A small flicker,

dances in the dark,

With each crackle and hum,

it grows fiercely,

All will be destroyed,

if it spreads too quickly,

Slow and steady it must burn,

until it is ready, until it is evolved,

Fragility is its composition.

Madeleine’s heart pounded in her chest. The secret garden was a very private spot to meet just to talk. “Of course. I will be there.”

He squeezed her hand and she shied away from the bright blue eyes. They were both quiet then, and that’s when she overheard her sister speaking softly.

“Just say something later, Tony.”

“It will ease the tension if you do,” Amabel added. “You two were such good friends before.”

“I’ll just get in their way,” Antoine said evenly. “It’s fine. Just leave it be, won’t you?”

Madeleine’s heart sank slightly. She couldn’t even pretend she didn’t know exactly what and who they were talking about.

Thankfully, the musical number ended, distracting everyone for a moment as one of the musicians who carried a lute projected, “Would someone from the audience like to sing this next number?”

There was a pause.

“No, no,” she heard Antoine saying, and looked over at the prince. “Courtney, no.”

Her sister was dragging him to his feet. “You have such a lovely voice though, Tony.”

“Oh.” His expression changed and he rubbed the back of his neck humbly. “You really think so?”

She chuckled. “Absolutely.”

The musician spotted him at once. “Oh ho? Are we to be serenaded this next number by our very own esteemed Prince Antoine of Nebrasia?” he called out.

The crowd cheered loudly, and the curly-haired prince flushed. “Erm...uh...” Without much other choice, he finally gave in and agreed. He made a face at Courtney, but not necessarily an unkind one.

“It’s a pleasure, Your Highness,” the man with the lute said, bowing deeply. He gestured the prince towards the stage.

There was another loud round of applause and the poor, frazzled man stood there in the center of it all, looking as though he’d been badly sunburnt with how red his face had gotten.

There was silence, then the musicians began playing their instruments. Long, beautiful tones rang out. The tune was beautiful but decorated with minor chords, and Madeleine recognized it at once as a traditional Elderian ballade.

Antoine took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment before starting his first note. He sounded unsure at first, then the notes morphed into something pure and confident, his tenor voice ringing out in soft tones.

“My earth and sky, I wait for you with bated breath.

My chest heaves and sighs for you only.

I would follow even if it meant following unto death.

Though you are far, I can feel you between lands.

I wait until the morning sun rises and forever more.

You ask if I love you and I’ll have you understand,

I will be here for you when you return,

and we shall embrace once more.”

Madeleine looked down to see that her arms were covered in goosebumps. As he began the second verse, his gaze fell on her. She searched the emerald eyes before blinking away quickly. She couldn’t deny the heat in her cheeks and there was certainly something there, whatever it was, that left her with not entirely platonic feelings for the prince.

She couldn’t bear to look at him again while he finished the song. The audience burst into applause when it was over, and the red-faced prince took his seat again after giving a short bow.

“That was wonderful, Tony!” she heard Courtney exclaim.

“Yeah, thanks for volunteering me,” he said in a huff, but couldn’t help the smile in the corner of his mouth.

Amabel patted him on the shoulder. “You were amazing. Didn’t know you could sing so well.”

“I’ve never heard such a beautiful voice,” Madeleine heard herself saying, and they all looked at her. She cleared her throat. “It was really nice. You should sing more.”

He blinked back at her. “Thanks.”

“Are we going to go somewhere else?” Yvette asked impatiently with a frown, her arms folded.

Adrian stood from his spot on the ground. “We were going to stop by the bread cart over there.”

“Oh, right!” Madeleine exclaimed. “It’s the same one we visited long ago. Do you remember, Tony?” She looked back at the prince.

“Yes, I remember,” he said indifferently.

“Well, let’s go there then,” Courtney said.

The group began making their way over when one of the king’s servants approached. “King Adrian,” the servant spoke formally. “King Jean of Cappeland wishes to meet with you privately.”

Adrian gave a short exhale. “He wishes to meet right away? Does it have something to do with the council?”

The servant shook his head. “No, Sir. It’s regarding his previous discussions with you.”

Madeleine raised an eyebrow.

She watched as the king swallowed. “Very well then.” He turned to the prince and princesses. “I’m afraid I must depart. We’ll have to plan another outing together.” He was looking at Madeleine as he said it, giving a small smile. She watched him walk away, her heart lifting slightly at his subtle offer.

“I’m going to return to the castle as well,” Yvette said to no one in particular. Her face was one of pure joy now which gave Madeleine some pause. “It’d be a waste of my time to stay here with you four.”

No one objected to her departure.

“Did you ever meet someone so disagreeable as Yvette?” Madeleine said in a hushed voice.

“Not a soul,” Antoine replied.

They all glanced at Amabel.

“Er, not that your sister isn’t…um…” Courtney was grasping for a compliment.

“Don’t worry, I know what she’s like,” the Cappeland princess said, exhaling quickly. “We live together after all.”

“How are you two so different?” Antoine asked. “I mean, you’re complete opposites.”

“It’s certainly a mystery, isn’t it? Father is the only one I can stand to be around at home.” She looked down at her hands.

“That must be hard,” Antoine said. “Maybe I can convince Adrian to let you live in Nebrasia.”

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She gave a small laugh. “Honestly, I would love that. I wish all four of us could just stay here. It’s too bad that I can’t leave Cappeland unless I marry some suitor of my mother’s choice.”

Courtney looked down, swallowing. “Will she not let you choose who you marry?”

“I’m not sure. I think as long as she can get rid of me, and or he is rich then it doesn’t matter.”

“He?”

Amabel hesitated. Before she could answer, Yvette returned again.

“I seem to have left behind the handkerchief Adrian gave me,” she said in an annoyed tone. “I left it on the grass where we...here it is! Well, goodbye again, not that I cared to be in any of your presences anyway.” She let out a huff while turning on her foot.

Amabel glared at her sister’s back. “I’m feeling rather tired. Why don’t you three go on without me?”

There was silence and Courtney opened and closed her mouth a few times.

“If you say so, Amabel,” Antoine said, exchanging a glance with Madeleine.

“Yes, I think it’s for the best.” She bowed, then turned and left with her escorts without another word.

They watched her go.

“That was a rather sudden exit,” Antoine commented.

Courtney continued to stare after the bastard princess. Ahead, the half-sisters had stopped for a moment as Amabel said something to Yvette whose posture became defensive.

“I’m sure it’s nothing,” Courtney said. “She rarely shows her true feelings. I think she just needs space.”

In the distance, Amabel said something fierce, her face in a hard frown, then marched ahead of her sister. Yvette let out a sigh that Madeleine could hear all the way from where she stood.

“Whatever Amabel said to her just now, I don’t think it was friendly,” Antoine said. “It’s a wonder how she puts up with Yvette...Oh, hey!” he exclaimed, pointing behind Madeleine. “Is that not Justin Chevalier the stableman?”

Madeleine was confused by this name coming out of his mouth all of a sudden. “What?” Thinking she had not heard him correctly, she turned in wonderment.

In a small blacksmith shop stood her father, her real father, hammering away at something.

She found herself backing up in terror. “H-he’s here?” Her voice went up an octave. “He c-can’t be here. He can’t.” Her foot caught on something on the ground, and she fell.

Courtney let out a gasp and someone caught her. All at once, everything seemed to be spinning out of control. “Madi?” She was looking into Antoine’s green eyes, feeling his arms around her. “Madi, what’s wrong? Are you alright?”

She searched his face in shock.

As much as she wanted to tell him, she couldn’t. She remembered a young Adrian’s cautionary words. A wave of shame washed over her as she thought about what someone would think of her now, knowing her secret.

“It’s nothing,” she muttered, but neither Antoine nor Courtney moved.

“It’s obviously something.”

“Please...” her voice was a pleading whisper, “I can’t tell you.”

“Tell us what?” Courtney asked, her expression growing more and more concerned.

So much had happened all at once that Madeleine felt as confused and clueless as ever. She could not tell them. She could not tell anyone. No one must ever know.

“Madi.” The gentle voice broke through her thoughts and once again she looked into the eyes of the man who still held her. “You can trust us.”

She searched his face and something finally broke. Tears slowly trickled from her eyes and down her face. Her sister and the prince led her to a more private area of town. The moment was a blur to her as she took Courtney’s handkerchief while Antoine sat beside her on a bench with his arm around her. He rubbed her back comfortingly.

“Madi, what in Elderian is going on?” Courtney asked, sitting on Madeleine’s other side.

Fresh tears appeared as she stared at the handkerchief in her hands. “I’m sorry…If I told you, y-you would despise me.” She wiped her eyes. “I can’t stand the thought of that.”

Courtney blinked incredulously. “What do you mean?”

“Madi.” Antoine’s soft voice seemed to have a calming effect. “I would never despise you, no matter what.” She swallowed hard. “Courtney on the other hand...”

Courtney made a tsk sound, reaching past Madeleine to hit him on the chest. “Hush, Tony.” Madi gave a wet laugh, smiling weakly for a moment before her face fell again. “You can tell us anything, Madi.”

She was surprised by how calm she felt when she spoke her next words. “If I tell you, you must promise to never speak a word to anyone.”

“Of course,” Antoine said, and Courtney nodded seriously.

She blinked down at her lap, pausing for a good long while. “I’m not who you think I am. I discovered something about my mother. Something unfortunate. I was there when she and Justin Chevalier admitted to having an affair long ago, and not only that, but they had a child together.” Her chest heaved in emotion. “Justin is my father.” There was silence. More tears slid down her cheeks as she closed her eyes.

“Nebrasia’s old stable hand?” Antoine repeated incredulously. “You mean, that Justin?” He pointed in the direction of the blacksmith’s shop.

She nodded, wiping her eyes on the kerchief. “He was in contact with Queen Nicole for years. When Adrian and I were children, we both came upon them in the stables. They didn’t know we were there, but we heard everything. Yesterday, I found one of their old love letters, another one of those letters we were talking about, Tony, detailing that I was, uh, a-am their daughter.”

Antoine took his arm from around her. “That’s what the cryptic notes were? They were actually love letters?” He seemed to be taking everything in.

“Yes. Before I knew I was their daughter, I knew about this affair for a long time. It’s what Adrian and I were talking about when we read that poem together.”

Realization spread over his face. “Oh, that makes so much more sense!” He bit his lip. “Then Adrian has known all along?”

She nodded. “About the affair, at least, yes. He’s the only one I could trust with the secret since he was there as well. I’m sorry I never told you.”

“No. I understand why you kept it from me.”

Courtney looked between them, perplexed. “Wait. Hold on a second. Madi, you’re sure this is true? Queen Nicole admitted she was in a relationship with him? You haven’t gotten this wrong?”

Madeleine pulled out the three pieces of paper from her sleeve. “I have all the proof here. You can ask Adrian too. He was there when it happened five years ago.”

“I believe you.” Her sister did not seem angry or disgusted which was surprising, in fact, Madeleine was shocked by how well both of them were taking the news. “I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised,” Courtney continued. “For a long time, Mother did not take much interest in our father, and some thought perhaps she had her interests elsewhere.” She hesitated. “King Abel is not really your father, is he?”

Madeleine shook her head. “I wish I could be like Amabel and be introduced as ‘the bastard’ as if it’s not a big deal and not feel ashamed about it.”

“That could never happen, Madi,” Antoine said sadly. “Amabel can be open about her heritage because her father is the one who committed the act. As sexist as it is, you must never tell anyone who you truly are. Madi, I’m sorry.”

She felt more tears begin forming and Antoine’s arm was around her again. “I just want to be rid of this secret but for the rest of my life I must keep it from everyone.”

“You don’t need to keep it alone,” he said gently. “Courtney and I won’t tell a soul, and you can always talk to us. We are both here for you.”

Courtney nodded, taking her sister’s hand.

“I’m so ashamed,” Madeleine said, unable to look at either of them. “No one will ever accept me if they find out.”

“You don’t need to be ashamed, Madi, and no one will find out,” Courtney chimed in. She looked at her sister, then hugged her tightly. New tears formed, but they were tears of relief that slid down her cheeks.

When they pulled apart, she looked down at the papers she was still holding. “I think I should get rid of these, since they’re evidence.” They both nodded. Madeleine spotted a barrel full of rotten vegetables and food scraps and stood, walking over to it. She ripped the papers into pieces and stuffed them into the barrel.

There was a scuffle that sounded like shoes on the pavement, and Madeleine thought she saw over her sister’s shoulder, someone dashing away.

Her heart pounded. “Who’s there?”

Antoine stood up and searched the area where the person had been. “It must have just been someone passing by,” he said reassuringly, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of dread.

“I-I think we should return to the festival.”

“Of course,” Courtney said, “unless you need more time.”

She shook her head. “I’ll be fine.” She tore her eyes away from the place where she was certain she’d seen someone. “T-thank you. I really can’t express what this means to me. I can’t thank either of you enough.”

They both smiled.

“I can think of a way you can thank me.” Courtney was smirking now. “There is a certain someone you need to resolve some matters with, isn’t there?” The older sister glanced between the prince and princess.

Antoine and Madeleine blinked at each other for a moment.

“I think it’s better that we return to the festival, like Madi wanted,” Antoine said quickly.

“Agreed,” Madeleine said, standing up, not meeting his eye.

Courtney let out a sigh, shaking her head before following after them.

♛♚♛

Later that evening, Madeleine walked tiredly down the castle halls to her room. She had sent her escorts and ladies-in-waiting to bed and yawned as she neared her door. That’s when she noticed someone was blocking her path. The person was turned away from her and wore a hood.

“H-hello?” she asked nervously.

The figure turned dramatically, removing her disguise. Yvette’s sharp eyes glared back at her. “I know your secret, Princess Madeleine.”

She blinked. “Why in Elderian are you here? Shouldn’t you be spending more time with the king?”

Yvette smiled smugly. “I really should, shouldn’t I?” There was something strange about her tone. “But that’s not why I’m here.”

“Obviously not.”

“You think you’re so great, hanging out with Adrian, always sharing things. I watched as he fawned all over you at the jousting tournament, at dinner, and today. He’s always calling you by your nickname like you’re some sort of pet.” She looked obsessive as she paced around in a small circle.

“You’re not envious, are you, Yvette?” she asked, folding her arms.

“Envious?” she cornered Madeleine against a wall, inches from her face. “I heard your little commotion in Fernshire. I heard what you said, and if you so much as look at my Adrian again, I will tell everyone your secret.” She held up the torn scraps of paper that were now covered in food stains, glued back together.

Madeleine’s eyes widened. She could only look terrified as Yvette’s face became more malicious. “Did you hear me, Princess, or should I even call you that, Bastard?”

Madeleine gulped. “I understand.”

Yvette smiled. “Good.” She stepped away, smoothing her blonde hair. “And remember, don’t tell anyone about this or—”

“I know.” Madeleine had reclaimed her confidence somewhat. “You’ll spill my secret. I’d like to ask though,” Yvette glared at her impatiently, “why do you care so much if Adrian flirts with me. It’s not like any of us are going to be here for very much longer.”

Something insidious crossed her face. “Maybe you won’t. Once you finally leave, Adrian and I are sure to be engaged to be married.” She froze. “Father just gave him an ultimatum to marry a princess from the triple alliance before this is all over to secure the alliance.”

“H-he needs to marry one of the princesses?”

She sneered. “I bet you’d love for it to be you. Have you forgotten that if you so much as look at him, I will be exposing you? You can say goodbye to your precious king.”

Madeleine watched in disbelief as the blonde princess pulled her hood back on and left quickly. All the blood had drained from her face, and her hands shook as she buried her face in her hands.

Why couldn’t she have just burned those papers in a fire earlier like she was supposed to?