He lifted a long plank of wood and used it to connect the ship to the dock for those aboard to step across. Once the board was stable, he glanced over his shoulder as if seeing the queen, prince, and princess for the first time.

Saying something to the other man that made him scowl, Dell walked their way.

Helena held her breath, reminding herself there was no way he could recognize her in a corseted dress and mask.

“Your Majesty.” He bowed to the queen.

Helena’s mother shook off her surprise at his approach. None of the other sailors dared accompany him.

“Hello, young man.” The queen gestured for him to straighten. “Thank you for your assistance today.”

Dell shrugged. “It’s my job.”

A few people nearby gasped at his words and their informality. This was why the royal family rarely associated with the common people. That was what Stev would have said. Commoners didn’t understand how to behave with grace.

But Helena wasn’t Stev. A laugh escaped her lips, and she slapped a hand over her mouth, shocked at herself.

Dell flashed her his dimples before reaching out to ruffle Kassander’s hair, turning on his heel without being dismissed, and returning to the side of the ship.

Edmund put a hand over his face. “That boy…”

Helena’s mother opened her mouth to say something and then shut it again. She shook her head. “I don’t know, Ambassador. I rather liked him.”

“Me too, mother.” Helena refused to meet Edmund’s eyes, but she could feel him watching her.

Finally, a horn sounded. A moment later, guards in the forest green uniforms of Gaule marched from the ship.

Next came the maid. There was only one of them, which shocked Helena. When Stev traveled, he took an entire host of servants with him as if he couldn’t wipe his own bum without assistance.

As soon as Princess Camille appeared, Helena knew it was her. She carried herself as someone who’d been born into an important position.

Dark hair curled around a heart-shaped face. Keen eyes scanned the waiting party. Her slender frame was almost hidden among her much larger guards. She was younger than Helena expected. This was the widowed princess?

The guards parted and Kassander gaped beside Helena. Helena herself was quicker to hide any reaction. Camille limped forward, one foot dragging. She leaned her weight on a four-pronged cane before moving it forward. It clacked against the wood beneath it.

“Mother,” Helena whispered. “Did you know?”

“We know everything, Helena.”

Edmund rushed forward and pushed through the guards to help Camille. She didn’t smile when she saw him, but Helena would have sworn her shoulders sagged in relief. He wrapped his arms around her for a moment before releasing her and extending an arm for her to take.