New faces sit at the breakfast table in the West Wing the next morning. It's two boys with matching red hair and pale skin, though one is a foot smaller with more freckles, while the other is ganglier. I dip into a curtsy before sitting beside Clemaina.

"Good morning," I say. I hope my face looks neutral and not as confused as I feel.

Both boys grin, creating two sets of dimples on their cheeks. The older boy stands from his place across from me and strides around the table.

"Good morning, Princess Aylo. I am Prince Leopold the Third, heir to the Kingdom of Freinsoliven. I'm so pleased to finally make your acquaintance."

He bows, and his hand closes around mine, bringing it to his lips. My eyes shift to Clemaina. Her mouth is set in a pleasant smile, but I can't miss the glitter of amusement in her brown irises. I focus again on the boy's rounded face. His features are small, leaving empty space like a sparse canvas.

"It is nice to make your acquaintance as well," I recite. "We're honored by your presence in the palace."

"I'm honored you're hosting us, especially during this trying time. I'm so deeply sorry for your loss."

"Thank you," I say quickly, moving on before any emotion leaks out.

Prince Leopold finally releases my hand and returns to the right side of Clemaina as Sigvard enters. My brother blinks at the newcomer who's taken his spot, then slides into the chair beside me.

"And I," the younger boy begins, drawing out the last syllable, "am Prince Lewis, Second in line to the throne of Freinsoliven." He stands from his seat and gives a quick bow before sitting down again.

"It's nice to meet you," I say again. Sigvard nods. I think he's in shock. I can't remember a time when random strangers joined us for breakfast. Usually, we meet people at least once. We also have some forewarning about the guests.

"Shall our breakfast commence?" Clemaina claps her hands.

Servants bring our plates. They're almost too pretty to eat—miniature waffles stacked with sugar-coated cherries on top; layered fruit in flower-shaped glass bowls topped with a twirled lemon peel; a poached egg over smoked salmon, bread, and radishes, garnished with microgreens. The chefs didn't hold back, except in their portion sizes for me and Clemaina.

We eat in comforting silence, though I can't shake the feeling of being watched by the guest across from me. I pretty much look anywhere but straight ahead—at my plate, Sigvard, the wall, the clock, the floor, my napkin, and even Clemaina.

Leopold clears his throat. "So, Princess Aylo, do you enjoy long walks?"

I'm forced to meet his green eyes. "Uh...yes?"

"It is unfortunate Aylo was absent yesterday when you arrived," Clemaina says. "We thought she would be back from the memorial in time for supper."

I flashback to when we returned from town. Sigvard and I had eaten in the West Wing, watched over by Wolfgang. He didn't say anything about guests, though I should've known something was up since Clemaina wasn't with us.

"I apologize for not being present," I say. "I was unaware that we had guests."

"It's no trouble at all," Prince Leopold says.

"Perhaps Aylo can make up the time today," Clemaina says. I can't hide the confusion that twists onto my face when I turn to her. She gives me an innocent smile.

"I don't believe that Princess Aylo owes me anything." Prince Leopold stares directly at me, as if I were glass he's trying to see through. "Though I wouldn't be opposed if you wanted to go on a walk this afternoon."

I open my mouth to say that I'm busy with lessons but pivot mid-thought.

"Actually, that would be quite lovely."

"Wonderful. How about at fifteen o'clock?"

"Sounds perfect."

I sit back in my chair, popping a whole strawberry in my mouth. Clemaina's fork chimes against the plate as she sets it down. I feel her gaze on me. I doubt she expected me to appreciate his offer, just wanted me to squirm from the awkward situation.

"Aylo, your tea lesson," she whispers.

"You can explain to Lady Avrilaya," I say. "After all, it was your idea."

And I won't pass up this ticket out of the palace for anything.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☀. :☆ﾟ｡･ ───

Once again, Sigvard and Benno wait for me in the front courtyard. I'm about ten minutes late since my lesson went longer than usual. Sigvard wears a grin today, and I can't decide if the look suits him.

"Aylo, that was genius," Sigvard says. He leans in closer and whispers, "We are going to the bookstore, right?"

It occurs to me that I never set a formal plan with Sigvard. After breakfast, I was whisked away to discuss the chapters forty to forty-nine of The Bones of the Leviathan with Lady Nyoko. But I'm glad he guessed at my true intentions for accepting Prince Leopold's advances.

"Of course," I say. "You got permission to leave?"

Sigvard shrugs. "I'm done with lessons, so sure."

I miss the days when I only had morning and tea lessons. The extra hours are wearing away my sanity. Why doesn't Sigvard have a full schedule

"And even if he hadn't, I could still come," Benno says.

"True."

I hear the heavy palace doors rumble closed, and a third boy rounds the corner: Prince Leopold the Third. His eyes flick between me and the two boys next to me.

"Are we going on our walk, Princess Aylo?" he asks tentatively.

"Yes, we're all ready."

Leopold stiffens, but he says nothing to oppose the others joining us. The four of us leave the courtyard and walk along the dirt road. Leopold asks a few questions to fill the time, but I mostly give short answers. I notice he constantly says my name, perhaps his way of showing that he's only talking to me, and not my companions.

After several minutes, I notice a guard following several paces away. It figures one would accompany us. I guess I'll just have to distract him inside the bookstore so he doesn't notice the books we're reading. Fifteen minutes later, a few shops appear on either side of the road.

Sigvard clears his throat and the silence that rests between us. "Oh wow, there's the bookstore. Can we stop there quickly? I'm bored these days."

"Sure," I say. "You don't mind, Prince Leopold, right?"

"Oh, no," Prince Leopold says. "I wouldn't mind getting out of the hot sun."

It is rather bright this afternoon. I shouldn't have worn a polyester dress today. Then again, I wouldn't have guessed this morning that I'd go on a walk like this.

Sigvard opens the door to a small stone shop with a sign out front saying "Novel Reads." Benno and Leopold enter, but Sigvard grips my arm, holding me back.

"How are we going to do this?" he murmurs.

"I'll distract the prince while you look for the book. Once you find it, read as much as you can about the poison."

"Great," he grumbles. "You get the easy job."

"It's also the boring job." I pull my arm from his grasp and enter the store, Sigvard and the guard on my heels. I hope the guard didn't overhear our exchange, though he did see it.

I stick out my arm toward Leopold. "Let's browse."

Leopold seems startled, but he threads his arm with mine, and we walk to the nearest aisle of the bookstore.

"Princess Aylo, do you like books?" Leopold asks.

"Not particularly. Unless they're old or I'm not supposed to read them."

Leopold chuckles. "Then what made you agree to come in here?"

"The books." I step toward the bookcase, dislodging my arm from his and angling myself to scan the bookstore. I spot the guard at the front of the store, watching me.

"You said you don't like books." A smirk plays on his lips.

"I don't. I already told you the exceptions."

"You're looking for an old book?"

"More like one I'm not supposed to read."

"And why's that?"

I shrug. "I don't know." It's the best answer I can come up with.

I turn to a table on my right and pick up a book, pretending to look it over. Pages flip by in a steady stream. When I reach the end, I do the same with another book.

"So, which forbidden book are we looking for first?"

"I don't know."

Curious green eyes regard me for a moment. "Funny, you strike me as someone who knows what she's doing."

"Looks are deceiving?" I try.

Leopold laughs, and we move to the next table of books. I meander between piles, taking my time to inspect the heavy, hard-covered novels. When we reach the end of the aisle, I see Sigvard ducking from the furthest aisle, a thick book in his hands. I hope he's found something worth our time.

We creep through the various genres, eventually ending up by the medicinal books. I know Sigvard is looking through them, but I can't help my curiosity. I pick one after another off the shelf, scanning the table of contents until my eyes snag on the word. Attsed.

"You seem particularly interested in these books," Leopold comments. I jump since I forgot he's beside me.

"It's something new," I say. I still hold the book in my hands, hoping to sneak a glance at the title before it blends in with the other blue volumes on the shelf.

"What's caught your attention?" He shifts so his shoulder touches mine and takes hold of the front cover. He brushes back several pages to the title. My eyes widen, and I stiffen. The book is called "The Beginner's Guide to Drugs, Potions, and Poisons." I force the book shut and shove it back on the shelf, though I let it stick out a tad.

"So that's what you mean by books you're not supposed to read," Leopold says with a chuckle.

"I guess so." I force a laugh, playing into the joke.

Sigvard pokes his head from behind a shelf. I flick my eyes toward the book, then shuffle to the next section of books. As we're leaving the aisle, I see Sigvard grab it from the shelf.

Leopold and I meander around the bookstore for half an hour more. It's the most boring waste of my time, but I keep reminding myself that it's for the greater good, or rather, Sigvard and Benno's good. Not only do I distract Leopold, but also the guard, who has a particular interest in following me around. Perhaps he doesn't trust me with a teenage boy, even if he is a Prince. We've landed in the kid's section, and as I flip through a picture book, Benno appears beside me.

"We should probably get going," he says.

"Any finds?" Leopold asks.

"A few."

"Let me see."

"We're not purchasing anything."

"What, are you looking for forbidden books, too?"

Benno's face is deadpan. "We were just browsing. I have enough books to read back in Riaca."

Leopold holds up his hands. "No hard feelings, I'm just asking."

Benno grabs my hand and takes me to where Sigvard stands at the front of the store.

"I can walk by myself," I whisper.

Benno's grip releases. "I know." His shoulders square, and his posture straightens so his gaze goes over my head. I glance behind me at Leopold, his chin held high and a bored expression on his face. It's like they're competing in some sort of competition. What it could be...well, that's not my problem.