***

After gathering sufficient information during her recon laundry duty, Rishe returned to her room by way of the rope still hanging down into the courtyard. Once inside, she changed her clothes and left her chambers. She proceeded to her garden, escorted by her guards. She’d once again tilled the ground Theodore had flattened with her trusty hoe, and today she was finally going to plant her seeds.

Rishe pressed a finger into the moist earth up to her second joint, dropping two seeds into each hole she made. She then gently covered them with dirt and dampened the surface. She figured she should see sprouts within the next few days with the current weather.

Daydreaming about a lovely future lush with herbs, Rishe allowed her guards to escort her back to her chambers. She moved sedately, as a crown princess ought, but on the inside, she was twisting with mounting anxiety.

It’s so late already. I have to scrub off this mud in the bath and come up with a deal for Mr. Tully. I hear there’s a library in the imperial palace—perhaps I can learn something about the populace there. The gender ratio, age brackets, number of shops… And I can gather information about Prince Theodore while I’m at it.She piled more and more things onto her to-do list.Diana asked me to take a look at the new teaching materials she’s come up with. Also, I need to start planning the wedding and putting some strategies in place for dealing with guests from abroad. And then—

“Lady Rishe? Are you quite well?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Rishe’s eyes had gone glassy and faraway as they climbed the stairs to her chambers, but she was determined to conquer her obligations.

I can’t wait to have an empty schedule! I’m going to be lazy and sleep in until noon every day so I can live a long life. All this scheming is to ensure I finally live past twenty.She looked at the floor as she walked.

Before she knew it, they had reached her chambers. She glanced up to see guards flanking the door.

“We shall stand guard here for you, my lady. Please, be at ease.”

“Thank you. I’ll—” Rishe opened the door and stopped short.

An envelope crinkled under her feet. Someone must have slid it underneath the door.

“Is something the matter, my lady?”

“No.” She thought for a moment, then shook her head and stepped inside in a way that kept the curious item hidden from their view.

Alone at last, she picked it up. It bore the seal of the Galkhein imperial family, pressed into red wax. Inside she found a card. Written in a beautiful hand were the words:I’ll tell you my secrets. Meet me in the chapel at nine o’clock tonight. —Arnold Hein

In silence, Rishe put the letter back into its envelope. She then summoned Elsie to help her prepare.