Cinder & Glass by Melissa de la Cruz

Author:Melissa de la Cruz [de la Cruz, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2022-03-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

I remained sitting on my bench in the window embrasure as the selection began. The proceedings weren’t interesting enough for me to desire a better view, and anyway, I could hear everything that was going on perfectly from my comfortable, private seat. There was nothing to look at beyond the king reading a list of names and the dauphin’s reaction.

It was probably safer to stay out of sight anyway. Lady Catherine was sure to be at the foot of the dais with Alexandre and Severine. I wasn’t going to risk her spotting me for something as frivolous as names being read aloud. Besides, Auguste might not be able to find me later if I moved, and I wanted him to find me.

“The first young lady to be chosen is Lady Anna de Medici of Tuscany,” the king said, his strong voice carrying clearly through the hall. “We are honored to host you at Versailles this season, my lady.”

The king moved on right away, announcing the names of Princesse Henrietta of England and Duchesse Maria Anna Victoria of Bavaria in quick succession. I wasn’t surprised that the girls were foreign princesses and nobility. Even if the ultimate choice of bride was up to Prince Louis, the match still needed to have some kind of political advantage. And the foreign nobility would need to be housed in the palace, unlike the local French ladies, who could remain in their homes if chosen.

The king carried on announcing the names on the list, paired with platitudes about how honored he was to have some so-and-so maiden court his son or how special it was for her to grace Versailles with her presence. I didn’t recognize most of the girls, but the murmurs and gasps that moved through the crowd every time a name was called meant that the courtiers did. They were far more invested in the proceedings than I was. I was looking forward for the announcements ending so Auguste could find me again.

I rested my cheek against the cool marble of the wall and tried to tune out the whispering of the couple behind me, who were still entwined in each other’s arms. The scent of hot candle wax from a nearby candelabra mixed with the sweetness of the orange flower water I wore. It reminded me of the times my mother would tuck me into bed when I was a child, leaning over to kiss me on the forehead, her perfume wafting over me while a solitary candle burned on my nightstand. My eyelids were heavy, far too heavy to hold open for much longer.

“The next two young ladies are sisters, so I’m sure they won’t mind if I announce them together,” the king said. “Lady Severine de Louvois and Lady Alexandre de Louvois. I’m honored to have two daughters of one of my most favored advisors—may he rest in peace—court my son.”

I jolted upright, fully awake in an instant. The king did not just announce both Severine and Alexandre, did he? A shriek erupted from the crowd that sounded remarkably like Severine.

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