“That is what I was going for,” he replied cheerfully. “Everyone else in the room—they’re all imposters.”

“I’m not playing a role,” Raisa said. “I want people to know who I am.”

“You are young, Your Highness,” Prince Liam said, sounding like one of her cynical elders.

“Why? How old are you?” Raisa demanded.

“I’m seventeen,” he said.

I’m almost as old as you, she thought of saying, but didn’t, since it sounded like something a child would say. “How goes the hunt for a wife?” she asked. “Any prospects?”

He laughed again. “They said you were blunt.”

“They did? What else did they say?”

“They said you were willful, and stubborn, and smart.” He looked into her eyes. “And the most beautiful princess in the Seven Realms.”

It was flattery, but it was still pleasant to hear.

“Indeed? I have no way of knowing, since I’ve never been out of the Fells,” Raisa said. “One day I’ll visit Tamron and the other southern realms. How have you been affected by the war in Arden?”

“We choose to ignore the war,” Liam said, leaning close to speak into her ear, as if confiding a secret. “We distract ourselves with parties and entertainments and other vices, as if that will make it go away.”

“And yet you’re here, seeking an alliance against the Montaignes,” Raisa said, grateful for her tutelage from her father and Amon Byrne.

Liam waved a heavily ringed hand. “I’m looking for a rich wife to pay my gambling debts,” he said. “We hear the queens of the Fells are very frugal, that they still have the first coins ever minted with their images.”

The music stopped, and he led her from the dance floor to a table in one of her mother’s temporary groves. Raisa signaled a server to bring them drinks, and then kicked off her shoes. Her dance card was finished—Prince Liam had been the last on the list. Although the orchestra still played (and would until the princess heir officially departed), Raisa was surprised to find that the room had nearly emptied. She hadn’t realized it was so late. Somehow she’d got through her name day party without really noticing. It was kind of a letdown, after the months of buildup.

She refocused. Prince Liam was raising his glass to her. “You are the most beautiful princess in the Seven Realms.” He raised his other hand to stop her protest. “I’m a very good judge, Your Highness. I’ve seen more than my share.”

Raisa laughed. Prince Liam’s agenda might not entirely coincide with hers, but he was charming.

“You should come visit us,” the prince went on. “Tamron lacks the physical beauty of the Fells, but I think you would find the city of Tamron Court very…interesting.” He made a wry face. “Though summer is not our best season.”