Lenny nods proudly, standing a little straighter.
“Oh, and he makes a great lookout,” Phipps continues. “He’s got eyes like a hawk. Nothing escapes his notice.” He leans in closer, his eyebrows rising upward. “He can even get secrets out of a person with just a look.”
“I’m sure he’ll be a wonderful addition to the Royal Armada,” I say.
“Oh, he will,” Phipps answers. “I’ve really taken him under my wing. Taught him everything I know.” He throws his chest out and his shoulders back as though I should be pinning a medal on him.
I laugh. “If you’ve taken him under your wing, I expect you’ve already got some scheme dreamed up.”
Lenny winks at me, his grin getting wider.
“That means yes,” Phipps supplies.
“Just make sure you don’t get rich too quick,” I supply. “That doesn’t always turn out well.”
Phipps waves his hand dismissively. “Oh, we’ll be rich for years to come.”
I eye him. Now I really am worried he is going to try to steal the chandeliers. And he might not look who’s standing beneath before cutting them down. On our recent voyage, he and his twin brother, Thipps, were renowned for how quickly they could come up with some money-making scheme.
Phipps eyes the crowd around us and then leans in closer. “It’s not often the likes of me is invited to the palace, so I’m going to find a rich woman here to marry.”
Lenny vigorously nods.
I laugh. “Good luck with that.”
Lenny nudges his brother again.
Phipps swats him away. “I’ll ask her.” He clears his throat and leans in again, his eyes shifting around nervously as though it would be disastrous to be overheard. “Are there any you’d recommend? Ones with heavy pockets?”
I cast my eyes around the room.
I spot Lady Alyona. She’s only a few years older than me and has one of those angelic faces that makes you believe she’s the sweetest person in the room. But she’s not. She was the first one to openly suggest Hettie was in on her father’s plot to overthrow my father. She’d suggested Hettie be locked up until we could ascertain her loyalty. Hettie had pulled her sword and nearly chased Lady Alyona from the hall before we stopped her.
I’d like to see that snake get a little of what’s coming to her.
Lady Alyona is surrounded by her gaggle of other rich ladies, who hang on every word she says.
It’s probably not the nicest thing I’ve ever done, but I point Phipps directly toward her. “She’s very rich.”
Phipps’s mouth curls upward, and he gives me a miniature salute before waltzing off.
Lenny at least has the courtesy to offer another bow.
I catch the boy’s gaze when he straightens, and Phipps was right; there is something intense in his eyes. Something that makes you feel truly seen for the first time in a long while. Something that hints Lenny has spent his whole life observing those around him and knows more than he lets on.
As a result, I can’t help but ask, “How is Phipps really doing?” I keep my voice low even though Phipps is searching for a way to interrupt the circle of women and not paying us any attention.
Lenny’s eyes follow my own. They linger on his brother, making me wonder if their mother’s agreeing to send Lenny out wasn’t so much his need to get his sea legs but instead her wanting her son watching over his brother after a devastating loss.
When Lenny finally looks back at me, he gives me sort of a twisted half smile, noncommittally moving his head side to side.
“Good days and bad days?” I venture.
Lenny nods.
My stomach clenches. I wish there was something I could do to ease the boys’ pain. My head shouts that if I’d been a better leader, Thipps wouldn’t have died in the first place. I close my eyes and shake the thought away. You can’t change the past. Only the future. Queen Teragram had written that as well. And that is what I am going to do as I lead Lagonia.
I lightly rest my hand on Lenny’s boney shoulder. “I’m sorry about Thipps. If there’s anything I can do for you or your family, let me know.”
Lenny offers a small smile in answer.
“And keep an eye on Phipps for me,” I say.
He winks and then nods to where Phipps has somehow managed to weasel his way into the women’s circle.
I laugh. “You better go help him.”
Lenny raises his eyebrows and nods as if he’s used to having to assist his brother in many similar situations. And I’m sure he has—I just pray he can help him get through the loss of Thipps.
I leave Phipps to his brother as I duck through the crowd, looking for Royce again.
Instead, I find Rhat gathering his meal. He’s actually taken one of the decorative silver platters and piled it with different cuisines. Pastries with flaky crusts filled with honey-roasted nuts rest atop lightly browned fish fillets. Purple octopus tentacles dangle over the side, and every free spot is filled with grapes or olives in a variety of colors.
He always has had an interesting appetite.
“Princess.” Rhat bows without losing a single olive from the platter. I wish I was half so good at keeping my crown steady on my head.
I sigh. I’ve told him at least four times to call me Kora, like he did on ship, but he never does. I think only a direct order from Royce would get him to stop using my title.
“Do you know where Hettie is?” he asks. He scans the room, and I know if she’d been here, he would’ve already found her.
She didn’t come. She didn’t want the prying eyes of the kingdom, the eyes of Lady Lucar and Lady Alyona, constantly judging her, looking for hints she really was part of the gold theft—that she wanted to be the next queen.
My cousin has been avoiding all appearances since the incident with Lady Alyona. She’s even been avoiding me.
Hettie has taken up sword fighting instead, practicing with the guards and with Rhat. It seems to help. Some.
Though I worry about her. Especially since Rhat will be leaving with Royce in the morning. I don’t want Hettie to turn into the same outcast I once was, when rumors stalking me down hallways controlled my entire existence.
I want her to talk to me, but I can’t force it. Every time I find time to check in on her, she’s either out practicing or pretends she’s sleeping. But that doesn’t hide the sniffles and sobs I sometimes catch before I knock.
“She’s not here,” I say to Rhat.
A flash of disappointment streaks across his face. We both thought that if anything could get her out of her room, it would be the reinstatement ceremony.
He groans. “She’ll return when she’s ready.”
I softly touch his arm. “She will. We’ll make sure of it. I’ll watch over her while you’re gone.” I resolve to check on her more often once Rhat leaves, to show her she doesn’t need to keep everything locked inside.
Although I half suspect she might attempt to sneak onto Rhat’s ship before it leaves. And I’m not sure I’d stop her if that’s what she wants, if that’s what she thinks would help. I myself have wanted to escape from prying eyes on more than one occasion since being back.
He nods. “Thank you.”
“Have you seen Royce?” I ask.