A True Princess by Diane Zahler

Author:Diane Zahler
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins

Chapter 7

A True Princess Faints When Frightened

Karina was silent and humiliated as we finished our dusting and left the round room. “We had no way of knowing that he was the prince,” I tried to reassure her as we descended the stairs to the kitchen for supper. “He wore no crown.”

“But his bearing was regal, and his manners were as well,” she said. “I am such a fool! How could I think—how could I possibly imagine . . .”

She shook her head, and her eyes filled with tears. I had known she liked the blue lord, known that she thought he was handsome, known that she dreamed of seeing him again; but until that moment, I had not fully realized that she cared so much for him. Something in me rose up, and I said fiercely, “What I said before was right. If he feels he is too good for you, he is not worthy of you.”

Again Karina shook her head. “He is a prince, Lilia,” she reminded me softly.

“Ah, so you’ve seen our prince!” Birgit had overheard us and was eager to join in our conversation. “He is the most handsome prince in all the North Kingdoms—or indeed in any other kingdom that I know!”

Karina stiffened, and I spoke to cover her silence. “And yet he will not marry,” I said.

“That he will not,” Janna said, joining us. “He has created a test that no one who is not a princess can pass—but he has already refused to marry any princess in the North! Those who come now hope the test will reveal some unknown royal blood in their lineage, but it does not seem likely to happen.”

“So does he not want to marry at all, then?” I asked.

“Our prince is a great mystery,” Janna said fondly. “But he keeps things interesting with his test. In fact, we are to expect another hopeful bride tomorrow.”

“Poor thing!” said Birgit, laughing, and the others laughed with her.

That night, I could hear Karina’s muffled sobs in the bed next to mine. I reached out and took her hand in the dark, and held it until she relaxed into sleep. Then when everyone’s breathing was deep and regular, I slipped on my dress and crept out of the room to continue my search for the jewel. Kai was never far from my thoughts.

The palace was lighted with candles placed here and there, and many tall windows welcomed the moonlight that was bright enough to cast shadows on the marble floors. I tiptoed through the kitchen, looking everywhere I could think of for the jeweled cloak clasp. The pantries were groaning with food: meats hung from hooks to age, and jars of lingonberry and cloudberry preserves lined the shelves. I saw barrels of flour and wine and baskets of nuts and grains. But there was no clasp.

There was a guard on the floor with the staterooms, but I slipped by him and entered the reception room with its gently plashing fountain. I saw that

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