Page 114 of Rise of the Vicious Princess

Lady Channing folded her hands at her waist and smiled. “I was happy to be of service.”

“Truly.” Charis turned to Lady Channing. “You helped me form a plan the day after Mother took ill. And you were instrumental in our discussions with Rullenvor’s ambassador.”

Something flitted across Lady Channing’s calm expression and was gone in a blink. “Terrible news about the ambassador’s untimely death. Quite shocking.”

“He certainly didn’t turn out to be who we thought he was,” Charis agreed. “And I’m sure you join us in counting us fortunate to have turned down his offer now that we understand the Rakuuna themselves are behind the sinking of the ships.”

Lady Channing swallowed. “I hadn’t heard that news yet, Your Highness. I apologize that I didn’t realize early on the duplicitous nature of Ambassador Shyrn.”

“We don’t blame you.” The queen smoothed her skirt and glanced around the ballroom.

“Of course not,” Charis soothed. “You initiated discussions with him in good faith and took him at his word. Even the savviest politician can be taken in by a masterful liar.”

Lady Channing held herself perfectly still as she too watched the dancers.

“It’s my turn to apologize,” Charis said. Mother and Lady Channing turned to look at her in perfect unison. “I meant to show favor to you tonight by wearing that lovely embroidered scarf you gave me, but sadly it has been misplaced.”

“The scarf?” Lady Channing sounded puzzled.

“Yes. The one you left for me the night of the ambassadors’ ball. It would have looked beautiful with this dress, don’t you think?”

“I . . . yes, I suppose it would have.”

Mother straightened in her chair, an almost imperceptible move, but Charis knew the queen was a predator sensing her prey’s hiding place.

“I hope you’ll forgive me.” Charis smiled warmly at Lady Channing. “There was so much chaos in my chambers that night.”

“There is nothing to forgive.” Lady Channing matched Charis’s smile. “The queen’s unexpected . . . illness was quite upsetting.”

“Indeed.” Charis’s smile sharpened. “Our security teams have conducted a thorough investigation of that evening’s events. They wanted to bring you in to answer questions, but I wouldn’t hear of it.”

Lady Channing froze, her folded hands in a white-knuckled grip. “Questions, Your Highness?”

“Just a small misunderstanding, I’m sure.” Charis waved a hand as if to emphasize how trivial a matter it was. “In fact, if you wanted to clear it up right now, we could consider the matter closed.”

She waited, watching Lady Channing expectantly. Innocent or guilty, she’d rush to assure them she’d be happy to help. But guilty people always had a plan. A rehearsed response for any contingency. They took the offensive, while innocent people waited to be led.

The orchestra moved into a soft, solemn number, and the vibrant crowd of dancers gently swayed and spun to the rhythm. Lady Channing spread her hands wide as if to show she had nothing to hide.

“Of course, Your Highness. In fact, I may know what this is about.”

Beside Charis, the queen drew in a deep breath.

“You’ll recall that I’d just returned from my goodwill trip to the northern kingdoms. I was quite exhausted.” Lady Channing gave a little laugh, and Charis inclined her head as though in understanding. “I was running a bit late for the ball, and after all the groundwork I’d done to shore up our relationships with our allies, I didn’t want to be discourteous by arriving late.”

“Very sensible of you,” Charis agreed.

“I’m glad you agree.” Lady Channing glanced at Tal, who stood just behind Charis’s right shoulder, where he could pivot to be in front of the princess in an instant. “There was a bit of a line of people at your guards’ station waiting to drop off gifts, and I really didn’t want to spare the time when it would make me tardy. I used the staff stairs to simply drop the scarf off in your chambers with a little note that it was from me and thought I would check in with the guards’ station later that night. Unfortunately, in my exhaustion, I forgot to do so.”

“Well, that clears it up.” Charis laughed a little, though she watched Lady Channing closely. “You can’t imagine how relieved I am that you weren’t part of the chaos in my chambers that evening. I told my security team that of course you couldn’t be part of it.”

Lady Channing laughed too. “The very idea is preposterous. Why would I need a spy in your chambers when I could simply schedule a meeting to discuss with you anything I felt the council needed to know?”

Tal shifted a hairsbreadth closer to Charis as the princess’s chin rose. With exquisitely cold precision, she asked, “How did you know there was a spy in my chambers?”

The woman froze for an instant, her eyes darting between Charis and the queen, and then she said, “I . . . we already discussed this. I overheard palace staff talking, and—”

“You told me they were discussing the assassination attempt against the queen.” The rage in Charis’s heart flickered and burned. “Not once did we discuss a spy in my chambers.”

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