“Lady Artemisia? That is you, is it not?” The dark-haired young man raised an eyebrow, looking like he didn’t know whether to smile or frown. “Might I ask why you are hiding in a closet?”

  Artemisia panicked. “No.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “I mean!” Artemisia stepped out of the closet with as much dignity as she could muster… which wasn’t much. “You may ask, but I’m not going to tell you.”

  “I… see?”

  Not exactly how I planned to first meet the male lead one-on-one, but I guess it’ll have to do. “Duke von Loambarn?”

  “Yes?” replied the duke in question, who with his dark, dense curls and straight nose, as well as the high collar that framed his face, bore a striking resemblance to a certain gentlemen from a certain historical novel. “Are you quite alright, Lady Artemisia?”

  “Um, yes, I am quite well. Are you?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  The two of them stood there in awkward silence, which went on for ten seconds, thirty seconds, a minute, and in that time Artemisia wondered – amid silent screaming – at the series of events that had led her to that moment.

  ?

  The week and a half she’d had left in the Lindt duchy had gone by in a flurry of last-minute preparations. From rushed etiquette lessons with Emile, lecturing on who and who not to know from Marianne, and a few errands palmed off on her from Christopher and Hesperus, Artemisia had been busy from the moment she woke up to the moment her head hit the pillow.

  “Are you sure I’ll be alright on my own?” she’d asked Emile a few days before she was due to go.

  “We’re going to pray that you are,” Emile had replied, watching Artemisia act out one half of the Jarlliard Step, the most popular dance of the season, according to her information. “You’ll certainly not cause any issues with your dancing.”

  -It must be muscle memory, because she’s right – I’ve had very little trouble picking these dances up.

  “We should arrive in Seraph only a week or two after you, all faring well. But you’ll have Elise with you, at the very least, and the heads of staff at the townhouse have been made aware of your situation. Watch your arms, they’re too high!”

  “Sorry!”

  After that frantic period had come the fairly boring week-long coach journey to Seraph. They had been unable to travel as quickly as the mail coach, but, as Elise had assured, in a lot more comfort. Artemisia had spent the time alternating between memorising various facts about individuals she was likely to meet in Seraph and reading a novel Hilda had recommended to her. The most exciting thing that happened during the whole journey was when they’d passed a carriage broken down at the side of the road.

  Artemisia had bade the groom stop to see if they could offer any help – whilst also being curious if this event might mean anything to the plot – but it had turned out the family within were already waiting for a replacement carriage from the nearest inn, and had no interesting stories or titbits to impart.

  Not long after midday on the seventh day of travel, they had finally entered the capital. It had started off slow, with the number of buildings lining the road increasing and changing from farmhouses to more typical town buildings, but before long the carriage had been rolling down a cobbled street, vying with carts and public stagecoaches.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  “The townhouse is within the city walls, so there’s still a little while until we get there,” Elise replied when Artemisia asked how long was left of their journey. “I do say, this place get’s busier every year. Oh, my lady! Please don’t stick your head out of the window!”

  Ignoring Elise’s protest, Artemisia’s mouth dropped open as she saw the huge walls of Seraph, stretching some thirty, forty feet high above the densely packed houses them. Beyond the walls, the city proper crept upwards on a shallow rise, a labyrinth of streets and tall, brightly coloured houses, until at the very top, a citadel stretched towards the sky, its central tower seeming impossibly tall.

  “Is that the palace?” Artemisia asked.

  “That, my lady? That’s the castle – Monoceri Palace is to the south, a little ways out of Seraph.” Elise motioned towards the other side of the city. “They only use the castle for ceremonial events now.”

  “I see. Is it open to visitors?”

  “Would you like to visit, my lady? We certainly can, but first – would you please sit back down, you’ll unbalance the carriage – eek!”

  The carriage rocked a little as Artemisia leaned out even further. “Oh my god!”

  “My lady?! What’s wrong?”

  “There’s a – there’s a dragon!” Artemisia pointed towards the guard station to the side of the gate leading into Seraph, indicating a large saddled lizard dozing in the sunlight, a rope tying it to a ring in the wall.

  “Yes, there is, my lady! Now please get back in the carriage!”

  “Fine, fine,” Artemisia grumbled.

  Elise sighed deeply once Artemisia sat down.

  “Are dragons common?” Artemisia asked. “Do many people ride them? That one didn’t have wings – are there others that do?” Dragons! Dragons! I can’t believe it!

  Elise looked very confused. I guess she’s wondering why I’m so excited about dragons when I haven’t blinked at any other animals.

  “They’re not particularly common, but the army has a regiment of dragon riders. The winged ones are much harder to tame, so they’re very rarely seen.” Elise frowned at Artemisia’s excited expression. “My lady, never, ever go near a dragon. Even the tamed ones could easily injure or kill someone if they’re not properly under control.”

  “I understand,” Artemisia said, then bristled at the sceptical look Elise flashed her way. “I do! Don’t look at me like that Elise!”

  “My apologies, my lady.” Elise ducked her head.

  “Ah…” I didn’t mean for that to come out so harsh! Should I apologise? I can’t tell if I’ve upset Elise or not. Is it right for me to apologise, or will that make Elise uncomfortable? Aaargh!

  Whilst Artemisia anguished over her worries, the carriage drew up to the great gate that punched through the thick walls of Seraph. A few of the soldiers came forward to inspect them, but once they saw the crest of the von Lindt family on the side of the carriage, they waved it on through.

  It took a further half an hour to make it to the townhouse, a behemoth of a building that stood behind gates and high iron fences. Despite that, it was much smaller than the country estate.

  Look at me, considering this place small! What an entitled noble I’ve become!

  Artemisia was escorted into the house by the butler, an individual who introduced himself as Mr Merriton. He in turn introduced Madam Blythe the housekeeper, who took Artemisia to her rooms.

  They were smaller than the rooms she’d had at the von Lindt estate, but the furniture was no less grand, and in addition Artemisia had her own private parlour for receiving guests.

  “Will you be wanting dinner, my lady?” Madam Blythe asked.

  “Just something light, if that would be possible. There’s no need to make up the dining room for me; I’ll eat in my room.”

  “As you wish, my lady. I’ll have your luggage brought up as well.” Madam Blythe dipped a curtsey and left.

  “I’ll go and supervise!” volunteered Elise, leaving too.

  Alone for the first time in a week, Artemisia let herself breathe in the quiet atmosphere. She checked the view out of her windows. The bedroom window faced towards the rear of the house, out onto the garden, and the parlour window faced towards the front of the house, where she would be able to see anyone at the gate.

  Alright, time to see if this bed is – comfy!

  Artemisia sank into the thick mattress, which was just as luxurious as her bed back at the estate. It’s hardly any different – even the décor is much the same.

  She looked up at the mouldings on the ceiling, following the patterns across the room.

  I’ve got two days until the crown princess’ party. I’ve got a few errands to do and a few last things to prepare, but to be honest, I think I’m about as ready as I’m gonna get.