I sat on the floor couch in the gathering room, reading through The Wizard Needs a Lady. It had been on my to read list for a while now, and I loved the drama.

  Usually this was something I would do sequestered in my room, but I threw all etiquette out the window and lay down on the couch, lounging in a most unladylike manner. Lish, who might have otherwise disapproved, fussed like I’d been struck with some deadly illness.

  “My lady, do you need a blanket? A snack?” Lish placed a cup of hot pear water on the table beside my head, “I just want you to know that I’m here for you. I know how much seeing the earl might have upset you…”

  “I’m fine!” I said. And really, after the initial shock, I was fine. Earl Oakley was a terror - but he was a familiar terror. Honestly, someone who underestimated me was exactly who I needed to use right now. When Lish didn’t look convinced, I added, “I promise.”

  “Is there anything I can do?” Lish pressed, and I wondered if it would help if I just found something for her to do.

  “Would you be able to deliver the letters for me?” The correspondence was piled high in a woven basket next to the writing desk. I didn’t really want to send out my replies before the wedding, officially opening up talks with the rest of the nobility when I could enjoy the last two days before the wedding relaxing at home… but this would get Lish outside and in the sun.

  A nice walk before the foretold rains hit. If they hit. The skies outside were blue as far as the eye could see, with only a few small fluffy white clouds wandering past. Who could tell when the weather might shift?

  “And leave you alone?” Lish asked, unsure.

  “Kiki is in the kitchen, and the barrier is going strong.” I reminded her. “And I have my bow – besides, Madame Potts said I’m getting married, which means I’ll be alive for the wedding.”

  Lish frowned in thought, clearly unhappy at the idea of going - which was silly since she’d already gone out a few times in the last week. She’d popped out for an hour or so to pick up a few necessities Bastian’s bachelor's estate was missing.

  “And this means you can learn the neighborhood better.” I added, “It will be very helpful.”

  Lish sighed, giving in and taking off her apron. “As you say.”

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  “Bastian said the first word is the street name, and the number matches the house.” I explained, knowing full well that Lish had been standing right there when he pointed out various addresses on our walk this morning. Back home, letters had a picture of the tree and the name of the person, it was so much easier. “Any letter without an address, I’ll bring to the palace tomorrow.”

  I’d arranged with Howl to go over the wedding plans tomorrow and maybe check in on Earl Oakley.

  “Is there anything else you need while I’m out?” Lish asked, picking up the basket.

  “Can you let me know which streets have the prettiest decorations?” I smiled over the top of my book, “I want to go and look at the festival if we have time.”

  “I can do that.” Lish nodded and left.

  Worrying for her made it hard to jump back into my story, and I dropped the open book onto my face, wondering if there was more I could do for her.

  Lish wasn’t adapting to Peldeep like I was.

  She tried, but the rigid structure back home was nowhere to be seen, and she kept butting heads with Kiki or Mr Sakiyama over who did what tasks and when. The pride she took in her work was constantly being challenged by a culture that prized the separation of life and work, and she wasn’t ready to let go.

  Sure my father treated everyone in Fern with dignity and respect, but Peldeep had actual labour laws, and a culture to support it! Sumbria was one step over the line into tyranny, and every day I spent abroad made me revisit my own upbringing and ideals.

  I supported my father, and his dreams… but looking at things from the outside, I secretly wondered if the rebel forces were right. If paperwork could really change anything, or if a great shift in power was the better option.

  Peldeep reminded me of its ruler - playful and free spirited, enjoying so many freedoms. It was something my own king and queen could never achieve - did not want to achieve, and their heir followed that path.

  No regulation or law was going to change that.

  Maybe I should talk to Bastian about my worries when he got home. The drakin was an excellent listener, and a logical mind. He might have some ideas. At the very least, I wanted to send a letter back with Howl, letting my father know my thoughts.

  Reaching that conclusion, I turned back to my book. Drowning myself in a romantic comedy was exactly what my heart needed right now.

  …

  I was right in the middle of a scene where Rebecca Goldentroof was climbing an apple tree to rescue her neighbor's cat when Kiki came in. And I couldn’t help laughing out loud when the dwarfess toppled out of the tree and landed on a very drunk Zachary Spellbringer, Head of the Wizard’s Tower.

  “How is the book?” Kiki grabbed my now cold cup of pear water, topping it up with a bit of hot water.

  “Riveting.” I smiled. “Do you want to borrow it when I’m done?”

  “I’ve never read one of Feliwyn’s novels.” Kiki eyed the book with mixed amusement and interest. “But I’m told they are very silly.”

  “It’s true,” I lifted the book, “But that’s what makes them fun to read.”

  “I’ll think about—” Kiki stopped mid sentence, her head whipping towards the window.

  I felt it too and jumped to my feet. The book fell to the couch, replaced with a bow in hand.

  Better to have a weapon and not need it than be dead.