Sebastien had arrived in the middle of the night? Max had been in earnest about the drive over the mountains being ill-advised. And oddly, when he’d texted his brother and said he and Dani were leaving first thing this morning and asked him if he wanted to join them, Seb had merely said he would see them there. Max had assumed he’d meant later. He feared there had been an incident at the palace, something bad enough to drive Seb away in the wee hours. Still, though, why hadn’t he come to Max?

“Dani!”

It was Gabby, who appeared from around a corner and broke into a run at the sight of Dani. They embraced as Leo approached at a more sedate pace.

Gabby was talking a mile a minute next to the now-embracing Leo and Dani. “God, I’m glad you’re here,” Leo said. He kept hugging her, like he couldn’t get enough of her. Max perfectly understood.

“Come see the ballroom!” Gabby said, pulling on Dani’s arm. “They’re already starting to decorate it for the reception, and it’s so pretty! Or, oh! Maybe we should go down to the village. You haven’t been here in the cold weather. The tree is up, they’ve flooded the square for skating, and—”

“Why don’t we show Dani to her room, and then we can make a plan?” Leo said to Gabby.

“Good morning.” Mr. Benz, the king’s equerry and all-around palace fixer, appeared, and Max stifled a groan. Whatever plans any of them had—ballroom inspections or stealing Dani away and heading down to the village—would now go up in smoke. “Dr. Martinez, welcome back to the palace. We met last summer. I am Matteo Benz.”

“Yes, of course. It’s nice to see you again.”

“Lord Laudon.” Mr. Benz nodded at Max.

“Mr. Benz.” Max nodded back. He could feel Dani’s attention. She was no doubt internally rolling her eyes over the formal title. That was Benz for you. He was a stickler for protocol and was probably the only person currently resident in the palace who would use Max’s title. And since he was also the only person resident in the palace who could make embarrassing photos disappear like magic, he had Max’s respect.

“I’m glad you arrived a little earlier than planned,” Mr. Benz said to Dani. “We have much to do.”

As if he had invisibly summoned her—for all Max knew, he had—a woman arrived from around a corner. “This is Verene, the princess’s dresser. I believe the two of you have been corresponding about your dress?”

“Oh. Yes.”

“Daniela!” Verene rushed forward and took both of Dani’s hands. “You are even more lovely in person.”