Chapter 141

The queen finally decided to make her appearance. The trumpeters blasted out a few notes to let everyone know the doors to the carriage would be opening, and since Kit was standing directly in front of them, she braced herself against the obnoxious noise. She thought, when she was queen, she would have a nice violin ensemble to announce her presence rather than lambasting everyone with a trumpet blow to the face.

Rona stepped out, followed by Junno, who, much to Kit’s amusement, was wearing one of the gowns from the neighboring realm. The Queen Mother had a large smile on her face, and she came over to stand with Kit and the other ladies who would be taking part in the maze run, as did several other noblewomen Kit knew from her mother’s circle. None of the other councilwomen joined them, only Junno, who squeezed her way in next to her granddaughter and gripped Kit’s hand with a giggle. So many questions danced through Kit’s head, but she’d have to wait as the queen was about to speak.

“Ladies and men,” she began glancing down the line of people stationed directly across from her. “Today, you will take part in one of the most entertaining events of Princess Katrinetta’s Choosing, the labyrinth maze run!” She paused long enough for everyone to cheer, which they did. Kit glanced past her ladies to where the Representatives were standing, but she could only see a few of them, and when Pierce smiled at her, she looked away hastily.

“As you know, the rules are simple. You want to catch the princess!” Everyone chuckled at Rona’s simple statement. “But if you cannot do that, then catch as many of her ladies as you can. Each of them has six ribbons on their wrist. When you catch a lady, you may take a ribbon or a kiss. A ribbon may be traded in for a kiss from the princess. If you choose a kiss on the cheek from the lady instead, that is your right, and I promise my daughter will not hold it against you!” That brought another chuckle, and everyone turned to look at Kit who tried to control her face. She would make no promises.

“The winner will be the Representative who makes it out of the maze first—with a ribbon from the princess! Her ribbons are green. Hold your wrist up, Katrinetta!”

Kit did as she was instructed, though she wasn’t sure why. Surely, all of the men could identify the color green.

“If Princess Katrinetta should happen to find her way out of the maze before any of the Representatives catch her...” Rona looked amused, as if that wasn’t even a possibility, “then she will win. But gentlemen, remember, the winner will be invited to the princess’s pleasuring chamber this evening, so you will want to win this particular contest! Not to mention, you will receive a ride in my most magnificent carriage which is also waiting at the exit.” Oohs and aahs filled the air as they all considered how marvelous it would be to ride in the queen’s carriage.

Behind where the queen was speaking, across from the maze itself, there was a viewing deck large enough for the queen and the councilwomen, as well as the husbands who had been invited to attend with their noble wives, to stand up high and view the event over the maze walls. The queen gestured toward it now. “We will be watching for any sort of cheating or mischief from above. Any Representative who is believed to have broken the rules—going through the shrubbery or over it, for example, or gaining help from one of the ladies—will be disqualified. All disqualifications are made at the discretion of yours truly.”

“And the other councilwomen,” Junno chimed in, and Kit turned to stare at her grandmother for a moment, unable to believe she’d dare correct the queen in front of everyone.

Rona couldn’t believe it either. Her eyes narrowed and a ferocious look took over her face momentarily until she regained her composure. “Yes, of course, Queen Mother,” Rona said, though something about her tone made her think she either disagreed or didn’t care what Junno had to say. Once again, her grandmother’s fingers wrapped around Kit’s wrist, and she fought the urge to turn and question the woman.

“Speaking of the Queen Mother,” Rona continued, “as you all can see, she has elected to play today as well.”

“Why not?” Junno interjected again. “By the next time we have another royal Choosing, I’ll likely be dead!” The initial roar of laughter was stifled as those giggling realized the humor was lost a little in the thought of the old woman’s demise. She shrugged. “You can laugh. It’s true. And gentlemen...” she called in a sing song voice, stepping out a little to survey the men, “if you catch me, you’ll get a kiss and a ribbon. You only live once!” Junno’s giggle was laced with mischief. “Did you hear that Cassius?”

Kit’s hands flew to her mouth to cover her surprise and try to control the laugh at her grandmother’s gumption. Her eyes traced through the crowd of Representatives until she found him, which wasn’t too difficult considering his height and girth. Cassius called back, “Yes, I did, Your Highness. Hopefully, I can catch you and your beautiful granddaughter.”

His tone conveyed he didn’t mind being called out by the older woman, and when Junno turned to face Kit, she was blushing, giggling like a schoolgirl. Kit wrapped an arm around her grandmother’s bent shoulders and they shared a laugh. Secretly, Kit hoped Cassius did catch her grandmother if it meant that much to her sweet Junno to have a kiss on the cheek from the Representative from Warchester Keep.

The only one who didn’t seem even slightly amused was the queen who waited a moment for the laughing to disperse before she said, “The ladies will have a head start since they are wearing cumbersome skirts and they should have a chance to do their best to get away before the Representatives are allowed to enter the maze. There are three entry points, and the Representatives are welcome to use any of them, though it should be noted the princess will use the center opening to enter the labyrinth. Now, if there are no questions,” she didn’t pause to see if there were any, “the other councilmembers, their guests, and myself will take our seats on the deck, and ladies you may get into position. Gentlemen, you will move forward on my second signal.” Rona’s eyes fluttered over the crowd again before she looked straight at Kit and raised one eyebrow slightly.