Page 26 of Royally Hacked Belle & Flame
“Whatever. Same thing.”
I shrug. “Yeah, I guess it kind of is.”
We arrive at the schoolhouse and find it nearly empty, which isn’t really surprising for the late hour.
A single lamp burns in the classroom at the end of the hall, casting long shadows across miniature desks. Inside, Madam Merriweather sits beside Nerine, fabric and pins scattered between them. At our entrance, Merriweather’s face lights up, her chair scraping loudly as she springs upward. Nerine, however, purses her lips and slowly sets down her scissors, eyes flicking pointedly to the bundled dress in my arms like I’m carrying a bomb.
“Hi,” I begin. “Sorry to bother you?—”
“Not at all, Your Majesty,” the teacher gushes.
Behind me, my mother’s loud whisper carries throughout the room. “Alright, that’s it. Is anyone going to explain the ‘royalty’ issue, or am I just meant to draw my own conclusions?”
“Come on, Iris,” Nana sighs. “Let’s go back to the carriage. I’ll answer all your questions.”
They leave and Madam Merriweather worries her lip, looking over my shoulder after them. “I’m sorry, was it something I said?”
“Not at all, she’s just…adjusting.” I grimace. “Anyway, I was actually hoping to speak with Nerine about my dress. I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to finish our fitting this morning. I was wondering if there was any way you could still finish this?”
She purses her lips. “Did you sit down in it after I told you not to?”
I flush. “I mean…something like that.”
She glares. “Give it to me, it’s not safe with you anyway.”
I hand over the dress, unsure if that means that she’s going to finish it, or just that she thinks I don’t deserve to wear it in the first place…probably the latter, the way things have been going today.
“I’m glad you came by,” Madam Merriweather says, angling her body to block out Nerine’s scowling face.
“I’m so sorry,” I immediately blurt. “I know I should have come to see the children’s practice for the procession earlier. I’m sure they’re going to do great.”
“Oh, it’s not about that,” she waves me off. “I haven’t heard if Archer and Gwen were found yet. Did the king bring them back?”
“Actually, no. Not yet.”
Her face falls. “Oh no. I hope they’re all alright, it’s been hours.”
“You don’t know Daemon or the guys, I’m sure they’re fine,” I say, half to convince myself as well as her. Iamsure they’re fine…but still, they’ve been gone much longer than I expected…
“The witch probably got them!” Nerine interrupts. “Even a king would be a fool to go after her. I bet after hibernating all year she doesn’t care who she eats.”
My eyes widen in alarm. “Excuse me?—”
“Don’t listen to her, Alix,” Dessa says flatly, stepping forward to stand beside me. “This is ridiculous. There’s no witch in those woods.”
“Believe whatever you want,” Nerine says dismissively.
“I think she’s the witch,” Aurelia mutters under her breath as we leave.
I laugh, but it’s slightly forced. I glance up at the dark sky as we step out of the schoolhouse. “It is getting really late…when did you say they left again?”
“Right after you did,” Dessa answers, her brow wrinkling slightly. “Maybe you’re right. Even accounting for the weather...”
“I’m sure they’re fine,” I blurt out. “…but maybe we should at least check? They might want a ride back to the manor in the sleigh at the very least.”
Dessa looks relieved and to my surprise, even Aurelia nods in fervent agreement.
My mother agrees to behave herself for an hour while Dessa, Aurelia, and I are gone and we drop her and Nana off at the manor before venturing out into the dark woods.
