What was so strange was that she liked Afiele. Not the weather, or the landscape, which was dreary. But Risel and Lord Lantal had a charm about them. They seemed like honest people who worked hard and cared for their lands as best they could. Which was a rarity in Calanfer and especially among the nobility that Seraphel had known.

“Three days is not much of an imposition, Lady Risel. And I shall remember your hospitality once I…wed.”

The woman smiled, clearly unconvinced. She jiggled her son as he openly yawned.

“It’s rude to yawn among company, Culin. Won’t you greet the [Princess]?”

“No. I’m bored.”

The boy of six announced loudly. Risel turned red, and Seraphel—laughed.

“Don’t worry, Risel. He reminds me of my younger sister. All lack of manners and boorish temperament.

But your boy’s what, six? My sister has twelve years on him. Are Culin and, ah, Sasi, bored?”

“They’re used to the capital. I lived there for the first few years; Afiele’s keep was in need of repairs and Lantal thought it best—we had an outbreak of Acid Flies. Not a place for children. There’s more to do in the capital. And of late…with that [Necromancer] on the run, we can’t let them play anywhere other than in town.”

“I see.”

Seraphel made a sympathetic expression. She bent over so Culin could look at her. He did, with that wary reserve of children.

“It seems you and I are both in need of guards for the moment, Lord Culin. I hope you won’t trouble your mother too much.”

“But I’m bored.”

The [Lord] squeaked as his mother pinched him. Lady Risel looked apologetically at Seraphel.

“I believe Lantal has arranged some entertainment, Lady Seraphel. I know it is an imposition—so he has reached out to Duchess Grishen and organized a small banquet. I understand there will be some—

entertainment.”

Her eyes flickered. She didn’t know what the entertainment was. Seraphel saw Culin groan.

“I hate Duchess Grishen. She’s mean.”

“Culin, Duchess Grishen is an elderly lady. Very venerable…ah…”

Oh dead gods, she’s an old battleaxe. Seraphel knew the type. And entertainment? If she had to watch a bunch of idiots pretending to be [Fools] with less than ten levels between them or listen to those depressing songs from Afiele’s fields she’d heard yesterday morning—she forced a smile.

“How lovely. I do enjoy banquets.”

Risel gave her another smile.

“We have bought the best foods available, Princess Seraphel.”

“You needn’t have bothered. Really…I should love to meet this Duchess Grishen.”

The two gave each other perfectly lovely smiles as Culin yawned. If you listened closely, you could hear their internal screaming.

——