“I wonder if we could continue this conversation in English? My cousin, Melody,” I gesture to where she is sitting, “unfortunately has no gift for languages and therefore has never been able to master the old tongue. I myself am less accomplished than is acceptable as well.”
I look up at Madam Masochivit bashfully, she waves her hand at us magnanimously, “Of course my dear,” she replies in English, “it’s no trouble at all. And you are quite well-versed in the tongue from what I’ve heard.”
I incline my head graciously, “You are too kind my lady. Please let me introduce myself, I am Amelia Rienback, and this is my cousin Melody.”
At my introduction the lady’s eyes widen—the Rienbacks are an old Noble family, one of the closest families to the royals, they had left the country before I was born for monetary reasons. A perfect family to impersonate—there’s no one left who could recognise them.
“The news of the deaths of the entire royal Lamonia family devastated us, it’s only recently that we have regained the ability to travel. So, we decided it was time for some of us to come home and see if we could help in any way. If there is anything we can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask”
This is the one flaw in my plan, whether the Madam will take my excuse as the truth or find me suspicious. I only hope that the Rienback name, and my fluency in the old tongue are good enough proof for her.
“My lady, it is indeed a pure pleasure to have you in my house.” Madam Masochivit fawns, her face bright and eager, “You must be pleased to be back in your native country, though things have changed a great deal. If you need any help navigating the country or anything at all I would be delighted to advise you.”
Apparently, the Rienback name is famous enough that any slight inconsistences in my return are being overlooked. In exchange for being the first noble approached by a Rienback; the tales of the Rienbacks are legendary and any noble would be eager to meet them.
“That is so kind and accommodating of you, Madam.” I reply clasping my hands together and looking as gracious as I know how. Which, considering it’s been quite a few years since I plied these skills, is rather strenuous.
“Please, my lady, call me Melvia.” Madam Masochivit beams at us, her eyes alight with greediness. She wants to be the first to make friends with us and gain popularity and stature in doing so. I don’t mind playing her game if it’ll make her easier to use. Not like I’ll ever be coming back to her anyway.
I press my hand to my chest as if overwhelmed by her generosity, “Why Madam, I’m sorry Melvia,” I smile sweetly at her, “that is so kind of you! Please you must call me Amelia.”
Melvia looks at me with an engendered stunned look on her face, she acts as if to reply but I quickly cut in before she has the chance. These types of faked sweet emotion conversations can go forever, and I have no wish to waste my time and lower my I.Q. in humouring her.
“Now, I must bring this around to the reason we stopped by your lovely residence, Melvia.” I smile sweetly again; all this sweetness is making my teeth rot—too much more of this and I’ll snap. “When my family left our home, they had to leave some valuable family heirlooms behind.”
I look up at Melvia sorrowfully, making up the story as I go, “Our family has longed to be reunited with our precious items since. They were left with a trusted friend till such a time when we could return and claim them.”
The madam is eating up my fabrications so believingly, her face is a mask of sympathy, “That is such a tragedy for your family!” she commiserates, “How can I help?”
“Oh, thank you!!” I cry gratefully, “We believe a relative of our family friend works for you, a Mr Samuel True?” I inquire politely, her face opens with delight,
“Oh, yes I know that name, he works as a guard for us. Would you like me to send for him?”
I nod with gently with relief on my face, “If you did, I would be most obliged.”
Melvia calls the butler back in and sends him to fetch Samuel True, and also the maid for refreshments. While we wait for the butler to return, I converse some more with Madam Melvia, uttering inanities as nobles do. Melody joins in as much as she is able, wisely staying away from any topics that could trip her.
Just as I begin to think my brain has turned to mush from the stupid and aimless discussion, the butler finally returns and ushers Samuel True into the room.
He walks in with a confused expression on his face and surveys the room suspiciously, his eyes land on me and widen slightly with surprise before returning to a blank emotionless mask.
I turn to Madam Melvia with an apologetic face, “Would you mind awfully if we conversed in private?” I enquire hesitantly, looking at Madam Melvia with a slightly distraught countenance, “I don’t mean to seem rude.”
She stands up with a pleased expression, “Of course not, Amanda, I was just about to excuse myself.” She heads out the room, with the butler in tow, “Please feel free to call me if you need anything, I’ll be in the parlour.”
I thank her elegantly, and she finally closes the door and leaves. I wait until I can no longer hear her footsteps before turning back to Samuel and the others.
Samuel says nothing, just examines Melody and Julian thoroughly. He’s a smart man, he’s not sure how much I’ve told them, and doesn’t want to inadvertently give me away.
“Hello Samuel, it’s been a while.” I smile up at him and he gives me the slightest of nods.
We decided when he took me to Australia, that if I ever met him in the future, and I was pretending not to be me, the crown princess, then I was to call him Samuel. Otherwise, I would address him as I always had, as S.T—he was a friend of mine in the palace.
“What brings you back, young miss?” he replies, “And who are your companions?” He stares pointedly at Julian and Melody.
“Friends, Samuel. This is Melody and he is Julian.” I quickly answer before he becomes worried, “They are here to help me right the wrongs that happened years ago. Get justice for my parents and the royal family.”
He nods, “So you came to me. What do you need?”
“Anna Tilmore. I was hoping you know where she is.”
His face opens in surprise, “Does anyone know you are here?”
Code for ‘does anyone know who I am.’ I shake my head, “No, and hopefully no one will until its too late.”
Meaning I planned to keep my identity secret to the end. S.T nods understandingly, “If Her Majesty Anna is still alive, I’ve come back to put her on the throne and stick the Castovias in the dungeon where they belong.”
They deserve worse punishment, but better I don’t worry Melody or Julian by airing that thought, S.T, though, nods approvingly at my words.
“Right you are miss, and I fully intend on helping any way I can. What did you tell Madam Masochivit, I doubt she would have let you in if she knew your loyalties.”
I inform him on all the lies I spun to get here and watch as his face goes from surprised to amazed to proud as I speak.
“Masterfully done, young miss, if I can say so.” He exclaims smiling widely at me, “Seems someone got more than just a passing education in Australia! With what you’ve said I should be able to convince Madam to give me the rest of the day off to go help you look for your ‘jewels’!” He laughs delightedly.
I stare at him silently, hope brewing tentatively in my chest, “You can help?” I manage to ask with a reasonably stable voice, Samuel nods at me determinedly.
“The sooner we leave, the faster things can proceed.”
I call Madam Melvia back into the room and S.T helps me spin the necessary lies to get him off duty. It works much easier than I’d imagined and before long we are outside with Samuel ready to go find Anna.
S.T brings round his car and we all pile in; me in the front and Melody and Julian in the back. S.T starts the car and heads down the road,
“What you want, Miss, is the underground.” he comments as he pulls into traffic, I look up at him curiously,
“The underground, as in criminals?”
Melody interjects before S.T can respond, “I would have thought we’d want those still loyal to the crown?”
“Just so, Ma’am, “S.T continues, “The only loyalists left are in hiding—the new government doesn’t take kindly to dissenters.”
“So, this ‘underground’ has loyalists in it somewhere. And Her Royal Highness, Anna, is there?” I utter tonelessly to hide my hope and apprehension.
“She certainly should be. Her mother, Duchess Mari Tilmore is living there at the moment. Princess Anna was sent overseas to England to be educated--away from any threats such as the Castovias. She has just graduated and is supposed to arrive back in the country today in fact.”
My heart lifts; the chance to see Anna again is more than I believed possible, I hoped but didn’t think I’d see her until the end.
S.T glances at me and I return his look—we need to talk, go over the finer details, alone. For one big thing has come up now that I might be meeting Anna and Aunt Mari again—how do I keep my identity hidden from them?
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