LORD SHIRE'S ESTATE was a colossal trove of treasures and anything fanciful from the pearl gates at the entrance, flanked by gold-armored guards, to diamond-strewn pathways, leading to the circular driveway. In its center was an ice-sculpture fountain of the lord himself—a round middle-aged man wearing his pronounced powdered wig and handlebar mustache.

A golf cart parked at the bottom of the manor's marble steps waited for their arrival. As the carriage went round the driveway towards the back of the manor, the cart's chauffeur drove them to the garden where the lawn picnic was underway.

Topiary ducks lined the cement path with fallen flowers from the cluster of cherry-pink trees above, in which two or three blossoms were caught in the waves of her short black hair. Princess Leah collected some in her skirts. She gathered them up and transferred them to a wicker basket.

"They would be perfect for resin jewelry," the princess said at Melusine's inquiring stare.

As they loaded off the cart, the sound of the fiddle, the songs, the laughter, and the dainty murmurs of court ladies and gentlemen streamed through the Camellia-woven arch. The luscious aroma of baked croissants and pies lured the sweet-toothed fairy in. Even the princess who was not too much of a fan of sweets caved in to join the melodious party.

Checkered blankets sprawled open on the grass laden with half-opened picnic baskets with steam rolling out of them. There were glasses of wine and yellow bees buzzing around.

The ladies changed into shorter dresses as some lounged under the shade of the trees and some on the blankets, basking in the sun with their wide-brimmed hats for sun protection. While others engaged in an apple-picking activity at the apple orchard, a few ladies played croquet near a stone-edged pond. The highly important men were nowhere to be seen.

Melusine followed Princess Leah's gaze over to where a herald announced the coming of the Queen of Cassen. The activities ceased at once.

Queen Harriet paraded a knee-length dress, pearly-gloved hands, and a scarf wrapped around her head. Viola followed two steps behind her, holding up a mint green parasol with a forlorn look on her face. Melusine hid her surprise and silently seethed at the game played by the queen. And as the lady and the servant caught each other's eyes, the servant quickly looked away, her face falling into an even sorry state.

Capturing this silent exchange, the edges of the queen's lips tilted up in a smirk. The others mistook it for the pleasure of the scene, but Melusine knew the meaning behind it.

"Welcome, all. I'm so delighted you could join us this afternoon," the queen addressed the crowd.

She made her way through them, greeting guests, and passed the prince's suitors, talking briefly with each when Melusine noticed another woman on the queen's left escorting her. The woman was no taller than the queen. She had striking blue eyes, a small face, and short blonde hair, pinned and curled at the tips. Her off-shoulder emerald dress accentuated her slender frame and boasted wide hips and pretty long legs.

"I wonder who that lady with the queen is. . ."

Princess Leah leaned over to whisper to her. "That's Countess Madeleine of Ardelia. Her name was all over the tabloids at one point. I'm surprised you do not know of her! What with a woman of social class as yourself? Anyway, she was betrothed to the crown prince until he flew and hid away."

"It was particularly embarrassing for her to be thrown over like that," a lady, who happened to hear their small gossip, said. "She was the one who was chosen during that Social Season, after all. To go through all that and not be royal. . ."

"Poor thing must be the Queen's guest as a consolation prize," another added and the others murmured agreement.

Melusine was surprised at the small group of gossip ladies gathered around them. "B-But I thought the prince refused to choose a lady in the past Social Seasons."

"He didn't," the princess said. "The queen did."

The crowd around them dispersed when at last, the queen stopped in front of Melusine. Melusine maintained the necessary formality as she stepped forward and curtsied.

"It's an honor to be graced by your presence, Your Majesty."

"My Queen, this is the one I was telling you about," Countess Madeleine's honeysuckle voice said.

Melusine straightened out herself and leveled her gaze at the woman. She felt the presence of another behind her and the gentle support of a tender hand on the small of her back.

Madeleine switched her gaze to the princess and bowed her head. "Princess Leah. I didn't notice you were here."

"How unfortunate," the princess said with dangerous calmness. Princess Leah lifted her skirt and curtsied to the queen. "Queen Harriet, it's an honor."

"Princess Leah. I'm so happy you can make it. Although I wish Edward and Marie could do the same." The queen held the princess by the shoulders and kissed her cheeks. An unusual fervor she refused to give Melusine and the other girls shone in the queen's eyes as she looked at the princess.

"Father and Mother send their best regards for a happy and fruitful season. Who knows? They might show up any time and we'll never know."

The two shared a laugh and the queen didn't spare a moment before her attention was upon Melusine.

"The journals speak well of you. It takes great effort to manage one's image so responsibly," the queen said with praise that went down her nose. "They're touting you as 'The Mystery Woman.' Someone who they can't quite figure out. I hope you realize no one can remain a mystery long when they are a public servant and must attend to the people."

The princess nodded in support and Melusine took strength in that alone.

"Of course, Your Majesty," Melusine said in unwavering calmness. "Trust me when I say I'd take my service quite seriously."

The queen, unyielding to acknowledge, raised her chin. "Lady Melissa, tell me, what do you think is the best quality for a ruler to have?"

It didn't take Melusine a second to think. The answer flashed in her head just as naturally as she could feel even the weight of it in her heart. "A sense of duty, of course. Loyalty to the kingdom you represent and the people you serve will carry you through any crisis."

The queen huffed through her nose. "Good answer."

Melusine bowed her head which hid the satisfied smile that would surely have sent the queen seething. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Governance is not to be taken lightly," Queen Harriet added. "You will be bombarded daily by a hundred little decisions. Few will be glamorous, and many will weigh on you. Loyalty to the kingdom and the people must guide your every decision. As monarchs of a country, we have a responsibility to the people. The journals act as their eyes. We must always portray a sense of calm and dignity. If the rulers appear in control, then everyone will be reassured. Hysteria benefits nobody. Do you agree?"

"Your Majesty, I believe a stoic leader makes for stoic people."

The queen raised an eyebrow but nodded, rather impressed. "Exactly. We must set an example, which is why we must not enable the scandal-hunting impulses of the journalists."

"My Queen, I hate to interrupt, but it's time to begin the game," Madeleine said.

"Yes, thank you for reminding me." The queen pulled off her gloves and gave them to Viola to keep. Her face brightened immeasurably as she addressed the crowd. "Everyone, please, follow me. It's time to begin the ceremonial croquet match."

The queen led the ladies in a procession across the lawn. "Know that one of you will be the next queen, and I expect you to represent Cassen well. Madeleine here has been the embodiment of dignity and devotion. It is my hope that you may all learn from her example."

Madeleine's chest swelled with pride. She tilted her nose up and looked down at the ladies as if they were nothing but her ordinary subjects. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The princess pulled her close and whispered, "Go on without me. There's something I want to see first."

And Leah was off—bounding across the lawn, hair fluttering in the wind—before Melusine could utter her name.

The procession came upon a bend. The queen began to turn, threatening to bump into Melusine. She calmly stepped back and maintained her position behind the queen as she turned.

A scowl ripped through her facade until it was gone in a split second like a hazy illusion in the night.

Across the lawn, several croquet hoops have been set up. Prince Edric waited near the game equipment as the procession approached, greeting each lady as they passed.

As Melusine neared, she held out her hand and he brushed his lips over her knuckles, lowering his voice.

"Lady Mel, I'm so pleased to see you." He grinned at her as Melusine curtsied to him, the memory shared in the early morning of the derby still fresh in their mind.

Melusine brushed past him and focused her attention on the queen.

"Custom has it that the Queen and the Prince play a round of croquet with two of the season's suitors. I have chosen Madeleine as my partner."

A flurry of whispers from the noble ladies rose around her.

"She's a suitor?"

"Pas bon!"

"That scheming little. . ."

Madeleine smiled as she confidently remained by the queen's side.

The crown prince stepped up, the air of confidence around him rivaling that of the queen. And when he spoke, he set his eyes on the only lady he could only think of partnering with, much to Queen Harriet's dismay.

"As for myself, I shall choose Lady Mel."

The remaining lady suitors expressed their wounded hearts' sorrow with anguished moans and sigh, but no one dared to step and question the prince.

"Her? But—"

"Shh. The prince has made his choice."

"What's the point of us being here then?"

Melusine, the Prince, Madeleine, and the Queen separated into two teams, grabbing their mallets and setting up at the beginning of the circuit.

The prince gave Melusine a subtle nudge with his shoulder. "Looks like we found another way to steal a few moments."

But Melusine fumbled on the grip of her mallet, not quite in the mood for a tease, and looked at him helplessly. "I don't want to cause you alarm or anything, but I don't know how to play croquet."

The prince gave the mallet a practice swing harder than it was supposed to be. He shielded his eyes from the afternoon sun and squinted at the far distance at the imaginary ball.

"No worries. Just follow my lead. Hit your ball through the same hoop as mine, and you'll be fine."

Melusine grimaced. "Follow your lead? I don't think you're supposed to make the ball fly in croquet."

"Right. Come on. We're up."

Edric smoothly knocked his ball through the hoop. Melusine set up to take her shot with a bit of a fairy nudge—and may the Fairy Mother forgive her. She calmly knocked the ball and set the tiny garden grass into motion. Coaxed by the fairy with a reward of rain after, they guided the ball's course through the hoops. They moved and swayed like tiny fingers.

Edric whistled. "Nice swing. Are you sure this is your first time playing?"

The game continued to proceed through the circuit. The queen and Madeleine looked deep in conversation. While the prince took his turn, Melusine approached them.

"Am I interrupting anything?"

Madeleine crossed her arms. "No. We were simply discussing how to best undress when meeting with ministers during the coucher."

"We do what now?"

The queen covered half of her face as she laughed. "Oh, goodness, Madeleine. You're too funny."

Madeleine grinned and gave her a face that was not the least bit apologetic. "Forgive me, Lady Mel, it was only a joke. I hope you won't begrudge us a small laugh at your expense."

Before Melusine could respond, Edric called her over to the end of the circuit. "My apologies for interrupting your conversation, but I believe it's your turn. No pressure or anything but if you hit the peg in the center, we'll win the game."

With a stiff smile, she said, "I can definitely make that."

Is the queen going to be mad at me if I beat her? Or will it earn her respect?

Melusine swung her mallet back and let it hit the ball toward the center peg. The grasses' cheers were audible to her ears as they gave the ball the additional push it needed in the right direction.

The ball rolled into the center peg and the prince whooped. "I believe that means victory is ours."

Queen Harriet and Madeleine marched towards them. The veins on the queen's temple throbbed though she did not let her real emotions show.

"I'm glad you had the guts to finish the game. Too many ladies have thrown the game on purpose just to impress me. That's why I decided to make it a point to lose this match."

"You mean. . ."

"I'm sure we'll have times in the future where we'll find ourselves on opposing sides. Next time, though, I expect we won't be simply playing croquet. . . and I won't be holding back."

Freezing terror gripped the back of her neck at the ill-defined threat of the simple challenge. Even as each one of them lay their mallet down by the center peg for the grounds crew to clean up, the queen's words made her gait heavy. It was clear the queen disliked her for some apparent reason and Melusine was sure some heavy plan was underway to stop her from marrying Edric.

The queen addressed all the other ladies on the field. "Thank you all for coming and I look forward to seeing you at the next event."

The queen and Madeleine retired behind some bodyguards while the rest of the ladies dispersed to the picnic blankets.

As she and Edric took a spot under the shade of a pink trumpet tree, Melusine espied two figures behind the tall hedges outside the garden—one a blonde and the other a black-haired fellow—and they were close enough that they appeared kissing or hugging. Edric's hand brushed with hers. Melusine blushed and who knew what went through her head as she imagined herself and Edric alone together.