Page 37 (2/2)

"What will become of the two boys who aren’t chosen?" I asked

Conner paused, then he said, "I haven’t decided that yet"

Everyone in the rooht passed without incident If Tobias and Roden knew I’d snuck out during the night, neither of the After breakfast, Mott entered the room and said Conner had new plans for us that day

He carried so in his arms, which he unwrapped and set on an easel in front of us It was a painting of a boy standing beside a tall hedge in a springtiht brown hair with darker streaks underneath, a reen eyes None of us had his innocence, his naïveté

"Is that Jaron?" Roden asked

"The last known picture of hio, when the prince was nine years old"

I couldn’t help but stare, co Roden and Tobias were studying it as carefully, no doubt doing the sa Each of us had features that looked sie looks more like him than Tobias and I Conner led me to believe just the opposite"

"Do you see a reseed "My face is longer, andcolor If anyone coents won’t believe I’ht on even louder complaints from Roden, as well as a few objections froh like the picture to be convincing

Mott shushed us, then continued, "Conner’s plan this o whatever transformation you can to look like the prince Your hair will be cut to e, we have a hair dye that may work for you You will each be measured and clothes will be prepared for the one Conner chooses By the ti, he will look like the prince"

While Roden and Tobias got their hair cut, Errol led h my hair

"It will look like I’ve used hair dye," I said "And what about when ain?"

"Master Conner believes you can use less and less dye each time," Errol said "Within a year, it will appear as if your hair has naturally changed color"

"He thinks of everything," I said without any hint of admiration

I had no mirror to see myself once the dye ashed out sometime later, but Errol s how that one thing has brought your appearance so much closer to the prince’s I’m certain Conner will choose you Most of us servants believe that"

Which would have been co if we hadn’t passed Conner in his office with Roden as alked back in Roden was kneeling before Conner at his desk His hair was styled just as Jaron’s had been and he looked very nice If there were inconsistencies between his look and Jaron’s, they could easily be explained by the changes in a face over time

"I a to him "You have surprised me, Roden, and pleased me Tobias, any similarities between you and the prince have vanished Do not consider your chances of being chosen toood"