Chapter 33: The Wolves' Den

The next two weeks passed in a haze of bridal lessons, tea with Mariela, bridal lessons, entertaining Al, and more bridal lessons. In all that time we only managed to sneak over to the kitchens once and Marcy hadn't even been there!

Such a waste. At this rate, I would never be able to convince them that they were meant for each other.

In all that time I still hadn't memorized the layout of the palace. It was so huge that I typically followed whoever I was with at the time; Madame Chalaise supervised me like a hawk during our lessons so I was never truly alone.

That was how I stumbled into the wolves' den completely by accident.

Madame Chalaise had gone to the ladies' room and instructed me to go down the hall and to the left to meet with the dressmaker for a fitting but I somehow wandered much farther than I was supposed to.

"Lady Catherine?" a flat voice asked with a hint of astonishment. "What brings you here?"

It was Duke Orla, my one-time pursuer. I wasn't expecting to see him either but honestly I shouldn't have been surprised. As the right hand of the crown prince, it was perfectly normal for him to be inside the palace.

"Your Grace, what a surprise," I said in an equally flat tone.

The atmosphere was horribly awkward since this was the first time we met since Al publicly humiliated him on my behalf.

"You did not answer my question."

I wish I could tell what this guy was thinking. He had a perfect poker face.

He certainly didn't look like someone who had recently been jilted. Of course. He never actually liked me. I was always a political tool to him and nothing more.

"I was looking for the royal dressmaker and got lost," I said simply.

"The palace is rather confusingly laid out," he agreed. "I do not know where the dressmaker is meant to be but perhaps Prince Sigmund might. Allow me to lead you to him."

Finding myself in the clutches of the villain was the last thing I wanted but I really was lost. I accepted his offer with a deep curtsy.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Grace."

I followed behind him into an ornate room that appeared to be an office based on the maps on the walls and the many stacks of paperwork on the giant desk. Sigmund sat behind that desk and looked up as we entered.

"Katie! What a pleasant surprise for you, Charles. What can I do for you?"

"I got lost on the way to a fitting. Madame Chalaise must be looking for me."

"Ah yes, Rosenia had a bit of trouble with the layout of the palace in the beginning as well. I would be more than happy to escort you where you need to go…if you do a small favor for me first."

"What kind of favor?" I asked warily.

This was exactly why I hadn't wanted to go to him for help. I had avoided marrying the duke and still ended up in the villain's lair. What cruel irony.

"Charles has told me of your political expertise and I wanted a bit of advice on a problem I am having."

Sigmund probably meant for his grin to be charming but all I saw was a shark waiting to eat me alive.

"I am unfit to advise someone as esteemed as yourself," I responded stiffly.

I needed an excuse to get out of there but it would be incredibly rude to just turn and run out on the crown prince. Madame Chalaise would flay me alive if she found out.

"Nonsense, you are the perfect person for the job. If there was someone who was a threat to the interests of the nation and that person suddenly found himself a powerful ally, what would you do to ensure they did not conspire against you?"

He was testing me. This obviously referred to me and Al. I couldn't answer him but I couldn't ignore a direct question from the heir to the throne.

A knock on the door spared me from answering and I nearly collapsed to the floor in relief.

"Sigmund, have you seen Mother around? I need to speak with her."

Franz saw me standing in between the duke and the crown prince and blinked in disbelief. "Katie, what are you doing here?"

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I briskly walked over to him and put on an innocent smile.

"I got lost. Sigmund was going to help me find the royal dressmaker but he seems very busy…would you be willing to take me instead?"

A shrewd fellow, Franz caught onto my predicament instantly.

"Of course. I shall take you there immediately. I can look for Mother afterwards. Good day, Sigmund. Charles."

I curtsied before cheerfully following my savior out the door. Neither of the men I left behind looked pleased. Once we were out of earshot, I expressed my gratitude for the save.

"Thank you for getting me out of there, Franz."

He narrowed his eyes at me. "I take it you did not want to serve as a political aide for Sigmund? With how much Charles has talked you up I assume he wanted to marry you for that reason."

I was impressed that he managed to put that together from mere gossip and his own speculations.

"No, I do not. I would much rather serve as your political aide."

Franz was so taken aback he stopped in his tracks. "You want to work with me?"

Lowering my voice, I told the truth. "I think your policies are much more practical and beneficial to the kingdom as a whole than his are. I am on your side."

"Did Alpheus put you up to this?" he asked suspiciously.

"Not at all. I'm the one trying to convince him to back you. He would rather stay out of things altogether. Whether I manage to sway him or not, I am willing to offer my assistance in any way you deem fit."

He went silent for a moment, pondering my words.

"I have no reason to believe your sincerity aside from the fact that my wife adores you. What sort of help can you offer me?"

What sort of help? I had read the novel!

I knew exactly what Alpheus and Marcy had proposed that won over the common people and lower ranking nobles, which were far greater in number than the high ranking nobles on Sigmund's side.

"I have studied politics; I know how to get the majority of this kingdom's subjects on your side. With my ideas and the royal treasury of Shibatsu behind you, you would be unstoppable."

I paused, remembering something.

"While on the subject, you would also benefit from talking to your wife. She was trained in politics and diplomacy from a young age. Her ideas are worth your time as well."

Franz was completely flabbergasted. "Mariela knows politics?"

His face suddenly broke into a wide smile. "No wonder she likes you. I have never met anyone as blunt. Tell me…is she…happy here?"

The man went through three facial expressions in less than a minute. Now he looked almost nervous.

I didn't want to betray the confidence of a friend but he seemed genuinely concerned for her well-being. Maybe that story about him falling madly in love with her at first sight wasn't bogus after all.

"She is lonely. I believe she would benefit from more of your company."

"Truly? But if she wanted to spend time with me, why didn't she say anything?" he muttered almost to himself.

The rest of the walk to the dressmaker was spent in silence but I could tell Franz was thinking over what I had said—both my offer and my marriage advice. I was satisfied.

This was the most progress I had made toward fixing the story since arriving at the palace. All I needed now was an interaction between Al and Marcy to round off the day and it would be golden.

Madame Chalaise was horrified at my prolonged absence and chastised me thoroughly after thanking Franz for bringing me back.

He left, possibly to find his wife, and I was forced to stand still while being stuck with pins and having every part of my body measured. And to think, I used to hate trying on clothes when shopping. I would much rather do that than endure this torture.

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