“There’s a thought.” Valor said. He squeezed Prin’s hand again. “I assume you’ll have to split them up first . . .”

“I was kidding.” Prin said dryly. “And now I really hope you are.”

“Right, right, I guess you’re not hungry again yet.” Valor nodded. “Not sure it’s the kind of thing where you can force yourself.”

“Val . . .” Elwin started. He trailed off, just shaking his head. Secretly amused but not sure if he should show it to Prin.

“It’s not like something I can just do at will . . .” Prin squirmed. His blue eyes widened and he looked to the ceiling as though searching for a celestial rescuer.

“Alright, alright, back to plan B.” Valor said. “Diverting attention from yourself.”

“I don’t know about this.” Prin said.

“Like how? It would have to be someone who was there, of course . . .” Elwin tried to give the idea some real thought. I mean, how many more options did they have?

“Do we still have the bloody suit jackets?” Valor asked, as though having an epiphany. “We could plant them in someone’s closet and then send an anonymous tip. May I volunteer my cousin . . . I don’t think the charges would stick but it would be a good distraction, muddy the waters and all. I wouldn’t worry about her, she could weasel out of anything. You know she’s some kind of grifter, right? I don’t know what she’s trying to do but, she’s not who she says she is . . .”

“Dru wouldn’t do that to you.” Elwin said sternly. This kid.

“I would volunteer myself as the distraction but it just wouldn’t be believable. However . . . maybe?” Valor said.

“No! Absolutely not.” Prin said. “I’m not getting an innocent person mixed up in this. Or you. As far as the jackets, they are too distinctive, people might remember who wore them. And the tailors, will certainly know exactly who they sold them too. I hate that such pretty things were ruined, but we should just burn them. I had forgotten all about it until you mentioned them.”

“What if it was someone not so innocent?” Elwin’s mind drifted to the creepy Jules and his predatory relationship (or whatever one might call it) with Aster.

“Like who did you have in mind? No, no, it doesn’t even matter.” Prin put his hand to his head.

“Like Jules. Creepy, well connected with murderous thugs, seems to spend too much time bothering Aster. So it would be two birds with one stone, getting him away from Aster.” Elwin wasn’t sure he had properly thought this out but he was definitely the first person who came to mind.

“He was probably with Mama Kris all evening, and she was friends with Freya, right? I think.” Prin shook his head. “This is a bad idea.” He turned to Valor and held his hand to his cheek, nuzzling it. “It was a good idea, I didn’t mean that. It’s just . . .”

“You’re too soft hearted to pull it off? I know.” Valor said.

“It’s not really practical either. I think an attempt like that to throw them off the scent would be . . . too obvious.” Elwin said.

“Harumph.” Valor said.

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Uh oh, he had insulted the little lord.

Before he had figured out what to say, Mrs. Frances bustled into the room holding a heavy over burdened tray. Sure enough she couldn’t stay away for long.

She sat the tray down on the side table.

“I figured you boys would be here.” She said. “I brought tea and all manner of snacks and soup broth. And those little cakes you like, dear one, I had them sent over from the bakery since I didn’t have time yet to bake.”

Prin gave Valor a nudge with his elbow.

“Thank you.” Valor said, after the prompting.

“We appreciate you included us.” Elwin said.

“Oh, no problem at all.” Mrs. Frances beamed at her boys and unexpectedly reached out and tousled Elwin’s hair. “You sweet thing.” She turned back towards the door. “I’ll leave you to your chatting then, just make sure he gets some rest.”

“Ah, wait.” Elwin said awkwardly. “Can I ask, if you don’t mind, where is . . . your assistant?” He realized he didn’t know what to call her and wondered if he had been told and quickly forgotten, or if no one had seen fit to tell him in the first place.

“Hmm?” Mrs. Frances looked back at him over her shoulder. “Her? It’s her day off I guess.” She laughed lightly.

“What’s her name?” Elwin wanted to know.

“You know, I don’t rightly recall? Strange, that.” Mrs. Frances said. “I never can remember the girl’s name properly. She isn’t really very memorable, is she? Poor thing. Or maybe I’m just losing it a little in my dotage.”

“You’re not old.” Valor said. “Don’t say that.”

“Of course not, angel.” Mrs. Frances laughed again, sounding rather girlish in the moment. “I’ll come and check up again after while. Best be getting back to work.” She left the room in a bustle of aprons and voluminous old fashioned skirts.

“She doesn’t know her own assistant’s name?” Prin asked, seeming incredulous at this.

“Isn’t it Claire? Or was that someone else.” Valor said. “Maybe Celeste.”

“I don’t believe we’ve ever actually been introduced.” Prin said. “Have we Elwin?”

Elwin threw his hands in the air. “I have no idea.”

“Isn’t this the girl you thought was poisoning me?” Valor asked.

“Do you have any more servants?” Elwin asked.

“No.” Valor said.

“Then yes.” Elwin said.

“Pass me one of those cakes.” Valor said.

“Which one?” The tiny square and round cakes looked as though they would be perfectly suited to a doll baby tea party, with their colorful frosting and sugared flowers, candy ribbons, and chocolate chip polka dots. They were piled high on a silver plate, under a clear glass dome. Each one no more then two inches across.

Elwin lifted the dome and Prin leaned over him to get a better look.

“So pretty!” Prin said.

“The one that tastes like first kisses and cream cheese.” Valor said, deadpan as ever.

Elwin picked up a perfectly pink cake with a rose petal on top that smelled of strawberry cheesecake. Did first kisses taste like strawberry? He wordlessly put it in Valor’s outstretched hand.

Valor sniffed it, then popped it in his mouth, chewing slowly and luxuriantly. His eyelids fluttered closed. After he had finally swallowed it he said, “Nope. That wasn’t the one.”

“Can I have one?” Prin asked. His eyes shined with the momentary distraction of an unnaturally lovely dessert. A human invention, surely.

“You don’t need to ask me that, of course.” Valor said, looking vaguely insulted.

Prin’s hand hovered over the selection and he plucked out one with the tart nose tickling aroma of citrus and a curl of candied orange peel. “Yuumm!” He said, before even eating it. He bit the cake in half and chewed thoughtfully. “Ah, this is it. I just ate the first kiss and cheese cake and it was the last one. Oops!” He teased gleefully.

Valor leaned into him and reached up to give his face a gentle faux slap. “How. Very. Dare. Let me at least smell your breath.” He angled his face towards Prin’s getting close enough to kiss.

Prin’s eyes grew wide but he didn’t move, letting whatever happened happen.

Valor kissed him. It was a dainty peck of a kiss, he knew better then to push it too far, to try and make it linger.

“No, that one isn’t it either.” Valor said.

“This is too much right in front of my face.” Elwin said mildly. But he couldn’t work up any anger toward the sick boy. Even if he did push his luck.

“You wouldn’t care if Aster did it.” Valor stuck out his tongue.

“I’m eating this cake that tastes like . . . chocolate and sweet dreams, and no one is going to stop me.” Elwin said petulantly. He picked up the little cake dotted with chocolate chips and sugared violets.

“That’s a good choice, one of my favorites.” Valor said, as though he knew exactly which one Elwin was talking about.