Arriving early to check out the attendants had worked out better than expected– especially since there was only one person I was interested in checking out.

  And the large, well manicured hand resting on mine belonged to that very individual. Honestly, even this close, I wasn’t really sure what Bastian was... but that was a question for later - now I just needed to survive a tea party without drooling over his muscular arms and maybe I wouldn’t scare him away.

  There was always hope.

  “Knight Commander… Miss Peregrine.” A familiar half-elf greeted us from the waiting area, his voice strained. Duke Wyldon of Servalt was as stuck-in-the-mud proper as any Sumbrian royal, but with a modicum of Servalt tolerance looked down on by my kind.

  I’d had the opportunity to speak with him three times, when he'd accompanied his father to negotiate border issues. We were of an age, and I was one of few who could be trusted not to outright insult the half-elf.

  I nodded a greeting. “Duke Wyldon.”

  He looked between us with confusion, and I felt the hand resting on mine stiffen. Bastian said with a clip, “Good to see you, Your Grace… have you found a partner yet?”

  The question drew the duke’s attention away from me, and Duke Wyldon looked around with a hard stare, scanning those just now trickling in.

  “I have not.” He didn’t show interest in the newcomers, and I figured he might be looking for someone specific.

  “Who is it?” Apparently, Bastian wasn’t one to beat around the bush. His direct approach was refreshing, if only because Duke Wyldon flinched under the honest question.

  “You know the Heroine of Justice?” The half-elf’s voice dropped to a whisper – not that it mattered in a room full of high Perception continental elite. “Crown Princess Henri of Drendil?”

  Even I’d heard of the human and her impressive feats… though the latest news from Madame Potts had said Princess Henrietta wasn’t living in Drendil anymore, and had moved to the Dark Enchanted Forest.

  Drendil was as stifling a kingdom as Sumbria, and I could overcome my small jealousy to wish her luck escaping it.

  “I’ve trained with Princess Henrietta,” Bastian answered. “She’s an exceptional fighter.”

  “Well she’s in trouble and– excuse me.” Wyldon cut short as the person he was talking about entered the hall with the Dark Lord. His Royal Viciousness let go of Princess Henrietta’s arm when an attendant greeted them, and he slipped back out of the hall.

  “Now that we're all here, it is time to pair up!” The castle attendant addressed the crowd. “Her Grace is waiting to welcome you in the gardens.”

  Duke Wyldon was on the poor girl before she could breath.

  “Shall we?” My attention was dragged back by my own partner, and we got in line with the others.

  We followed the attendant out into the gardens, where place settings in groups of four had been set up on a long table surrounded by the late spring flowers. Crocuses bloomed in a mix of colours; purple and pink and blue. Each flower shimmered between the shades from magical cross-breeding.

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  Above the small spring bulbs grew dangling lily of the valley with a mixture of full white or pink blossoms. The happy shrubbery gave off a sweet floral scent that carried on the breeze.

  Grand Duchess Callisto was standing at the head of the table. “Welcome to my afternoon tea, everyone! Please take your seats.”

  Usually, the table would have name plates, making sure that everyone sat in order of precedence. Today, however, we took our seats in order of arrival. Duke Wyldon was closer to the front, near the head of the table, while we were about half way down.

  “Thank you all for joining us today,” Callisto continued, “We will have refreshments shortly. I encourage you to use this time to get to know your peers. Excuse me for a moment.”

  With that she left us to make our own polite introductions. Unfortunately, the small group sitting around me weren’t interested in the polite part of that task.

  “Are you the Sumbrian girl?” The seal beastwoman sitting across from me frowned, her nose crinkling in distaste as she eyed my scarf.

  Today, I’d worn a white fichu scarf draped to cover my shoulders and hang in a V over my chest with a small bow at the bottom. It was traditional for all Sumbrian debutantes, and made it clear exactly where I came from.

  Before I could attempt a reply, Bastian said, “Miss Mary Selkie, might I introduce you to the lovely Countess Peregrine Fern? My partner. Peregrine, Miss Mary is from Servalt, as is her partner–” He nodded at the half-elf sitting next to Mary, “Lord Torino, of House Birchbark.”

  Lord Torino stiffened when his name was called. The man showed his heritage from a birch elf family; his skin white as the satin birch with flecks of black. He seemed nervous to be called upon, and merely nodded a greeting to her.

  Bastian ignored Miss Mary’s now flushed face and greeted the other couples at our section of the table.

  “Vince Verily, from the Empire,” A light brown man with short cropped red hair similar to the duchess, sat left of Miss Mary, “Lady Lina Grey,” A short fae girl with pink-tinged skin, green freckles and small growing antlers sprouting from her curling brown and green hair.

  The last two cut in while Bastian drew breath to introduce themselves.

  “I am Lady Yani,” A human woman in a blue flower dress said. She had a thick black mustache and her long black hair was tied in a braid over one shoulder. She waved at her partner, a red fox wearing Peldeep robes, “And this is Lord Nox of Henders.”

  “It is a pleasure to meet you all.” I tried to smile and found it came more naturally than I’d expected – thanks to my partner, it was easy to find enjoyment in an otherwise stressful introduction. I was even feeling magnanimous as I added, “And yes, I am from Sumbria. While I was just as surprised as everyone else over Madame Pott’s Cast, I am incredibly grateful to be here– and I’d be happy to answer any questions.”

  “Is this really the first time a Sumbrian has been invited to North Sumbria?” The fae girl, Lady Lina asked. She seemed honestly curious.

  “Technically one of our envoys attends the Continental Council meetings every season,” I told her, “But as far as I’m aware, I am the first to–”

  “They have you working as a servant?” Duke Wyldon yelled, interrupting my reply. The half-elf sprang to his feet, slamming the table in front of him. “And keep you in the dungeons? It’s worse than the rumors– I will lodge a formal complaint with Nilheim! Do not worry, Princess, I will–”

  A startled and panicking Princess Henrietta reached out with one hand and yanked on the duke’s tunic, forcibly reseating the noble. Everyone went silent.

  “Listen to me!” The princess yelled, “I’m happy in Nilheim! I signed the paperwork myself...and I’m already seeing someone.”

  I felt bad for the poor human when she was suddenly under the intense scrutiny of all, but I also felt thankful– I had the distinct impression that without her, I would have been the centre of attention at this event.

  The drama didn’t have much time to escalate before Duchess Callisto returned.