Back inside the castle, Theo changed into his knight’s uniform and absentmindedly stashed a green handkerchief into his pocket. With a few deft movements, he was ready to go. Sparing one second to check his reflection in the mirror, he tromped out of his quarters, his mind focused on one thing and one thing only…

Blast these infernal introductions.

Frankly, he didn’t understand why it must fall to him. He was a warrior, a commander—not a public speaker. While the Presentation of the Royal Family was an annual occurrence, he was lucky enough to evade this responsibility the last two festivals that he served as Royal Commander.

Despite knowing the royal family for over a decade, he wasn’t sure what to really say about them. Most of what he could say, he didn’t think he should say anyway. His reticence was compounded when he considered his unfortunate reputation with the public.

Whatever he said, he was certain the audience would criticize him for being too stern, unanimated, and unrelatable. Yes, he’d heard it all so many times before. Yuki undoubtedly held all the charisma between the two friends, though he loathed to admit it.

As Theo mounted his horse, he began to feel lighter in spirit and body. Perhaps he was fretting too much about such a trivial thing. It couldn’t hurt to smile a bit, right? As a knight passed him, Theo shot him a trial smile. Taken back by the unfamiliar site, the knight nearly fell off in shock.

So, maybe I’m a little rusty.

A pitter-patter of chatter filled the assembly of knights as they approached the presentation arena. The town square now boasted a regal stage, and the streets were cleared for the kings of Falworth to parade through. After making the rounds, Theo dismounted as all the townsfolk rose to their feet for the presentation of the royals.

He felt a rush of relief seeing Yuki seated in his proper chair with his family. At least he wouldn’t have to come up with an excuse for his absence. Prince Yuki, his sister Celia, and their parents, the king and queen, sat on gilded chairs flocked by musicians on each side. All was as it should be.

As Theo’s feet took him to the speaker’s box, he could feel the same unnatural optimism coursing through his veins. He felt, in fact, like a whole new person. It was liberating. At last, he could do and be what he wanted, and just in time for his introductions.

“Boss, are you feelin’ alright?” Hael asked, grabbing Theo by the arm as he moved toward the stage.

“Perfectly, I’m light as a feather, Hael. Thank you.” Theo spun in a circle with his arms out as if he were a thespian in a low-budget play.

“Take it easy, there.” Hael grabbed his shoulder to steady him, but Theo shook him off then, as if confused, proceeded to give him a hearty handshake. Hael looked around at the other knights around him, who all looked on with various degrees of shock or horror engraved on their faces. If they didn’t know him, they’d think he enjoyed one drink too many at the local pub.

“How about you give the honor to one of us, huh? Dontcha worry we’ll do you proud.”

Ignoring Hael’s request, Theo practically bounded up the stairs with an almost unnatural enthusiasm. It’s like my limbs have a mind of their own, Theo thought, chalking his lively movements up to a mix of anxiety and adrenaline.

The gathering of onlookers bore their eyes into him, leaving Theo feeling uneasy. Just then, he caught sight of Miss Emaline near the back of the crowd, her blond hair shining in the hot sun. She didn’t look particularly interested in the festivities. If anything, she was enjoying the opportunity to catch up with her friends. He started feeling jittery all over.

I just have to get this over and done.

“Welcome to the annual Presentation of the Royal Family!” Theo bellowed before performing a few seconds of what could only be described as a jig. The audience watched with bulging eyes as Theo kicked his heels around while humming an erratic melody. “We’re so grateful for your attendance today and your support for our nation’s rulers.”

Yuki’s raised eyebrows nearly disappeared into his hairline at his friend's nonsensical performance.

“Today, I have the honor of presenting the royal family. As the Royal Commander, I’ve worked closely with our esteemed rulers.”

The murmur of chatter filled the audience. “Did he say he’s the Royal Commander?” a voice whispered. Similar statements of shock ripped through the gathered assembly.

Emmy, unable to see much at all, pushed her way closer and stood on her toes to catch a glimpse of the infamous Stoic Commander. After bumping shoulders with multiple onlookers she finally found an opening to gaze through. She blinked once, twice, and an extra time for good measure before her eyes made sense of the man before her.

He was, undoubtedly, Theo Radcliff.

Her mind whirled to that very morning when Hael told her he’d run into his boss. She chided herself for not stitching together the clues. Hael’s boss was also Turrin’s boss. Of course, she hadn’t seen him around town before. She knew very well how busy all the knights were. Emmy bit her lip, hoping she hadn’t acted in a way that would reflect poorly on Turrin.

His voice called everyone back from their scattered thoughts, “Let’s start with a thunderous applause for all that they do!”

A few paltry claps resonated in the town square. They were, in a word, astonished. Then, to top it off, the Stoic Commander laughed—quite audibly.

“Well, let’s move on to the royal family,” Theo said, undeterred.

Yuki chomped down on his lip to stifle an irresistible desire to laugh. Celia, however, raised one eyebrow and gazed on with indifference.

“What in the queen’s pastry?” Emmy said to herself.

The Theo Radcliff she knew looked imposing but was more soft-spoken than outspoken. She didn’t know him beyond their brief encounters, but she could tell that something was decidedly unnatural about his behavior.

She pushed herself forward yet again to get a better glimpse of him, looking for any malicious magical devices upon his person. She could see no other rationale for his radical change in both personality and body movements. As she neared a distinctive paisley border on his handkerchief caught her eye.

The threads of tomfoolery? Emmy’s eyes widened, for she had stitched it herself!

* * *

Somehow, Theo made it through the presentation without losing any more of his pride. Each royal was presented, and the festivities concluded without any great harm. But the Royal Commander was on everyone's lips as the presentation concluded. Some wondered if the rumors of his taciturn nature were codswallop to begin with, while others speculated on the state of his sobriety.

Be cool; be collected, Theo chanted to himself as he rushed offstage into the throng of townsfolk. About halfway through the presentation, he realized that he was no longer in control of his being. The audience’s gasps and Emmy’s own troubled expression spoke volumes.

He felt downright ill, as though possessed by some ridiculous magic. As the festivities concluded, Theo quickly located his horse and galloped hard and fast away from the center of town. He found himself at a creek a few miles away.

Solitude at last.

He rapidly unbuttoned his collar and tossed aside his blazer, flushed from embarrassment. A sweet sanity returned to him nearly immediately, and he sighed deeply in relief, splashing the cold creek water upon his hot face. Running his hand through his hair, he tousled his brown strands every which way, unconcerned about his appearance.

Then, as though inspired, he picked up his coat and examined it. His sharp eyes quickly fell upon the green handkerchief he had absently put on earlier.

“This isn’t mine.”

Theo tugged it further out of the pocket, noting the peculiar embroidery. It looked elaborate, lavish even—far too fine for a knight like him.

Who could have enchanted it and snuck it into my quarters?

Not many were aware of how to access the knight’s bunkers, and even fewer could access his own chamber, that he kept safely locked. Only one conclusion came to mind. He was set up by someone on the inside. His mind wandered back to Turrin and Hael’s conversation at the training grounds. Were they in cahoots to make a mockery of him? Theo shook his head, unbelieving, but he couldn’t shake the thought from his mind.

He thought back to the moments before he made himself the talk of the town. Hael had tried to stop him. He wondered if Turrin had acted alone or if Hael’s feigned concern was all part of their plan.

Becoming the Royal Commander at such a young age required unspeakable effort. He simply could not let all that he stood for become a mockery overnight. Theo stashed the object of his humiliation into the steed’s saddle bag, away from his person. Mounting him swiftly, his green eyes glowed with determination.

“I refuse to let this go unpunished.”