-Felicity-

I stood in front of Princess Shauna, wearing my new uniform. I could tell it had been retailored in a hurry, and I suspected my measurements had been acquired from Madam Weatherly, courtesy of Prince Daniel. The princess, the middle of the three siblings, lounged across her couch elegantly but assertively. She had her manicured nail between her teeth as she looked at me.

“I’ll admit I was a bit offended that my little brother would suggest someone for my guard.” She lowered her hand and sat up. “I can’t find it in myself to be mad, though.” She chuckled. “I do, however, want to know your full reasons for declaring war on Duke Lyon.”

“He had me investigate my own disappearance. He had the audacity to ask me where his daughter was while looking me in the eyes,” I said.

Her maid dropped the teapot.

“I got tired of chasing after a father with the emotional maturity of a turnup and chose petty revenge.”

“The dress…” Shauna whispered.

“Icing. She ruined my face.”

Now fully aware of the layers to my pettiness, Shauna started laughing. I’d expected a throaty laugh that matched her deeper voice. What came out was a high-pitched cackle that the two attending maids devolved into joining. “Please!” Shauna begged. “Please tell me that you’re not finished with him!”

“He keeps pissing me off,” I said with a smile.

Just that morning, I’d been informed that he was moving my belongings to his mansion. There were no explanations as to why, no excuses. He’d just unilaterally decided that was how it would be. I supposed he was mad that I’d made a fool of him at the ball. This was his retaliation. He thought keeping a closer eye on me would make it impossible for me to pull something like that again. Or he'd figured out that I was his daughter and decided that I wasn't allowed to live with a bunch of men anymore. A bit late for that, but the man was stupid.

Shauna kicked her feet inelegantly as she cackled again. She surprised me with a snort.

It wasn’t that funny, was it?

Considering it further, I supposed he was probably just as annoying at court. Over the last two years of working for him, I’d sometimes wondered if he was mentally handicapped, but no. His tactics on the battlefield were brilliant and had won us many victories. He just didn’t want to deal with the truth if it didn't match what he thought it should be. That his sister didn’t love him or take care of his daughter was a blow to his worldview. That I, his trusted subordinate, wanted away from him at all costs was incomprehensible. Soon, Felix’s new leaf would turn out to be worse than his debauchery, which reminded me. “Princess Shauna,” I said when she had subsided to little snorts and giggles. “My brother wants to be a priest. He told me he hates being a knight, and his behavior so far has been an effort to get Father to disown him. It didn’t work. We’re trying something else.”

Shauna sat forward abruptly, her eyes wide as her grin. “I’ll speak with the Saint!” she blurted.

I blinked. “I’m rather surprised by everyone’s enthusiasm to assist with this.”

“This is the most entertaining thing to happen at court in years!” Shauna said, getting to her feet. She was the same height as me, I discovered. Shauna placed her hands on my shoulders. “And Duke Lyon is such a bore. Even if Felix is accepted into an order, you can still be Lyon’s heir. There’s no harm in assisting you with this. The only harm coming to him is of his own doing! I’d never thought I’d get to watch someone so self-assured self-destruct due to ignorance! The greatest tactician at that!”

My smile wasn’t nice. “And he will never see it coming because he doesn’t understand emotional motives.”

Shauna squished my face between her hands. “You. Are delightful! I’ll have to give Daniel something nice to thank him for this gift.” Stepping away, she fanned herself with her hand, her white-blonde hair swaying against her back. I was quietly envious of the length of it. “Your aunt and uncle are being executed in a few weeks. Do you wish to go?”

“Yes,” I said immediately.

“I’ll make sure someone tells her you wore her dress to the ball. I think she’d like to know that,” Shauna said, casting me a wicked look over her shoulder.

“As long as she doesn’t say anything about who I am in public,” I said. “I don’t care if I’m talked about behind closed doors, but if anyone says anything to him, the fun is over.”

“Absolutely,” Shauna agreed. “Ah. I’m so delighted to have the Queen of Petty Revenge as my knight!”

“I’d originally been going for tacky,” I admitted.

“Oh, it was the ultimate statement of power,” Shauna assured as she went to the sideboard to pour herself a glass of water since the tea service was ruined. Her two maids were still cleaning the mess, giggling to themselves. “We’ve seen what you do to your enemies. Now let’s show them what you do for your friends.”