felt like twenty. I kept my head bowed. “I’m from Port Kamalan.”
“I didn’t ask.”
I clamped my mouth shut, staying quiet as Lady Sarnai touched a corner of my shawl and raised it closer to study it. She took a moment longer to consider it than she had with the other tailors. Or at least, that was how it felt.
I tried not to stare at her as I waited, but from a stolen glimpse, I could see there was too much powder on her face, particularly around her eyes, which were bloodshot and puffy.
Had she spent last night crying?
I wouldn’t be happy either if my father had sold me off to be married. But to wed Emperor Khanujin…could that be so horrible?
You’re letting your imagination run wild, Maia, I scolded myself. What do you know of Lady Sarnai?
“The design is extraordinary,” Lady Sarnai said at last. “Your skill is to be commended, Master Tamarin. I have never seen work so fine….”
I held my breath, waiting for her to announce my victory in front of all the tailors who’d spoken ill of me. I was just as good as they were. No, better.
Baba would be so proud.
Lady Sarnai twisted her lips. “But I simply despise yellow.”
I blinked, certain I had misheard her.
“That is all,” Lady Sarnai said before moving on. Minister Lorsa sniffed at me, a sign that I was sure to be dismissed.
My throat closed up, and my hands trembled. No, no, no. I can’t go home. I can’t let Baba down. Our shop won’t survive another winter unless I win, or unless I marry Calu.
I was so distraught I hadn’t noticed the tall man coming over to my station. A deep, quiet grunt escaped his mouth, and I looked up.
He was younger than I’d thought, and better-looking. He might even have been handsome, if not for something sly and mischievous about his expression. His nose looked like it had been broken once; the bridge was slightly crooked, which somehow highlighted the cunning of his eyes. They danced with the light, never steady enough for me to catch their color.
He gestured at my shawl with long, thin fingers. “You made this?”
His attention took me aback. “Y-yes, sir.”
A dark eyebrow flitted up. “In a single day?”
I stiffened. Something about the tall man—and his questioning—made me forget my place. What did it matter, anyway, if I was about to be dismissed?
“The imperial seals are within the design,” I said brashly. “If you’d like to check.”
His cryptic smile returned. “No, no. I believe you.”
With his hands behind his back, the tall man walked on.
I wrenched my attention away from him and looked to Lady Sarnai, standing in the front of the hall, her fan flipped open.
“I shall wear Master Yindi’s shawl to dinner tonight with His Majesty,” she announced.
I swallowed, trying to hide my disappointment.
Lorsa handed Yindi a red silk pouch. “As the winner, Master Yindi will receive a prize of five hundred jens to use toward the next challenge.”
Five hundred jens? I couldn’t even imagine such a sum!
Lorsa continued: “The others who will remain are Master Boyen, Master Garad, Master Longhai, Master Taraha, Master Norbu, and…” He paused, a bushy eyebrow rising.
I clenched my hands into fists, squeezing so hard my nails bit into my palms. Holy Amana, please…
“Keton Tamarin.”
I let out a huge breath. Thank you. Thank you.
Lady Sarnai dangled another red silk pouch. “Master Tamarin is the second winner today. His shawl impressed me the most. A feat not easily accomplished.”
Stunned, I almost dropped my cane in my hurry to stumble toward Lady Sarnai. The glares from the other tailors and the tall man’s smug smile couldn’t ruin this moment for me.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” I said breathlessly. “Thank you.”
She dropped the pouch into my hand and waved me away.
“I will not be so generous again,” Lady Sarnai said. “There will only be one winner for each new challenge, until only one of you remains.” She gestured at Yindi and me. “But now you all know which two tailors are the ones to defeat.”
With that, she turned on her heel and left, the tall, thin man following her a few steps behind.
“Your next task will be given tomorrow morning,” Minister Lorsa said. “It will not be as easy as this one, so I suggest that you do not inebriate yourselves too much tonight.” His gaze turned to me. “Or fool yourselves into thinking you are safe from dismissal.”
My smile faded then, along with the happiness from my victory.