Shelagh froze for a beat. "What, are you going to tell me that reclusive princess has something to do with you?"
I forced a bitter smile. "I heard the Princess adores colored sky lanterns. If we could make her smile and convince her to attend your wedding, wouldn't that bring honor to the occasion?"
Shelagh eyed me with suspicion. "How would a worthless wretch like you know what the Princess likes?"
"Believe it or don't. If it turns out to be false, it's no loss to you either way, Miss Fox."
After Shelagh left, I curled into the corner of the bed, my body burning with fever, my lower abdomen seized with stabbing pain. No one came.
Looking back now, meeting Chester Delgado was the single greatest regret of my life.
Through the haze of unconsciousness, I caught a blurred glimpse of rainbow-colored lanterns drifting past the window.
Only then did I let out a breath and smile.
Long ago, my father and I had made a pact: whenever colored sky lanterns were lit, it meant I was in danger, and someone would come to take me away.
At some point, Chester appeared. He sat at the edge of my bed for a long time.