They decided to rent rooms at an inn when they reached a village on the outskirts of the wilds. An hour of sunlight remained, and Maria wasn't about to waste it.

"Gentlemen, please get us appropriate lodgings. Sarah, come with me."

"Where are we going?" Sarah asked, whirling around as the inn's stablehand led the horses away.

"There's a tailor across the street here. We're going to see if they have any pairs of pants for young men that might fit us."

Sarah's mouth popped open, her eyes going wide. "We're going to do what?"

Frowning, Maria repeated herself, and Sarah emphatically shook her head until the princess growled in agitation.

"Sarah, I am not going to trek through the wildlands in a dress. Between Fangralee Forest and the Mortal Marsh, a dress will only hinder us. We'll spend more time being weighed down or held back than we will moving forward."

"But...but..." Sarah stared around to Humphrey and Daniel for help. "It's unladylike!" When Maria only raised an eyebrow, she pushed on. "You're the princess of Opea. You aren't meant to wear men's clothing."

"And yet I'm going to. I'm the princess, so I get to decide what I wear. I decide to wear pants."

Sarah grunted in frustration. "Fine, you choose to wear pants, but you're still royalty. A common tailor won't have anything suitable for you. They won't have the fabrics you're accustomed to. You aren't used to wearing linens and rough wools. That isn't what the royal tailor uses for your clothing. You'll be uncomfortable."

A small smile twisted Maria's lips. "Are we talking about me or you? I might have to adjust, but this trip is already far from comfortable. I have a feeling it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better. Besides, we need to save our dresses for when we reach Kyleria."

Quieted for a moment, Sarah pursed her lips. "All right. Yes, I admit I don't want to wear pants. I am a lady's maid. I didn't take a job at the castle to wear commoners' clothes. If that makes me a bad person, I'm sorry."

Maria laughed, pulling Sarah into a hug. "Oh, my dear friend. I don't think it makes you a bad person."

They pulled apart, and Maria caught Humphrey looking at Sarah with something that hinted strongly at disappointment. Daniel busied himself checking the bags.

"You're offended by commoners' clothing?" Humphrey asked, his lip puckering out and his brows knit together. His gaze flickered to Daniel and then back to Sarah.

"Girls don't wear pants unless their families can't afford dresses. Besides, the poorer the class, the itchier the fabric—nobody likes to have itchy pants. I'd think we're better than that."

"You think...you think you're better than your brother?"

Daniel stilled over the last bag, facing away from them. Maria could see his shoulders stiffen, and she placed a hand on Sarah's shoulder. For a moment, everything was quiet.

"I'd never thought of it that way," Sarah said, her voice hoarse. "Of course not. I think he is the best person I know."

Humphrey nodded, though his brows remained furrowed, and he turned away to join Daniel on his way into the inn. Maria looped her arm through Sarah's and gave her friend a sympathetic smile.

"Come on. We'll go get a few pairs of trousers each—for me to wear while we're in the wilds and for you once you realize I'm right about the advantage of wearing trousers." When Sarah didn't perk up at the joke, Maria gave her a little shake. "Don't fret. Humphrey and Daniel will have forgotten this conversation before we return. Daniel knows how much you love him."

"Are his clothes made of itchy fabric?" Sarah's tone was pinched, like she fought back tears. "Is that what he's been forced to wear in the stables?"

"If he wants new pants, we'll buy him new pants. Would that make it better?" She patted Sarah's soft hair, giving the younger girl another squeeze. "It's never a bad idea to buy someone a gift."

###

When they returned, Maria and Sarah had two pairs of trousers each, and another two for Daniel. The tailor and his wife had found pairs intended for a young man, not much larger than they were, who had died in a plow accident the week before. Before they left the store, Sarah acquired the name of the boy's family and asked Maria if they'd be able to send some money or a gift of condolence to them.

"I just think something from the royal family might...might ease their pain."

"That's a lovely idea, Sarah. We'll do it first thing in the morning before we set out. They would receive the same sort of treatment if they came before my father in the throne room if the accident caused them financial hardship. Why not take care of it ourselves!" She glanced up at the sky as they exited the shop. "Oh my, let's hurry. The sun's almost set, and I'd rather not turn into a swan in the street."

"I thought you didn't turn until midnight."

Maria pretended she didn't hear, running back toward the inn, dragging Sarah along in her wake.

Short and sweet. What do you think about the girls wearing pants? Do you think Sarah was thinking ill of her brother, or was she merely fighting the inevitable of wearing trousers? Also, are you falling in love with Humphrey? I am. Tell me what you think in the comments after you hit that pretty little star in the corner!