Sia held out her arms as the merchants measured her for new clothes and shoes. They put bolts of fabric in front of her, asked her to choose between different ribbons and lace. Her coffee table was piled high with pattern books, and her door was open. If she didn’t know, she would think she was in the wrong room. It was like she was in some upside down world where she had usurped Laurel’s usual luxuries.

  “Your father has told us that you are headed to the capital, miss. It is important you be dressed well,” one of the maids said. Sia had chosen simpler designs, and the maids worried she would be underdressed. However, she had worn Laurel’s clothes for years. She did not like bright, sunny colors. Whenever she put on Laurel’s old clothes she felt like an impostor.

  It was true that she was now young, and children in general wore bright clothes, but Sia couldn’t bring herself to pick the fabric embroidered with flowers or ladybugs. Her new clothes were a bit dour for a girl her age, but it was fine. Sia herself was dour and simple and always had been. She was more comfortable in deep velvets and plain satins than the taffeta and tulle that were currently in style.

  Besides, it was likely that the princess was a girl much like Laurel. Sia hadn’t met her in her first life, but she imagined the princess was a girl who grew up treasured, pampered, and not denied anything she could want. It wouldn’t be smart to even attempt to outshine such a girl. She was going there as a lady-in-waiting, as a companion. Her purpose was to be with the princess, but in the background.

  Her mother walked in and grimaced at the fabrics and patterns Sia had chosen.

  “Who allowed her to choose these?” Hedith asked.

  “Father,” Sia said, knowing that was the one person whom Hedith would not speak against.

  “I will speak to him,” Hedith said. “You cannot go to the royal family as if you’re dressed for a funeral.”

  “I am going there for work,” Sia said. “And would you rather have me dress colorfully, and perhaps gain the prince’s attention?”

  If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

  She knew Hedith would think it impossible for her to outshine Laurel in any way, but she wouldn’t take the risk. Her sister grew more temperamental as the day of her departure grew near. Her leaving while dressed in the simple clothing would cool Laurel’s temper somewhat.

  “If you would like, you can choose the jewelry I will take,” Sia offered. “I have not decided on those yet.”

  She had no intention of wearing jewelry, so it didn’t matter what her mother chose. In the years before her death, the difference in her and Laurel’s lives had grown wider. There was no end to the luxuries that Laurel demanded. She was forgiven for being dressed more extravagantly than even the queen in the final days before Sia had been accused of black magic and thrown into the dungeons.

  “Make sure you don’t embarrass us when you are there,” Hedith warned again.

  “Careful, mother,” Sia said, fastening the cuffs of her dress. “It almost sounds like you want me to make a mistake while I’m there.”

  Hedith wanted to respond, but she hadn’t expected a retort from Ardisia in the first place. The child was usually silent, and when she spoke she was a bundle of simpering apologies. Hedith held back her arm. She hadn’t hit the girl yet, although she had every right to. But she couldn’t hit her, not when the mark might not fade by the time she reached Vindonne.

  In the books in her father’s library, all the novels spoke of characters writing to one another. Some were love letters, but all her life Sia had been more fascinated by the people who wrote to family. They wrote letters out of concern, to keep in touch, and sometimes only to share amusing things that had happened. She could not imagine her mother ever taking the trouble of getting paper and pen to write to her, let alone come up with the contents of such an impossibly hypothetical letter.

  “I will also pick which of your maids you will take to the capital,” Hedith said.

  Sia smiled. Her mother was not interested in assigning her maids who would take good care of her. The maids would instead be spies and wardens. In the end, letters would be sent between the Kaldor manor and royal palace. Sia just wouldn’t be the one writing or receiving them.

  “I don’t plan on taking any maids from here, mother,” Sia said.

  “You want to travel there like a pauper?” Hedith asked. “Your father won’t agree to this. I’ll choose three maids, perhaps four.”

  And Sia could send them back once she was settled in the castle. It wasn’t just that she didn’t want people spying on her. Whichever maids her mother chose would have to leave their home and their families for a long time. She knew not all families were like hers. If she had a family like Laureline’s, Sia wouldn’t want to be separated from them.