Chapter 123

The rest of dinner passed by quickly, and before she knew what was happening, her mother had stood to make an announcement. While most people would’ve gently hit a knife against a crystal goblet to get the room’s attention, Queen Rona wasn’t most people. She had the trumpeters blast them all awake with the same five notes they would’ve played if they were outside and wanted everyone’s attention.

“Ladies and men,” Rona began, and Kit tried not to pucker her face up at the exclusion of the term “gentle” her mother refused to say, “I want to thank you all for joining us this evening for some wonderful entertainment, and a fine meal.” She paused, and there was polite applause, as if she’d had something to do with either of those things, which she had not. “Now, my daughter, the lovely Princess Katrinetta, has an announcement to make. Unfortunately, unlike last night’s announcement, this one is not as... joyous. I would ask that all of you follow us to the entryway. If you will congregate there, Katrinetta will make her announcement and then be off.” Her mother gestured toward the door, and Kit stood to follow.

She was astounded that her mother was serious. Why in the world did she think it was necessary that she make this announcement from the doorway? The men wouldn’t even be able to see her over each other’s heads. Nevertheless, she found herself following along because she had no choice.

When she reached the exit, she noted several guardsmen on either side of the doorway and several more lining the hall. They’d set up a small stool for her to climb up so that she could be seen. It appeared her mother had put more thought into this than previously considered. Still, it seemed ridiculous. If any of the men she was about to dismiss were dangerous, why were they even there in the first place?

The queen called for all of the noblewomen to come out into the hallway, including Kit’s ladies, and then two of her mother’s guards practically picked her up and stood her atop the stool. It took Kit a moment to gain her composure, the entire situation was so odd. She looked out among the crowd of men, both Representatives and noblemen who’d been accompanying their women, and saw a few familiar faces. Cassius looked puzzled; Eli was on guard. Landon had his hand on his dress scabbard, as did Jate, and Reeve was inching his way closer to her. She felt safe, even if she thought there must be something her mother wasn’t telling her that would make her take these strange precautions.

Kit cleared her throat. “Gentlemen, I want to thank all of you for your participation in my Choosing. It has been a pleasure getting to know all of you. However, as you know by now, I am unable to keep all of you. I’ve taken the opportunity to get to know all of you as best I can in these last few days, and I’m afraid I have a few more of you to send home. While I thank you for your service, and hope that our friendship shall remain intact, I am afraid we are just not a love match. Therefore, I will be sending home the following Representatives, who shall have until tomorrow morning to pack their things and leave the castle grounds: Gawayne of Fallfirth, Crew of Chormsey, Merek of Calster, Jerin of Broomwich, and Ulrich of Arches Hallow. Thank you, gentleman, travel safely, and best wishes.”

She had tried to sneak Merek’s name in there in the middle where maybe he would need a few moments to think about it, but as soon as she’d said it, he let out a loud bellow. That was all, though. He didn’t lurch at her, didn’t make another sound, only glanced around, took another swallow from the beer he’d brought with him for some reason, and then stood there with his mouth open. The others seemed melancholy, but no one was angered, and Kit stole away from the scene as the Representatives who were staying took deep breaths and then wished their comrades who would be leaving a fond farewell.

The princess only had a moment to survey the crowd before she was swept off of the stool and moved down the hallway, surrounded by her own guards and her mother’s. The queen walked beside her, though many of the other noblewomen went back inside once they saw it was safe. Kit looked expectantly at her mother, but the queen didn’t seem to think she’d overreacted at all.

When they arrived at the hallway where the queen would turn off to proceed to her chambers, Rona turned to Kit and said, “That went much better than I anticipated.” Kit raised both eyebrows but said nothing, and the Queen’s Guard as well as most of the noblewomen, who also needed to head that direction to reach their rooms, followed after the queen, a few of them, such as Junno and Zora, stopping to tell Kit goodnight.

“That was... odd,” Seph murmured as the rest of them continued on their way to the princess’s side of the castle.

“It truly was,” Kit agreed. She looked around and saw about a dozen of her guards, headed by Tem and Galtor with Lok and another man she knew well called Muk behind them. She caught Lok’s eyes momentarily, and he gave her a reassuring smile. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about Merek charging down the hallway with that ax he liked to carry. He’d be hard pressed to make it through this group of men.

“Why do you think the queen was so cautious?” Avinia whispered in Kit’s ear.

“I’m not sure, but I think it had something to do with Merek being drunk—and huge—and angry.”

“Yes, well, I don’t like it.” Avinia shook her head. “It isn’t like Queen Rona to be so guarded.”

Kit had to agree, but it didn’t seem to matter now. The cuts had been made without incident, and Merek would be headed out of the castle first thing in the morning. If she was lucky, she’d never have to see his hideous round face again.

“What time are you expecting Pierce?” Isla asked in her other ear, and Kit muttered a swear word. She’d let herself forget. “Soon then?”

“I didn’t tell him a time,” she admitted. She glanced over her shoulder, half expecting him to come charging down the hallway to ask her what time he should be at her chambers. “I’ll go back to my room, put on a nightgown and robe there, and then head over to the other room. I’d rather he didn’t have to fool with all of these hooks. I’d like my hair taken down as well.”

“Yes, of course, Princess,” Isla said. “Perhaps since we have Seph now, one of us can go over and prepare the other room for you while the other two get you ready?”

“Good idea.” Kit wanted this to be as simple as possible. The less time she spent with Pierce, the better.

They made it to her room, and most of the guard broke off. “Thank you, kind sirs!” Kit called after them. Only Tem, Lok, and Galter remained.

“Will you be using your other room this evening, Princess?” Galter asked.

“Yes, I’ll be in here for a half hour or so, and then I plan to head that direction.”

“And will your ladies be using this room after you leave?”

“No. Why do you ask?”

“I just wanted to make sure I know where all of the ladies will be, just in case. The queen seemed to think there was something amiss tonight.”

“Yes, well, I’m sure everything is fine.” Kit smiled at him and left the acting commander to give directions to the two guards stationed at her door.