“I can ask him for something else,” Prince Kelton offered.

‘Not necessary,’ Ponderosa replied.

Prince Kelton nodded. He cast a glance in Iredys’ direction then turned back to her. “Is there a reason she is not speaking?”

‘She is mute, Prince Kelton. Her tongue has been cut out.’

“Yes, but....”

The door opened and Queen Leona stepped in.

“Mother,” Prince Kelton said, bowing.

Ponderosa stood and bowed as well.

She heard the shifting of fabric behind her as Iredys slid off the chair to her hands and knees.

“You all may rise,” Queen Leona said.

Ponderosa straightened then turned to help Iredys back into the chair.

“Have you finished your business here, Prince Kelton?”

“Yes, My Queen. I was on my way to report to you. I wanted to make sure Lady Iredys got settled alright.”

“Then come. I am sure Lady Iredys would appreciate some rest.”

“As you command, My Queen.”

Queen Leona turned to leave.

Prince Kelton picked up the bottle Diligens had given him then followed her.

The two of them entered the empty throne room. Queen Leona sat on the throne and looked at him with a less than amused expression.

“Where did you find her?” she asked.

“In Pride Town under Ponderosa’s care,” he replied.

“Ponderosa. I take it she is the black haired woman you were talking to?”

“Yes. She was the town healer and midwife, but I gave her the option to be Lady Iredys’ lady-in-waiting since she has helped her recover a great deal from what she experienced in her time away from Greywolf Kingdom.”

“How certain are you that she is Iredys?” the queen asked.

The drop of the honorary title was not lost to Prince Kelton, but he ignored it and answered, “She still wears the seven semi-precious stones.”

She nodded once, her expression still disbelieving. “Is there a reason Ponderosa did not write to inform us of her being found?”

“She wished to wait until Lady Iredys was in better health before informing us. Her time away from us was not kind to her.”

“What did she tell you?”

Prince Kelton ground his teeth together and clenched his hands into fists. “She can no longer speak, My Queen. Those who took her away removed her tongue. What I know… I learned from Ponderosa. She told me about the wounds that Lady Iredys had when she first brought her home. She, also, told me that Lady Iredys had been starved while in captivity.”

“And her virtue?”

“Given to me eight months ago, My Queen. Whatever her captor’s reasons, she was not defiled prior to that night in Palion City.”

“...And the Dragonwoman your knights spoke of?”

“Came to kidnap me, and bring me to the man who held Lady Iredys. Her companion took Iredys away prior to my knights showing up.”

“Convenient,” Queen Leona muttered, not looking convinced in the slightest. “And the Diamond band found on your finger?”

“Meant to tie me to someone other than Lady Iredys once away from Palion City.”

Queen Leona scoffed. “...Off to your chambers now,” she said, waving her hand in dismissal. “Hanston is waiting.”

Prince Kelton tried to stifle his wince. “Yes, My Queen.”

Prince Kelton left the throne room and turned for his chambers. It seemed like his mother was planning something so he wouldn’t get the chance to publicly acknowledge his marriage to Lady Iredys, but he still had a week. A week to figure out how to make everything work out the way he hoped they could. An amount of planning he would happily isolate himself for before he did as Iredys asked and got to know more about the other ladies at the masked ball.

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As for Hanston…. Prince Kelton sighed. The royal tailor was a pain to work with. He would measure and pin and measure and pin until he had the Prince’s vestments just so. He was very slow due to his perfectionistic nature. For once, he would like to be able to tell Hanston off when the hems looked good enough, but he always knew that doing so would only result in him getting an earful.

He opened the door, expecting to be pulled inside by an impatient Hanston, but instead was greeted by a solemn expression and low bow.

“Whenever you are ready, My Lord,” Hanston said.

“You know I am never ready, Hanston,” Prince Kelton sighed.

He nodded, but still waited.

Gailan helped Prince Kelton remove his cloak and sword. He stepped behind the dressing screen. He bathed then changed into the oversized tunic that Hanston had set out for him. He stood in front of the panels of mirrors that allowed him to see the clothes from all angles. He said nothing to Hanston as he started his work. Hanston was unusually quiet when he needed Prince Kelton to shift how he was standing so he could make sure he had marked the fabric correctly.

“Is something on your mind, Hanston?” Prince Kelton finally asked.

“It is of little consequence, My Lord,” he said, not stopping his work.

“Things of little consequence do not leave you solemn and soft spoken.”

“It is not my place to dictate who you should marry. I was hoping you’d find her this time. Bring her home to….”

When he didn’t continue, Prince Kelton replied gently, “I managed to bring her home, Hanston.”

“Really?! That’s great, Sire. Now,....” He stopped when he noticed that Prince Kelton didn’t look happy. “Is something the matter with her?”

“…Not in the ways you might be thinking,” he replied. “She’s been through a lot. Whether or not she is still the best choice for the kingdom…. I want to be sure.”

Hanston frowned then said quietly. “I understand, My Lord. Toes here, please.”

“And if I want to wear these vestments as they are?” Prince Kelton asked, trying to lighten the sober atmosphere.

Hanston looked up at him in alarm. “I… No! The Prince must wear the best the kingdom can give him. He….”

Prince Kelton chuckled. “There’s the Hanston I know.”

He glowered at the Prince, but it faded into a smile before he returned to work. Their banter about Hanston’s antics turned playful instead of becoming the annoying and tiresome battle it usually was.

When Hanston finally felt satisfied with his work, he let Prince Kelton change.

“Hanston,” Prince Kelton said before he could leave. “Fancy up the same vestments for Sir Droyn and Sir Hamnet while you are at it, will you?”

Puzzlement crossed his face then his eyes lit up. “With pleasure, Your Majesty.”

“What are you trying to do, marry them off, too?” Gailan asked when they were alone.

“No. Since the Queen seems displeased with Lady Iredys’ return then it’s time I got to know the noble ladies for who they are behind their masks. No surprises.”

“I don’t understand, My Lord.”

“You will.”

Gailan nodded. “About my report?”

“The morning will be soon enough, Gailan.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

The peacefulness of morning was shattered when Queen Leona stepped into his room before Gailan had come to assist him.

“You will be having breakfast with Duchess Penelope in the dining hall this morning,” she said. “After which the two of you will take a turn about the garden.”

“Yes, Mother,” Prince Kelton sighed.

She gave him her infamous look then left so he could prepare.

He groaned then got out of bed.

His mother hadn’t informed him that this was to be a week-long affair. He had been hoping to have the week to himself since having to dance with each one of these ladies was bad enough, and now he had to spend full days with each of these women? This week was going to be really annoying. The only ladies who were not going to be as bad were Countess Lilia and Princess Analisa. The very two Iredys said he might have to choose above her.

Sighing, he pulled clothes out of his wardrobe and dressed. He was just stepping out of his room as Gailan neared the room. His expression turned confused.

“Sire?” Gailan asked.

“I’m to have breakfast with Duchess Penelope this morning,” Prince Kelton replied, trying not to grimace. “You can give me your report on the way.”

“Yes, Sire. Diligens kept me quite busy while you were away.”

Gailan continued to give his report as they traversed the halls to the dining hall. Duchess Penelope was already seated at the table. When Gailan hesitated mid-sentence, Prince Kelton prompted him to continue. He watched Duchess Penelope’s expression while they listened to Gailan ramble on about cleaning jars, reorganizing books, mixing tonics, and so on. She rolled her eyes when she thought he wasn’t watching, but would quickly smile and act enamored by what Gailan was saying when she noticed his attention.

“Thank you, Gailan,” Prince Kelton said when they were nearly finished. “I am glad you were able to learn much in my absence.”

“Thank you, Sire,” Gailan replied. “I shall see that lunch is prepared for the end of your walk. Dutchess.” He bowed then left the room.

Prince Kelton turned his attention to Duchess Penelope then. “How have you been these last few years, Duchess?” he asked.

“Well, Your Majesty. I quite fancy riding horses nowadays.”

“Then perhaps we should go for a ride instead of a walk.”

The right side of her lips twitched slightly. “That would be wonderful.”

Prince Kelton motioned to one of the servants to have a couple horses readied for them. “Are there other things you have been able to enjoy?”

“Some. My father planted a new vineyard just over a year ago. The grapes are very sweet.”

“Can’t say I like sweet grapes.”

“Oh, me neither, but you know my father,” she chuckled.

“Yes,” Prince Kelton grit his teeth as he smiled.