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he didn t seem to notice or care about anything going on around him. Secondly,
they were talking about something going on Saturday that I apparently needed a
specially designed dress for, and yet nobody had cared to mention this to me.
Then again, this shouldn t surprise me. Nobody told me anything.
 I haven t had the luxury of making provisions a year in advance the
way most people do, since the Princess came home most unexpectedly. Elora s
sweet smile was dripping with venom, and Aurora smiled back at her and
pretended not to notice.
 I can certainly lend you a hand. I just did Tove s, and as I said, I m
already preparing for our daughter s, Aurora offered helpfully.
 That would be delightful. Elora took a long drink of her wine.
Dinner continued along that way. Elora and Aurora making polite
conversation that tried to mask how much they detested each other. Noah
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didn t say much, but at least he managed not to look awkward or bored. Willa
and I ended up watching Tove quite a bit, because I was certain he was moving
things without touching them.
Unlike the Strom s, the Kroner s didn t linger around after dinner. I
assumed that was because Elora actually liked Garrett and Willa. Elora, Finn,
and I walked the Kroner s to the door, with Finn being the one to actually open
the door for them. When saying their goodbyes, Aurora and Noah bowed
before Elora and me, making me feel quite ridiculous. There was absolutely no
reason why anyone should bow to me.
To my astonishment, Tove gently took my hand in his, kissing it softly
when he bowed. When he stood up, his eyes met mine, and very seriously he
said,  I look forward to seeing you again, Princess.
 And I, you. That came right off the top of my head, and I was so
pleased that I had said something that sounded completely perfect for the
moment.
After they departed into the night, oxygen seemed to return to the
house, and Elora let out an irritated sigh. Finn actually rested his forehead
against the door for a moment before turning back around to face us. I felt
much better knowing that everyone else had found the evening exhausting.
 Oh, that woman. Elora rubbed her temples and shook her head, then
pointed at me.  You. You do not bow to anyone, ever. Especially not that
woman. I know you thrilled her endlessly, and she s going to be telling everyone
about the little dimwitted Princess who didn t know enough not to bow before
a Marksinna. I looked at the floor, feeling any sense of pride at the way I made
it through the night vanish. I had apparently embarrassed Elora wholly.  You
don t even bow before me, is that clear?
 Yes, I muttered.
 You are the Princess. Nobody is higher than you. Have you got that?
Elora snapped, and I nodded.  Then you need to start acting like it. You sit
there like a wallflower when you need to command the room! They came here
to see you, to gauge your power, and you need to show them! You have got to
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blow everyone away! They need to have confidence that you will be able to lead
them all when I am gone! I kept my eyes locked on the floor, even though I
knew that probably offended her, but I was afraid that I would cry if I looked at
her yelling at me.  You sit there like some beautiful, useless jewel, and that s
exactly what she wants. She sighed disgustedly again.  Oh, and the way you
gaped at that boy& 
After her small tirade, she abruptly stopped. We immediately went to
the sitting parlor, where Garrett and Willa were waiting for us, but the entire
atmosphere had changed to one of a more relaxed tone. Finn even loosened his
tie. Elora lounged on the chair next to Garrett, and he seemed to captivate a
disproportionate amount of her attention.
A whole other side of Finn emerged. He sat next to me, his leg crossed
over his knee, making charming small talk with them. He was still gracious and
respectful and not all that talkative, but he always seemed to add something the
conversation. I bit my tongue, afraid to say the wrong thing, but Garrett and
Willa were definitely entertained by him, and even Elora looked pleased.
Garrett and Elora talked some kind of politics, which I didn t really
follow, and Finn added things when appropriate. Willa looked completely bored
by the conversation, and I just concentrated on not saying anything else stupid.
Elora apparently had to appoint a new Chancellor in six months, but I didn t
even know what that was, and I thought asking would only make me look
foolish. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]