The two smiled at each other, both with reservations. Risel nodded. The retainers had caught up to her, and the children were gloomily headed back to the keep for their punishment—which would be a lecture and custard, those two things probably combined.

“Well then, Miss Cara. Thank you once more, but you must excuse me, I must tend to my son and daughter. I hope to speak with you again.”

“No problem.”

Risel’s lips twitched; not once had the young woman so much as bowed or curtsied. She was quite clearly making a challenge out of it. Risel let it slide. Sasi and Culin complained that they wanted to stay, but if this Cara was staying…they could see about visiting her tomorrow.

With Meltain. For now, Risel left Cara standing in the street, eying the two silver coins. She saw Culin skipping back to the keep, trying to hum the infectious song she’d only heard from a distance.

“Was that young woman a good [Singer], Sasi, Culin?”

They looked at her blankly. Sasi was the one who replied.

“Good? I don’t know, Mother. But the song was amazing. And different. And we danced! Can we show you?”

They tried to do Cara’s dance, wiggling and dancing as if it was only meant for them—by themselves.

Risel laughed at the absurd performance.

“Well, it seems she’s very entertaining.”

“She is! She can juggle and do a backflip—without Skills!”

“Really? Well, some do make do without classes. There is a benefit to it, or so I’ve heard. I will teach you two about it, once Princess Seraphel leaves. But you two are in trouble. So you are going to sit, try the custard, and be very sorry. And if Miss Cara is performing tomorrow—you may see her. Maybe…”

Their eyes lit up, and they began pleading with her to seal the deal. Risel smiled for the first time since Seraphel had arrived. And she began to look forward to the banquet herself, a bit.

She had been dreading it more than Sasi and Culin combined. She didn’t like Duchess Grishen either. The old woman was dreadful.

——

That night, Cara stayed at the town’s inn with Idelt and Violetta. She was preoccupied, but still interested. She caught up about the gossip with the [Princess] of Calanfer being here, learned what Calanfer was—some nation to the south known for its political savviness and grand throne room or something—and retired early.

Her iPhone was dead. No battery. Well…that was okay for the banquet. Cara was practicing with the drum, and with a bit of luck, they could make do with the song she and Violetta were going to practice.

But her iPhone was how she had sung. Cara stared at it for a long while. Gently, she tucked it away and gripped her arms hard.

“It’s fine. It’s going to be okay, Sid—”