The lines on his face were pronounced and Alice felt a twinge of sympathy. “You look as if you didn’t sleep at all.”
“I’m worried about Helene.” A muscle worked in his jaw. “I never stopped loving her.”
The sentiment brought fresh tears to Alice’s eyes. “If so, why did you allow your marriage to be annulled?”
“If I hadn’t agreed to the annulment, my father would have taken care of the problem in an even crueler fashion.”
She recoiled. “Are you saying King Eiger would have had Mother killed?”
“My father never allowed anything to get in the way of his wishes—not even me.” He averted his gaze. “When you are heir to the throne, your personal desires are outweighed by duty.”
“And Mother was just collateral damage.” Alice frowned. “Have you learned anything more about her kidnapping?”
“I’ve appointed Pompano as the next Head Wizard, and he’ll be pursuing the case.”
Alice cocked her head. “Why would the Head Wizard be involved in a criminal investigation?”
“The defense system at the castle has increasingly relied on magic and Pompano says it must have been breached. I’ve told him to locate the vulnerability and fix it.”
Her spine straightened. “It sounds like Pompano is suggesting his predecessor was responsible for her kidnapping through incompetence.”
“No one would ever suggest such a thing.” His eyes flashed. “Not in my presence.”
Alice turned her head to gaze out the window. Throngs of people, dressed in mourning for the memorial, had lined the streets for the procession. Many of them were waving at the Pomparriage, hoping for some acknowledgement from the king. As she waved back with Ranger Stratford’s handkerchief, his image lingered in her mind. The Ranger’s dark, athletic good looks and kind manner was in stark contrast to Blade’s conceited arrogance. Perhaps, after the handkerchief was laundered, she would take the opportunity to return it to Ranger Stratford personally.
∞∞∞
When Alice entered her suite a half hour later, Mary was setting the sitting room table for lunch and all signs of the Minfo prep team had vanished.
The maid glanced up. “I’ll have your meal ready in just a few minutes, Your Highness. You have time to change, if you wish.”
“I think I will.”
In the huge bedroom closet, Alice kicked off her black pumps, pulled off her gloves, and unpinned her veiled hat. She didn’t know exactly what to wear to her afternoon appointment, but she decided to dress for comfort. The nice trousers and brocade blouse she’d purchased at the Tialda Arcade seemed appealing and she added her father’s necklace for some sparkle.
When Alice returned to the sitting room, the maid was pouring water into a glass of ice.
“I’m supposed to go to the Ministry of Information in a little while. What is the best way to get there?”
Before the maid could answer, the vidscreen lit up and a map of Briarwood Castle appeared. As Alice watched, a dotted red line traced a path from the main castle across the grounds and to an outbuilding on the far side of the lawn.
“Well, that settles that.” Alice sat down to lunch. “Mary, do you know anything about Rangers?”
The maid’s face lit up. “Everybody loves the Rangers. They are the oldest branch of the Colossusian Army, but their duties are largely ceremonial these days.” She gave a little wiggle. “I adore a man in uniform.”
As Alice pictured Kellan Stratford, her lips curved upwards. “So do I.” She produced his handkerchief from her pocket. “Could you launder this for me? It’s borrowed and I must give it back.”
“Certainly.” Mary glanced down at the linen square. “The embroidery says KLS. Who is that?”
“Oh…a kind gentleman.” She draped a napkin across her lap. “Have you ever met Blade Blackmon?”
“Can’t say that I have.” Mary gave her a fixed smile. “Is there anything else you need?”
Alice surveyed the table in front of her. “I don’t think so. Thank you.”
After the maid left the room, Alice ate chicken salad and a slice of banana nut bread. The more she thought about Kellan Stratford, the more he intrigued her. If she hadn’t stupidly burst into tears, she would have inquired more deeply about his relationship with her mother.
Her thoughts shifted to the romantic relationship between her parents. Had the two of them found ways to see one another over the years—albeit in secret? If so, how had they managed it under the nose of vindictive Queen Tara? The best method of avoiding prying eyes and cameras would have been a private passageway, undetectable to the unenlightened observer. Alice glanced around the room, intrigued to learn if such an entranceway existed.
She searched the huge bedroom closet, pushing aside clothes to see if the walls behind revealed any secrets. When that possibility proved fruitless, she wondered if the full-length mirror in the dressing area might hide a doorway. Unfortunately, the frame didn’t budge from the wall and she couldn’t feel any magical vibrations from a camouflage spell. She cast a reveal spell, just in case, but the only thing the closet held were clothes.
Alice walked around its perimeter of the bedroom as she tried to sense an eddy in the energy, but she came up empty. A reveal spell yielded nothing either, although the vidscreen had a magical aura. Since the device was inherently magical, however, that was no revelation.
Disappointed, she crossed through the sitting room and into her mother’s study on the other side. She’d given the room a cursory glance before but hadn’t really been in the mood to examine it in detail. The artwork on the walls was enchanted…a merry rainstorm in one, colorful butterflies in another, and a gentle snowfall in a third. One of the larger paintings depicted a tropical reef, complete with exotic fish darting to and fro through the lacy coral and waving sea grass. She was attracted to the one life-sized painting of a young woman who bore a strong resemblance to her mother. The woman wore a lovely pink gown and a diamond tiara, with wavy black tresses flowing down her back. Oddly, the painting was the only one in the room that wasn’t enchanted.
Or wasn’t it?
When Alice ran a fingertip across the canvas, the surface rippled. A porthole. She rested the palm of her hand against the painting and pressed with gradually increasing strength, but it did not yield. An imprint of her hand remained once she pulled back, but the indentation gradually disappeared. Although she cast various spells to uncover the nature of the enchantment, nothing worked.
She stared at the painting, frustrated. In a way, the surface of the portrait reminded her of a Node Network gate. If the porthole was anything similar, Alice would need a Key to pass through. Unfortunately, Helen could have enchanted almost any object to be the Key. The item would have to be small, portable, and mundane.
Since time was running short, she gave up her search for the moment and set out for the Minfo. As she left her room and strode down the hall, she remembered not to walk faster than the pair of castle guards on her tail. Otherwise, when she returned to her room, she might find four guards outside.
∞∞∞
After a hearty lunch of roast beef and buttered potatoes at the Briar Patch Tavern, Kellan nursed a beer and let his friends do most of the talking. For some reason, his visit to the Mausoleum had unsettled him and he couldn’t decide why. Perhaps this afternoon, Kellan would visit his mother for a chat and hopefully get some peace of mind.
The vidscreen over the bar began featuring the memorial service and the stunning beauty in black. The broadcaster said, “The day of mourning hasn’t squelched interest in the newest arrival at Castle Briarwood. Although our questions about the lady in black have resulted in no comment yet, we’ve asked His Majesty for a statement. All we know so far is that the young woman arrived by Pomparriage yesterday and was accompanied by the wizard Blade Blackmon. Unfortunately, he won’t answer our inquiries either.”
The camera shifted to the Rangers as they directed their horses to kneel. Dewar caught sight of the vidsc
reen and pointed. “Hey, look! We’re famous.”
Gus and Paddy hooted, but when an interview with King Justin began, Kellan held up his hands for quiet. “Shh. I want to hear what His Majesty has to say.”
“Your Majesty, a young lady accompanied you to the memorial service today. Could you tell us something about her?”
A brief spark lit the monarch’s expression. “The lady is a very special guest, and I will be making an announcement about her when the time is right.” He managed a slight smile. “I feel certain the news will lift everyone’s spirits.”
The interview ended and Paddy rolled his eyes. “The Minfo is drawing the suspense out as long as possible.”
“I wonder why?” The question popped out of Kellan’s mouth before he thought too much about it.
Dewar reached for his beer. “What do you mean?”
“I’m just wondering if there is more to Helene Masters’ sabbatical than what we’ve been told.”
Gus frowned. “We’ll probably never know the truth. Half of what the Minfo says is misdirection and the other half is lies.”
“I think you’re on to something there.” Dewar set down his glass and wiped his foamy beer mustache away with his sleeve. “When everyone is distracted by the news, they forget to ask questions.”
Paddy peered out the window and gaped. “I can’t believe it.”
Kellan followed his gaze. An omnibus rolling past on the street outside featured posters of a familiar brunette and the words WHO IS SHE?
“That’s quite a campaign the Minfo has going.” Kellan shook his head. “Now I’m really curious what they are hiding.”
∞∞∞
Alice was able to leave her guards outside as she entered the Minfo building, and she felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. From the lobby, a page accompanied Alice down a broad corridor and ushered her into a platinum elevator at the end. The door whooshed open at their approach and closed once they had stepped inside. The roomy interior was in the shape of a platinum birdcage and the back wall was spanned by a bench upholstered in crimson velvet. A small crystal chandelier—a miniature copy of the one in the lobby—hung overhead.
“First Level.” As soon as the page spoke, the elevator door closed, and the carriage began to descend.
Alice was taken aback. “Minister Seer’s offices are underground?”
“No, the production floors are underground.” The page beamed at her. “This elevator is for the talent.”
“Er…well, in that case, I count myself fortunate to ride in it.” She gave him a sidelong glance. “How many levels are there?”
“Twenty below ground and three above.” He chuckled. “We require a lot of space for all our projects.”
“I imagine so.”
Blade was waiting for her when the elevator doors opened. “Hello!”
Alice stepped out into a long, well-lit corridor. “This place is huge. If there are twenty-two other levels just like this one, the Minfo must generate an enormous quantity of programming.”
“The Minfo is the best in broadcasting, Princess.” He grinned. “Actually, the Minfo is the only name in broadcasting.”
“The people who work here wear many different hats.” She gave him a level glance. “I noticed, for example, that Nathan Quincy is not really an ambassador. He only plays one on the vidscreen.”
Blade had the grace to blush. “Well…since he plays an ambassador convincingly, he was the only one for the job.” He gestured down the hall. “Minister Seer is waiting for us in the studio at the far end.”
As Alice accompanied Blade through the production facility, they passed windows with views into workrooms, rehearsal studios, sound booths, and editing bays, all filled with people employed in one capacity or another. She was shocked to discover her face was featured on mockups of posters and other artwork.
“Wait…that’s me!” She glanced at Blade. “What’s going on?”
“We’re in the build-up phase of your campaign right now. Once interest in you is at a fever pitch, we’ll transition into the next phase.”
“Which is?”
“The Minister has everything mapped out in the studio. You’ll be able to see everything at a glance.”
Her uneasiness grew. Although the spotlight made her uncomfortable, she would reluctantly acquiesce just so long as she learned what had happened to her mother. If she hadn’t been convinced her father needed her help to avoid war with the Shadow Realm, she most certainly would have refused to cooperate.
Chapter Seven
Making of a Princess
When Blade showed Alice into Seer’s studio, the Minister was reviewing a storyboard with an assistant.
Seer glanced over. “Ah, there you are, Princess! Let’s get you to hair, makeup, and wardrobe and then we’ll discuss what you’ll be doing today. You too, Blade. We need an interview.”
“All right.” Blade beckoned. “Come on, Princess. I’ll show you where to go.”
“No, wait.” She refused to budge. “I’d like to know more about this campaign, Minister.”
“Once you’ve been presented as His Majesty’s daughter, we begin with The Making of a Princess.” Seer’s enthusiasm was reflected in his expression. “Everyone will want to know what it’s like to be elevated from a lowly Vanguard commoner to a princess. We’ll be covering your former life up to the day you received the news of your heritage. Then, we’ll focus on your makeover at the Hotel Tialda.”
Alice’s eyes narrowed. “I was under surveillance?”
Seer giggled. “Oh, no, no, no. Nothing like that at all. It just so happens we were able to use footage from various security cameras at the facility. We also have an interview with Mrs. Sloane and some wonderful before and after images. You’ll love it.”
“And what happens after The Making of a Princess campaign?”
“We focus on your activities as a princess, of course.” Was it her imagination or did the Minister’s gaze flicker toward Blade? “You’ll have duties to perform as a member of the royal family.”
“Duties?” Alice frowned. “I have no objection to working but I’d like to know what those duties are likely to be.”
Blade responded. “You’ll attend openings of public works such as schools, museums, and bridges. You’ll also visit sick children in the hospital, go to state dinners, and that sort of thing.”
“So I’m essentially an ambassador for the monarchy?” She almost laughed with relief. “That’s not so bad.”
“I’m not sure how you could have thought otherwise.” Blade paused. “You’ll also choose particular cause or area of interest to define yourself. For example, Queen Tara was devoted to magical education and was a Trustee of the Briarwood Magical Academy.”
“Was she?” Alice bit her lip. “I have a great many interests, so I’ll have to mull it over.” She gestured toward a set of covered easels in the corner. “What are those?”
“Nothing that need concern you.” Seer nodded at his assistant. “Clear those away. We don’t need the distraction.”
As the assistant hastened to comply, Blade steered Alice through a doorway and into a salon populated by the same people she’d met that morning. They greeted her like an old friend this time and as the process of preparing her and Blade for the camera began, she found that she was enjoying herself.
The wardrobe designer dressed her in an exquisite pink and white ballgown with a diaphanous overskirt of transparent silk and satin ribbons. Alice gasped with pleasure at the crystal-studded embroidery and beaded white trim.
“This is truly stunning, Mrs. Diamond.”
“I’m glad you think so.” The woman smiled. “Every girl in Colossus will want a copy.”
Mrs. Diamond pinned a tiara on Alice’s sophisticated twist. “Now you look like a princess.”
“I agree.” Alice turned a pirouette. “I wish I had a ball to attend.”
“That comes later. Just wait until you see your gowns for the Royal
Promenade.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing the Promenade. I imagine it’s quite a spectacle.”
“I imagine more than one young man will be vying for your hand.” Mrs. Diamond laughed. “Now that will be a spectacle.”
“Oh, my participation in the Promenade is just for show.” Alice shrugged. “I’ll choose my own husband, thank you very much.”
The designer beckoned her to the door. “Let me escort you to Minister Seer. I’m sure he’s eager to get started.”
Alice enjoyed the rustle of her skirt as she followed Mrs. Diamond back toward the studio. Blade was still taping his interview, so Alice waited behind a glass partition to watch.
“I don’t think Princess Alessandra realizes just how beautiful she really is.” Blade’s expression was soft as he stared off to one side, as if holding her image in his mind’s eye. “That’s part of her charm, of course. She’s an unspoiled young woman who sees the world as one big adventure.”
Alice knew full well the lines were scripted but Blade looked devastatingly handsome under the lights. If she didn’t know better, she could almost be persuaded to believe he was sincere.
The Minister was off camera as he fed Blade questions. “Do you think Colossusians will accept their new princess?”
Blade chuckled. “No question about it. Everyone who meets Alessandra falls instantly in love.”
“Does that include a certain young wizard?”
Blade’s lips curved into a bashful smile. “Don’t ask me to embarrass myself.”
Seer nodded. “All right, we’ll leave it there, Mr. Blackmon. On behalf of Colossus, I want to thank you for bringing our new princess home.”
Blade grinned. “Trust me, it was my pleasure.”
After a lengthy pause, Seer said, “Cut. Thank you, Blade. You are done here, but I need you and your team in Studio Five for some promotional shots.”
The young wizard stood. “I’m on my way.”
Alice stepped into the studio, crossing paths with Blade. He stared at her with parted lips. “Wow. That’s all I can say.”
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