Count Alain seemed to think for only a moment before he gave his answer. “A spider.”

Aurora gave Lady Fiora a sidelong glance, but the girl didn’t seem to notice. And what did it matter who Aurora stood up with first? If it was Alain, then so be it. If it made the other nobles think he had more influence with her or he was more in her favor, they would soon learn otherwise.

It’s just a game, Aurora reminded herself. A silly game.

But as Knotgrass began giving a contestant another riddle, Lady Sabine walked onto the stage, dragging Prince Phillip along behind her. Aurora’s stomach lurched and her heart raced.

“What is he doing here?” Lord Ortolan whispered to her.

Aurora shook her head at him and turned to listen to Knotgrass.

I am a trickster who conceals the truth

To the delight of the young and old.

I am the father of puzzles and the daughter of poems.

Solve me by speaking the name of what confounds you.

Baron Nicholas, whose turn it was, stared at Knotgrass in confusion. As the seconds passed, the crowd began to jeer. The skin of his neck got red and he looked mulish. Then he strode angrily from the stage.

John’s turn came next. He guessed a jester, but that wasn’t the answer, so he got jeered at in turn. Then came Jack and Mark, neither of whom had any guesses at all.

For a moment there was silence.

Then Phillip spoke. “A riddle.”

He was met with cheers even before Knotgrass confirmed that he was correct.

But Phillip didn’t appear pleased that he’d given the answer. And he didn’t meet Aurora’s gaze. In fact, he didn’t resemble his usual kind and affable self at all. He seemed like a stranger to her.

“I didn’t know you were engaged in this game,” Count Alain said to him, not quite quietly enough that they wouldn’t be overheard.

Phillip made a nonchalant shrug. “Nor did I. But Lady Sabine insisted on my not missing it.”

Lady Sabine seemed to be extremely pleased with herself. No doubt she thought she had done her queen a good turn.

Aurora wasn’t sure what to feel. There was a part of her that wanted to run from the stage, go off by herself, and weep, but she wasn’t sure what she had to be sad about.

Who cried because a handsome prince she cared about told her that he loved her?

But she’d been afraid. And she’d hurt him because she was afraid.

And now her best friend was angry with her and it was entirely her fault.

At three contestants, the elimination process slowed down. Riddle after riddle was asked and answered.

On and on they went. Round after round.

I was before the world began

And will remain when it is gone.

You may make much of me