"DO YOU THINK we're going to have the same thing for dinner we had last night?" I asked Claire as we followed the maid to the dining hall. We were changed into new dresses that were more ornate than what we wore earlier. And heavier. And longer. I constantly tripped over the front hem, but that was because apparently this dress was made for someone else. Someone taller. Someone who left it behind.

"One of His Highness's other ladies?" I'd asked, unkindly, then corrected, "I mean guests?" when I observed the sheer amount of dresses left behind for us to wear.

Claire sputtered, indignant, but she hadn't said anything. She wanted to hear the maid's response, but with the servant's shifting gaze and wringing hands, it wasn't going to be a positive one. Proving me right. I didn't really take a lot of pleasure in that, though.

Especially when Claire refused to talk to me, let alone make any sort of eye contact as we walked to the banquet hall. She didn't answer my question. She knew I hated the silent treatment. Then, final-freaking-ly, "Just don't drink from the finger bowl again."

I wanted to strangle her, but I kept my cool, just like any other self-respecting noblewoman. Especially since there was a maid present, walking ahead of us, no doubt listening and pretending like she wasn't. I didn't trust her for a second, especially after what Nico said about them really knowing everything.

So I settled on glaring at Claire, hoping my eyes burned holes into the side of her head. I didn't know why she was so upset. Just because Elric was a prince didn't mean he was charming. With the way he flirted, he seemed like he had the abilities to charm the robe off a nun. It seemed like he'd done just that with who knew how many girls, their dresses all left behind.

But she wasn't even looking at me. I couldn't do this. "Okay, fine, I'm sorry. You know I'm looking out for you, just like I know I can sometimes take it too far. Truce?"

There wasn't a truce that couldn't fix all our problems. Claire's rigid shoulders dropped and she sighed. "Truce."

"I think we're both nervous," I explained. When Claire's brows furrowed, I nodded meaningfully toward the maid in front of us. "The Von Stettens have been so gracious in sharing their home and resources with us –"

"Considering such surreal circumstances," Claire agreed. "I suppose it's natural for you to try and find the flaw in it, since they have been so kind."

At least I thought our truces fixed everything. Claire smirked, knowing exactly what she was doing. I rolled my eyes.  "Yeah. Maybe." The words tasted like acid.

"The most important thing now is to make a good impression and ensure them their hospitality isn't unnoticed. We certainly wouldn't want to create an incident between our families." Claire was unnervingly good at the whole medieval vernacular thing. She almost didn't sound like herself.

The maid slowed when we reached a set of tall arching doors. The guards stationed on either side reached for the massive wrought-iron handles. The maid bowed to us. "I bid you a good meal," she said before scurrying away.

Despite our bickering, when those knights grunted and the doors lurched open, Claire's shoulder brushed mine. Or maybe mine brushed hers. It didn't matter. When it came down to it, it was always us against the world... no matter which one, it seemed.

"Presenting Ladies Claire Canterwell and Joan Austin," an airy voice proclaimed, belonging to a man stationed just inside, but I didn't even look at him. My eyes were drawn to the massive feast spread out along the banquet table. Platters of fruit, roasted meat and fish, and bread lay pristine and untouched. Servants walked around the large table, setting down steaming bowls in front of each occupied seat, which were quickly being vacated so that the inhabitants of the room could greet us.

I recognized the prince first, dressed in a light blue tunic with silver threads that caught in the light as he moved, but my focus skipped past him and narrowed in on the shadows behind him. Sir Nico, whose eyes were black in the dim lighting, met mine before they turned down with the slightest dip of his head. Despite myself, I was comforted by his presence in the room. It was familiar.

"Welcome to Larnwick," a deep, rich voice pulled my attention toward the other end of the table. It belonged to an older man with brown hair and a thick beard, both of which were already sprinkled with gray strands. Beside him, a tall, thin woman smiled a warmly at Claire and I.

"Your Majesties." Claire's dress swept out in the corner of my eye, signaling for me to curtsey alongside her. "It is an honor to meet you both at last. We are humbled and grateful for your immense generosity during our trials these past days."

"Think nothing of it. The Von Stettens have a centuries-long alliance with the Canterwell family," the King replied congenially. "While your circumstances were most unfortunate, we are glad you are safe and well-tended to here."

As if on cue, Elric shot around his side of the table to pull out the two chairs in front of us. Claire took the seat directly across from him, while I was forced to sit closer to the head of the table, closer to the King of Larnwick. "We've searched tirelessly for your horses and affects," the King went on, "but I fear they've been lost to the woods."

"Such as we also feared," Claire replied sagely. "We truly appreciate your efforts."

"We sent word to our family as well," I spoke up. "We hope to hear back soon, with their gratitude."

"We expect you or them to think nothing of it," the Queen said, repeating her husband's words. Her voice was quiet, breathy, but easily heard because everyone in the banquet hall went silent when she spoke. "You must stay with us until you have what you need. As a mother with children of my own who traveled on their eighteenth years, I would hope they would be met with similar accommodations."

At least she knew where her children were. My mom had no idea. Did she even know I was missing yet? Was she looking for me?

"Luckily, you have come to Larnwick at its best," she went on. "The Autumnal Festival will provide you with endless amusements."

"We look forward to it," Claire said. "Prince Elric has told us much about them. I think we're both looking forward to the joust most of all."

"Oh yes, as is most of Larnwick. The joust is one of our oldest traditions. The winner rings in the beginning of autumn at the first ball."

"That sounds wonderful," Claire said. "We look forward to experiencing all of it. I must admit Jo – Lady Joan and I are quite taken with Larnwick already. Your country is beautiful."

"Traveling gives you perspective, doesn't it?" the King said. "Elric mentioned you're interested in touring the rest of the continent, yes? What more do you wish to learn and take back to Velein?"

"As... much as we can," Claire's voice was uneasy, but I had a feeling I was the only one who noticed it. "I suppose we're hoping to gain as much perspective as we can before we go back home."

He chuckled. "I would expect nothing less from a Canterwell. Do you know what you would like to pursue when you return home?"

I frowned. Was this the "what do you want to do when you grow up" question adults had been throwing our way since the beginning of junior year?

"Father," Elric said. There was a warning to his words, which made me realize this was definitely a "what do you want to do when you grow up" question.

"It's a fair question," the King said. "The Canterwell family is industrious. I'm interested in seeing what lies in their future."

Claire would know. She could easily say spin off what she wanted to do for her career after graduating Stanford. She wanted to do... She wanted... Wait. What did my best friend want to do for a living? I realized she'd only ever talked about Stanford, but not much else.

"I..." Claire floundered. My frown deepened. "To be honest, Your Majesty, I have not considered it. I thought it would come to me on my travels, but... I know I want to help people."

"Help people?" the King asked, uncomprehending.

"How... thoughtful," the Queen supplied, cutting the King a quick look that reminded me of Elric when he would do the same to Sir Nico. I cringed.

Claire's face burned bright red because she must've recognized that, too. "Maybe as a political emissary, or running something... philanthropic in nature. As nobles, we've been blessed with the gift to serve so many people. I only wish to further that cause."

"I couldn't agree more," Elric spoke up. "I look forward to learning more about your plans as you develop them, My Lady."

For once, I was kind of grateful for the prince and his overtly flowery praise. At least, in this instance, he seemed genuine. Genuine enough to keep the King and Queen from asking any other questions... for the moment.

I cleared my throat and picked up a spoon to dive into the rapidly-cooling soup sitting in front of me. "So... is it true this castle is built into a volcano?"

#

Luckily, the rest of dinner passed without much more incident, but Claire was ready to flee the scene afterwards. I was too, even if I'd been saved by most of the scrutiny because the King and Queen seemed much more interested in Claire. I think we mutually agreed to hide out in one of our rooms until the end of this ridiculous festival. But we still had research to do, and there were those books we'd left behind in the library.

"You go ahead to the room," I told Claire, who was still pale from the near-train wreck that was dinner. "I'll catch up."

The stairs were becoming more familiar as I retraced my steps back to the library. A late afternoon glow streaked through the windows and painted the heavy stone and wood. Dust motes danced in the golden air, and shadows brushed along the walls toward me. The castle was quiet, but not desolate. I'd passed several serving staff on my way –

"I want you to keep an eye on them." My blood ran cold when I recognized the voice. I'd been sitting next to it for an hour earlier. The King. And I could come up with two guesses as to who he was talking about.

"It will be done, Your Majesty," a second voice replied, one that seemed familiar but I couldn't quite place.

It didn't matter at the moment, because what mattered was that their shadows were heading straight for me. Panic hit me hard and fast, because I was out in the open in the middle of the hallway. I lunged for the first door I could find, which led into a... linen closet? Shelves teeming with fabric surrounded me, which was better than being put face-to-face with –

The King and... Sir Nico?

"Elric seems unusually besotted with Miss Canterwell," the King went on. "Barely a woman in society's eyes – and she may not be! I haven't heard about Lord Canterwell having any children old enough to be out in society, besides their eldest son, and paired with such a state of their arrival, I will not risk a scandal. Not until I have more information."

Sir Nico looked stoic and flat next to the King, compared to the usual liveliness he exuded around everyone else. "Of course, Your Majesty."

Of course they would be suspicious, but I didn't expect for them to catch on so fast! We needed to figure out a way to get home before they realized we weren't who Claire said we were. We just needed to get home!