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"Rogan, be nice," Haydyn tutted "Anyway, Lord Matai is correct It is a fine idea"

My heart jumped a little at the deter in ht not like fancy balls but… it was a good idea If only because it was her idea

Her face fell when I didn’t respond "Don’t you think it’s a good idea, Rogan?" She looked so worried I cursed inwardly Why did everyone’s opinion matter so much to her? She was as smart and capable as any of us fools whose advice she solicited I sighed inwardly, wishing she’d remember she was fair and just and royal - she should not concern herself with ave her a soft sht It’s a fine idea"

Morinned cheerfully as we entered the radually, as we trotted over to the stables, the noise level rose again

"I want you to seek out the finest fabric for own, as well as the finest for yourself," Haydyn coently as Matai helped her dismount I was so shocked by the request I dis I wasn’t supposed to do that in public But Haydyn very rarely usedas frivolous as fabric shopping

Alreadyme towards a fabric stall deep in the crowds of the square "Fabric?" I queried softly

"H prettily at me "We want to look our best for such an important event"

"Not the key to world peace? Not the answer to shutting down a rookery or controlling rogue gypsies? Fabric?"

Haydyn sighed wearily "Must I repeat it, Rogan, e both know you’re being facetious?"

I shrugged "Well, I just had no idea that the for Phaedrian disputes"

"More facetiousness Lovely"

I rolled lanced between Matai and her "What are you going to do?"

Haydyn gazed a little too adoringly at Matai "Lord Matai’s going to escort ifts to present to our guests at the ball"

I threw Matai a mock horrified look "Lord Matai,you, for I fear it will be the last tirinned at me "I’m sure I’ll survive"

"Well you don’t have to sound so put upon," Haydyn sniffed

I laughed, thinking about her well known generosity "And just where are all these gifts going? We didn’t bring a cart?"

"I’ll borrow one Or buy one I am the Princezna"

I al Wonderful

"Well, don’t let " I moved as fast as I could away from them and into the crowds before Haydyn demanded I take an escort

I breathed deeply of the thick sent sheep’s wool, beats, chocolate, oil, sweet rance of all the variety of themy escape to be down at the cliffs somethe surf of the Silver Sea crash against the cliff walls For some reason it reminded uard with me some way in the distance Today, as I swept past people, so out to me to buy their wares, desperate for what they assu expensive from them – I loved the market in that moment Because I was alone All alone Free

I was quick onpersistent sellers, and hopefully any of the Guard who may have followed me In no time at all I found the stall with the fabric that called to ht away Velvet, the colour of lapis lazuli, made from the finest silk in the textile factories in Ryl Haydyn would look wonderful in it I reached out to stroke the beautiful fabric when a hand clamped around my wrist

"No, no, miss" I looked up into the ruddy face of the ht colour for you, miss Come see some of my silks" He tried to pull rip but he was deterrew irritated by his persistence "Sir-"

"With a face and figure like yours, you shouldn’t hide behind the heavy textures Fine silks, ain Oh yes This hy I hated the e hand ca it froht Both the seller and I looked up into the intiry face of Wolfe Stovia

"You dare to lay your hands on the Princezna’s Handrowled at the nition finally dawning "Oh runted and shoved theto forcefully coerce a woain and you and I will have words"

I’d never seen anyone look so ill, so green "Apologies, ies, my Lady" His head bobbed up and down at me

Oh for havens sake "I’ attention to the situation and blowing it out of proportion The overbearing lout I glared at him "You, sir, are a bully"

Wolfe irl, are the Handmaiden of Phaedra and as such a lady You are not to allow strange men to touch you"

I curled my lip disdainfully "I’ll allow a mountain man of Alvernia to touch itated by his presence, his ruination of my pretence at freedom, I turned back to the seller "I want three bolts of the lapis lazuli velvet and one bolt of the e coy again and I turned without thinking toward a stall some quarter of the way back into the middle of the market The fabric that would suitan Azyl

I spun back on the seller "Have the fabric delivered to the palace and ask for Seamstress Rowan You’ll be paid well for your troubles"

He nodded, doing this obscene half bow/curtsey thing thatsharply froic was called to, I drew in a breath at the pleasant sandalwood scent of Wolfe as he fell into step beside ?" I snapped

Wolfe shrugged, refusing to look atto leave "Just one of theyou"

Pulling a face, I began walking again "We are droll aren’t we?"