Page 51 of Songs and Spun Gold
“Yes. Well. I suppose I simply believed you would wish to be aware of the matter. Since you are so invested in our theater, Your Highness.” The director began shuffling the papers in his hand. “And…perhaps I hoped that you would know something. I am aware that you sometimes visit our theater outside of normal hours. Or perhaps you would be willing to keep an eye out in the future. And let me know, you know, should you see anything.”
“Yes, of course,” Axel replied easily, waving a careless hand. “That is easily done.” Peering curiously at the papers crinkling in the director’s hand, he added, “If you do not mind my asking, what do the notes say?”
The director took a deep breath, looking down at his lap before shifting his eyes sideways to look at the bookshelves instead of his prince. “Some of them are general commentary on performances and rehearsals. A few have—have complained about casting assignments. The last one—” He paused, glancing back down at the top note in the stack. “Itkindlysuggested that our prince would be the best choice for the lead in our next production.”
Axel felt his eyes widen and both eyebrows shoot towardhis hairline. “As I am sure you are aware, Director, that would be quite impossible. My father would never allow such a thing.”
“Yes. Well. That may be, but it would appear you have a fan who thinks it should be otherwise.” Ceasing his nervous examination of the notes, the director peeked over at Axel. “Do you sing, Your Highness?”
Axel flapped his hand. “From time to time.” As if he hadn’t spent an hour practicing with Lotti the previous morning.
“I see.” The director lifted the stack of papers an inch or so off his lap, hesitated, and then stuffed them back into the satchel. “There was another note that demanded Gunther return to the stage.”
“Gunther?” Settling lower against the chair back, Axel fixed a questioning gaze on the director.
“The young gentleman who openedThe Tanner’s Secretas Lars,” the director supplied. “You remember.”
Axel shook his head. “Alas, I was not in the audience that night. I was called aside by a charming young lady and failed to return to my seat.”
“Yes. Well. You missed a fine performance.” The director fiddled with the clasps. “Would you—erm—could you help me find this Gunther to appease the note-sender?”
“Why ask me?” Axel asked. He paced a little way from the chair. “As I said, I did not witness his performance.”
“Ah, the note-sender said you would know how to find the young gentleman.”
He sent the director a sharp look, but the other man was focused on his hands. “Me?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Axel rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m afraid I lack the time this morning as I have several things to which I must attend,” he finally said. “But I will visit you at the theater tomorrow to discuss this further.”
The director shot out of his chair. “Oh, of course. I cannot thank you enough for seeing me today, Your Highness. I fear I have taken too much of your valuable time.”
“Not at all,” Axel replied breezily as he gently shuffled his visitor to the door. “I will see you tomorrow.”
Despite his claim of having things to do, he didn’t plop into his chair to study the stack of papers on his desk, nor did he head toward a meeting. Instead, he paced in his study, muttering and rubbing the back of his neck. Why would someone tell the director that Axel should perform the lead? Why write that Axel knew the young man from opening night?
It was a mystery, and one he needed to solve. Quickly.
CHAPTER 13
Katy
Katy stretched her arms over her head and yawned. It seemed there were benefits to windowless rooms; she hadn’t expected to sleep during the day, even after being up all night.
For a few moments, she simply lay on the hard bed, looking up at the ceiling. A tray of food sat on the floor nearby with a fresh candle flickering next to it. She turned to look at the empty darkness on the far side of the room. The gold she spun the night before had already been carried out to make room for the flax she would spin tonight.
Her mouth twisted in annoyance. The king had refused to tell her what he planned to do with the gold. As the spinner, she thought a portion should belong to her. Even a tiny fraction as payment for her labor would pay her father’s debts.
Pushing herself to a seated position on another yawn, she let her borrowed cloak fall to the side. When she had tried to return it after her meeting with King Steffan that morning, her guard developed a case of temporary deafness. Her little room had no blanket, so she didn’t push too hard.
Katy was about halfway through her breakfast when a firm knock echoed off the stones. Who would be visiting her? Since the prince had failed to appear again that morning, despite the king’s obvious displeasure regarding his absence, she doubted he would be here now. She rose slowly, tearing off a piece ofbread as she opened the heavy wooden door.
“Otto!” she exclaimed through her mouthful. Throwing her arms around her cousin, she squeezed with all her might, smiling when he squeezed back just as hard.
“Are you all right, Kat?” he asked. “I couldn’t believe it when I heard!”
She pulled away a little, leaning back so she could look up into his face. “As well as can be expected, I suppose. Much better now that you’re here.”
