The Accidental Prince. Michelle Willingham

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      You’re not their prince any more. Your only hope for a kingdom lies with Serena.

      His jaw tightened at the thought. He didn’t like the idea of relying on anyone else’s whims to make his future.

      With her hair pinned up in a messy arrangement, Serena looked vulnerable. Tentatively, she examined yards of fabric and trim, and Karl nodded to the shopkeeper. ‘Let her purchase whatever she wishes. And one of the dresses must be ready by this evening.’

      The woman eyed him for a moment, her face furrowed as if she didn’t believe she could accomplish the task. ‘I have pieces of a gown partially sewn, but I must ask that you pay a portion of the cost beforehand. And I’ll need to take her measurements to adjust the fit.’

      From her embarrassed expression, it seemed that others must have cheated her in the past. Karl withdrew a stack of gold coins and set them in the woman’s palm. ‘This should cover the cost of two gowns. One for tonight, and another within the week.’ Then he turned back to Serena. ‘Do you want me to stay while she measures you?’

      The princess’s face reddened. ‘No, I’ll be all right on my own. But please … wait outside.’ She looked uneasy about being alone, and he wondered if he ought to stay, regardless of her wishes.

      In the end, he decided that his presence would only worsen the awkwardness between them. ‘Send the dress to the governor’s manor tonight,’ Karl ordered. ‘And I need you to acquire a suitable ladies’ maid for my wife. Perhaps if you’ve a daughter or an acquaintance …?’

      The woman’s face paled. ‘My lord, the governor’s house is locked up. Are you certain you’re speaking of the right place?’

      Karl gave a single nod. ‘I am.’ He offered nothing further, letting her draw whatever conclusions she would.

      Over the next hour, Serena inspected the fabric pieces that the dressmaker had begun stitching. It was a cream-coloured taffeta gown, trimmed with a cranberry ribbon. Although it would need to be taken in at the waist, Frau Bauherzen believed she could make it fit. There was also a matching cloak in the same shade of deep red.

      It was strange, ordering a gown without jewels or lace, one that would never be worn to greet ambassadors. The simple design had a vee waist and box pleats that fell to the floor. A lady might wear this gown to pay calls, but it was entirely too plain for a princess.

      Serena rather liked it.

      ‘Do … all the island women purchase clothing this way?’ she asked, feeling foolish at the question. Everything she’d ever worn had been created only for her. She’d never been inside a shop before, and she had to resist the urge to touch everything.

      Frau Bauherzen sent her a curious look. ‘I’m sorry, madam, but I don’t understand.’

      ‘Nothing.’ She shook her hand, realising that she would only give away her identity if she asked more questions.

      ‘May I take your measurements now?’ Frau Bauherzen enquired.

      Serena followed her behind a curtain, and the woman offered to help her remove her outer gown. ‘I’d rather remain dressed,’ she murmured, afraid that the dressmaker would discover her bruises, ‘if you don’t mind.’

      Though the matron respected her wishes, Serena had to fight against her embarrassment at being touched. Her ladies in the palace already knew her measurements, and whenever she needed a new gown, it was simply delivered the day before the event. She had multiple wardrobes filled with day dresses, riding habits, ceremonial ballgowns, hats, gloves and stockings.

      ‘Your husband is a generous man,’ the woman offered, measuring the distance from Serena’s waist to the floor.

      Serena didn’t know how to answer. Generous with coins, certainly. But how would he react when she informed him that she would not be marrying him? Already Karl had proved to be strong-willed and dominant. She suspected he wouldn’t accept her refusal well at all.

      ‘Forgive me,’ Frau Bauherzen apologised, ‘but I did wonder how you managed to go inside the governor’s house. It’s been locked up for several weeks now.’

      Though the woman’s tone was unassuming, Serena wasn’t about to reveal their identities. She gave the only truth she could. ‘My husband has connections with the Royal House of Lohenberg. But we were surprised to learn that the staff had gone.’

      ‘They fled a few months after the famine,’ the matron admitted. Her face coloured, and she added, ‘Were I you, I’d go back to Lohenberg. There’s nothing here any more.’ She folded her hands, busying herself with writing more measurements.

      ‘What about the rest of the islanders?’ Serena asked. ‘How are they surviving?’

      Frau Bauherzen set down her pencil and shrugged. ‘The rest of us have no choice but to stay. We can’t afford to leave.’ She lifted the taffeta gown and began pinning the waistline. ‘I don’t know what brought you here, but Vertraumen has no future any more. Not for any of us.’

      Serena didn’t like hearing the resignation in the woman’s voice. ‘I’ll ask my husband to speak with the king of Lohenberg. It may be that he can get help for you.’

      ‘I wish it could be so,’ Frau Bauherzen responded, ‘but it’s been two years now. And … nothing.’

      Though she knew it was none of her business, Serena couldn’t stand back idle when people were suffering. Surely they could bring in more food and workers to help restore the island. ‘We’ll see what can be done,’ she offered.

      ‘About what?’ came the voice of the fürst. He entered the shop, taking Serena’s gloved hand in his.

      The matron cleared her throat, her face bright with embarrassment. ‘I was only explaining to your wife about the troubles that have been going on in Vertraumen.’

      ‘So I’ve heard.’ The fürst guided Serena to stand behind him. ‘I will send word to the king on your behalf.’

      The woman sent him a sudden look, as if she were wondering who he was. A moment later, she seemed to dismiss it. ‘Thank you, my lord. In the meantime, I should … get started on the gown. I will bring it to the manor house as soon as it’s finished.’

      Before Serena could say another word, the fürst guided her outside, leading her away from the village. ‘Bernard and Samuel have purchased supplies, and they will bring them to the house. We’re going back now.’

      ‘But I thought you wanted to explore the village?’ She was confused at his sudden decision. ‘Has something happened?’

      He nodded. ‘I’ll tell you more when we reach the manor.’

      ‘I want her found.’ Freiherr Albert von Meinhardt swept his fist across the desk, sending a brass candlestick flying. It struck the ground, but Captain Gerlach Feldmann didn’t flinch. He’d been prepared for the freiherr’s outrage. As the king’s closest advisor and a distant cousin, Albert had secretly held a fascination with the princess. Had she not outranked him, Gerlach suspected the man might have offered himself as a potential bridegroom.

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