Beguiled (The Fairest Maidens #2) - Jody Hedlund Page 0,64

royal-blue tunic along with the fashionable breeches and hose Gregor had managed to find. I didn’t ask him how he tracked down the garments, but he had likely gained the cooperation of the tavern owner.

Gregor had assisted me with bathing and shaving as well as trimming my hair. When finished, he plaited one thin strand on the side and left the rest unbound. For the first time since sailing away from Scania, I had the appearance befitting a prince.

During a moment of wishing for a mirror to examine myself, I’d realized how much I always relied upon my appearance for confidence. As part of my Testing, not only had I needed to see past the appearances of others, but I’d needed to see deeper into my own motives. In comparing myself to Vilmar for so many years, I’d tried to compensate by making myself look better. Now it was past time to accept our differences, and in particular, accept myself.

Even though I was no longer on the Isle of Outcasts with my official Testing, I could still continue to grow no matter where I was or what challenges I faced. In fact, perhaps that was the true Testing—to mature my entire life in every circumstance and to accept that even kings weren’t exempt from growth, especially kings who hoped to do great things for their people.

Whatever the case, I had to present myself to Queen Margery with the bearing of a king. To do any less with this crafty woman would diminish my chances of securing Pearl and Ruby.

Squaring my shoulders, I started through the doors and into the great hall. The room was teeming with guests, and at my appearance, the murmur of their voices faded, leaving only the soft strum of a harp. I strode forward regardless of the attention upon me, infusing each step with determination and purpose.

Drawing near the dais, I scanned faces, finding Gregor’s in the shadows of the kitchen hallway where he’d told me he’d wait. Pearl wasn’t amongst the nobility. Instead, the queen sat upon her throne, watching my approach with undisguised interest.

As I regarded the queen in return, I had to stifle my surprise at how beautiful she was. Although I’d only seen Pearl’s face above her veil, it was obvious she’d inherited her mother’s beauty. They shared the same elegant features, same lustrous raven hair, and same mesmerizing green eyes.

I stopped at the bottom step of the dais and waited for Lord Anise, the nobleman who’d served as my companion since entering the castle, to now present me to the queen.

“Your Royal Majesty.” Lord Anise stepped out from behind me and bowed low to the queen. Perhaps in the past I might have been impressed by a young man like him—handsome, witty, and clearly having earned the queen’s favor. But after months of living with the outcasts, I saw past his outer demeanor and recognized him as someone who was looking for advancement at court by any means possible. Men like him weren’t trustworthy and could easily switch loyalties depending on what they could gain.

He rose and then bowed toward me, although not as fully. “May I present Prince Mikkel Holberg, son of King Christian of the great kingdom of Scania.”

I refused to kneel before this queen. Doing so would feed her appetite for power, and I couldn’t allow her to believe even for a moment that I was weak in any way. Instead, I dipped my head in the greeting between equals.

She held out her hand. Each finger contained multiple rings with varying jewels, and her wrists, numerous bracelets of emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and diamonds. She was obviously putting her wealth on display—or at least what she had left of it.

I couldn’t ignore her as I wanted to do, but I waited several seconds longer before I took her hand and pressed the barest of kisses there. As I straightened, her gaze was cool, as though she recognized my slight toward her authority.

“Your Majesty, thank you for the invitation.” I infused as much coolness into my tone as possible.

“Princess Pearl insisted.”

That was a lie. Pearl hadn’t wanted me to come near the queen, had wanted to protect me from the same ill will that had befallen Vilmar. But if the queen wanted to play this game of deception, I would allow it.

“I could not deny her,” the queen continued, “especially when she indicated you are willing to provide sanctuary to Princess Ruby.”

“Scania is willing to provide sanctuary to both princesses.