“Yes, Father,” D.C. said, stepping away from the boys. “You see, these are my friends, Jordan Sparker and Barnold Ronnigan.”
The boys waved cheerily to the king as she said their names.
“For a while now I’ve been putting off telling them who I am,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting to see them here tonight, and I’m guessing Alex was just as surprised.”
D.C. looked at her for clarification, so Alex picked up the story from “When I saw Jordan and Bear enter the ballroom, I knew I had to get Dix’s attention so she could escape before they recognised her,” Alex said. “Launching myself at you and the queen seemed like a pretty good distraction.”
Jeera let out a quiet snort and Alex looked at the king sheepishly. “I’m so incredibly sorry, Your Majesty. If I’d been able to think of an alternative, please believe that I would have taken it.”
There was silence while everyone mulled over her explanation.
“Oh, and I’m not an assassin, by the way,” Alex quickly added. “Promise.”
Someone around the corner laughed quietly and she wondered who else was listening to their conversation.
After a moment the king nodded to Jeera to open the cell. When the barrier was down, the Warden gave a quick nod of deference to him, sent a mysterious yet entertained smile in Alex’s direction, and walked away, leaving their small group alone but for the company of the dungeon guards.
The king stepped into the cell to join Alex. “Loyalty can be the strongest motivation for courage, Alexandra.” He held her gaze with the same uniquely coloured eyes that D.C. had inherited. “What you did was very courageous, if somewhat dramatic, and I thank you for being loyal enough to my daughter that you would risk your own well-being. Twice, now, if we consider what happened with Aven a few months back.”
“At least this time she didn’t end up with a knife through her lungs,” D.C. said. “That’s progress.”
“No, but the penalty for an assassination attempt is execution,” the king said, causing Alex’s breath to hitch. “Alexandra had no guarantee that any of us would have come to stop that from happening.”
Alex hadn’t considered the idea that someone wouldn’t have come to help her out. And considering the consequences, she was glad the thought hadn’t crossed her mind. Execution? Seriously? Yeesh.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Alex said, uncertain how else to respond after receiving a compliment from the king. “I, uh, promise not to do it again. Or, worst case, I’ll try to let you finish your dance first if there is a next time.”
King Aurileous laughed, causing his entire face to light up. “I’m sure my wife would appreciate that, Alexandra.”
“Alex,” she insisted.
He smiled at her warmly. “Alex, it is. And now it’s time for us to get out of here and enjoy the rest of the party.”
“You can’t be serious?” Alex said, forgetting that she was speaking to the ruler of Medora. “I can’t show my face up there again!”
“Nonsense,” the king said. “No one will recognise you.”
Alex doubted that, but she obediently followed as he led them out of the dungeon and through the maze-like corridors back to the ballroom.
“Perhaps I was mistaken,” the king murmured, when the room full of people went silent upon their entry. Even the orchestra stopped playing mid song.
“You think?” Alex muttered sarcastically, attempting to hide behind her friends. It was no use though, as it was clear that everyone recognised who she was.
The king apparently realised that as well, and raised his voice to address the crowd. “My friends, I hope you enjoyed our earlier re-enactment of The Inebriated Guest. Rest assured that it was a theatrical act for your entertainment, and not, as some of you might have presumed, an assassination attempt. In fact, I would like to present the leading actress, Alexandra Jennings.”
Alex’s jaw dropped at the king’s declaration that she’d been acting like a drunken fool on purpose. She was even more surprised when the audience started applauding her performance, hesitantly at first, and then more boisterously.
D.C. pushed Alex forward to stand beside the king who whispered for her to take a bow. She’d never felt more uncomfortable in her life, but she did as she was told, and the people cheered louder as she curtsied.
“Now that the entertainment is over for the night, please continue to enjoy the celebrations,” said the king, and the guests slowly turned their attention away.
“That worked rather well, if I do say so myself.” King Aurileous sounded pleased. “Now, off you four go, and do try to stay out of trouble.”
The king walked away and Alex hoped he was off to explain to his wife the truth of what had happened.
“So Alex, how does it feel, being known as ‘The Inebriated Guest’?” Jordan asked, smirking.
Alex sent him a dry look. “Better than it felt being known as the assassin. I’m making my way up in the world.”
“What are you two even doing here?” D.C. interjected, and Alex was grateful for the change in topic.
“Don’t ask,” Jordan grumbled.
“Gee, thanks,” D.C. said, fluttering her eyelashes. “I’m glad you’re so excited about celebrating my birthday with me.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Jordan winced apologetically. “Sorry, it’s going to take some getting used to.” When D.C. nodded her understanding, he said, “My parents contacted me at Bear’s house and ordered me to come, saying it was about time I met the princess since it’s her—your—first public appearance in years. I, in turn, pulled the ‘bring a friend’ card and dragged Bear along with me.”
“I didn’t mind coming,” Bear said. “I’ve never been inside the palace before. But Dad freaked out this afternoon when I told him where we were going. It was really strange. And it meant we got here late because he wouldn’t let us leave until we listened to a lecture about palace etiquette and not embarrassing ‘the family name’. He’s never cared about that stuff before. Like I said, really strange.”
D.C. burst out laughing.
“What’s funny?” Bear asked.
“Your dad’s a Warden here,” D.C. explained after her amusement settled. “He’s known about me for years, but when he learned we’d become friends, I made him promise to keep it secret until I found a way to tell you myself.”
“He was probably concerned we’d all run into each other tonight,” Alex guessed, smiling at the thought of poor William having to keep D.C.’s identity to himself. “I bet you were late because he was stalling, keeping you away as long as possible so you would miss Dix’s big entrance at the beginning of the party.”
“Why were you so worried about our reactions?” Jordan asked D.C., looking genuinely perplexed.
“I just didn’t want you to be all weirded out or act differently around me,” D.C. said, blatantly ignoring Alex’s ‘I told you so’ expression.
“Are you kidding? You already behaved like a princess before, now I can legitimately call you that!” Jordan said, grinning.