Page 114 of Journey to the Elderoak
“Thank you.” She clutched it and took a sip. “So, what do you mean you have to work all day?”
Casimir filled his own plate.“Well, being the general comes with certain duties. Like overseeing security for the ball tonight. I’ll be spending the day reviewing protocols with the guards to prepare for any potential problems.”
“Oh.” She took a bite of eggs. “I take it everyone else is busy too.”
“Yes. Sorry.”
She shrugged. “It’s okay. I’ll wander the castle or something. Maybe read in the library.”
“Fanya’s going to be here in a couple of hours to spend the day with you.”
“Oh, good! That’ll be lovely.”
“And…” he added. “I’ll be on duty during the ball.”
“Seriously? So now I don’t have a date?”
He raised an eyebrow. “I was to be your date?”
“Of course.”
“You never asked me.” He grinned mischievously
“I thought it was assumed.”
“Sorry, I can’t be your date.”
Frowning, she took a sip of tea.
“But,” he continued, “I will make sure to sneak away for a dance. And I’ll be sitting next to you at dinner.”
“I’ll take what I can get I suppose. So, about the ball. What’s it like? How does dinner work?”
“The first hour or so is mostly mingling. Dinner will happen after that, then the tables will be cleared and put away to open the ballroom for dancing and lounging.”
“And where will you be?”
“First, I’ll be stationed with you and Thorne as you greetthe guests. Once everyone’s inside, I’ll be in the ballroom with the others, monitoring the crowd.”
She swallowed a bite of pastry. “And what will I be doing?”
“You’ll be with Thorne most of the time. You two will stand at the castle entrance and greet the guests as they arrive. Then you’ll stay with him as he announces the start of Solstice and through most of the night. Stay close to Thorne and you’ll be fine.”
“Do the other kingdoms know about me? I mean, besides Saxumdale.”
“Yes.”
“Any tips?”
He thought for a moment. “I’ve never met the rulers of Igneothenia. They disappeared when I was very young. Thalia, the queen, is said to be kind and Aelerion, brash and boisterous, but a good ruler. Of course, Astrid and Soren will be friendly.”
“And what about your father?”
“My father is an asshole,” he said. “He will probably be rude, but he won’t harm you. Politics are too important to him. His wife is fine. She’ll likely stay quiet, like he wants her to.”
Ava grimaced. “And your brother?”
“Stay away from him,” he said with sudden intensity.
