Glittering black and green beads and feather-covered chandeliers match the color scheme and decor on every table in the room. A band I’ve never heard of (Gnome-More) is playing on the black-and-white-checkered dance floor. They’re tiny in stature, but wow, can they play. The royal court watches them from a table on a raised platform near the center of the room, while the Dwarf Police Squad patrols the perimeter. Students have flooded the dance floor in elaborate masks that sparkle and glow. I spot one that flashes the words I RULE.

“What is it about royal gatherings and the need to one-up each other?” I wonder aloud.

“I know,” Brynn agrees, her voice in my ear. “I wonder what would happen if we took all the time and energy everyone placed on parties and put it into something really useful like disarming villains or combating ogre breath.”

“Who is that girl?” Kira asks in my ear. “I like her.”

“Me too,” I reply as a couple in full feather headdresses swings by me.

No one seems to notice the parade of ladies- and lads-in-waiting making their way to their tables.

“After we place our dinners, we should be able to slip out of the room unseen,” Brynn whispers.

“You three,” the chef points to us. “Table sixteen!”

I’m halfway to the table when I realize whose it is: Princess Scarlet’s.

Unlike most of the tables that are empty as students dance the night away, theirs is full, and Raina and Heath—Princess Scarlet and her escort—are holding court with Clarissa Hartwith and her roommates.

“Well, finally!” Clarissa says when she sees us. “I thought we’d have to wait all night to get our meals.” She turns to Raina. I mean Scarlet! “It’s not normally like this here. As Hazel will tell you, we have the best ladies-in-waiting in the kingdom. Normally, those with high royal rankings are served first, but I suspect this one forgot.” With an eye roll and a not-so-subtle hand motion toward Brynn, she leans in and whispers. “This is just my temporary lady-in-waiting until Hazel finds me someone more suitable.”

I hold my tongue and remind myself why we’re here—to oust Olivina and make sure no royal is schooled to think like Clarissa.

“Temporary because three others have already quit on her,” one of Clarissa’s roommates mumbles to Heath. “Brynn is the only one they could convince to put up with her, and she was only free because of what happened to those other royals a few weeks ago.”

“If you ask me, Princess Clarissa, you have poor judgment,” Raina speaks up, and I almost drop my platter. “I’ve heard great things of this Brynn Haun from Hazel, and any princess would be lucky to have her. Maybe she can become mine if I attend RA.”

Clarissa’s cheeks are a deep shade of plum.

I hear a hoot in my ear and wince. “Way to go, Raina! You tell them!” Kira shouts. “Hey! I can’t see!” she cries.