had been on the hunt yesterday.
Esofi did not falter in her step, though the waiting lady who had just threatened to murder Adale pushed ahead so that she and the princess were shoulder to shoulder.
“Princess Esofi of Rhodia,” said Theodoar as she approached. “And…Adale?”
“Lord Theodoar,” Esofi replied. “I received your message. Is all well?”
Theodoar pulled himself into a very formal pose. “Unfortunately, it is not,” he announced in a voice that carried across the courtyard. “I cannot allow you to be engaged to Crown Princess Adale without first challenging you to single combat for the right.”
“What?” cried Adale. At the same moment, the little waiting lady made a sudden move, as though she meant to lunge at Theodoar and tear his throat out. But Esofi’s parasol shot out and caught her across the chest before she could take even a step.
“Single combat?” repeated Esofi. She gave a small laugh. “Do you think I am some silly courtesan who has come to your country on a whim? My parents signed my marriage contract when I was three years old. Do you think Their Majesties will care what the result of your game is?”
“I have made my challenge,” said Theodoar. “You may choose your weapon, or your champion.”
“This is not happening,” insisted Adale. “Theodoar! What are you thinking?”
“I’m doing this for you, Adale.” He looked at her in surprise. “I thought that this was what you wanted.”
“I don’t know what I want!” cried Adale.
“What is he talking about?” asked Esofi, finally acknowledging her.
“I…” Adale found that she didn’t know how to begin explaining. “It’s…it is complicated. But never mind that now. I will fight for you.”
“You certainly will not!” snarled the littlest waiting lady, shoving herself forward so that she and Adale were practically chest to chest, or perhaps chest to stomach. “Princess, I will fight for you, and I will kill this insolent toad where he stands.”
“It is not meant to be a fight to the death!” cried Adale.
“Enough,” said Esofi, and even though she did not raise her voice, something in her tone compelled them all to silence. “Lord Theodoar, tell me the laws of single combat in your country.”
Theodoar nodded, though one eye was locked on Esofi’s murderous waiting lady. “It is a straightforward affair, and, as the crown princess said, only until the drawing of first blood, or until someone surrenders. You may fight using a weapon of your choosing. If you win, you may sign the marriage contract with the crown princess uncontested. If you do not, you will pursue her hand no longer.”
Adale knew that not even Theodoar believed that last part, but at least now she understood his plan. Winning the duel would delay the marriage proceedings long enough for them to escape the castle, assuming he was able to defeat whomever Esofi selected. Though Theodoar was unquestionably gifted with a sword, Adale had no doubt that the waiting lady was more than capable of murdering him, and might even be proud to be arrested for it.
“Very well,” said Esofi, and handed her parasol to Adale.
“What are you doing?” Adale sputtered.
“I am accepting this challenge,” said Esofi, as though it was obvious or even logical.
“Yourself?” For the first time, Theodoar looked uncertain. “Surely you wish to select a champion. Or…at least…a different dress.”
“Nonsense,” said Esofi. “Best to get this over and done with now. Are there any other rules I ought to know about?”
Theodoar seemed uncomfortable, and Adale wondered if his common sense had finally caught up with him. “Only to fight with honor, Princess.”
“Then I am ready,” said Esofi.
“You must have a weapon,” Theodoar began, but before he had even finished the sentence, there was a flash like lightning and a cloud of sparkling rose-pink mist crackled to life around Esofi’s hands.
Cries of shock and amazement echoed around the lawn, but Esofi seemed not to hear them. She was already striding forward to meet Theodoar at the middle of the lawn, the pink light trailing up her arms.
Theodoar edged back as if rethinking his challenge, but his friends called out encouragements. Whether this was because they honestly believed he had a chance or simply because they wanted to see a good fight was unclear to Adale.
Theodoar seemed to be cheered by the support, though. He unsheathed his blade and took his position.
“Is this allowed?” murmured Lethea in Adale’s ear.
“I didn’t know she had magic,” Adale whispered back. She realized that she was still clutching at the parasol Esofi had handed her. “Did you know she had magic?”
“I don’t know anything,” said Lethea with refreshing honesty. “I just turn up for meals.”
“Of course she has magic, you fools,” hissed Lexandrie. “Did you truly believe she was just a fat little rosebud?”
“Maybe,” said Adale. Lexandrie made a noise of disgust and gave her a withering glare.