44.

“Find anything?” Mama asks when I return to their room.

“No, unfortunately. I thought our seamstress would have more to choose from, but apparently she doesn’t.”

“That’s perfectly all right. Mattie and I brought extra clothing, if we could just have it washed.”

“Now that I can do.” I snatch the items from their bags and toss them down a chute in the wall; it directly corresponds to the room number so the laundry keepers will know where to return it. Until then, they can wear bathrobes.

“When do we get to see the gardens?” Mattie asks.

“As soon as we get some clothes for you, bud. Can’t have you running around naked, can we?”

He giggles, and then blushes. “Noooo.”

“Andy, where is Malik? I haven’t seen him since we arrived and I was hoping to pass along Xara’s hug.”

“He’s been working in the kitchens, and nobody’s allowed in there. When I used to live in this room, Daphne and I would go visit. Oh! You haven’t met Daphne.” Why haven’t I thought of introducing her to my family? She’d love to meet them.

“Did she live with you too?”

“No, she was a maid, but didn’t feel like one. More like a friend. I haven’t seen her since—”

“Since what?”

“Yesterday. I haven’t seen her since yesterday.” I can’t exactly come out and say, I haven’t seen her since my wedding.

“Well, as long as I can send Xara’s well wishes to Malik, I’ll be happy. I’m sure he’s filled out some since you two left?”

“I guess so. I haven’t really paid attention to whether he’s eating or not. I mean, it’s not like I see him that often.”

No sooner do I finish my sentence when Daphne bounces through the door.

“Oh! Sorry, miss. Didn’t know ya were in ‘ere.”

“Daphne, come here. I want you to meet my family. This is Mama and Mattie.”

“Nice ta meet ya.” She gives them a slight curtsy.

“And you as well. Andy was just telling us you’ve been a dear friend during her stay here,” says Mama. Her eyes catch mine, and I know she knows something.

Daphne’s cheeks glow pink. “I—I guess so, miss. I tried ta.”

I bet Daphne could get those clothes for me. That seamstress won’t know it’s my request. Hopefully.

“Hey, Daph, do you think you could check on their laundry? They didn’t bring many clothes and the ones they have are filthy. I dropped them down,” I say.

“Of course, miss. Be back in a bit.”

“She seems like a nice girl,” Mama says when Daphne exits the room.

“She is. Very,” I confirm. “Hard worker, too.”

“Andy, if you don’t mind, I’d like to speak with you outside.”

I knew this would happen.

Mattie shifts his eyes between the two of us. “Can I go too?”

“No, stay here. It won’t take long,” Mama says.

She and I enter the hallway, the guards bowing as I pass. Like that doesn’t give everything away. She’d be stupid if she doesn’t know.

“Obviously there’s something going on. I don’t want to make assumptions before I’m aware of what’s really happening. So, tell me. What is it that I don’t know about? I got your letter. Did you say yes?”

There are so many words I want to say right now, but none of them will form. I open my mouth more than once to begin.

“I…did.”

“And?”

“Zarek insisted we have the wedding sooner than later.”

“How soon?”

I shift my weight from one leg to the other. “Like, yesterday soon.”

“You had the wedding yesterday? Mattie and I weren’t even here.”

“I know. Zarek had promised that you two would be in attendance. Same for Malik, but he had to stay in the kitchens to prepare for the wedding. Zarek said you two were on your way.”

“The stars had other plans.” Her features lack any enthusiasm. It’s as if I’ve sucked out her soul.

“Mama, I’m sorry. I tried my best to get you two here. It was important to me that my family and friends witness the wedding.”

She overlooks my apology. “So, you’re Queen of the New World now?”

“Yes.”

“Should I bow?”

“Mama, please—”

“I can’t wait to see the look on your brother’s face when you tell him he missed your big event. He would’ve so loved to be here.”

It takes everything in me not to cry. Why does she always make me feel bad? It’s not my fault they couldn’t make it.

“You’re right. I do need to be the one to tell him.”

She sarcastically nods.

Back in the room, Mattie stares out the window. “I see them in the distance,” he says. “The stars. I wonder if they’re the same ones that came after us.”

“I think they might be different, bud. Hey, why don’t you have a seat with me? I need to tell you something.”

He obeys, sliding off his chair and hopping onto the bed. “What is it, Andy?” His wide, brown eyes could hold the final innocence in this world…and I’m about to crush every last part.

“Well, you know what marriage is, right?” I ask.

He nods.

“Um, see, the King asked me to marry him. So we could be together forever.”

Mattie makes a rude vomiting noise, while sticking his finger down his throat. “Gross.”

I giggle. “Why is that gross?”

“’Cause you’re a girl!”

“You won’t be saying that when you grow old. You’ll actually want a girl, then.”

“Ewww!”

“Okay, so, after King Zarek asked me, I said yes. But he wanted the wedding right away so you and Mama couldn’t reach me in time to be there when it happened.”

“When what happened, Andy?”

“The wedding.”

He gasps. “You got married?”

“Yes, silly. Yesterday.”

He thinks about this for a moment, then his entire body slumps. “How come I couldn’t go?”

Mama stands against the far wall; her face confirming what she told me was true.

Wrapping my arm around his shoulders, I say, “I wish you could’ve been here. But we’ll still have fun while you’re here, right? We can have our own party. Would you like that? Just the three of us?”

He slightly nods and clutches his stomach. “I feel sick. Can I take a nap?” he asks, looking in Mama’s direction.

She smiles at him.

He tugs at the sheets and burrows underneath the covers.

“What about the gardens? Don’t you want to see them?” I ask.

His muffled voice replies, “No. I’m just really tired.”

I stride to where Mama stands. “Okay, so you were right. I upset him. But at least I was honest about it.”

“Andy, I don’t think we’ll be staying here very long. We have needs to attend to in Legora and I can’t allow our house to sit there while we gorge ourselves on desserts in crystal glasses.”

Blood drains from my face. “What?”

“This,”—she motions toward the general vicinity of the room—“isn’t for us. I’m upset that we weren’t able to attend your wedding, yes. But, as a mother, I should be congratulating you. You’ve made it further than the rest of us. We’ll be battling the elements and wondering whether the next town will accept us when we have to move again. You, on the other hand, will never have those worries on your shoulders.”

I feel a tear slip down my cheek, but it doesn’t fully register that I’m crying. “Mama, I told you—you and Mattie can stay here. For as long as you wish.”

She gently kisses my forehead. “My daughter, what would I do here? The same work I perform in Legora?”

I guess I never thought about her working. I envisioned her fooling around like I have for the past two weeks—playing games with Mattie and me in the gardens, or sampling new foods from the kitchens.

Never sewing clothes. Never washing dishes. Never scrubbing laundry.

 “It’s what’s normal,” she continues. “We’ll stay until tomorrow, and then let you get back to your duties. I’m sure being Queen has many responsibilities.”

Responsibility. There’s that word again. Funny thing is: I have yet to be responsible for anything.