As expected – the celebratory dinner was especially festive. Rows of tables were covered with succulent food and candies. There were steaming bright orange crabs stuffed with herbs and vegetables, spicy fried fish, rice died purple, pink, blue, and sweet fruits and vegetables to enjoy. Lotuses and other flowers decorated the tables.

Performers stationed to the side of the grand room played cheerful music from wooden instruments. People were dancing and drinking. The night was warm and illuminated by lanterns and candles strung from the ceiling.

But Nong had no appetite for the fun. She poked at her food trying to figure out what was happening. She needed to get a moment with the King but everyone was too excited to greet the fake prince by his side or to present their eligible daughters. The glamour around Prince Edan’s body was a shimmering veil and only Nong could see the dark stranger inside. She suspected everyone else saw the actual prince.

He conversed with his subjects naturally which confused her. He even knew their names. Where was the real prince? Did something happen to him in the North? She tensed at the awful thought. Would anyone believe her if she said something?

A waiter placed a new dish before her. A steaming bowl of fish curry.

“Thank you,” She mumbled.

She glanced back at the King. The fake prince was gone. This was her chance. She stood up to make her move when she felt a soft tap on her shoulder and turned to see not-Prince Edan standing before her.

He was a lot taller than she had remembered. Her head barely coming up to his neck. Her eyes traveled up and she noticed he had a pretty face. His ears were slightly pointed. And long, dark lashes framed his mysterious amber eyes. He smiled.

“I’ve finally found you, little bird.”

Nong jumped back startled and knocked over her bowl of fish curry splattering it all over the floor. Heads turned towards them as a servant rushed over to help clean up the mess.

“I’m sorry!” Nong stuttered.

The fake prince reached over to help but the King suddenly raised his glass clearing his throat.

“A toast!” He commanded drawing the attention back to him.

“Thank you all for joining us this evening! What a joyous day this has become for our family and for our kingdom! Many of you have presented me your daughters tonight. Please let me announce that Prince Edan is to be wed promptly!”

Everyone cheered and clapped.

“But the lovely bride has already been chosen,”

The people gasped at the news. Others began to murmur their guesses. The King smiled smugly pausing for dramatic effect. And when he finally looked her way Nong stared in disbelief.

“Nong Li! Our most treasured Bird Witch shall be wed to Prince Edan in a month’s time!”

How did she not see this coming?

Everyone cheered as loud as they could. The musicians blasted their songs even louder. And people begun to make their way towards her smiling from ear to ear. The fake prince’s eyebrows creased in confusion and then to shock as he was ambushed with congratulations and pats on the back. Nong took the opportunity to duck and dashed out of the room.

She came to a stop in the tropical gardens almost reaching the hidden entrance to her rooms. But instead of continuing inside she collapsed on a stone bench trying to recollect herself. Her eyes fell on a grove of prickly flowers. The air began to feel too sticky and sweat beads formed behind her neck. The sash around her waist threatened to cut her in half.

She just got betrothed to Prince Edan…only it wasn’t him.

Where was he? Was he ok? She tried to calm herself and see if she could somehow coerce a helpful vision. She sat in meditation like her governess had taught her to do. Breathing in and out for what seemed like a hundred hours but her thoughts were too loud in her head. Soon she grew tired and finally stood up to retreat to her rooms when two guards approached her.

“The King requests your audience,” They said. She sighed and regained her composure as they led her back into the palace.