Royal Blues

By Susan Lyttek

“What will you wear to Flower Fest, Trudy?”

Amelia, my best friend and fairy godmother, flew into the room so fast I sidestepped to keep her from crashing into me. She did that a lot. I had colorful bruises to prove it.

“What will I wear? Clothes. A dress since we still haven’t managed to change that stupid law about princesses and dresses.”

She floated to the floor. Whenever she stopped flying, she was serious.

About six months prior, we’d been assigned life roles. Amelia became a fairy godmother. Good. I became a princess. Bad. I was the least princess-like female I could think of. I wasn’t dainty, didn’t like tea, and couldn’t complete a beginner cross-stitch. Unfortunately, the Royal Kingdom had a limited number of job titles.

But Prince Corduroy and I were changing that. And the Chairman agreed to let us experiment as long as I used my godmother-given gift to help uncover the poisoners besieging the kingdom. The same gift that had convinced Corduroy to hire me as his taster since he was my only match… anywhere. Though, he didn’t seem to realize that.

I sighed.

Amelia poked my chin. “You’re thinking of him again. That’s why you have to figure out what to wear.” She swirled around me like a hummingbird. “I’m sick of you staring at him when he’s not looking and him doing the same thing back. You’re both impossible!”

Only my best friend could get away with that. Even so, my hands clenched into fists. “We’re going because of the latest threats against the Chairman. It isn’t a date.”

“But it could be.” She smirked. “You two will be pretending you’re a couple after all.”.

“No.”

“No?”

“No. If he likes me, he likes me. And if he doesn’t, he doesn’t. I’m not going to let you use magic to sway him. Technically, he’s our boss. The Flower Fest is just another assignment.”

I watched Amelia’s face fall. She meant well. But in our world of magic, deception, and image, I wanted something real. I’d rather have Corduroy as a real employer than a magically-induced boyfriend.

“Fine.” She stared at me so long I thought I was growing horns. “But you’ll at least allow me to create your dress?”

I shrugged. “I don’t care what I wear.”

“I think I know your favorite color.”

Immediately, I thought of the rich blue of Corduroy’s eyes. I sighed again.

“I knew it.” Amelia smiled. That smile made me tremble.

The prince and I met in the office to prep for the mission. That’s what the Flower Fest was. Not a date. No matter how much Amelia insisted.

“Where do they want us to focus? Hopefully near the fairy cakes?” Just thinking about them made me lick my lips.

Corduroy shuffled the papers around with his paws. Since it was daylight, he was in bear form due to the rules of his enchantment. “They don’t say.” He stared at the documents.

I leaned in, trying to catch a glimpse. “I was just hoping they’d given us direction so we wouldn’t have to hang around all night.”

He scooted his chair closer to mine. “Would that be so bad? Hanging around a festival with me—the human me? Dancing?”

Was he… flirting?

I swallowed. “No.” My voice squeaked. I cleared my throat. “It wouldn’t be bad.” I imagined him swinging me around the plaza and prayed I wasn’t blushing. “But the Counsel wants us to investigate, so we ought to do it.”

He put his paw on my hand. “Relax, Trudy. You’re good at this.” His eyes met mine. “And maybe we can have some fun, too.” He took his paw away and stood. “Meet me at the plaza gazebo just after sunset?”

I nodded, turning away before he saw the red creep up my cheeks.

He headed off to his next meeting. I picked up a book.

It was knocked out of my hands. “You don’t have time for that. I have to get you ready.”

Amelia waved her wand about, releasing so much pixie dust that I sneezed. Repeatedly.

And she refused to let me see a mirror. “Trust me.”

Hours later, as I stepped into the coach she’d prepared, I smoothed the satiny surface of my gown. It was, in fact, the same azure as Corduroy’s eyes.

Amelia flew up and kissed my cheek. “For fairy luck.”

Awkward.

The coach dropped me off as close as the crowd would allow. I could see the gazebo about a dozen booths away. Magic lanterns floated everywhere, making the early evening almost as bright as day. Musicians warmed up as I wove through stalls selling everything from “peaceful sleep” charms to candied flowers.

I only wanted to find two things: lavender fairy cakes and Corduroy.

The scent of lavender hit me first. I breathed deep. Amazing. It called to me, pulled me in, but— It can’t be!

I saw my prince. “Corduroy!”

He heard my panic and almost leapt through the crowd. “Trudy?” His comforting arm draped my shoulders.

I pressed against him, breathing hard. “Someone knows about my ability.”

Confusion shone in his kind blue eyes. “What?”

I pointed to the fairy cakes. “Someone poisoned those. Someone knew they were my favorite.”

“I knew.”

My heart plummeted.

“I let Amelia talk me into doctoring your preferred treats with a love spell.”

“That’s not—what?” I jerked away from him. “Love spell?”

Corduroy looked away. “It was a bad idea. But… you’re so smart and independent I didn’t think you’d be interested in me. The effect only lasts one evening. Maybe it would help you consider liking me.”

“But… our mission…”

“Trudy, the Chairman didn’t need us tonight.”

“He didn’t?”

“No.”

I met his gaze. “So this is… a date?”

He grinned sheepishly. “And you look absolutely beautiful.”

I kissed him before I could think better of it.

And after we destroyed some lavender cakes, I was going to have an amazing evening.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan A. J. Lyttek, author of five novels, award-winning writer, blogger, wife and mother to two homeschool graduates has temporarily given up job-hunting and instead spends her days tutoring over Zoom and writing the strangest tales she can. Learn more at her website.

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