Thankfully, the afternoon proceeded without any more trouble, although Madeline still made the occasional snide comment. When the refreshments were cleared away, Princess Sissi stood and addressed the gathering “My good ladies and gentlefolk, I hope you all enjoyed your afternoon tea. Now, there are a few hours before the evening entertainments are due to begin, so I have prepared a few diversions to occupy ourselves. I know for some of you, this is your first visit to the palace, so I have arranged for my aide, Lady Hohlbein, to lead a small tour…”

  The crown princess continued on after that, but Artemisia had immediately decided upon the tour. Knowing the layout of the palace might just come in handy someday. And besides, if that earlier was just the art they hung in the hallways, who knows what they’ve got in their dedicated galleries.

  Only a few guests decided to go on the tour, and all of them first time attendees like Artemisia. She’d wondered whether Madeline would partake, but she seemed to have gone for retiring with the crown princess to her private parlour. Nearly all of the women had chosen to retire, in fact, and Artemisia was the sole woman on the tour except for an older woman accompanying her husband. To her relief, however, she wasn’t expected to converse, but only listen to Lady Hohlbein explain the history of Monoceri Palace.

  It had been built seventy years ago, not long after the ascension of the current empress’ grandfather, and taken nearly a decade to complete due to the outbreak of a war partway through the building of it. Unfortunately, the then Emperor had only had a few years to enjoy his new palace before he died unexpectedly.

  As they wandered through the vaulted hallways and in and out of rooms named for all the purposes one could ever think of, Artemisia became aware of a pressing need. I guess I did drink a lot of tea…

  She waited until the tour seemed likely to linger in a room for a while, dropped to the back of the group, and quietly asked one of the small entourage of servants where she might relieve herself. “Shall I escort you?” the maid asked.

  “No, no, I’ll be fine.” Artemisia waved a hand. “You said it wasn’t far – it wouldn’t be worth the trouble.”

  ?

  Simon Heliodor von Loambarn, who had coped with many unfortunate circumstances and unpleasant situations throughout his twenty-three years of life, liked to consider himself a man who could handle a little discomfort. However, if he didn’t get away from the man speaking to him as quickly as he could… I might end up committing a serious crime.

  The man in question was Marcus der Steyrt, eldest son and heir of the der Steryt family. A tiresome man, who considers himself better than most just because of his ability to use people.

  “See, Your Grace, if you would just consider the advantages…”

  “I have no need for another aide.”

  “Are you quite sure?” Marcus raised a hand as if he was correcting Simon. “You’re eternally overworked, are you not? I know you’ve had to delegate some of your tasks to your younger siblings. I’m only offering my services to save them from pushing themselves as well as you.”

  Simon scowled, his patience hanging by a thread. “Don’t use my siblings to worm yourself into a position you don’t deserve, der Steyrt.”

  “Your Grace!” Marcus feigned offence. At least, Simon assumed it was a feint. “I was only thinking of your family’s health. I never wished you or them ill.”

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  “That’s enough.” Simon stopped. They were in a wide hallway that led to a pair of double doors lovingly carved and decorated with gold leaf. “Do you know where we are?”

  “This isn’t the most appropriate place, is it?” Marcus looked around. “Perhaps we should move to a room where we can sit down and discuss this properly.”

  “No, do you know exactly where we are?”

  “Within the Monoceri Palace?” It was Marcus’ turn to scowl. “I am no fool, Your Grace.”

  Simon motioned to the doors and raised his voice so the guard stationed a little further down the corridor would hear him. “These lead to the first prince’s private art collection. Only those with approval from His Highness may enter here.” Simon made the barest gesture of a bow. “As one of those with permission, I must leave you here.”

  “The first prince is in Nasca currently, is he not? Surely he would not…” Marcus trailed off as the guard came trotting up the corridor.

  “My lords, is something the matter?”

  “Not at all,” Simon said. “I was simply explaining to Lord der Seyrt here that the only people who may enter this room are those that have been personally invited by Prince Fulbert.”

  “I see, my lord. There is no trouble?”

  “None whatsoever!” Marcus said, taking a step back. “I wouldn’t dream of infringing on His Highness’ personal space.”

  “I’m sure a respectable gentleman such as you would never do such a thing,” Simon said. I can allow myself one petty comment, for all the annoyance he’s caused me.

  Marcus chuckled weakly, although Simon espied frustration in his eyes. “I suppose we shall have to continue our discussion another time, Your Grace. Farewell.”

  “Farewell.”

  Marcus slunk away with his tail between his legs, and Simon sighed the moment he was out of earshot. I was not planning on browsing the prince’s collection, but at least I can find some solace in there.

  The guard saluted to Simon and returned to his previous position, leaving him alone in front of the doors. Hm. I did not notice before, but one of these doors is ajar. Perhaps to refresh the air?

  Prince Fulbert’s private art collection was housed in a large vaulted gallery, with tall windows and mirrors on the walls to make the room feel larger than it truly was. Simon hadn’t visited it for several years, and many of the works were new to him.

  However, what first caught his attention when he entered the gallery was the sound of a door closing, and not the ones behind him. Somebody else was in the room.

  Simon’s hand slipped into his pocket before he even thought about it. If there is an intruder, they won’t find me an easy target. Still, just in case it was an innocent person, he called out, “Greetings. Is someone in here?”

  He walked carefully through the gallery, looking for movement. Sound carried in this room, so someone could be anywhere.

  Of course, it could be someone besides me with permission to enter, but the likelihood of that is slim. With the crown princess’ gathering today, it would give ample opportunity for someone to slip in here unseen.

  Finding nobody in the room, Simon walked to the far side, where an incongruous door led to what had once been an old office, but had been repurposed into a storeroom. This door would be the one I heard close, so if they’re not in the gallery, they must be in here.

  He paused, reached into his pocket again, then rushed into the room. He span, ready for the possibility that someone might leap out at him.

  Not a soul…

  The room was used for storing paintings and sculptures that had fallen out of the prince’s favour, but hadn’t yet gotten around to getting rid of. Large wax-paper wrapped frames leaned against the wall, and a few closets stood in the corners. Apparently the servants had been neglecting this room, because dust was layered everywhere. And in the dust on the floor… Footprints! Someone’s wandered all over this room.

  There was so many footprints that it was hard to make out the person’s passage through the room, but they were clear enough to make out that they were those of women’s shoes, and likely of a single individual. He managed to follow a set that looked like the maker had been in a rush, hurrying towards one of the closets.

  Simon sighed and rolled his eyes. Is this a child playing hide and seek?

  He approached the closet, the tension draining from his body. As he did so, he listened carefully. Yes, I hear someone attempting to hide their breathing, and making a poor job of it.

  Seeing no point in drawing out the situation, Simon opened the closet door.